Pawsitive Focus Dog Training

A good training session should be fun but not seem very exciting! This is especially true when the session involves a reactive or excitable dog.
Sometimes, this can give the impression that the training wasn't productive. But, if your dog didn't react, jump, or do whatever undesirable behavior you are working on, then it is an absolute win!! It's also okay if they only did it a little bit because none of us are perfect, and we have to start somewhere.

I am very against retractable leashes for several reasons!

First of all, there are several real safety concerns that come along with them. They are more difficult to hold on to, especially this time of year, and make a terrifying sound when they drag on concrete. That can cause a dog to bolt or freeze and get hit by the handle causing a lasting fear response. Rope burn is a common injury - I've seen scars on people and dogs!
Once your dog isn't nearby, you have little control over them. They can get pretty far away before our human reflexes kick to press the stop button. There is no good way to get close to them again aside from a solid recall because you can't shorten the leash.
If there is a dangerous situation or object, all you can do is press the button, call your dog, and walk/run the opposite direction. You can't control whether they come in a straight line or wrap around a person/object. If you need to go to the side to avoid a bike, car, or attacking dog, it's worse because the slack on the leash will increase before it gets tight again.
In a less dramatic example, you have a more difficult time preventing your dog from greeting people and other dogs when they are not close to you. They are getting information (people, animal, bike, food...) significantly earlier than you are, and you can't respond in a timely manner.

As for training, retractable leashes are always tight. Pulling is the only sensation they experience. You lose the communication that comes with a fixed leash.

If you are taking your dog on a decompression walk/hike, use a long line! I highly encourage this and recommend biothane material which is comfortable, waterproof, and vegan.

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