Is this confusing for a dog?

[poiuytrewq]

Bert still requires training. If I don't put time in he still reverts in some ways, not all a lot is very installed but there are bits- lead pulling being the main.

He does zig zaggy loose lead walking training beautifully. He is the same at home or in the middle of a field out walking. Not so in a straight line going for a walk, so we still need to keep working at it.

I know consistancy is key and make him walk in the correct place without pulling on the roads, is it ok to give him more freedom off road (I keep him on a lead in public places) so to let him sniff round and criss cross round me and i suppose pull round a bit (as in lets go look at this or sniff over there) on a long lead or will this confuse him until he's 100% at never pulling?

Can it be one rule for roads and another for fields? Someone said I should change lead if I'm going to do that so he understands maybe when his slip lead is on he walks nicely but when he has a lunge line he can do his own thing (to an extent)

 

[Clodagh]

when we used to go to Norfolk and walk on the cliffs the dogs would be in a collar and long line. Then a slip lead (no collar) day to day.
They never did master pulling the extendable lead and going forwards though! But but might be worth a try.

 

[meleeka]

My little JRT had two leads too. I think the important thing is that they are never allowed to pull. If trained correctly, a dog should stop when the lead goes tight, so it makes sense to have a long lead so they don't feel that pressure.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

You could have a word that tells them they are now allowed to sniff. We always kept the Rottweilers on a lead of some kind, unless jn a secure field but they were allowed to sniff on a longline, on grass.

 

[CorvusCorax]

You can cue different behaviors related to different collars and leads, I've done it for years. Or just teach a 'free' release command/use the release as a reward.

 

[poiuytrewq]

He always wears a collar anyway so can easily take a long line if we are going places.
So would that be enough to differentiate? Clip the line on his collar off road and told he can go free then still collar but with his slip lead, which is a pain and does sometimes get in a tangle but has his ID tag on the rest of the time.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'd personally prefer to teach it/make it clear rather than it happen by accident, but dogs learn a lot of things by accident!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Yes, I will (attempt) to teach, I just wanted to be sure I wasn't just muddying the waters for him. I don't like making him walk correctly the entire time we are out but whilst hes really pretty good at coming back when i call him I don't know how fast he'd respond if, as yesterday a large group of people walking lots of dogs appeared round a corner! I need to enlist friends with dogs to try it out

 

[Pearlsasinger]

He always wears a collar anyway so can easily take a long line if we are going places.
So would that be enough to differentiate? Clip the line on his collar off road and told he can go free then still collar but with his slip lead, which is a pain and does sometimes get in a tangle but has his ID tag on the rest of the time.

I prefer to have a long line clipped to a harness, so that the neck isn't harmed if the dog rushes off and has to stop suddenly.

 

[Teaselmeg]

Clip the longline to a harness and that is your indicator that he has free range, I wouldn't attach a longline to a collar anyway, that is a disaster waiting to happen .

Shorter lead means no pulling. No point in giving them more freedom if they can't use it to be a dog.

 

[Goldie's mum]

Bert still requires training. If I don't put time in he still reverts in some ways, not all a lot is very installed but there are bits- lead pulling being the main.

He does zig zaggy loose lead walking training beautifully. He is the same at home or in the middle of a field out walking. Not so in a straight line going for a walk, so we still need to keep working at it.

I know consistancy is key and make him walk in the correct place without pulling on the roads, is it ok to give him more freedom off road (I keep him on a lead in public places) so to let him sniff round and criss cross round me and i suppose pull round a bit (as in lets go look at this or sniff over there) on a long lead or will this confuse him until he's 100% at never pulling?

Can it be one rule for roads and another for fields? Someone said I should change lead if I'm going to do that so he understands maybe when his slip lead is on he walks nicely but when he has a lunge line he can do his own thing (to an extent)

Definitely have a "signal" for the two. Doesn't matter what it is - put your gloves on, different lead, anything.
Don't forget his sense of smell. Do you use training treats? You could use different ones for training different things, they can smell your pocket & know what's going on.
My friend who trains police dogs teaches them 2 modes depending which door of the van they come out of. Side door is meet and greet, school visit type stuff, back door is catch a bad person, quell a riot, aggression is ok .

 

[poiuytrewq]

That sounds a better plan then the two are totally different. I’ve ordered a harness.

 

[I'm Dun]

My youngest has to be on a lead if there's deer about. He absolutely knows the difference between long line and normal lead. We did it from when he first started walking so for him that's just how it is. Doesnt confuse him at all. Same way he knows the difference between being off lead and allowed to gallop about or being off lead and being told to stay with me. Dogs are really adapatable and get used to most things. Mine put up with all sorts of nonsense from me with very good grace!

 

[Clodagh]

That sounds a better plan then the two are totally different. I’ve ordered a harness.

Not one that inhibits the shoulders I hope.

 

[ponyparty]

Yeah my lurcher knows to walk by me when on the short lead on her collar - and when I clip the extending lead or longline onto her harness I release her with an “ok” and she then knows it’s sniff/play time.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Not one that inhibits the shoulders I hope.

I’ve not tried it yet but doesn’t look like it should no.