Hi,

As some of you know, I am getting a pup, and her dam, on Jan 7th. As far as I know, the dam hasn't been for many walks on lead; her breeder lives in the middle of nowhere, with lots of land so I doubt that going for  "formal"  walks was much of a consideration!

Anyhoo, for some reason, making sure that the dam has a lovely "pet" life with us (although she was perfectly well cared for and loved in her last home I hasten to add!)  is really important to me, to the extent I am worrying about it more than I'm worrying about raising the pup!

The question: on Jessie's  (the dam's)  first walks, should I - A) Insist on loose lead walking  (frequent changes of direction, not going anywhere if the lead is tight etc)  right from the word go or B) Give her a bit of a break for her first few walks, let her sniff around, basically teach her that walks are nice, before then starting to train for better lead manners??

i would recommend start as you mean to go on

As she is older (not a puppy ;) ) I would let her run around on a long lead until you are sure that she will come back to you. Unless you have somewhere you can let her off lead safely. I'd also start taking her to obedience classes. That way if you come across any problems in the future you have somewhere to go to ask for any help.

I certainly don't intend to let her offlead for a good while yet!

I've got a flexi for running around time, until her recall is solid.

My query was concerned with onlead walking, and how much to demand, how soon :)

I had my Jozi back as a juvenile delinquent at 8 1/2 months old.  right from the word go I insisted on lead manners, and it was a bit of a culture shock for her.

Depending on size I would use the stop dead and change direction approach on her normal collar (I prefer a half check collar) or get her used to a head collar if she is very large and strong.

I would start with quiet streets for say 15 minutes per walk, and then take her somewhere if you have a car where she can play on the long line/flex.

build up both the time and business of th formal lead walking gradually.  Be very jolly hockey sticks and almost off hand, so that she views the walks as just ordinary, no molly coddling or soothing if she reacts to anything, just avoid anything majorly stressful to start with and build up.

Agree with Brainless quiet roads are a must if she's never been used to them and especially as she's going to feel it leaving her home soon after having pups etc.

Good luck.  Boy you are a one for punishment :d  Hope all goes well.

Thanks Perro!

I think I must be nuts LOL!  But I've got plenty of time, and loads of determination and enthusiasm - I really LOVE training all animals; I find the whole thing fascinating.

I know that the dam has a wonderful, soppy temperament and that's the main thing for me, as far as she is concerned. I don't expect her to do much more than become a much loved, fairly well-behaved pet. If I can just get her to a point where she walks nicely on the lead, and reliably comes back OFF lead, then I'll be a happy bunny. Her daughter, however, is going to do obedience, even if it kills both of us!!!!   :D :D :D :D :D

Brilliant, thanks Brainless!

She isn't that big - small BC sized. I've got her a collar  (pink :D)  but I think I'll get her a half-check collar too.

Even though we're on an estate, we've loads of fields, parks and woodlands less than 10 minutes walk in any direction, so I should be able to give her  (and the pup, later on)  a nice mix of road/lead work, and free  (flexi to start with)  romping  :)

Sounds a bit like what I have here around me.  Which is just as well as I don't drive :D 

I managed  OK to lead train 3 rescues (seperately) last year that had never been on lead or off the smallholding where they were kept, so you should be fine.

:-D  KateC you know you may even be worrying for nothing.

I know when I was a child our Rough Collies were never on lead they walked around with us everywhere in the local village, a lead was never thought of, yet when we holidayed in strange places they were put on lead and walked just the same. :-)

The same with the girl I have now, she was brought up in the country so has the freedom not to be on lead, but again she walks beautifully on lead even though it is very rarely used,  I think the older the dog the easier as they do not have the same pulling and enthusiasm as a pup/adolescent.

If she does turn out to be a puller though, just train her as you will her pup. :-)

and then once shes home we can all go to the dog park together :D

I'd be inclined to  aim for somewhere in between, depending how she is coping with her change of surroundings ect.

Jill