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

 Ahhhh, that makes sense. Are you going to change the rules so they stay behind all the time? Or are you planning on putting it on cue?

Now why was it important that the dogs walk behind you?

I like the idea of training dogs to follow as well - for the mountain biking thing. I've seen several mountain bikers around here that have trained their dogs to follow behind the bike. The dogs look like they're having a blast and it's great exercise for them (as well as the biker!). It's also safer for the biker, like you said. And other bikers don't get upset because the dog is under control instead of running through the brush and all over the trails.

Another activity would be cross country skiing. Although I don't know if I want the dog behind me or besides me - in an extended heel position. 

Also, when you're walking through crowds - it's good to have a dog that can follow on your heels. 

Neiko naturally follows right on my heels when I mow the lawn so I need to work on him doing that when we're doing other activities. 

Interesting concept.

Personally I wouldn't care much to teach my dogs that. Unless I wanted a 'stand directly behind me' cue for something specific, or to teach "follow me" as a game (it's great for teaching a recall and attention work). If I'm walking with my dogs in general though, if they are on leash they are beside me or slightly ahead (keeping leash loose), if on a long line or off-leash, I prefer to let them decide where to romp, whether it's 50 feet ahead, behind, or parallel to me.

Oh, that was all the way back to yesterday's post.  Can't you teach them that a whistle means scoot out of the way or can you get one of the chiming bells and place it on the handlebars .  You can also get streamers for handlebar grips so they can see you better.  If you place a baloon between the bike and spokes, they will always be able to hear you.  Frankly, having them walk behind you slows them up plus they will probably be making all these google faces at you. 

Wow, you have beautiful dogs, I read on line (I have a border collie) that a 5' PVC put some BBs in it and seal it up and to actually tap it on the ground in front of your dog to get them to stop.  I just came back from a 30min. walk, which would have taken less time had I not had to keep stopping 'cause Misty just wanted to pull me the whole way.  I too, watch The Dog Whisperer and saw that same thing with him walking with his staff, I think I'm going to make my husband go to the hardware store and pick me up some PVC and give it a try.  Today was our worse walk.  Earlier this morning, didn't go so bad, we actually had a block or two where she didn't pull at all and walk right beside me, that was great, but this evening AAAARRRGGGHHH, my arm feels like it's gonna fall off.  If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know....I'm learning with Misty (she's 41/2 mos. old) so I'm trying to be very patient. 

 P.S.  Feel free to e-mail me with advice, I'll take it all!

~ Janet

Congrats on your success (and being able to complete a 7 mile hike with a pack of dogs, regardless of their position)!  

I do see the point of having them fall back for safety reasons with the bike.

I am opposite of Corvus with regard to terrain.  When I have Kenya on a hike and it's just a "cattle path", I actually put her in front.  When I'm out in the woods alone in an area I'm not all that familiar with, I like having the German Shepherd in front.  She can see and hear things much sooner than I can.  Plus if she is off-lead, then I can see her without having to turn back.  On normal terrain,she walks at heel either on or off lead (no stick or pole or arms), but if there's a choice between in front and behind I put her in front.  Also, the German Shepherd "heel" is slightly forward.  I taught the "heel" (on and off leash) by adding a "watch" command.  Kenya knows "watch", but actually has no "heel" command b/c I don't want to introduce the formal command until the behavior is perfected (as in, competition worthy), which it currently is not.

SchH heel:

Typical AKC rally/ob heel:

Its just matter of preferences, lostcoyote rathers to have them behind him during the hike, if you rather to have them in front then have them in front, if you want to have them beside you then thats your choice, if you rather have them wearing batman suits then thats your choice

Is just neat to know you can do something you were planning to teach to your dogs, lost coyote is NOT saying that walking them that way is a better option than the one everyone here has. Just like in the clicker bragging threads, there is a lot of not-that-useful tricks you can show your dog but at least you feel really good that your dog can do it

ps. thats NOT my dog  

Right.  That was the point of my post.

Doesn't it depend on how fast you peddle.  My frame of reference is slow.  I can go in one direction and you can go in the same direction, but at different speeds. 

How would walking behind slow them even if the person is still walking?  They can walk the same pace they would beside you, just a few feet back. 

Liesje

How would walking behind slow them even if the person is still walking?  They can walk the same pace they would beside you, just a few feet back. 

Across from my house, before they build a golf course on the properties, there use to be a large woodland area with trails, a lake, and next to that property was a abandon Clay Dirt company...that means huge clay mountains, a dirt biker's dream ride.  For decades, a couple times a week, I would take the dogs for THE walk, a swim, and then a clay mud bath.  They are large dogs, long legs and their pace is much faster than mine.  They would walk ahead of me and when they reach a certain distance they would turn around, come back to me and then turn and go forward at their own pace.  I was never out of their eyesight and they were never out of mine.  They enjoyed their walk at their own pace and I did too.  We all enjoyed the scenery, smells, and from time to time came across some woodland creatures.   But the clay mountains were the best.  A very steep climb up but once on top thousands of small hills and dirt bike trails.  The dogs were able to do a full gallup and in their trail a cloud of clay dust followed.  So cool.  Again, we were always within sight of each other.  So after that experience, I am trying to envision doing the same thing with the dogs following me.  I surely would be bored and I think the dogs would to. 

The only place I have seen come close to this area is the Indiana Dunes.  But at Indiana Dunes you have to have your dog leashed and I believe there is a fine if you get caught.