Field notes · Dog training in Angier & Raleigh, NC

Should I pull my dog into position?

No. Ask for something that puts him where you want him rather than hauling him there. Holding him in place with the leash teaches nothing, and he learns to lean on it.

Finn, episode 35. Least pressure, always

Finn, episode 47. Panting because he's nervous, or because that was too many commands?

In the trainer's words

Ideally throughout the whole process of the walk you don't lock the leash at all - it's unlocked the whole time. If you need to manage his position relative to you, you ask him things, you tell him to do things, instead of making him do things with the leash.Kelton, Head Trainer, Angier K9 Consultants

Seen with 2 dogs: Finn, Reaper

8 recorded moments, each one linked to the exact second it happens in a full training session published unedited. Trainers call this ask him, don't make him.

Least pressure, always 3:02
Finn · episode 35

Least pressure, always

Panting because he's nervous, or because that was too many commands? 15:50
Finn · episode 47

Panting because he's nervous, or because that was too many commands?

Play drive, or fright? Reading which one is happening 15:35
Finn · episode 69

Play drive, or fright? Reading which one is happening

He shouldn't be so scared of everything else 36:34
Finn · episode 96

He shouldn't be so scared of everything else

Two things to do on every walk 24:54
Finn · episode 204

Two things to do on every walk

You don't lock the leash at all. You ask him things instead of making him do things with the leash 40:40
Finn · episode 209

You don't lock the leash at all. You ask him things instead of making him do things with the leash

You didn't lock the leash up." "No, I was ready." "You let him make a choice 44:25
Finn · episode 210

You didn't lock the leash up." "No, I was ready." "You let him make a choice

How you hand over a dog nobody has tested yet 8:15
Reaper · episode 3

How you hand over a dog nobody has tested yet

Related questions

Why does my dog only listen when I'm pulling the leash?Your dog learns from the moment the pressure stops, not from the...How do I build my dog's confidence?A nervous dog doesn't get braver by being kept away from what wo...How do you get a dog to listen without a leash?The leash teaches the behavior first. Once he understands it, th...How can I tell what my dog is feeling?Watch what he does when nobody is asking anything. Ears, tail, p...What happens in a first dog training session?Mostly watching. What he offers, what he avoids, what he enjoys,...How do I train my dog to be off leash?In stages, by shortening the line: fifty feet, then ten, then a ...

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