I could do with some extra help on this one. I have the perfect puppy book and have been trying to hold the lead as suggested but unfortunately we are not getting two steps without Dillon pulling. He is trying to run and his little legs are going crazy. I have tried stopping and getting him back into position but we really are getting no where so have started walking him on a shorter lead which doesnt look very nice for him as he is still pulling like crazy.

Before I go out we have a play in the garden to try to burn off a little bit of excess energy.

Can anyone offer any other suggestions. I have also tried holding a treat as the book says but doesnt matter where I hold it he will keep jumping up to try to get it.

He is so good as everything else, sit, stay, down, roll over etc but this walking nicely has me stumped.

Thanks in advance

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Updated 27/08/08

Hi. What breed is it?

With larger dogs you could try targetting his nose to your hand. Offer your palm and when ever he touches it with his nose reward him and give him lots of praise. This will work better with a clicker but you can manage without. Once he has the hang of it try moving your hand away and he should follow it. This may take a few trys. Reward him when he follows it. Then in the house/garden walk him on the lead with your hand in front of his nose. Take one step and reward him for following, then two steps etc. Eventually you should be able to walk this way anywhere.

With smaller dogs use a target stick (a sick with a couloured ball or spot on the end) make your own or buy one from shops such as pets at home. Do the same thing as above but swap the hand with the end of the stick. Its easy enough. Just reward and praise every step of the way and the dog should soon learn to enjoy it. Eventually the dog may not need the hand or target stick anymore

Hope this helps.

Thank you, he is a Springer Spaniel. He is so good and quick to learn with everything else but seems to want to run as soon as the lead comes out!

Springers are full of beans they are very energetic and would rather choke them selves than walk to heal , naturally inquisative his attention is not on you at all its focused on smells and sights that in his eyes are more interesting than walking nicely by you side . He needs to understand that you descide when and where walks happen and at what speed they take place so try standing still if he pulls just stop he will wonder why and look at you and may even try to pull you allong again but stand still dont look at him or say anything till he relinquishes his desire to walk then softl say heal and walk on , i can guarantee he will pull again but if he does repeat the standing still till he becomes calm again , it could take you agaes to get anywhere but persistance is the key he will eventually learn that pulling you at the pace he wants to walk at wont get him anything as all you do is stop walknig .

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This is how we trained all ours.

Ok, imagine this picture. Stand with your dog sitting on your left, with his lead going across the front of your body and held in your right hand. Say, "Walk on!" in a firm voice, and begin to walk forwards. The minute he begins to pull away from you, say "Heel!" (again in a firm voice) and pull the lead towards your left leg with your left hand. This should bring him back to your left side. Continue walking, and every time he pulls away from you, repeat the "Heel!" command and pul him back to you.

It's going to take a lot of patience, but if you keep it up he will not only learn to walk by your side without pulling, but he will also have learned that the "Heel!" command means he needs to come to your side, which is very useful if you walk him off the lead.

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Whoops - forgot to add that while you are training him you should praise him when he walks by your side!

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Until you've been hugged by a bergamasco you've never lived!!!