Loose-leash walking, or the 'Safety Zone'
Prerequisite: Distraction Proofing
Turns and the Safety Zone: As you begin the exercises outlined below,
you will need to use specific turns at specific times to show your dog that it is best
if it stays with you while walking.
A dog who travels on it's owners left, no further ahead than it's eyes in line with the owner's left leg is in the safe
haven of the owner's protection and leadership - physically AND mentally. This is the "SAFETY ZONE."
Imagine you and your dog have an enormous clock on the ground around you. You are in the
center, with your dog on the left. Your clock travels with you, and you always begin
facing 12 o'clock.
1. If your dog is forging ahead wildly, use a right about-face turn (drop slack and
turn towards 6 o'clock). Remember: Drop the slack from your lead just as you turn, and
recollect it as your dog catches up! This will keep the dog on its toes as to which
direction you’re headed. Remember to continue walking for at least 15 paces after a right
about turn.
2. If your dog is a trickster and has decided the right side of you is more fun than the
left, collect all of your slack and make a right turn directly into the dog, and continue moving into him, shuffling your
feet and winching him tight with the leash until he is uncomfortable enough to find the correct position. As soon as
your dog moves back to the left, praise and continue walking.
3. If your dog is either lagging behind, or forging after something on your left, use an abrupt,
over-exaggerated 90-degree right turn (head for 3 o'clock). Move quickly, and continue
walking in the new direction for at least 15 paces.
4. If your dog is simply creeping out in front of you, but not pulling or forging wildly forward: Quickly collect your extra
slack, and use a 90-degree left turn (head for 9 o'clock). Cut off his line of sight - you may occasionally 'clip' him...his
own fault for being too far forward! This will teach him that the safety zone is just a touch back from where he though
it was.
Practice varying your speed from slow to quick to normal, etc. Be creative! By changing speeds &
direction, your dog will have to work hard to stay in the safety zone.
1. With the dog at your LEFT side, in the heel position, give the heel command and step forward
with your LEFT foot.
2. Walk forward until the dog either forges ahead, lags behind, swings wide,
or comes to the right side of you.
3. Use the turns outlined above to remind your dog of the safety zone.
4. Each time you have to change direction with a turn, try to take at least 15 steps in
the new direction. If your dog the leaves the safety zone, then simply use the appropriate
turn.
In Review - using the turns outlined above:
1. Keep your leash loose.
2. Keep your left hand off the leash unless you're re-collecting the slack from a turn.
3. Walk at least 15 steps in the new direction after you've turned.
SNEAK PEEK:
Are you one of the folks whose dog already knows how to sit? Are you sure? Let's find out.
Does your dog understand that sit means sit -
1. The very first time you say it?
2. The very first time you say it in a normal tone of voice - NOT shouting?
3. The very first time you say it, consistently - at least 90% of the time?
4. Without a cookie bribe?
5. In the face of distractions?
6. Even when you're not facing the dog?
If you answered "No" to any of the above statements, your dog does not really know what sit means. I think you'll
agree, it is cruelly unfair to expect a dog to respond to something it doesn't fully understand. Our job during your next
session is to teach YOU how to teach a dog a new skill. You're going to do it with the familiar command sit, so that
you can answer "Yes!" to all of the above statements, and your dog can begin to speak a bit of English. About time,
right?