Dog Community

Strangest dog behavior...My dog must walk on the right or else!

Posted : 9/19/2011 2:44:13 PM

So when walking Leo, he MUST be on the right. not only that, but when someone crossed his path,or he is not on right, he stops DEAD in his tracks, and circles around in front of you, counterclockwise and then behind u, back to his esteemed position on the right, (basically a counter-clock-wise circle around u wrapping the leash around you) . he cant just go to the right, he HAS to go in front of you, and then left and around behind. if there is a goup, he does the same thing, we all have to do the "dance" passing leashes under and over and me spinning to accomodate him. its the goofiest thing i have ever seen. (we people too look quite funny) this behavior has earned him the nickname "reset" because he just seems to have to do it that way to reset his position on the right. i dont know of any herding dog in him, so i am baffled by it. just wondering if anyone knows anything about it.

JackieG

Posted : 9/19/2011 3:15:46 PM

In some dog circles that's called "finish to heel position" and people train their dogs to do this. :) I don't have any idea why your dog is doing it.

Thalie

Posted : 9/19/2011 5:53:27 PM

What hand do you hold the leash in ? What direction do you mostly turn during walks ?

Mine want to be on the left. That's because I wanted my right hand free to pick up poop (if I tried left handed, most would not make it into the bag, lol) so I put them on my left from the start.

Perhaps Leo got into the habit of being on the right just by the way your walks are laid out ?

MyboyLeo

Posted : 9/19/2011 6:27:17 PM

that is possible..though i kinda go both ways, one way for around the neighborhood, and the other way for the park..and i guess he may be used to the right side but its the way he has to go around behind me that is sooo goofy.

thank you for your reply! interesting

kpwlee

Posted : 9/19/2011 9:14:34 PM

My dog always is leash-walked on my left due to where we walk so he stays on that side regardless of where are. Makes perfect sense to me, however he has always gone up or down stairs on your right. That was not taught but is convenient as he's a big guy who lives at warp speed so its great to tell visitors that he'll always be on your right on stairs lol

MyboyLeo

Posted : 9/20/2011 10:19:34 AM

your dog is beautiful!!! tx for the reply .... i guess i dont look to change his behavior...it seems kinda ocd to me...hehe but his personality isnt as such. ... hes a great dog. tx again

rwbeagles

Posted : 9/20/2011 10:20:30 AM

MyboyLeo

So when walking Leo, he MUST be on the right. not only that, but when someone crossed his path,or he is not on right, he stops DEAD in his tracks, and circles around in front of you, counterclockwise and then behind u, back to his esteemed position on the right, (basically a counter-clock-wise circle around u wrapping the leash around you) . he cant just go to the right, he HAS to go in front of you, and then left and around behind. if there is a goup, he does the same thing, we all have to do the "dance" passing leashes under and over and me spinning to accomodate him. its the goofiest thing i have ever seen. (we people too look quite funny) this behavior has earned him the nickname "reset" because he just seems to have to do it that way to reset his position on the right. i dont know of any herding dog in him, so i am baffled by it. just wondering if anyone knows anything about it.

In olden times (and today too in the show ring for ex) it was traditional for the dog to be at the left, because the master always carried his shooting iron on the right. :) This is SUCH a right hander's world...lol!