Re: [PyrNet-L] training methods

["Tracy Bassett" <espinay@dynamite.com.au>]

<<Instead of resorting to a harsher collar, just as an experiment, every
time she walked ahead of me I just stopped.  This annoyed her to no end,
because she wanted to walk.  I wouldn't proceed with our walk until she came
and sat at heel, and then I'd praise her and we would continue.  We didn't
cover much distance the first few days of my experiment, but it was very
effective.  She still tries to push it every so often, but I no longer have
to stop during every single walk and I'm looking forward to the day that
this correction isn't necessary at all.  >>Jeanne Bravin

Hi Jeanne, this is a GREAT method!  I teach this all the time to my puppy
classes. It can be very effective.  I use it on my own dogs too - have
paired it with the command 'steady' so that when they get a bit 'excited'
(mostly the Dally though rather than the Pyrs) they can get a verbal
reminder to come back a bit (though the Dally has figured out a way to get
around it - she 'boings' up and down as we walk along! Keeping the lead
loose of course! LOL!). You are right that the first few times can be VERY
frustrating, but as you have found, persistence and consistency really pays
off in the long run. They soon learn that the only way they get to go
forward is if the lead is loose!  :-)  BTW, I too enjoyed your description
of Gypsy grabbing the lead.  These dogs of ours soon figure things out dont
they! LOL! :-)

Tracy Bassett
Canberra, Australia
espinay@dynamite.com.au
visit my webpage at http://members.dynamite.com.au/espinay/index.htm