when Jack pulled the trainer tugged the slip lead so it tightened. He did it round my arm first and did say it shouldnt be pulled tight enough to hurt the dog or chock him just a quick tug to let Jack know he was doing something wrong and get his attention and bring him back to heel. But i have always been told this is not the way to train a dog and that the stop method (stopping when he pulls and getting him back to heel) takes longer but is alot kinder. Is the tugging with a slip lead regulary used by people that work their dogs?
No need to tugg at all, if trained correctly the lead should never be on full strain and should always be kept loose and held lightly in one hand. Tug as in tug sounds harsh doesnt it
I give a gentle tug (if you can call it that) on the lead to change direction and to train to walk to heel which does literally take minits to teach and never ever hurts my dogs as if it did I wouldnt do it.
Teaching the stop command to get your dog to walk to heel isnt the way id do it. Mine are taught the stop command which is used when out in the working field or just even on a walk to get your dog to stop the minit its told (well not so much in Sweepies case)
The stop whistle command I use is the very same one that I use for the sit command. My older dogs will when working automatically sit when I stop as I have trained them whilst walking to heel when I stop they sit. The Labs are Brilliant at this, cockers (depending on the dog) different ball game sometimes but fun trying
It took me a long time to find a Gun Dog trainer who's methods I was extremely comfortable with. It takes a long time to train a dog to the standard required in the shooting field and tbh there is no rush to get out there any earlier than is absolutely neccessary. It also depends on the dog, some are easier to train than others. If your not happy with the guy have a word with him and tell him how you feel as you should certainly not be feeling uncomfortable in training you dog. Other than that find another traininer you feel happier with.
I take it you plan on working your wee dog
