IS THIS theory still true????

[BoatingLakeDiva]

Walk your dog, do not let your dog walk you. If you allow your dog to walk in front of you while on a lead you are reinforcing in the dog's mind that the dog is alpha over you because the leader always goes first. This can lead to many behavioral issues that some regard as a "breed trait" or "personality," when actually it is your dog being in charge of its humans. When a dog walks in front, it does not drain its mental energy. The dog is not relaxed, as it has the big responsibility of leading the pack. This mental anguish can build up inside of a dog. When a dog is hyper or high-strung it means the dog is not getting the proper amount and/or type of exercise. If your dog runs laps around your yard or house, this is an indication that it is not getting enough exercise.

[SnoopyKnine]

First bit is total rubbish.


Last bit if your dog is charging around your garden it is pretty obvious that it has a lot of energy and probably does need more exercise.

[simbo]

My dog tries to walk in front because he is in a hurry to get to the bit where I take the lead off. You've never met a more laid back animal otherwise.

[BoatingLakeDiva]

so, should I endeavour to make dog walk to heel at all times?

[MagratGarlik]

Don't let your dog walk you because you have a much more pleasant walk if your arms are not being yanked out by the dog pulling, surely?

[ditavonteesed]

not to heel but on a loose lead.

[teanosugar]

My dogs do laps round the (large) back garden when they are giddy.
I'd rather they did that than ran off after a dot on the horizon (as has happened before) if I let them off the leash in a field or park

[SnoopyKnine]

Train your dog to walk nicely beside you for various reasons.

It is easier for you
It is safer for the dog eg will not walk out in front of traffic etc
You can step in front of your dog if an unwanted encounter from another dog happens.

It is good fun to have a heel command which is like the competition heel position with dog touching your thigh and head up to look at you.

Then a "with me" position which is the daily default position dogs nose alongside your leg but dog looking forward.

[MiseryBusiness]

It is a load of rubbish, dogs dont want to become the leader of the pack or to become the alpha dog.

It nice to have your dog on a loose lead because it is easier for you and far more enjoyable than having your arm pulled out.

If you want to train your dog to heel thats fine but not for the reasons you've suggested.

[BoatingLakeDiva]

I am not suggesting these reasons!!! I cut and pasted ths from an article.

[BehindLockNumberNine]

I think the first bit is total rubbish. Our ddog walks slightly in front of us but on a loose lead for the on-lead bits on walks.
He is the daftest, soppiest, most eager to please little dog I have ever come across.
He is in no way trying to be leader of the pack. He can smell squirrels and wants to get to the woods! Quite aside from the fact he could not lead his way out of a paperbag !!

As for the other thing - ddog is a whippety lurcher. He does laps around the garden at breakneck speed for the sheer hell of it. He does this when we have just come home from a one hour hike where we have had to practically carry him home from exhaustion and he does this when he has been a couch potato all day. He does it for the sheer fun of it. Pointy owners call it Zoomies

So nah, whatever article that was, bin it!

[GrimmaTheNome]

Sounds like tosh. Our dog sometimes walks in front, sometimes behind. He likes to be able to go ahead, stop to sniff while we overtake. If he's offlead obviously all points of the compass!

If we're on a narrow path or walking on a road, then he walks nicely to heel when told to.

[Stoney666]

My goldie is dreadful on lead, will do heel but stops about every 100metres and won't move till had a treat, less than 100 if hubby walking him. He's doing so well in every other way