Proper Leash Training

[Harold]

We got a 13 month old German Shepard a week and half ago that already had some basic obedience and personal protection training and each day I take him for a walk around our property. We have a few acres with a pond, etc and I let him take the lead and explore while on a 16' leash, never allowing him to tug or drag. I am currently training him on a short leash and I was wondering if letting him run semi-free on the longer leash will conflict with his short leash training. So far, he seems to understand that when he's on a short leash, he is supposed to follow my lead and when he is on the longer leash he may take the lead as long as he does not tug and pull. Also, we are in the middle of teaching him the pack order within our family (he did exhibit category 3 aggression towards myself and wife briefly but we quickly adapted ours and his daily routine to ensure he understood that we were dominant) - will this semi-freedom on the longer leash negatively impact his understanding of the pack order? Will he interpret the freedom of leading on the 16' leash as him being dominant?

[ChrisNJudy]

Hello Harold,
Welcome to the site, you will find this to be a very helpful tool.
To answer your question, no letting them walk out in front of you when working a long leas like a flexi, etc. Will not effect your leadership with your little buddy.
Just make sure it is because you let them walk out in front and you are still leading the way. Meaning do not let your dog drag u and decide which way to go. When you hit intersections, they should be looking back at you as to which way to go. You always are leading the way, even from behind.

Think of it like this, when you see a pack of wolves roaming, they are not I a single file line following the alpha, in fact they scattered around, but no matter where the alpha is, he is still leading the way and determining where they are going.

You can work a formal heel as your obedience moves along for when want your little buddy behind you.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

I Hope This Helps!

Chris

[Harold]

That is very helpful. Thanks.