Autumn Leaves November '11 Challenge

Congrats on the new dogs ladies! They are such enthusiastic walking buddies. They'll ALWAYS want to go for a walk. I took my girl out for a 3 mile walk today. She's just under a year and has taken very well to her leash training. We had a guy help us one afternoon for about 2 hours. Mostly just talked to us for 90 minutes, then gave her a little session. Now that I know how to communicate better in "dogese", we're getting good responses from her. I also invented a leash idea that helps alot too....just some cheap rope from the hardware store and a little washing machine hose cut into two pieces. It's made for nice handles for both hands. If you want, I could try to take a pic of it, though you can buy very nice leashes in pet stores.

Saturday I'm going to walk my first 5K race!

You all are doing great on your exercises! I love coming here and reading what you've done!

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"I'd be interested in seeing your leash. We aren't sure how Zero will walk on a leash yet with us. She seems very calm but she isn't a puppy anymore either. So we'll see!! "
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Well, our dog was/is a chewer and we keep her on a leash in the house mostly all of the time. It's part of her training and eventually she'll be leash free. She's just under a year so her energy is super high. Our trainer recommended keeping her leashed as you can get her do what you need much easier than if she's running crazy free.

So, to save money on leashes that she'd just chew through, we bought one of those 100 yard hanks of nylon rope from the hardware store and about 18" of washing machine hose. It's a black hose that's just thick enough to make a nice sturdy handle. I cut it into approx 6" pieces and threaded it through the rope. I got a clip to attach to her collar from a feed store for $4. The 100 yards of rope was $9 and the hose was $1.50. I've got enough rope to make 80 or so leashes...and she's chewed through about 12! She hasn't chewed through one in about a month, thank goodness. We have an indoor homemade leash that she wears in the house, the one with the washing hose is only for outdoor walks. It's basically 6" of hose for your right hand handle, then another 6" that is threaded onto the main line. It sounds way more complicated than it really is. The main line hose is for my left hand so I can control her with both hands, and not have to hold onto a rope with my bare left hand. The main line hose slides easily and with my right, I can correct her with an easy pull. She learned pretty fast that we're the boss and behaves very well on her leash. Just be consistent and keep your new dog at your side, don't let them run ahead or pull you, show them who's boss...they like knowing you're in control. It lets them relax and be submissive and happy.

If you'd like a picture, message me your email address and I'll send it. It's nothing fancy, but it's the best leash I've ever used...and I invented it!

By the way, I love the name Zero!