Runaway Sheltie?

[Emmasmom]

The trainer I was going to go to recommended a lunge line for Emma, but I felt it was way too heavy for her. It might work with yours though. Either that or pick up some rope and attach a clip to the end. This way you can get the weight you want and the texture you want. Dad attached a clip to a rope for Emma. Being a retired sailor, of course he had to use a sailor's technique for doing so.

 

[Sumac3890]

What excatly is a lunge line...guess I could do a search one but for us nonhorse people. I do have a long training leash that I was thinking I would put on Zak for long recalls- his recall could be way better.

 

[cdnrn26]

Caro - She is 17 months old and has been timid since I got her. We have made lots of progress and have decided that this incident is just another bump in the road. Thanks for your other advice, I had no idea they stay in the fight or flight response for a few days but it makes sense. She loves doing training (especially for treats) so that would have been good for us to. I'm still amazed how close the lightning came to us.

Today (in the pouring rain) we went for another walk on the same path. This time I had her on her flexi lead and with her martingale on. She did really good, wanted to stay by my side but if she ventured away or ahead she would come right back if I stopped. She did lots of checking back. I am going to go buy a lunge line. We had a good walk and now she is curled up beside me sleeping...

Do you guys prefer the martingale or a harness? I have both...

 

[take4roll10]

Do you guys prefer the martingale or a harness? I have both...

I use both. I really like the martingale. It's so easy to put on and take off and she can't back out of it. However, my dog lunges and pulls like crazy when she sees birds. She is very petite and I don't want her hurting her neck or chocking, so I recently switched to a harness. I've had no issues with the harness. Besides when she sees birds or a dog, she does not pull with the harness.

 

[Emmasmom]

A lunge line is what they use when you see horses being circled around a trainer or exerciser. It is webbing type, about 1" across and very long (sometimes 30'or so). it is very strong and durable.

 

[cdnrn26]

Had her out again today on the same trail. At the point where we turn around its quite a busy road so I had her do a sit and stay while we watched the cars go by. I rewarded each time she looked at me and not the cars flying by... also today for about the last 1/2 km I let her off leash and she did really good. Checked back very frequently and came when I called her and was rewarded. So slowly gaining back trust but I'm hoping to get back to our off leash walks by November... I attached some pictures of Maggie and her walking buddies (a smooth collie and a vizsla)

 

[danisgoat]

Great work!

Your Sheltie looks like quite the happy little dog