Walk Your Dog With Love ... and Don't Forget the Braunschweiger

Piper has been a puller since the day we first attached a leash to her little puppy collar. In those days she could do a lot of things to make a walk interesting, but one thing she could not do was pull us off our feet. Now, at 60 lbs., she can do that and has done it. So we began looking for an alternative to the dubiously named "Non-pull Mesh Harness" we had been using, which attached at her back and which, especially in the past few weeks, has allowed her to become an even stronger and more determined puller.

An internet search led us to the "Walk Your Dog With Love Harness", available from Walk Your Dog With Love. When the mail came a week ago and we saw the harness (shown on Piper in the picture), we were skeptical at how such a light-weight, modest device could have any affect on Piper and were tempted to send it back. But its design intrigued us, and when we took her on her first walk with it, the change was immediate and profound.

First time around the block she walked just like the dogs in the videos on the WYDWL site, which is what we were hoping would happen. Gone are the quick darting and the lunging and forging, which were taking a toll on our shoulders; gone as well is her ability to get out in front and do whatever she wants. With the other harness, as well as the flat collar, whenever she pulled against the leash, her reflex was to pull harder. The new harness seems to be self-correcting — when she pulls, the reflex action is to stop pulling. She still tugs at times, but correcting is easy, and it does seem like a minor miracle has occurred, because the tension and frustration in dog-walking have disappeared.

We have also added another element to our walks in order to train her to heel: Braunschweiger. Thanks to a tip from our friend Darlene, a trainer and lover of dogs, we have been using occasional little dabs of the stinky stuff in our left hand to get her to walk at our side. It also works as a wonderful distractor when dogs or people — sometimes even squirrels and cats! — are around. The Braunschweiger and the harness work wonderfully in tandem, as the harness keeps her close enough to know that meat is at hand (literally), so that when we say "Heel," she immediately thinks, "Must be some slimy liver stuff in their hand" and slips into the heeling position. We have intimations now that she actually is beginning to think that walking beside her human can be interesting and fun! So if you're having trouble walking your own dog, we suggest you check out the WYDWL site and load up on Braunschweiger.

Now that spring is approaching and the rain is diminishing, it's time for her to go to school, so Obedience Class with Auntie Sally is next. Will keep you posted!