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I completely sympathize Karen - Buffy could really give the arm a workout. Sassy had learned (prior to us) that if she could hold some part of the leash in her mouth, she'd walk almost in a heel position without being asked. You could actually drop the leash completely and she'd stay by your side . Shane also came with training, so I can take no credit for either of them. I just feel for people when I see the dog walking them vs. them walking the dog. I took up running with my Samoyed just because it was the only way I could keep her from pulling my arm off

(Hanging head in shame) . . . I'm afraid we still have major struggles with Ruby walking nicely on a leash. She's a puller and hasn't improved  much since we adopted her (except in the 8 week "Polite Leash Walking" class we took, where she was an excellent student ).  DH does 95% of her walking, but when I walk her, my arm is never relaxed.  Running keep up with her preferred pace, but then I'd have heart failure!  We've tried everything . . . but that's a topic for another thread!

Kate and Karen -- you mentioned the lack of sidewalks in your areas.  Where I grew up in CT, sidewalks were rare in residential neighborhoods; they were only on main roads.  I never thought anything of it, because it was all I knew.  When we moved out here, where most neighborhoods have sidewalks, I got very used to walking (with or without a dog) safely away from traffic.  Then we moved back to CT for a short time, and walking Tonka was frustrating at best (trying to keep him off people's yards along the road or stepping in sewer grates, etc.), or scary at worst (as cars zipped by). 

Callie, what an awesome experience for David to have!  How wild is that?!  You might need a T-shirt that says, "My husband got to see a launch, and all I got was gummy shuttles."  But really, gummy shuttles are pretty darn cool, too!

tacran

Callie, what an awesome experience for David to have!  How wild is that?!  You might need a T-shirt that says, "My husband got to see a launch, and all I got was gummy shuttles."  But really, gummy shuttles are pretty darn cool, too!