BALANCING TECHNIQUES

However, even with the best equipment, dogs can still pull if you don’t use the correct techniques. It is important that handlers don’t hinder their dogs by hanging on, pulling back, or jerking on the lead; the softer the signals you give, the

more harmony you will create. Think about gently tightening your hand around the lead for a second, before slowly, softly, and smoothly releasing the tension again, a technique that in TTouch is known as ‘meeting and melting’. Gently take up slack on the lead, bringing the weight back over your dog’s centre of gravity. Then the ‘melt’ enables the dog to rebalance without causing him to pitch forward and start that pulling action all over again. If needed, you can continue to use this subtle action as you walk. Sometimes even just a light vibration of the lead can remind a dog you are there and encourage him to come back into balance.

Where you stand can also influence your dog’s movement; too far behind the shoulder and you can inadvertently throw him off-balance as well as yourself, or he might dive across your path tripping you over.