Need ideas for getting rid of the Gentle Leader

[NewfMom]

Kilrain (who is blind) and I have been taking a CGC prep course and so far we have been using his Gentle Leader. I use it partly because he pulls on a leash and partly because it allows me to steer him while we are walking.

In order to take the CGC test I have to get him to stay with me on a regular collar. He always likes to forge ahead, especially if it lets him be in front of Katala. Also, if he is off leash he is prone to deciding he wants to explore and try to take off.

So I guess I need to train him like you would for off-lead work when you have a dog that likes to take off when they are off-lead. I am also wearing a bear bell on my left knee so he can hear me walking easily.

How do you get a dog that wants to take off exploring to stay with you off-lead? I didn't run into this with Kimber. She would stick around because she thought it was her job to watch over me :lol:

 

[victoria1140]

liver treats or cheese until he works out it is so much more fun being by your side than exploring initially

 

[ardeagold]

Just train him to heel like with any other dog. At first you might have to do it with treats right in front of his nose, where you want him to be.

I know that Ray tends to range from side to side in front of us while on lead, while scenting. And if there's another dog there, he always tries to keep up with him/her.

To train to heel, just do it in short spurts at first. Have him heel for about 20 seconds, then let him range, then back to heel, then range...and make it longer periods of heeling.

Could you try a body harness? They're now allowed for the CGC.

As of November 4, 2010, body harnesses may be used in the CGC test. The evaluator should check to make sure the harness is not of a type that completely restricts the dog's movement such that it could not pull or jump up if it tried.

http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/equipment.cfm

 

[wrknnwf]

A clicker might help too.

 

[padkins]

I agree with the treats. Something with a really good, strong smell. Helps my two to heel without a lead.

 

[baloobear2]

I watched a program once on working with blind dogs, and they stressed over and over how much they relied on their sense of smell for navigating, so I think everyone that has suggested treats are on to something.

One of the techniques to have the dog learn to stay by her partners side was suggested by a trainer that was helping a young dog in training to become an assistance dog. She suggested the use of a plastic spoon taped to her pant leg side(at about mid thigh area) with peanut butter smeared on it. This combined with the verbal command "by my right side" and lots of praise and the use of extinction was very successful for this particular dog. The dog learned very quickly! Good Luck on working with Kilrain, wishing you lots of sucess

 

[NewfMom]

Thanks everyone for the ideas. We'll probably try them all. I still haven't gotten Kilrain to walk with the Gentle Leader most of the time without constant corrections for pulling. I have treated him so much that when I praise him he crosses in front of me to put his nose by the treat bag I wear.

We'll get there somehow. :lol: