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Cleo is almost 6 months old and we are continuing to work on our loose leash walking skills. She gets very excited to meet other dogs, people walking, joggers, etc. She'll spot something, even across the street and moving in our direction, or even a person in the distance carrying groceries into their house. She'll become alert, and start to get super-happy, as if she's about to meet her favorite celebrity. If i let her get closer, there's a point at which she starts jumping playfully toward whatever it is.
Instead, I'm trying not to let her get close enough to want to jump, and I reward her for the first moment she looks at the person/dog and does not pull toward them, and looking back at me in that situation. The longer she manages this, the longer i continue to give her treats as the "threat" passes. My goal is to gradually be able to get closer to these distractions without her pulling and jumping.
She will often sit, even though panting with excitement, and i give her treats. When the moment has passed, and the distraction moves away, and we start walking again, I will continue giving her treats every few steps for a minute or two if she keeps walking with me without pulling. She is still very excited, though, and in the process of taking a treat from me, she occasionally nips one of my fingers that's holding the treat. Usually she has a very soft mouth and there is no problem, but i think she forgets to pay attention to that at times when she's still excited over the dog or whatever that is now moving away from us.
I've tried different ways of holding the treats, but i can't figure out a way that doesn't put my fingertips in jeopardy! Any suggestions?
Instead, I'm trying not to let her get close enough to want to jump, and I reward her for the first moment she looks at the person/dog and does not pull toward them, and looking back at me in that situation. The longer she manages this, the longer i continue to give her treats as the "threat" passes. My goal is to gradually be able to get closer to these distractions without her pulling and jumping.
She will often sit, even though panting with excitement, and i give her treats. When the moment has passed, and the distraction moves away, and we start walking again, I will continue giving her treats every few steps for a minute or two if she keeps walking with me without pulling. She is still very excited, though, and in the process of taking a treat from me, she occasionally nips one of my fingers that's holding the treat. Usually she has a very soft mouth and there is no problem, but i think she forgets to pay attention to that at times when she's still excited over the dog or whatever that is now moving away from us.
I've tried different ways of holding the treats, but i can't figure out a way that doesn't put my fingertips in jeopardy! Any suggestions?