I used to be bothered about things I don't care too much about anymore. When you have an anxious, fearful and reactive dog, the 'normal' parameters don't apply anymore.
For example, I spent a long time working on George sitting and waiting by the front door before I opened it.
When he became scared of leaving the house, I would have given anything for him to be rushing excitedly at the door again.
Pulling on the lead. We did a lot of work on loose-leash walking. We worked on sitting before crossing roads.
When he didn't want to go for walks at all, I would have given anything for him to be curious and excited and pulling on the lead. Even walking by a road would be a huge achievement now.
Whenever George is looking confident, I am trying not to 'correct' that behaviour. I love it on the rare occasions when he isn't worried about the world.
I have a baby gate in front of the door so he can't rush out unaccompanied and of course aim to keep him calm and safe but otherwise I'm not too bothered if he pulls on the lead a little.
George actually walks OK on the lead most of the time. Maybe it was the original training or maybe it's because he has less off-leash time than some other dogs so is more used to it.
Although when George is particularly excited and curious, I'm sure people look at us on walks thinking that dog isn't trained and is badly behaved. But if he is being inquisitive, is happily sniffing, exploring, and is happy to leave the house, I am not going to worry too much about him pulling on the lead for now.
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