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Comment by Bridget on July 16, 2008 at 11:39am

Great ideas! She is on a regular 5 foot lead, not flexi-leash, so that is good.
Love the turn around idea and treats. Will definitely give that a shot today. Maybe throw in some zigs and zags for the ultimate watchfullness by my puppy!

Comment by Ginny and Diggory on July 15, 2008 at 8:17pm

Sarah C.'s technique is one that we used and were taught by our trainer. If the "tree" technique is not so successful, try the zig-zag. The first couple of times you do it will have to be training only, you probably won't actually get very far. When she pulls to the end of the leash, make an about face and start walking the other way with a command like "with me". The key is to try to keep her behind you so that you're leading the walk, no matter how many time you have to turns around. Better to be leading her than having her pull you. You can also start adding random treats when she's beside you and she'll start thinking she needs to watch you because you never know when treats are coming! Keep it positive, don't get too frustrated and I'm sure she'll get it with practice.

Comment by Blithe on July 15, 2008 at 7:00pm

Lucy and Dodge are one month difference in age. Dodge is 5 months- and my sentiment exactly!!! What in the heck is going on? He takes these sweet little naps, plays so hard with us and then when we go for a walk- it's all over- his force is so uber-feisty that I thinking 'could I be doing something different'?. I know that he's young but I have tried the "watch me and treat training technique". He seems to respond really well when there's food or habit involved! I take little carrot treats or apples chopped finely and reward Dodge for lots of the things.
Does anyone have collar and leash recommends? cheers to slack on the leash days yet to come!

Comment by Sam Tsang on July 15, 2008 at 6:43pm

Don't get discourage, your pup is very young and like Sam said, if you drain some of her initial energy before you walk her will make it easier for you. Sarah's method works, remember you're in command, don't let her take the lead, change directions often and she'll learn to pay attention to you and keep your eyes on you. Another thing that I'll add is to leash her to your waist at home, so that she will follow you wherever you go, that will teach her to pay attention to you, ever wonder why agility corgis always keep their eyes on their master? yup, you got it :)

Comment by Sarah C. on July 15, 2008 at 6:13pm

I tried lots of methods but eventually what I did is when Didi would start to get ahead of me I would abruptly turn around and start in the other direction. If she ran to the end that way, we'd do it again. Eventually she was like "This crazy broad might go anywhere! I better keep my eye on her" and she's been walking right (mostly) ever since.

Comment by Sam on July 15, 2008 at 5:33pm

One thing to consider is when you are walking her. If it is just when you have returned from work she is full of herself and having a hard time containing it. At four months I would not be too discouraged. Pups do need some silly time for sure. If you have a fenced back yard how about a game of ball first and drain some of the energy? If that is not an option then I would have a pocket of treats. Remember not to let her get too far away. If you are using a flexi-lead put it away and use a short one. Flexi-leads are not a good training tool. Do remember she does need some "release" time while on the walk to sniff and investigate. I suspect she is much easier to walk on the way home when she is a bit more tired. Keep practicing but at four months I would be pretty happy.