Noodle's Leash and Recall Breakthrough

Noodle is a two-and-a-half-year-old Poodle, and for her first year she pulled on the leash like a sled dog. What finally worked was boring. I stopped walking when she pulled and only moved forward when the leash was loose. It took about three weeks of Sunday walks along the Bang Na canal path before she got the idea.

For recall I switched to a long line, about ten meters, and only started calling her name when I knew she would come. I used small pieces of boiled chicken, and I always rewarded her, even when it took a while. Now she comes back from the far end of the park almost every time.

My advice: keep sessions short, use the same cue every time, and reward right away.