From the automobile to the canine park is a challenging area for many dogs to walk on a loose leash.
Ace (not pictured) and I went to the 45th street canine park in Fargo today to practice some on and off-leash heeling. There were no other dogs at the park, so it was a ideal time for Ace and I to practice.
Like many dogs, Ace is typically in an thrilled mode before we even get out of the automobile at the canine park.
I always make sure he is unwinded before I let him jump out. That implies he sits and waits until I say “OK.” He never lunges out of the automobile anymore. but when he used to, I put him best back in and had him jump out on my terms.
The mutt did very well walking from the automobile to the gate. I had his choke collar on, but it wasn’t really necessary. I took his leash off and we practiced off-leash heeling for the next 20 minutes or so. I made sure to walk randomly, turning into him and away from him and to walk over tennis balls.
The canine park is a terrific place for Ace and I to work because there are tennis balls everywhere.
He gets a double challenge because he is expected to leave the tennis balls alone and heel. One thing I’ve discovered about Ace’s tennis ball obsession is that when we are in a working mode, he leaves them alone. When we’re not working, he easily becomes fixated on anything.
As far as loose-leash walking goes, Ace is doing very well. The only thing that distracted him today was the trash scattered everywhere.
Apparently paper, plastic bottles and other pieces of garbage are full of tempting smells. It took a lot of focus from Ace to leave the garbage alone.
Really, the only time the mutt ignores me if he chooses he has to go to the restroom and he can’t wait. I think I’ve unintentionally trained him that he can stop and go to the restroom whenever he wants as long as it’s in the grass. but it is really bothersome sometimes.
The only way I know how to fix this is to make sure I give him time to go on my terms so it won’t be an issue for him to make his own “pit stops.” By the way, when a canine is on Prednisone, he has to pee about every hour! poor Ace.
Although our walk was a half-hour at many today, Ace came home and crashed a lot harder than when we opt for a longer walk in our own neighborhood. That just shows how essential mental challenges are for dogs.
