fantastic - will try tonight!

We're in the process of teaching our Ocicat kitten (nearly 4 months old) to walk on a lead - any tips for that? We got her used to the harness and then the lead inside and we have now taken her outside on our long deck and let her walk up and down (we let her walk and then walk along with her rather than trying to tug her along as then at least she'll understand what the point of the lead is). But some advice on the next step would be good - i.e. to get her walking with us...

Thanks for this insightful piece. I have noticed with my Cairn Terrier that if we are walking somewhere she is not familiar with, she will keep looking up at me and be waiting for my instruction. However, those places she is confident with, she wants to race ahead. I will try this walking thing and see how it goes. Cheers

This is the same advice as given by dog obedience instructors years ago, only walking in a square. Depending on what you want while out walking whether you want your dog looking at you or not, while I am out walking we do a little bit of heelwork then the dog is released to have a sniff etc then we carry on for a walk and so on. I don't expect my dog to be exactly at the heel position for our entire walk, I like him to be able to act like a dog and to enjoy the walk.

Thanks Simon - will be sure to give that a go tomorrow morning on our walk.

I'm not sure I quite get the process. Is this to be done on a long-lead? Do you stop at the end of the 10metres and then walk on. Also - I found what SuzieQ mentioned to be good too. We are currently teaching our 8 month old Border Collie/Lab X to walk on the lead... it's been a long process, but this is because we are teaching him to walk to heel at all times. Thoughts on this would be great - I'd actually be happy as long as he wasn't tugging on the lead and knew how and when to walk to heel when I ask him too.

Also - when we see someone coming towards us, we stop and I ask Jackson (the dog) to look at me. Although if it's a cat or I'm not quick enough, then he can nearly pull me off my feet. This is defintely something I'm concerned about - so maybe a more detailed explanation of the process would be great?

He's done two puppy classes now and maybe we just need more practice out in the real world!

I'm with BronteBelle .. my pup is the same. will give this a go. I can just imagine the confusion on jacks face when i keep turning round. lol

Tried, tested and works!!

Well Simon, I suppose if you gave out all your secrets, you'll run out of business.

Rubarb#6 We used to do this exercise on a long line, we also used to walk to each corner of the square and stop the instant the dog looked away we would then walk on to the next corner without talking to the dog, as long as the dog was watching you (without you actually making eye contact) all is good. I don't really mind where my dog walks too much on walks as long as he does not pull, once he pulls I stop and call him back to heel, before setting off again. I used to stop when people came towards me now I just talk to the dog getting him to focus on me instead of anything else.

I tested out how often my Corgi looks at me, and its at least every 10 seconds when off the lead... some of this has come with age, he turns one tomorrow, and he certainly is less likely to do a runner than when he was 6 or even 9 months old.