training to walk next to you off leash

Doreen · 08-17-2010, 08:56 AM

I just saw on a tv show, how to train a dog to walk off leash right next to you. use a wooden spoon with peanut butter on it and hold it next to you while walking. sounds pretty good and of course her dog was walking next to her. She said it teaches that it is good to walk next to you.

JoeV · 08-17-2010, 09:51 AM

That'd probably work for a more relaxed breed like a lab, but I've never seen a boxer off leash except in a park. Lucky loves PB but I doubt she'd stay next to me for it if she had the chance to run loose. I wish I could walk her off leash, but I've come to realize that'll never happen!

Doreen · 08-17-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeV

That'd probably work for a more relaxed breed like a lab, but I've never seen a boxer off leash except in a park. Lucky loves PB but I doubt she'd stay next to me for it if she had the chance to run loose. I wish I could walk her off leash, but I've come to realize that'll never happen!

I wouldn't want to walk off leash either, but may be good training for in case they get loose, they will want to stay near you.

JoeV · 08-17-2010, 02:45 PM

Our trainers taught us the "here" command. Basically, if the dog runs away you just say Lucky Here with authority. Way to train the dog to come to you is to feed lots of REALLY great treats and praise like no other when the dog comes. Train in smaller spaces and work to outside and eventually you'll only use it in an emergency.

Doreen · 08-17-2010, 09:54 PM

I used to have my past boxers trained very well, as I trained them since they were new pups. Rex is pretty good, but Coco, she is one tough cookie to break! I think it is a little bit harder when you already get them with bad habits.

KeeperBoy · 08-17-2010, 10:13 PM

We don't walk off lead, but Keepers had no problem staying close off lead in a yard. He's never even thought about wondering off. He can be stubborn to come back in, but never even goes out half way to the road. He's such a mama's boy. I really don't see a benefit to walking without a leash though. We did train Boo to heal in a similar way, with cheese on a dowel rod...

Marylou Mader · 08-18-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doreen

I just saw on a tv show, how to train a dog to walk off leash right next to you. use a wooden spoon with peanut butter on it and hold it next to you while walking. sounds pretty good and of course her dog was walking next to her. She said it teaches that it is good to walk next to you.

Hi Doreen, that is a good technique, but like all training that uses treats, we must wean away from them. I don't see why all Boxers can't be trained, they are working dogs, but like many people, they don't feel good about off lead work. We keep our dogs on lead unless we are working them, I don't trust dog parks or any area open and free, as there could always be a factor to cause the dog to run off or meet up with another dog, or get hit by a car.

We have on going dog training, it is under supervised control, we do have dogs working off lead, but as soon as they are done working, back on line again. In addition, we have leash laws and we don't want to jeopardize our ability to use our parks, if dogs are allowed to run loose, we may all suffer and they would go back to NO DOGS ALLOWED. Right now, our city parks are becoming very dog friendly, but owners need to abide the laws...

I actually might use that spoon idea with a couple of my attention deficit disorder dogs ha ha ha ha

Doreen · 08-18-2010, 12:56 PM

This neighborhood is very good.... I see everyone walking dogs on leashes. DH has run into a few houses here and there where dogs are free on their property, but luckily nothing has happened yet. I have one of those double in one leashes, so they are both really on one leash, but when Rex gets excited seeing another dog, Coco starts jumping all over Rex.... like they get when someone rings the doorbell. She isn't looking to go after the other dog, LOL.

They both walk very nicely on leash, so I am happy and would never risk having them off leash except in my backyard.

Ruby Red · 08-18-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doreen

I just saw on a tv show, how to train a dog to walk off leash right next to you. use a wooden spoon with peanut butter on it and hold it next to you while walking. sounds pretty good and of course her dog was walking next to her. She said it teaches that it is good to walk next to you.

I'm really curious about this Doreen - how was the trainer holding the spoon? and did he let the dog lick at it or was he holding it up high and just out the dog's reach so the dog was just eyeing up at it [and drooling maybe!]. I would feel a bit silly walking along the road with a wooden spoon in my hand I have to say.

Doreen · 08-19-2010, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruby Red

I'm really curious about this Doreen - how was the trainer holding the spoon? and did he let the dog lick at it or was he holding it up high and just out the dog's reach so the dog was just eyeing up at it [and drooling maybe!]. I would feel a bit silly walking along the road with a wooden spoon in my hand I have to say.

This was not basic training, it was geared more for people with disabilities, but interesting just the same.
Here is the clip of the show.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/exce...ry?id=11411840