Rewarding small dogs whilst walking.

[kaida]

Right, I'm trying (again!) to get Zack and Chloe to walk on a loose lead. This is definitely the thing we have most trouble with. Part of the problem is I struggle to treat them when they're in the correct place because that means stopping and bending down, or tripping over my own feet when I try to keep moving whilst leaning over. I tried the peanut-butter-on-a-wooden-spoon trick to no avail. Any other methods? I tried be-a-tree for a few weeks, but it kinda went by-the-by after that, with pretty much no progress made. I tried turning and going the opposite direction, and just got dizzy.

[KateC]

Can't you just drop the treats? I think that's what Kikopup does in her "Loose lead walking" videos - she's got a Chihuahua

[sarabe]

Or teach them to catch.

[KateC]

Originally Posted by sarabe

Or teach them to catch.

Sarabe - are you serious - IS there a way to teach them to catch?? Because Boo learned fairly young; it seemed to come fairly naturally but Jessie NEVER does. No matter how slowly and deliberately I throw it (so she can track it) or how much competition there is in the shape of Boo and other dogs, it always just boinks off her head

[rune]

Tube of philly cheese.

rune

[sarabe]

Originally Posted by KateC

Sarabe - are you serious - IS there a way to teach them to catch?? Because Boo learned fairly young; it seemed to come fairly naturally but Jessie NEVER does. No matter how slowly and deliberately I throw it (so she can track it) or how much competition there is in the shape of Boo and other dogs, it always just boinks off her head

Don't think I've ever failed to teach a dog to catch. I need mine to catch for various reasons.

Most do it naturally, those that don't soon learn to try harder because they don't get it once it hits the floor - I do.