Walking Tips & Tricks PRESENTED BY: PAWS IN TRAINING & MAGSTER DOG TRAINING
Reality Check No matter how much you want to, YOU will not be able to train a client’s dog to walk on a loose leash or to heel. Why? For a dog to learn these critical skills, the following must happen: 100% consistency in verbal command and physical action when walking the dog ü Multiple practice sessions daily ü Cease allowing the dog to practice pulling ü None of these things are in your control…except when you’re walking the dog!
Goals- get through the walk safely Minimize stress on your body from: ◦ Pulling ◦ Cross over behaviors ◦ Stabilizing the dog while you scoop Minimize stress on the dog. Protect yourself from liability: ◦ Dog escapes collar ◦ Dog pulls out of harness ◦ Unwanted dog-dog encounters
Equipment Review Leashes, collars, head halters, harnesses…Oh my!
Martingale (Limited Slip)
Know where to clip the leash! Prevents a dog from backing out of collar
Collar Fitting for Safety Most dog owners leave the dog’s collar loose for comfort. This will work against you on walks and increase the chance of escape. A properly fitted collar: 2 fingers fit underneath the collar IF IT IS AT THE HIGH POINT OF THE DOG’S NECK
Collar Considerations & Warnings Shiny, fabric collars continuously slide and loosen. A proper collar is chosen for safety and function, not fashion. Collars MOVE up and down the dog’s neck. Always fit and tighten a collar at the top of the neck. If you fit and tighten at the bottom of the neck, the collar will be too loose when it rises to the top of the neck and your dog may escape it. In case your clients aren’t aware, advise them of strangulation risks. Dog collars should be removed when: • Dogs are crated • Dogs are playing with other dogs
Standard Nylon: Pro’s Inexpensive • Sturdy • Some manufacturer’s • offer chew guarantee Cons Sharp outer edges • resulting in cuts and abrasions if the leash is pulled quickly out of your Leashes hand.
Rope Pro’s Sturdy • No burn (IF it’s the • Mountain Dog brand) Chew guarantee • Cons Price, avg $20 per leash • Some dogs love the • chewing texture that rope provides. Leashes
Unsafe! Can break wrist and fingers. Safe! Holding a leash for safety Demo Reminders: Hold handle over the • palm of your hand Pick up the slack in the • same hand. This is the part the dog can pull out. Leash correct if the dog • pulls too far ahead and then immediately loosen the leash. Pick up the slack to restart the walk. Leashes Leash arm held relaxed • by your side.
Safe! Holding a leash for safety Demo Reminders: Ergonomically correct- • leash arm held relaxed by your side. Think of the leash as a • handbag you are carrying. No tension and no elevated positions which will stress your shoulders arm and back. Leashes
The Easy Walk Harness Pro’s • Controls pulling by putting YOU in control of the dog’s chest. • Inexpensive • Cons • Dog’s can get one leg out of the harness if they pull suddenly • May create instability as there’s no counterbalance. • Do not fit barrel chested dogs well. • Under leg chafing if not fit well.
The Easy Walk Harness- Decrease the risk of escape by attaching the leash through the collar ring AND the ring on the harness! Warning- this will slightly decrease the steering benefit of the harness.
Step In’s/ Back Connect Harness Pro’s • Thicker straps help distribute pressure. Cons • Can be difficult to put on. • Back connect harnesses INCREASE pulling. This is physics in action- for every force there’s a counter force. When you pull back on the leash, the dog will pull forward against it! • Hard to get a proper fit, especially the chest and front straps. • Under leg chafing if not fit well.
The Sporn Harness Pro’s • Controls pulling by putting YOU in control of the dog’s chest. • C ons • Spaghetti straps do not distribute pressure well: • Potential tendon injuries • Chafing and hair loss • May create instability as there’s no counterbalance. • We do not recommend this product as it has too high of an injury rate.
THE GAME CHANGER! The Freedom Harness Pro’s • Exceptional control both front and back to immediately reduce pulling. • Dual connection offers better security & stability than other harnesses. • Thick, velvet straps prevent chafing and distribute pressure well. • Less risk of injury- tendon damage and unstable gait which can be created by other harnesses. • Chew guarantee Cons • Pricey- $30-$50 depending on size.
LIVE DEMO How to use a double connect leash. All the magic is here! The chest line is the ONLY line you use to stop the dog from moving forward or pulling.
Reminders: ü Don’t pull back with both leashes or the dog will pull AGAINST YOU. ü If the dog gets too far ahead, move your hand down the chest line and give it one firm tug backwards and then release immediately. This will stop the dog in his tracks. ü You must pull back on the chest line while the dog is moving! All the magic is here! The chest line is the ONLY line you use to stop the dog from moving forward or pulling.
Walking Tips- Live Demo Reminders: LEAD THE WALK- If you want the dog to follow you then you must give them something to follow: ◦ Walk briskly- the faster you walk, the better the dog will do. ◦ Don’t watch the dog- this will slow you down and tells the dog that he should lead. It’s the dog’s job to follow YOU, not vice versa. ◦ Chronic sniffers- walk in the middle of the road (away from temptation) if it’s safe to do so. ◦ Don’t put tension on the leash. The #1 reason that dog’s pull is because of this tension.
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