Mastering The Walk

Hi Nancy, Welcome and thank you for your question. Firstly I would like to say that to master being a dog's Pack Leader outside of the home is harder and can take a little longer because of all the distractions, changing contexts etc, any dog needs firm yet fair, calm discipline and time to learn how to follow their owner and trust in their direction as leader of the walk - this is the special bond crated by walking in pack migration style.

To master the walk here are some of Cesar's tips from his book "Be The Pack Leader" and my top 5 - they work for me!

1.Ideal time for a walk is when you are not in a rush. A good point I have also made is how we "see" the walk - it is to be an enjoyable journey not a chore. If you feel it is something you need to "get out of the way" then a dog will pick-up on this and the bond will weaken.

2. Wait until the dog's mind is calm before beginning the "going for a walk" ritual - excitement is not the right energy to begin a walk - Calm Alert or Calm Submissive is the right energy!

3. Keep your human energy strong, calm assertive - know what you are doing you as the Pack Leader always has a mission or intention - you are the leader of the walk!

4. Only leave the home/garden when the dog is again calm submissive, else stop and wait. Walk with the dog behind or beside you - never in front else the dog is leading the walk!!

5. Allow some time for a "sniff break/toilet break" then begin the migration ritual - moving forwards in tune with each other - the challenge is to not allow sniffing, looking round etc, this is all about migrating ignoring distractions! Once the dog is in the "zone" their body language will be ears back but not pinned back or tense, movement forward at a steady pace, tail hanging naturally, body relaxed not tense with the muscles working to walk and the mind focused on/commited to the migration.

I allow a "reward" for good behaviour which is some off-leash time, this is still with my dogs under my control I still direct them what to do - this is not "their free time" though they can pretty much sniff away and play too - but I am in control of starting and stopping this activity which both begin and end with calm submissive behaviour - that is key!

I'll put up another post next to more specifically answer your questions.