Do dogs ''need'' to walk nicely on the lead?

Inspired by a conversation I was having with some work colleagues today and enhanced by the ''off-lead'' thread, I am interested in people's thoughts on this.

'A' colleague today made a rather bold statement that she thinks there is no excuse for dogs to pull on the lead and that it is a sign of poor handling if they do. Now of course I didn't rise to the bait, (I just informed her she was a moron ;o) and told her that we have spent the past 14 months trying to get Woody to walk on a loose lead, to no avail. Her suggestion was that I should have continued with her gundog trainer and the slip lead. I advised there was a reason I chose to stop that and that I am welcome to any more suggestions she has, but there were none, just a glance down the nose.

So, if you don't mind socialising with a poor form owner for abit, I would like to hear your thoughts/views on dogs pulling in the lead.

I'm embarrassed to say Mo is the only dog I have ever had who doesn't pull. She trots along beside us at what ever pace we dictate, she is a delight.
She much prefers to run off lead though

Bruno pulls on the lead, always has and has never walked to heel as such. he likes to be at least a good foot in front of you, and even on a loose lead will not walk beside you.

I have to say he was a bit of a nightmare until Luca came along - so thats 5 years of trying and failing to get him to walk at a normal pace instead of charging mode. When the buggy came along he just calmed down or he would get run over by wheels and I now use a head halter slip lead thing on him that someone made for me and he walks like a dream on it !!!! So thats 7 years after we get him that he walks ok onlead

not to scare you or anything !!! LOL

are you focusing on not pulling or walking to heel?

She's such a lady ;o)

It's not really about me and Woody, it's more that I was surprised to hear that it is so ''bad'' to have a dog that pulls on the lead.

I mean, I could have followed her example and ruined my dog's neck and scared it into submission with a slip lead but I chose not to.

We've found the best thing is on harness and when he pulls, we slow right down. This makes him stop (his choice), then when we start again and he doesn't pull.

But it's not about me really, it's more a case of people's perspective of dogs that pull.

It is obviously nice to have a dog that walks well on the lead, but it is easier said then done. I have to say that I see a lot of Spaniels dragging their owner along; maybe it is a breed thing!

I'm going through the motions with my Slovak and pulling at the moment. She is pretty awful on the lead, but that is probably my fault for not dedicating enough time to lead walking her. She is one stubborn cookie, so I don't expect her be walking nicely any time soon. She heel like a dream in a controlled environment but outside, not so much. She is work in progress!

To me, if you have a young dog like a springer that walks to heel you are bl**dy lucky! A lot of people who have dogs that naturally do some things well assume that it's because of them and their training skills. No way mate- it's your dog that's good not you! Springers don't 'do' walking to heel very well (in general that is), the problem being humans are just too slow for them.

It is important for me, although I haven't cracked it with Dan yet. He does pull on the lead and we use a K9 bridle to help matters. Rio has always walked nicely from day one - no training required. Dan is a work in progress. Little Rogue hasn't mastered the collar and lead yet, we are using a harness because she is so tiny. I would like to think that all three will be walking nicely together in the near future, but it will take lots of practice. They do tangle up a bit at the mo.

Ignore the woman at work - you know your dog and you know the effort you put into your dog.

I have much respect for anyone with a springer that walks nicely on the lead.

But you wouldn't snear at that person would you?

not at all. I might recommend a good osteopath though.