From: "Marie Gulliford" Subject: loose leash walking, capturing the behavior Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 19:38:25 -0400 >>Message Sent by: "Marie Gulliford" As there was quite a bit of interest in my last post, I have decided to rewrite it in more detail. The capturing method has many names the most common is "Be a Tree". It works best with puppies under 5 months of age. This is because movement in any direction is a thrill for them. Whereas older pups and dogs generally want to go in a specific direction.  Capture the Behavior: Start with the dog on a short 4' or less leash, you sitting. If the dog is a confirmed puller you may want to have something to read. Wait for the leash to be loose. When it is completely loose (snap hanging vertical to floor) click and reward. When the dog has not pulled for at least 30 seconds change your position. For some dogs this may mean just leaning back as if you were going to get up. Stop moving as soon as the leash tightens. If you are uncomfortable go back to the previous position. Click and reward for a loose leash when it happens. Once the dog has managed a loose leash for 45 seconds in the new position, change positions again. This time work for a loose leash for 20 seconds before changing position. Your current goal is to get to a standing position with a loose leash. You may want to get this in several places before moving on. (such as in the car, by any door in the house, and in the yard) Once you have achieved that goal go on to the next goal of moving with a loose leash. Now that you have standing with a loose leash the reward after the click can be moving. At no time to you move in any direction if the dog is pulling. Keep your arms in a steady position, near your body. It is easy to tople over if your arm is stretched out fully with a heavy dog at the end of the leash pulling. Start with clicking one step on a loose leash.(ie. one step C/R one step C/R) Then click for two steps on a loose leash. Continue until you can regularly get 10 steps on a loose leash before clicking. At this point click randomly for walking on a loose leash. When you add distractions or new places click for fewer steps on a loose leash and rebuild the distance you were getting before. Jackpot for walking past any new or interesting distractions without pulling. Now is also the time to introduce pace changes.(you walk faster or slower) C/reward for staying with you on a loose leash when you change pace. You can reduce the number of times you reward a change of pace when the dog starts to anticipate a change of pace. Happy Tails to You Marie Gulliford Ashby, Ma. USA

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