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Ask Mr. Seamus
Home Pages to Braille
and in spirit
Mascot Seamus & Bubba

UPDATED 7/17/08

Rainbow Bridge
9/16/06

askmrseamus@yahoo.com

The Summer heat is upon us, KEEP your dog cool!

Definition a Leash Trained Dog

My opinion of a leashed trained dog is a dog who know "how" to walk with a trained leader. My expectations are of high standards
for the dog and -
*********** it's NOT time to sniff the ground to hunt or search for food
*********** it's NOT time to eliminate pee or poop or marking
*********** it's NOT time to socialize with either other dogs or people
*********** it's NOT time to show or display these kinds of behaviors - over-exuberance, shyness, resentment, growling, aggression,
              snapping, biting, attempting to attack another animal or person
*********** it's NOT time to eat treats or food
*********** it's NOT time to be lunging, pulling, barking, display out of control behaviors, insecurities or still feels the needs to
                      protect you.
*********** it's NOT time to use any kind of training collars (gentle leaders, choke, prong or electronic devices)
*********** it's NOT time to meet nose to nose with other dogs or sniff butts
If your dog is still doing the above, then it is NOT a leash trained dog yet and more practice is needed.

A leashed trained dog -
*********** uses a flat buckle collar or martingale collar
*********** has no more then 12 inches of leash available for knee side walking
*********** is leashed to a 4 or 6 foot lead, no retractable leads
*********** only follows the leader and goes with change of direction on a dime, no matter how frequent while on the walk
*********** passes within 4 to 6 feet of another person, noise, animal or other moving object
*********** always remains calm, full attention and focused on the leader
*********** stops when I do, the dog must immediately sit or down and wait for my next lead to move forward
*********** remains calm and does NOT interact with environmental surroundings
*********** goes with the flow of the walk whether fast or slow, keeps pace
*********** show no tension or stress on the lead, looks like a u and remains near my left knee. My hand stays down knee side NOT
                       wrapped 20 times around the leash
*********** Communication between us is by use of soft voice, no jerking, no pulling, no yanking, or no tugging on the leash by the
                       leader
*********** Corrections are few and no words only a mumbled of hmmm
*********** Keep the back in control, sometimes I will use my right foot from behind me to tap the dog as a reminder. Dog never
                       seems to know who did that but brings back the attention
*********** position leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the leader and response to the leader's movements and directions
What I have just described to you is the carriage/position of a leash trained dog and all the points and components are used with the
American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Award and the Therapy Dogs, Inc test. As a tester for both tests, I can tell you who has
trained with their dog and those of whom still need more training, work and practice.

Train everyday, focus on your purpose for the walk. For me, if it's NOT fun why bother. The leisure I get from walking Braille, is
walking her and NOT her walking me! This is NOT a choice nor is it optional, I walk her and she like it that way.

A tired dog walks well as all bundled energies have been released before the walk even starts. The ability to focus gets even better!
What happens when Braille is walked by an inexperienced leader, well Braille finds it necessary to lead the walk and does revert to
her former practices and primitive behaviors of an untrained dog. We must train more leader and the dogs will follow. A trained lead
calls the shots and rules. One can always stand room for improvement. We are promised more leaders, out standing in a field of dogs
waiting and willing to take the challenges to pass the AKC CGC or become registered as a therapy dog.

Training is NOT a one time event and must happen every day to keep sharp. In a confined area, Braille continues to work with a drag
line on and has to play follow the leader, directions by a soft voice only. Find the ball, find the monkey or find the football. Braille sees
no interference and stays on task till the item is found.

Braille may not have sight like you and me, but I know she sees with her heart and mind.

Till the next topic, stay out of the sun and be cool,

Janice & Braille
South Carolina Girls