BehavioRx Case of the Month
for November 1997

LEASH-STRAINING AND FORGING-A NEW LEASH ON LIFE, OR
How to take the "jerk" off both ends of the leash.

A few months ago we sent both sizes of the Sof-Touch™ Training Safety Leash to popular book publisher, Betty Mueller, asking that she try them out and let us know how she got along. Her report may bring new hope to everyone interested in using a new, humane way to solve a major problem that has plagued man and dog since the first vine was wrapped around a dog's neck to restrain him (or her). Betty's report is one of many received since field-testing Sof-Touch™. (WEC)

"Dear Bill:

Got the leashes-thank you! So far I have tried the leashes on seven dogs---six mine, one a pup belonging to a friend. The results have been quite amazing! I do not use any pops or jerks, I let the dog do all the work, lazy trainer that I am... and work no more than five minutes at a time. Flat buckle collars, too.

Mollee History: 15 pound spayed female Schipperke, rescue dog-has been with me about a year and a half, now 3 years old, neck and legs broken at 7 months, no real leash training---just pulls full tilt like a sled dog OR freezes and refuses to budge. I've never gotten around to doing any on-lead work with her although she comes-when-called, gets on and off things on command, etc. Been on a harness, but for TRACKING where her pulling is encouraged and praised.

Leash lesson #1 standing still, (Tues. AM): Hit the end of the leash hard and backed herself off several times. Caught on quickly to the praise when the valley was slack. Within a few minutes she figured out I wasn't going anywhere and came and sat at my feet. (New behavior!)

Leash lesson #2 walking around the office (Tues PM): repeated the first lesson until she sat at my feet (took less than a minute), started walking around the office and she willingly came along, occasionally putting pressure on herself and then backing off. LOOKS UP AT ME EVERY TIME THERE IS PRESSURE ON THE LINE. What a honey!

Leash lesson #3: (Wed. PM): Took her out in the driveway (new area) and stood still. She bolted a few times, barking and lunging at distractions, and then finally sat at my feet. I think my feet have become the thing to do when she is uncertain.

Leash lesson #4 (Thurs. AM): Put the leash on in the house and walked out the back door (all other dogs loose and milling around). Bolted for the gate (going for a ride!), self corrected. Walked willingly back into the house without pressuring herself. Bolted on the way out again (less) and on the third pass of the gate, walked sedately to the gate, no pressure. Walked out into the yard ara---BRAKES! (Old behavior). Stood still until she took the pressure off---took almost a minute---braked repeatedly across the yard, sat at my feet when we stopped and walked nicely on the way back to the house-constantly looking at me. In the house I asked for a SIT and got it!.Loved her up!

I am having a wonderful time playing with this! Just to experiment, I tried the other dogs. Each has a different background, but the amazing thing is that they ALL looked at me when releasing any pressure on their own necks, giving me the perfect obvious opportunity to praise. Here's how it went:

Frau: my 12 year old arthritic sweetheart German Shepherd. Raised and heavily obedience trained her with choke chain and hard leash corrections-has a VERY arthritic sore neck and spine (connection?). Didn't want to wear a collar, but accepted the leash immediately, only pressuring herself ONCE. This is a great leash for old or injured dogs! So gentle for the fragile...

Zoe and Perry: almost nine year old Skip littermates. Bought Zoe, my first small dog at 9 weeks. Perry given to me at 8 months because he was always fighting. Both trained with nylon chokes and leash corrections. Changed over to flat buckle about age five. Perry never able to "take" leash pops (collapse). Zoe fought everything. Complete change in training to voice-only did wonders for both... now happy little workers. Perry has recurrent back problems (spasms) and Zoe is often cranky any ill-tempered with the other dogs. New leash response: very interesting! Both immediately walked next to me in perfect heel position although I did not ask them to do anything special. Each put pressure on themselves only slightly once, and then never again. Very attentive to me and careful. I think they LIKED it. (And Zoe never likes anything).

Koora: three year old Aussie raised and trained by me on a flat buckle collar, voice and leash vibration only, never popped. Already has beautiful leash manners. Acted just the same as usual once she got used to it. Careful not to pressure herself.

Rimba: four year old quiet, SWEET natured German Shepherd import adopted from a friend ten months ago. Heavily trained for Schutzhund, choke and shock collars. I took her to save her life---she developed severe anal gland problems and finally was left in a kennel---nobody wanted to deal with her physical problems. Switched her immediately to a flat buckle collar and voice. Took her months to understand my (new) gentle ways, and to learn to play with me, but we have a deep and wonderful relationship. Leash reaction: released pressure immediately and followed my voice instructions to the letter. I could tell she liked it although she wasn't sure what it was all about.

Last victim: Aussie pup 8 weeks old---sweet little fellow, calmer than most. Has worn a collar but knows nothing. Leash reaction: I followed him around for about a minute while he followed his owner. When she stopped, so did I, and he leaned into it. Immediately he released himself and HE LOOKED UP AT ME. Told him he was wonderful and he scampered to me for pets. His owner is a dog class instructor and was impressed by his reaction. Now she wants to try the leash on her other dogs!

Bill, are you ready to announce Sof-Touch? She (the instructor) wants to go on-line and tell the world about it!

Be Lucky,

Betty Mueller"

A partial list of Howlnmoon Press books:

Fun and Games with Dogs by Roy Hunter.....$24.95
Fun Nosework for Dogs by Roy Hunter.....$15.95
MORE Fun and Games with Dogs by Roy Hunter.....$24.95
Basic Homeopathy for Beast and Man by Ilse Garriss.....$14.95

These and other popular training books may be ordered directly from the publisher,

Howln Moon Press
203 State Road
P.O. Box 238
Eliot, ME 03903.

Check or Money Orders please. Add $3.50 for shipping priority mail, $2.50 for shipping book rate.

If you're interested in the Sof-Touch(tm) leash and want more information, click here

Previous Cases

October 1997
September 1997
August 1997
July 1997
June 1997
May 1997
April 1997
March 1997
February 1997
January 1997
December 1996
November 1996
October 1996

Return to Case of the Month

Return to the BehavioRx Home Page