I got my dogs to walk behind me for 7 miles...

espencer

mudpuppy

I'm not going to comment on the method of "training". I suspect it will fail the day you forget to bring your stick.

You know very well that the stick wont be necessary in the future, just like the clicker is no longer necessary after the dog knows the command  

Touche!  I was going to say that.

I've used the same method to keep the dog behind me, and yes, it still worked when I didn't bring my stick.  However, I didn't have a use for it like Lost does, so eventually we stopped doing it and it got forgotten.... I teach all kinds of things but only the usefullest/cutest ever stick.  I prefer actually giving a word and have the dog(s) get behind me - for instance if I want to keep myself between them and a strange dog.  But that requires they stay kind of close to me, not just stay behind an invisible line.....

Ixa, my Fiance and I had the pleasure of joining Coyote and his crew for a local hike. I wish I had a brought a camera! Coyote's 3 fuzzy butt dogs padded happily behind him along the trail, even when I was borrowing the stick to teach Ixa about walking behind me.

The stick method works great, and after about 10 minutes, Ixa stayed behind me even without the stick. It seems to me that it follows the principles of using a crook in herding - the stick blocks, and sends them in another direction. I tapped the stick on my left then right, and Ixa walked, slolem-style behind me. Very simple!
 

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Ixas_girl

I wish I had a brought a camera!

LOL

That sounds really great! I would love to see all of them playing follow-the-leaders! I think the herding principle is probably right on. Yes, next time, please take a camera!