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tug-transport
Sometimes we just need to get somewhere with puppy...
A to B

Getting from A to B

Sometimes we just need to get somewhere with puppy and we don’t really have time for ‘proper’ training right at that moment. Loose leash walking is hard, and it’s okay to simply recognize that puppy is not ready to walk nicely with you yet.

But you still need to get places with your puppy! You will want to avoid letting puppy pull you around, so that he doesn’t learn bad habits. Here are some ways you can get from A to B.

In the video you will see ‘carry puppy’ and ‘treat transport’. In the treat transport example, because the distraction is only minor, the trainer can do a little bit of training as well. If the distraction were more extreme, he would have kept the treats right on puppy’s nose, allowing him to lick and nibble as he walked past the distraction. You can also see each of these three management techniques demonstrated in the Puppy Mouthing & Play Biting video.

Carry Puppy

Owner transports puppy from A to B in their arms
BENEFITS
  • Puppy is not rewarded for pulling
  • Quick and easy
  • Puppy gets lots of practice being carried
This works well for short distances with high distraction levels, small puppies +/or strong owners.
REQUIRES
That puppy is comfortable being picked up and carried.

Treat Transport

Owner leads puppy with a treat on puppy’s nose
BENEFITS
  • Puppy is not rewarded for pulling
  • Quick and fairly easy
This works well for short distances with medium distraction levels, agile owners, food motivated puppies.
REQUIRES
That puppy really likes the food you have.

Tug Transport

Owner tugs with puppy from A to B
BENEFITS
  • Puppy is not rewarded for pulling
  • Quick and fairly easy
  • Puppy gets lots of practice tugging in different environments
This works well for medium distances with medium distraction levels, with dogs who love to tug.
REQUIRES
That puppy really likes tugging on a toy.

Management is not training, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t sometimes the right choice. Preventing puppy from making mistakes will prevent bad habits from forming.

Because management often uses rewards (likes treats or toys) to guide puppy, be careful about when you present the treat or toy. Don’t wait for puppy to pull on leash! We don’t want him to learn that pulling on leash gets you to put a cookie on his nose!

Instead, anticipate that he will need help going past a distraction and put the cookie on his nose or start the tug game before he has a chance to make a mistake.

TRY THIS! Reward a Behavior & Run

Owner asks for a behavior, and then rewards puppy by running with them from A to B
BENEFITS
  • Puppy is not rewarded for pulling
  • Quick and easy
  • Puppy practices and is rewarded for another behavior
This works well for short distances with medium distraction levels with puppies who like to run with you.
REQUIRES
That puppy knows a behavior like “sit” or down.
That puppy likes to run with you.
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