When is a dog really leash trained?

• 06-09-2008 12:29 PM

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,794 Points 850

  When is a dog really leash trained? Reply Contact This question has been on my mind lately and it stems more from threads I've been reading on the GSD board.  I keep reading statements like, "the prong collar fixed my dog's pulling" or "my dog walks perfect on a leash when he's wearing a prong."  These statements have me wondering, at what point do we consider a dog "trained"?  To me, if I have to use a certain tool to get the result I want, I do not consider my dog trained.  For example, I do not consider Coke fully leashed trained because he will often pull unless wearing a prong or the Easy Walk.  Kenya I consider to be leash trained because I can use any tool (or have her off leash) and she will heel, doesn't matter if we are in our yard, at our own training club, or taking a test at a totally new facility.  What do you guys think?  To me, a tool is just that, a tool.  I don't like to rely on any tool to control my dog, but I use them all the time to train toward new goals.  If I'm dependent on a tool to get a result I consider the dog still in training, but not trained.  My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com

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• 06-09-2008 2:00 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  CoBuHe Joined on 08-03-2007 Southeast Texas Posts 773 Points 35

  Re: When is a dog really leash trained? Reply Contact I will consider Heidi fully leashed trained when I do not have to use the prong collar any longer.  We are getting to the point where she is walking very nicely with me and Buddy without pulling.  She likes to walk ahead of us a lot of the time and that's fine with me.  Unless I have reason to keep them on a short leash in a heel, they are free to walk whereever they want as long as they don't pull me.  So, we are getting closer, but she is not there yet.  Buddy had the need for a prong when he was young too, but only for a while.  I can walk him on a flat collar and he stays right by my side for the most part.  When he sees something interesting (cat, squirrel, deer, etc), and his ears perk up...all I have to do is give him a soft tug, tell him "not for you" and we are back on track. I agree with you that the tool is to be used to get to an ultimate goal and further agree that they are not trained completely if the tool is still needed.  The prong should be a temporary training tool, not a forever walking collar, IMO.

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• 06-09-2008 3:02 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  Workingdoglover Joined on 05-22-2007 Posts 353 Points 0

  Re: When is a dog really leash trained? Reply Contact I definitely agree that if you must use a specific training aid (whether it be a prong, a no-pull harness, or a halti), the dog is not fully leash trained.  Honestly I'm still working on weaning Rafe off of the prong when we're just out on regular walks.  Some days he's just fine and dandy, but other days he just really has this pulling thing going.  Probably because he's a little more energetic on the latter days.  I suppose they are right that, "the prong collar fixed my dog's pulling" or "my dog walks perfect on a leash when he's wearing a prong," but that isn't the same thing as saying, "my dog is completely leash trained."  Yes, the prong makes the dog seem leash trained, but if without the prong the dog still pulls, he's not leash trained (IMO).  I always tell people this, too.  You have to pair training with a training aid or nothing is really going to happen.

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