Happy birthday to baby Blake!

Before I get into the "meat and potatoes" of this article, I would like to give a shout-out to my baby boy, Blake, who turns one year old this month!

It's hard to believe how quickly the time has flown by! He's always changing and coming up with something new... I may think I've discovered the secret to keeping him calm while I buckle him into his car seat, lulling him to sleep in record time with a lullaby, or getting him to eat his vegetables, but just when I have it all figures out, he goes and changes on me.

Such is life. I am enjoying it!

If you want to spy on us, you can visit Blake's personal blog here and see some cute pics and videos of the family!

Ready to get out and embrace the day?

Now that we're well into Spring and it's not only sunny but slightly warm outside, I am all ready to get out and walk around a bit! However, with a dog, your blissful carefree walk can turn into something of a trial if you're not careful.

I recently had some dog-loving friends admit to me that when they went out for a walk they purposefully left their dog at home because she was so hard to walk with! (And this dog is under 20 pounds - imagine the challenge with a bigger dog!)

Sore backs - sore shoulders - slower pace... you think your dog will help you get exercise, but that's not always the case.

I can certainly relate! Teaching Kera to walk on the loose leash was something I really struggled with myself.

The good news is, it can be done!

Teach Your Dog To Walk On a Loose Lead!

You need two things to get your dog to walk on a loose leash and heel comfortably by your side: technique and consistency. The technique is easy to learn. You can find out more right here. Consistency is a little harder to come up with - especially if your dog has been used to having his own way for quite some time. But commit to it - your dog will thank you for it when it means he can go with you on more weekend outings. Your shoulders and back will thank you, too!

Some Success Stories

I always love reading about other people's successes, don't you? Here are some testimonials from some folks who recently used the techniques in this dog training manual to teach their dog to walk on the loose leash.

• Stops and Starts On Command - Max is seventy-five pounds of pure energy and exuberance! He was a real challenge on a leash, even for my friend and he's a very strong man. After following your advice in Sitstayfetch, I am pleased to tell you that we go for long walks/jogs in the park and Max is wonderful. He stops when I command him to and resumes when told. He slows down when I do and picks up the pace when I begin to run. He could easily send me to the chiropractor if he had a mind too, but he has become a joy to walk and he helps keep me motivated on the days I don't really feel like walking. I consider him my exercise machine with fur.
• A Puppy Who Heels On Leash - Little Oscar is only 4 months old, and already sits, heels on the leash, stays off the furniture, and is very gentle with our small children.
• No More Tug-O-War On the Lead - Her behaviour on the lead is much better now too. Taking her for a walk is a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. No more tug of war all the way to the park; No more straining at the lead; No more tripping over her as she spins like a top whilst barking at every passing car.
• Good Behavior Even Off-Leash - I can now let her run off leash again and not worry about her creating havoc or running away.
• Draws Compliments From Passers-By - Seven weeks ago, this Blackmouth Cur was listed as unadoptable by the Humane Society because of its extreme hyperactivity. Using the SitStay Fetch Training Guide and a Gentle Leader, we have turned him into what passing horsemen and hikers call a "well-behaved dog" both on and off leash.

I hope you find these stories as encouraging as I do. It definitely can be done with the right TECHNIQUES and CONSISTENCY. If you need a little help with the techniques, again, I recommend this manual for tips on training your dog to heel on a loose leash, and much, much more.

Skipping through the forest,

Emily

P.S. Make walks with your dog fun again! Click here.

Emily Cressey
POB 55824
Seattle, WA 98155
336-499-1887 Phone

Email Emily
www.Gifts-For-Dog-Lovers.com

Copyright 2009, Emily Cressey.

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