Description
Q: What will I learn in this course?
A: This course will teach you how to walk your dog on a nice loose lead, ensuring a pleasant experience for both you and your dog. You’ll also learn techniques to manage distractions effectively, helping your dog stay focused during walks.
Q: Is this course suitable for all dog breeds and ages?
A: Yes! This course is designed for dogs of all breeds and ages. Whether you have a puppy or an older dog, the techniques can be adapted to suit your dog’s needs.
Q: What is loose lead walking, and why is it important?
A: Loose lead walking means your dog walks beside you without pulling on the leash as well as engaging with yourself. This is important for safety, comfort, and creating a positive walking experience for both you and your dog.
Q: How long will it take for my dog to learn loose lead walking?
A: The time it takes varies by dog. With consistent practice and positive reinforcement, many dogs show improvement within a few weeks.
Q: What if my dog refuses to walk or seems fearful outside?
A: Take small steps by practicing indoors or just outside the door. Use treats to encourage them to take small steps forward, gradually increasing their comfort with the outside world.
Q: My dog seems to lose focus after a short time. How can I improve their attention span?
A: Keep training sessions short and engaging. Gradually increase the duration as your dog becomes more comfortable. Incorporate play and breaks to keep them motivated.
Q: Will I receive support if I have questions during the course?
A: Yes! You can sign up for the course with WhatsApp support where Milan will guide you through the steps
Q: Can I revisit course materials after I complete the course?
A: Absolutely! You will have lifetime access to all course materials, allowing you to revisit lessons and refresh your skills whenever needed.
Q: What if my dog isn’t food motivated?
A: All dogs need food to survive, so we can use their regular meal times for training. If your dog isn’t interested in treats, try using their regular kibble or a portion of their meal during training sessions.
Q: What if my dog gets overly excited or fearful when the walking equipment comes out?
A: Use counter-conditioning techniques to help your dog become comfortable with the equipment:
1. Sit on the sofa with the lead/harness behind you.
2. Present the equipment for 1 second, mark and reward, then hide it again.
3. Repeat until your dog remains neutral.
Alternatively, teach your dog to go to a designated spot (like their bed) for a reward when you present the equipment.
Q: What if I don’t have a quiet space to train?
A: Start indoors in areas like the hallway, kitchen, or living room. Once your dog masters indoor training, gradually progress to outdoor spaces. If your immediate outdoor area is too busy, consider driving to a quieter location or an empty parking lot.
Q: My dog isn’t following me and keeps pulling in the opposite direction. What can I do?
A: This may occur if the dog is too distracted, you’re forcing them to follow, or the rewards aren’t enticing enough. Start in a low-distraction environment indoors, use high-value reinforcers, and clearly show your dog what reward they’ll receive for following you.
Q: My dog keeps crossing in front of me and not staying by my side. How do I fix this?
A: Implement frequent directional changes to keep your dog engaged. Reward them next to your shoe to encourage them to stay by your side.
Q: My dog isn’t looking at me by themselves. How long will this take?
A: Initially, ask for a look every 10-30 seconds. Once they’re in rhythm, wait for spontaneous looks, mark with “YES!”, and reward. If they’re not looking, they may be distracted by other reinforcing behaviours like sniffing. Prevent this by managing the environment.
Q: My dog is sniffing a lot and won’t look at me. How can I prevent this?
A: Choose an appropriate training environment (avoid grassy areas initially). Use sniffing as a reward after successful looks. Don’t ask for looks during sniffing to avoid reinforcing the wrong behaviour.
Q: My dog is too scared to leave the house. How can I help?
A: Start inside with the door open, rewarding looks and placing treats on the doorstep. Gradually progress to just outside the door. You can also practice leash walking inside the house with the door slightly open.
Q: My dog is good on our street but struggles elsewhere. How can I help?
A: Ensure 100% reliability on your street first. Then gradually increase distance from your street, always returning to the familiar area. Progress slowly and steadily. 1 house away, then 2 houses and so on.
Q: My dog lunges/barks during the distraction game. How do I stop this?
A: Maintain a comfortable distance from distractions. If lunging occurs, quickly create distance until the dog calms down. Don’t reward during reactive moments. Once calm, restart the game at a greater distance.
Q: My dog is fine at a distance but lunges when we get closer to distractions.
A: Incrementally decrease the distance to the distraction, moving just one step closer at a time. Ensure the dog can disengage at each new distance before moving closer.
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