Let’s go for a walk

With spring making an early arrival, it’s great to get the dogs out in the field. At the present time I am running field sessions in the mornings and walks in the afternoon.
Walking is what I want to discuss here. I’m sure you have seen the many ways a dog is handled on a walk. From the dogs that stay in the heel position to the ones that are pulling like sled dogs. What catagory does your dog fit in?
On a walk, I personally do not want a sporting dog in the heel position for extended periods. I want the dog in front of me nosing around. If your dog is constantly pulling with a standard leash, try this. Double the length of your leash. I think with a short leash, there is too much tension straight to the dog,causing them to pull. With the longer lead, there is more slack, giving the dog more of a feeling of freedom. I think the sporting dog needs this comfort zone between you and him. This is what he was trained to do in the field. I have had success with this method the first time with a puller. Give it a try and have fun training, Don.

On walks both my dogs are commanded to the heel position. My male will heel all day until I give him the release command. My female likes to break heel sometimes, a quick heel command and she’s back. I don’t see a problem with having a “sporting” dog at heel for any amount of time. I believe walks are walks and field time is field time. There’s a time for running and gunning and there’s a time for heel. Walks are a time for my dogs to stay by my side. And they know when its time for a leisurely walk or hunt time. The ability for a dog to “flip the switch” is huge, especially house dogs. I’ve been lucky with my dogs, in that they have that ability to flip from calm and laid back to all out hunting with a quick command. Of course they always want to GO, I just prefer heeling them on walks.

BIRDDOG

On walks both my dogs are commanded to the heel position. My male will heel all day until I give him the release command. My female likes to break heel sometimes, a quick heel command and she’s back. I don’t see a problem with having a “sporting” dog at heel for any amount of time. I believe walks are walks and field time is field time. There’s a time for running and gunning and there’s a time for heel. Walks are a time for my dogs to stay by my side. And they know when its time for a leisurely walk or hunt time. The ability for a dog to “flip the switch” is huge, especially house dogs. I’ve been lucky with my dogs, in that they have that ability to flip from calm and laid back to all out hunting with a quick command. Of course they always want to GO, I just prefer heeling them on walks.

BIRDDOG

I will do both while on walks. I will let him walk out front for a while them bring him back to heel. If he had it his way he would use all 20′ of the cord.

I will do both while on walks. I will let him walk out front for a while them bring him back to heel. If he had it his way he would use all 20′ of the cord.

If I am walking along a road or other controlled situation I want my dogs at heel and if the’re in the field I want them quartering and actively hunting.I do release them to play in the yard or at the river in casual situations.

If I am walking along a road or other controlled situation I want my dogs at heel and if the’re in the field I want them quartering and actively hunting.I do release them to play in the yard or at the river in casual situations.

I did not say it was a problem having them at the heel position. I stated that I do not prefer to do so for extended periods. Also it is intended for dogs that are pulling on a leash. Just something to try that is out of the norm of what you will read.

I did not say it was a problem having them at the heel position. I stated that I do not prefer to do so for extended periods. Also it is intended for dogs that are pulling on a leash. Just something to try that is out of the norm of what you will read.

IMO the walk should be an exercise in discipline just as must a an exercise for the body. The walk done properly is a tool to help the dog understand it’s roll. Off lease and hunting(or training scenarios) are of course different.

IMO the walk should be an exercise in discipline just as must a an exercise for the body. The walk done properly is a tool to help the dog understand it’s roll. Off lease and hunting(or training scenarios) are of course different.

Good points, but I see way too many people being pulled around by their dogs. Have also talked to lot’s of people who gave up walking their dogs because of this. My method has helped because it makes the walk manable for the handler and less stressful on the dog. From here the handler will gain control and all other commands including heel will come easier.

Good points, but I see way too many people being pulled around by their dogs. Have also talked to lot’s of people who gave up walking their dogs because of this. My method has helped because it makes the walk manable for the handler and less stressful on the dog. From here the handler will gain control and all other commands including heel will come easier.

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Good points, but I see way too many people being pulled around by their dogs. Have also talked to lot’s of people who gave up walking their dogs because of this. My method has helped because it makes the walk manable for the handler and less stressful on the dog. From here the handler will gain control and all other commands including heel will come easier.

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I agree any walk is better than no walk. I teach my dogs to walk with a loose lead, but they are still next to me head up, not in front of me or nose down. Dogs are very one track minded and if their nose is down they are paying attention to their noses and not to you or their surrounding. Other dogs my be better, but mine are nose dogs and if their heads are down then they are hunting. I don’t want to confuse walk time and hunting time.

I could see the long lead working on non tracking dogs where they are just checking things out instead of trying to find something to track and kill.

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Good points, but I see way too many people being pulled around by their dogs. Have also talked to lot’s of people who gave up walking their dogs because of this. My method has helped because it makes the walk manable for the handler and less stressful on the dog. From here the handler will gain control and all other commands including heel will come easier.

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I agree any walk is better than no walk. I teach my dogs to walk with a loose lead, but they are still next to me head up, not in front of me or nose down. Dogs are very one track minded and if their nose is down they are paying attention to their noses and not to you or their surrounding. Other dogs my be better, but mine are nose dogs and if their heads are down then they are hunting. I don’t want to confuse walk time and hunting time.

I could see the long lead working on non tracking dogs where they are just checking things out instead of trying to find something to track and kill.

Even if the dogs nose is down when he is in front of me, a quick toot of the whistle and I have his attention. I can also throw in other training commands to keep him busy.
I should clarify that all my walking is done in wilderness settings.

Even if the dogs nose is down when he is in front of me, a quick toot of the whistle and I have his attention. I can also throw in other training commands to keep him busy.
I should clarify that all my walking is done in wilderness settings.

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I should clarify that all my walking is done in wilderness settings.

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AAHHH yes, here I was envisioning walking a dog along the side of a road or on a walking path with a long lead. Sure when I’m in the woods even for a walk I use a long lead, if they can’t be off leash. If I’m in the woods with the dogs we are training even if we are just going for a walk. Make perfect sence. I like them paying attention and in control when we are in public place with cars and people.

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I should clarify that all my walking is done in wilderness settings.

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AAHHH yes, here I was envisioning walking a dog along the side of a road or on a walking path with a long lead. Sure when I’m in the woods even for a walk I use a long lead, if they can’t be off leash. If I’m in the woods with the dogs we are training even if we are just going for a walk. Make perfect sence. I like them paying attention and in control when we are in public place with cars and people.