A Natural at Walking on Leash?

[All4Blakey]

Hi All,

I've had my dog for 1 week now. She's a 6 month old mini aussie and so far, so good.

She was crate trained before I got her and although she slept in the previous owner's daughter's room in a crate at night, I don't think she had a tremendous amount of interaction with the humans in the family because after 15 weeks she was mostly outside with the other dogs.

I've been letting her drag a leash around on a flat collar from time to time to get her used to it. But, I took her out for a second attempt at walking on leash this morning and was pleasantly surprised.

She walked in a decent position (left side, at a heal) about 70% of the time. I don't recall her getting ahead of me and pulling at all. In fact, most of the time there was a difference in our speeds, she needed a little encouragement to pick up the pace. In a word, she was GREAT for it only be her second time.

She still needs some work, but I feel that she's miles ahead of where I'd expect.

Has anyone else had a dog that was kind of a natural at walking on leash? Is that even possible?

TIA.

 

[GOODBOY]

I have had that in time past. Some dog are like that, they get along so soon.This is very good. Praise him for the job well done.

 

[Cali Mae]

Cali picked up on it pretty quick, well the idea of it. She still isn't allowed off our property for walks, nor is she allowed to run around off leash, but she didn't mind the leash from the start and the only reason she pulls is when she's chasing something... probably isn't a good idea to let her do that, but once we actually start going on walks, we'll be working on heel.

 

[Southpaw]

Sure. Lucy has always been good on leash.... walks perfectly at your side, can't even feel that she's there. And I don't remember her ever being hesitant about the leash either. It's definitely nice not having to train it!

 

[Sekah]

My Aussie has always been really good at walking on leash naturally, and proper training really kicked her performance up a notch.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if you're still in the honeymoon period where your new dog is acting on her best behaviour. It's natural for a dog's behaviour to dip a bit once they get more comfortable in their surroundings, and as a result they get more bold. Make sure you've always got hold of the other end of the leash because accidents can and do happen.

 

[All4Blakey]

Thanks for the responses everyone. She's still doing amazingly.

This past weekend we took her to the beach (first time with her in a busy public place) and she did great. People stopped to pet her, there was a lot going on, and she walked on leash perfectly.

That's at least one thing that I won't have to work on as hard.

I am trying to figure out a job for her though. She seems to want something to do around our house. We don't have the means to do agility, so that's out. We don't subscribe to the newspaper, so that won't work.

We live in a townhouse with a small backyard.

She's done well with going to the dog park, for walks, and playing ball in the backyard, but she still seems like she wants a job.

 

[Southpaw]

You could try teaching her to help with laundry (put it in the hamper, put it in the washing machine, move it from washer to dryer, whatever), pick up her toys, open/close cabinets and doors, flip light switches, etc. etc. Just small tasks around the house. And, the way I see it, it doesn't even really matter if the behavior never gets trained 100%, or even 50%.... she'll get the stimulation she needs just in the training process itself.

 

[Raegan]

Teaching tricks is a great place to start! There's a lot on information in this forum, and there's a trick train off that just started.

Tracking! Try T Cow | T Cow | tracking dogs | dog training | working dogs to start, and there's lots of books out there. It's really fun for the dogs because it's something that comes very very natural to them and it's a very interesting feeling to have to put the dog in charge because this is something they're just better at than humans. It's great for puppies because it's easy on their bodies but really gives their minds a workout.

What do you mean you don't have the means to do agility? If you mean there's no classes or you can't afford it, there's a lot you can do on your own and you can build jumps for under $10 if you have a hardware store nearby. With a 6 month old dog you don't really want her jumping too much though, that's better left until she's at least a year. You could build her a ladder and wobble board though, those are fun. Ladders are for rear end awareness (most dogs think they end at the elbows) and wobble boards get the dog used to motion under their feet. Even with a small backyard there's a lot you can do just playing around.

Basically, just train her! Teach her the important stuff, like stay and come, but train the silly stuff too. It's fun.

 

[goosey]

Mac's like that, I got her when i had just turned 14 and didn't really know much at that point and she was great.
She rarely pulled and when i let her off she would walk beside me and lick the leash wanting it back on. Once she got older she stopped doing that, however she is still great on leash and off. She doesn't pull and if she does a i just say "don't pull" and stop till she comes back a little then she doesn't really do it again.
I was very lucky because she is very drivey and quiet a nervous dog, but she's velcro and would prefer to stick with me than walk ahead on her own.

 

[All4Blakey]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I'll probably start with the "pick up your toys" chore. My last Aussie had that down pretty well, so I know I can train it.

Sekah--Dusty's behavior dipped a bit, but not much. She's mostly trying to be a bossy puppy and jumping up (both of which get her totally ignored until she behaves). We've had her 4 weeks now.