Dog walk and canine chiropractor.

Question:
I have had my five-year-old Golden Retriever called Barney since he was eight weeks old. I trained him myself and he is very well behaved dog, but I have always had trouble dog walking him properly. I introduced him to a lead as a puppy. He seemed fine with it, apart from stopping and lying down. I thought this was just because he was a puppy and that he would just learn to walk with us, but he has become worse. I have tried all I can think of to correct the problem, including taking biscuits and toys out on walks, but without success.

There is nothing wrong with his physical fitness, his hips are fine, and he will go for really long walks off the lead. Unfortunately, when it's wet or dark there is nowhere I can let him run free so it would be nice to have him walking properly on the lead. Do you have any more suggestions as to how I can achieve this?

Answer:
Have you had Barney's neck and ears checked by a canine chiropractor? If he has a sore neck then he will be reluctant to walk on a lead. What happens if you attach a six-foot lead and allow him to trail it? Does he lie down, or will he walk with you with the lead trailing? If he will walk, try picking up the end of the lead and walking together as a starting point. Hold the end and go with him, without putting any pressure on the collar. Every now and then call (not drag) him to you and give him a tasty food reward. If you cannot do this, read on!

Another possibility for Barney's behavior is that he has become a skilful people trainer. He may have recognized the connection between refusing to walk on a lead and food being produced, and is now milking this!

Try walking Barney in a harness, not an 'anti-pull' type, but a well-fitting type rather like a tracking harness. Some dogs prefer this to a lead and collar.

If none of the above suggestions work, and Barney's neck is not sore, try the following:

• Put a well-fitting and comfortable buckle collar on him, which he is unable to slip.
• Find out what his most desired favorite treats are - try morsels of hot dog sausages, or slivers of chicken/Iamb/beef from a roast joint.
• Go to a safe open space and have Barney on an extending lead. Show him the treats and walk away from him, allowing the lead to run out behind you.
• Just before you reach the end of the lead, put the brake on to prevent pressure on the collar and stand still and wait. Don't take any notice of him, nor call him.
• If you use clicker training, this will help him get the message faster; at the first indication of movement in your direction, click and throw him a treat. As soon as he reaches you, click and treat (C/T), and C/T again if he then moves with you. Be prepared to wait for him as long as it takes for him to make that first move.
• Once Barney has discovered that it is rewarding and pain-free to walk with a lead attached, change your strategy to rewarding him for walking for one pace beside you and build up the number of steps from there. Make sure Barney only gets rewards for moving and not for you.

_{source Your Dog Mag.}