Dear Dogcharmer,
Charlotte is a border collie cross. That is a guess, because she was a rescue dog. She is quite obedient off leash, so she is usually free. When we encounter a distraction, she will obey a “sit” command and, sometimes with a hand on her collar, stay while the distraction passes. If she is on a leash, she becomes very agitated and stupid. For instance, I was walking on a dirt road with a friend when the United Parcel truck came up behind us. Charlotte is particularly bothered by UPS trucks. In a former life, she went to work with her owner, and got to bark at the UPS driver several times a day when he or she made deliveries. When we heard the truck coming, we stepped off the road about six feet, and she sat and I gave her a treat with a hand on her collar, and she didn’t bark or chase the truck. I knew the truck would be returning after the delivery, so I put the leash on her just to be safe. When the truck came toward us, we stepped off the road again, and she sat for a minute only to jump up and hurl herself to the end of the leash, barking crazily at the passing truck. The same leash difference happens when we meet strange dogs. If she or the other dog is on a leash, she behaves very badly. If she’s off leash she will “come,” “leave it,” or ” sit” when asked. Is it worth training her to be good on the leash when she’s so much better off it?
Thanks,
Pam
Dear Pam,
Your last question is the first question that needs to be addressed. To me, “Is it worth training her to be good on the leash…” is not something questionable. It’s mandatory. Living on this beautiful Island, I understand and appreciate the ease of off-leash walks on dirt roads and beaches. But the realities of everyday life will require Charlotte to be on leash when you go the the vet, or anytime she’s with you in town. Would you be comfortable walking down Main Street, Edgartown, with Charlotte off-leash? Or getting on the ferry with her off-leash? Or crossing streets other than dirt roads?
The reason Charlotte’s so tough and bold on leash is because when she’s physically attached to you, she feels fully supported by the leash connection. She takes it like you’re saying, “I got your back, Charlotte.” It’s like the little kid acting tough because he has his big brother standing behind him. Solitary dirt roads and paths with the occasional car or hiker heighten a dog’s response, as opposed to crowded streets. Pam, picture yourself walking down Circuit Avenue in August, weaving your way through all the people. You’ll hardly notice most of them. Now picture yourself walking down an empty street, or better yet an alley between buildings in Manhattan, and all of a sudden a person appears at the other end of the alley. Boy! Will you be focused on that one person coming toward you! Same with the occasional truck or hiker or dog for Charlotte, coming toward her on the path. Having Charlotte sit and and stay while the truck is coming at her is like me having you sit on the railroad track and telling you to stay as the train approaches. As the offending distraction approaches, Charlotte needs to keep moving forward and be redirected to your wants, in this case that being “Leave it!”
I’m glad to hear Charlotte’s cooperative off-leash, but I can’t help wondering how’d she smell if a skunk walked by and you told her, “Leave it”? Trying to describe how to teach Charlotte to be civil on a leash would be like trying to learn karate from a book. Pam, Charlotte needs to be taught, followed by a leash transfer, meaning you are handed the leash and taught the right timing, body language, and voice intonation to extract her full cooperation.
I think you need a couple of lessons with a pro to make your on- and off-leash walks a lot more relaxing.
Best of luck,
The Dogcharmer
Have a question for the Dogcharmer? Write him at dogsrshelby@msn.com.
