leash walking for puppy

Question
my chinook male 12-week-old puppy is wonderful, but does not like to walk on the leash especially when we are leaving my condo (he does medium ok in a park, very well if he's following another dog).  i've tried treats a variety of ways (ignoring his sitting until he moves then rewarding the motion, luring, lots of positive reinforcement) but he just sits and i don't want to pull him.  his collar is just a soft collar.  should i use a) martingale, b) harness like easy-walk, c) soft choke collar to give more pop correction? he feels young for that, but he clearly is the alpha in this situation and it's not working for me.
thanks

Answer
Hi Diane,

Here is a link to a good video tutorial on loose leash walking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgtqgiAKoQ

Do not use leash pops (aka "leash corrections"). This is advised against by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB). Leash corrections can cause neck and eye damage. This is especially hazardous for small dogs and puppies. This is why dog training used to be postponed until puppies were 6 mos. of age - it was thought that their necks could not withstand the harsh corrections used at the time.

Please see the AVSAB position statement on punishment (aka corrections"):http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/avsab%20postion%20s%8Ant21

Please also see this position statement on dominance: http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/domina and this article about the "alpha" term: http://www.4pawsu.com/alphawolf.pdf

The idea that our dogs can assume an "alpha" status in a pack which includes us is based on bad science. According to research done by Drs. Ray and Lorna Coppinger and observations of feral dogs around the world, dogs are not "pack animals" at all; they are opportunistic scavengers. For more information, read, "Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution." Please also see this article by Jean Donaldson: http://www.jeandonaldson.com/jeans-blog-mainmenu-51/64-are-dogs-pack-animals

What has happened is this idea of packs and being the "pack leader" and "alpha" is all based on the erroneous assumption that the social structure of dogs is like that of wolves. We know now that in fact wolves don't even have the social hierarchies that we once thought they did. Rather than a pack of unrelated wolves living together and vying for the top position, wolf packs in the wild are actually comprised of family members with parent wolves and offspring.

See this video featuring Dr. L. David Mech, world renown wolf biologist and founder of the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtFgdwTsbU

Because dog trainers latched on to this idea of pack hierarchy, misbehavior by dogs was often incorrectly attributed to a struggle on the part of our pet dogs to achieve a higher status in the "pack." So, we (dog trainers and the public) developed a mythical set of rules to establish our dominant status over our dogs so that we could make sure they knew who "was boss" and keep them in line. These dominance-based training methods can easily become abusive, but moreover they are based as I said on bad science or at least outdated information and erroneous assumptions.

I personally am not a fan of the Easy Walk harnesses and prefer a head halter such as the Gentle Leader or similar product. However, I do not recommend these devices as a substitute for teaching a dog to walk on a loose leash. Generally I recommend the Gentle Leader for dogs that pull and are large and strong with owners who have a difficult time getting the dog to walk on a loose leash. While it may be advantageous for puppies to learn to wear a Gentle Leader, I personally do not put them on puppies. I much prefer to just teach them how to walk at my side using clicker training.

If you decide to try a Gentle Leader, be sure to get the assistance of a qualified professional trainer who has been trained in how to fit the Gentle Leader and use it - not a pet store employee. The dog must be desensitized to the Gentle Leader, it must be fitted properly and must be used properly to be effective and not cause injury. See this video about the Gentle Leader: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWFPWj08Bhs

Alternatively, if you would prefer a harness, try a Freedom Walker or Sensation Harness. These front fastening harnesses are designed to help with pulling but again, I believe you still need to teach your puppy how to walk properly on a leash.

I do not recommend a Martingale for dogs that do not have a narrow head. The Martingale is designed for dogs that slip out of their regular neck collars due to the shape of their head and neck.

Dogs have what is known as an "opposition reflex," which means that they will pull against a tight leash, so it is important to always keep your leash loose and not pull against the dog. Bulldogs can be resistant to walking on a leash. See this video I made with a Bulldog and how I work with him on just getting him to follow me. I am working on a video of teaching him to heel now but it is in progress: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdm0nadKldY

I would recommend clicker training. Please stop all correction. Drop the leash and let your puppy follow you. Click as he comes toward you and then give him a food treat when he gets to you. Reposition yourself so you are at your puppy's right side, take one step and click when he arrives again at your left leg. Then treat. Take one step at a time and practice in a low distraction environment.

To learn about clicker training, you can start here with an article I wrote giving an overview: http://www.animalinfo.com.au/fact_sheets/view/2/25/175/What_is_Clicker_Training
On this same website there is a two-part article on how to get started in clicker training with a video tutorial. There is also an article on positive reinforcement training. Many people misunderstand what positive reinforcement training is, as well as clicker training.

To find a qualified clicker training instructor, you can start by looking on the Karen Pryor Academy website: https://www.karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer  Call the 800 number if you don't see a Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)listed for your area since not all CTPs pay the required fee to be listed on the site: 800-472-5425

Be careful about what you watch on YouTube as there are trainers who say they are clicker trainers when clearly they are not and they are not giving accurate information. The same goes for articles you may read online. You can trust the Karen Pryor website for accurate information: http://www.clickertraining.com/

You may also find it helpful to order a book or set of DVDs to help you on your journey. You can also check with your local library to see what books they have and ask your librarian to order books through you through inter-library loan.

For more information about different types of training, see this blog post: http://findingfuzzybuttfour.blogspot.com/2011/10/different-theories-of-training.

I hope these tips help and I wish you the best with your new puppy!

Cindy