Loose Leash Walking Training: Stop When I Stop (and Come to Heel Usage) (Patreon)

Hey Folks!

Wanted to upload this video of a real training session I did with a young SDiT at a Denver train station. This was a fun one because I've been working with the handler for 6 months remotely, and this is the first time I met the dog in real life. Very impressed with her skill set, and it was super-fun to get to hold the leash myself for the first time (thanks Scott for making the trek!) :)

The goal of this exercise is simply to start helping her learn to stop when I stop, which is a behavior she doesn't know yet. To do this, I ask her to sit when I stop. Eventually I can fade the sit cue and have the stopping cue the sit, or I can eliminate the sit all-together if I want to. But for now, the sit is a strong behavior so I can use it to accomplish the behavior of stopping when I do.

Note how I use this fenceline to maintain straightness. Using the fenceline accomplishes straightness without me having to put any effort into it and "splits" the behavior down to the one we're focusing on here. Always look for ways you can help your dog be successful and focus on one criteria at a time.

I also wanted to post this one to show you how I use the "come to heel" behavior in real life (the most recent public YouTube video) to show the young SDiT how to line back up with me if she forges ahead.

Have a great week and happy training!

Best,

Laura