Hi Mark, I'm not meaning to hijack this thread, but my issue with Bella was so similar to the OP's that I'd really like your advice too, as to whether I'm on the right track.
Bella didn't enjoy her walks at all at first; she would just whimper and want to go back home/to the car. She's better now, and quite enjoys them (she's almost five months), but still whimpers intermittently on the walk out, and as soon as we turn to walk back/pass the half way point, she picks up her pace and runs further and further ahead.
She's very food and toy motivated at home, but not at all so on walks. I practice lots of recall with her on the return leg, as she gets so far ahead of me (on the outward leg she sticks very close), and her recall is very good. I practice a bit of heel work and loose lead walking on the outward leg, which she does well. I walk her for about half an hour, on soft ground, once a day, which seems to suit her. If I take her for a walk on lead, I use the halti for the return leg, which works well - she still gets to the end of the lead, but stops immediately and looks back to me, so I hardly have to pause. Every time the lead gets taut, I say 'ah' and stop, moving when she is still and looking at me. I practice heel work at home and on walks, rewarding with kibble and
lots of praise, and she does it really well (so she knows what she's supposed to do, she just disregards it when she feels like it!
).
I worried alot at first about her not enjoying the walks; still do a bit..
but that seems to be the way she is, and she seems to get excited about getting in the car to go for a walk. She's cautious but fairly confident with other dogs, and loves meeting people. Am I on the right track with her?
