Mini Schnauzers wont give up leadership,,

Question
My 1st mini schnauzer (male) has been to puppy class and did very well. My 2nd (female) just decides she is the leader and once she gets ahead of the male he takes off trying to get ahead of her,,  i have tried the taking leadership role and they do follow me in the house and so on but outside (especially with the neighbors cat around) that goes out the window! lol.  They are walked daily atleast 1 time a day for about 30 minutes  and sometimes an evening walk as well. What am i doing wrong i need help with this and i have asked trainers and so on but they are expensive as all heck. I have also learned how to groom my dogs and so on,, they trust me but i am not the leader  how do i establish this role?  i know it is not easy it don't happen over night,,,  but plz help me understand what i am doing wrong as far as the walks go  plz plz plz    Ty Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,

Are they both still puppies, i.e. less than two-three years old?

It sounds like they are, and like they are playing when they get the chance to be outside, an still have some maturing to do :) In the house, they both follow you - they know you are the giver of food and pets - but there is still a 'pecking order', and it sounds like they are working out what that order will be.

There is nothing really you can do to change their 'pecking order', it is something they will work out. One of them will be more dominant. But for now, it sounds like they are playing. Still, you need to do something so that the playing doesn't turn into a habit for them.

So, for now, work with the female on the leash (always) until she will heel by your side ocnsistently. Keep doing the same with the male. You might want to take them out on their own for a week or so, just to establish how they are supposed to walk - on the leash, next to you, not pulling, etc. If she pulls, runs ahead, etc., give a sharp (but light) pull up on her leash, just to get her attention (they would have showed you this in puppy school).

Then work on things like 'sit' together, in the house. Make them both sit for a treat. Make them wait longer and longer each time for the treat. Same with 'down'. But for now, walk them apart until they both walk consistently like you want them to - by your side, not pulling, and listening to you.

HOpe this helps!