Pamela, which no-pull harness do you use with Honey? And where did you get it? I’ve got three that I bought at PetSmart back when we first adopted Ducky, but I never could get them adjusted properly for any of the three girls. One of these days, I’ll take them back and get a gift card. Or maybe just take them to the shelter and donate them.

That’s so funny! Because when I picture you and Mike out there on the sea, that’s what song comes to mind. 🙂

There are some wonderful no pull harnesses out there. I wish everyone using a choke collar would get one.

And yes, walking is always fun when we’re paying attention to each other. 🙂

In truth, I absolutely hate that song. I also dislike Jimmy Buffett (lots of cruising sailors love him) and the movie Captain Ron (another sailing fave).

Weirdly enough, I just like sailing. 🙂

It really helps if you can find calm dogs to practice walking by. And that can be tough if you have dogs barking behind fences or worse, loose dogs, in your neighborhood.

And I’m not surprised to hear that words aren’t as effective with your dogs. Because they live around each other all the time, I’d expect that body language would work better. Sounds like you’ve found that too.

Yeah, I think the “be a tree” technique has gotten lots of press but it only works for some dogs.

We continue to use the harness with Honey. I use it when we’re going somewhere that I feel more comfortable with more control. But I also use it for my husband to walk her. He doesn’t have the patience to enforce a no-pulling policy. And the inconsistency is a killer.

We all need practice, don’t we.

I think heel has been overused. And it sounds very harsh and clipped. I like something that makes being close sound fun.

Follow is a good choice.

I love “have at it.” I can imagine that saying it with gusto really communicates to Nola.

And yep, I get the pulling as reinforcement. Very clever.