Leash training is a very important part of having a companion dog. It is also the hardest thing an owner has to cope with. Most owners will find it harsh when first introduced to it. I did.
When I refer to yanking the leash to correct the wrong behavior, the yank is performed as a short
jerk motion. The jerk or yank of the leash is the correction. Do not hang the dog or excessively hold the leash tight to choke the dog.
The motion is jerk/yank the leash and release.
You will find this type of training method recommended in many obedience websites and obedience manuals.

Do you have any tips for a dog that likes to go after cars or people when on leash. I keep her by my side but she dose like to pull even when I give a tug back. What should I do?

Hello, I do not have enough information to make an accurate answer. I will give it a try.
Is there another person available to help?
If yes, place your dog on a leash and in a sit stay on your left side. The other person will cause different distractions. You are getting the dog used to distractions. When the dog ignores the distractions, you praise the dog. If the dog gets up from the sit stay you correct the dog. You can include the person throwing a ball or dropping objects behind the dog.
If you do not have help, post another question.
Training for cars requires a gradual introduction to cars. If you bring the dog to a parking lot bring the dog to the quiet area of the parking lot. Do your basic heal training there. Praise the dog a lot for remaining at your side. Gradually introduce the dog to the busy area of the parking lot.
Cars make noise and dogs will be curious, However, they should remain at your left side.
Do not allow people to pet the dog while the dog is training. If a person comes up to you in the parking lot put the dog in a sit stay.
You have to be willing to make one more correction (aka:tug) then the dog is willing to make bad behavior. The dog will/should get the hint. Repeating the exercise is the best way to achieve results. Been there.

Any advice for trying to walk 2 dogs with leash issues? Ive had to run with one dog on leash after the other who has broken free several time. Im the only one who can walk them and thank god i walk them on a culdesac, otherwise id be short 1 dog.

I always wondered why everyone says to walk your dogs on your left side and not your right?

because heeling to the left is what a proper heeling position is, if you were in show or competition it's the side you would HAVE to heel on.

It keeps the dogs in view of the judge without someone between the dog and the judge.

but if you dont show whats the big deal

If you don't show it doesn't matter what side you teach your dog to walk on. If you walk two large dogs it is generally not possible to keep them both at your left.

However most people thread the leash through the left hand to the right hand which gives better stability when giving corrections. It is not easy to give a proper correction (if you are right handed) if you are walking the dog to the right. You then must also make very sure the collar is put on correctly to give a correction from that side (most people forget this)

To me it is nearly impossible to give a proper correction while walking this way. There are tons of other benefits but to me those are the main ones.

Walking Dogs on your left side is for safety, not just for show.
Try to remember now, before roads had sidewalks (bear with me here). For some of you that used to walk to grammar school, do you remember the rule to go by? A pedestrian is to walk against the flow of traffic (or facing the cars headlights). This might be forgotten due to sidewalks. But if you research the recommendation to walk facing traffic on roads without sidewalks is a rule still in effect.
Now, if you were to walk on the proper side of the road, facing traffic with your dog at your left side where would the dog be? The dog would be safely on your left. You would be between the dog and oncoming cars.
That is th reason for the dog to walk on your left side.

If you want a GREAT companion dog, you will have your dog walking properly at your left side. When you stop walking, your dog goes automatically into a sit. Now when you start to walk begin with your left foot. By doing this you give your dog a heads up that you are moving in place of tugging on the leash (all the time). When you first start this type of training you will naturally, begin your heel training by moving your left foot first, saying heel at the same time and possibly tugging on the leash.
Another heads up for the dog would be to call dog's name, then next moving left foot and give heel command.
The goal is to have your dog begin heeling immediately as you begin to walk (by the dog feeling your left foot moving).No verbal command no tugging on leash necessary.

Walking 2 dogs at the same time?
I would train 1 dog at a time to heel properly then eventually the dogs to walking together.
I would do heel training with 1 dog (I would let the second dog watch). I would typically do a 15 minute session with dog 1. I then would do a 15 minute heel training session with dog2.
Yes, then I would heel train both.
Yes, both dogs would be at my left side. Both have the same understanding of my commands.
Both dogs should know that this is not play time but walk time.
I did observe different personalities of the dogs and then placed them accordingly. For example I used my calmest dog to be on the outside so as my wandering dog would remain close to me. It's difficult to explain this training method in writing.

You require your dogs to stay at a competitive heel while walking? Heeling as I use the term is to require the dog to remain at you heel to the left. When walking my dogs I ask them to stay close but never at a heel unless in competition or training. Heeling is a very tedious exercise for your dog and should never be extended beyond when need be.

A walk around the neighbourhood it really is not necessary for your dog to heel. Almost every dog trainer I have ever met follows this from leerburg to trainers I have met through competition. They use a loose leash walk not a heel.

Yes I could walk both dogs on the same side but I really don't see it as necessary. I have often been walking 4 dogs at once, (when home there are about 3-4 dogs to walk at once) So no heeling all to the left would be very stupid.
My dogs realise when we are truly working when we are on a walk and when we are playing.

Why train to do things at a competition level when they just want a pet. To me it doesn't make sense if their dog can walk on a loose leash politely and is under control why exactly is anything else needed in a pet?

And you also have to realise many areas have sidewalk on only one side of the road (if any at all) so i tend to walk with traffic with my dogs on whatever side keeps them away from traffic. Most of the road I walk has sidewalk on only one side which makes me keep my dogs to the right walking there and to the left walking back.

yea what is the reason for a walk? 1. exercise 2. new sights and smells. So the dog should be able to sniff around a bit and not be real tight right next to you all the time unless they need to be.

I would just like to say that I understand your sentimental feelings that you have for your dogs.
However, you will have to respect that we have different opinions about how dogs should behave. RESPECT being the key word.
That being understood, If you had taken the time to read the details of my post you would have seen how I referred the sidewalk issue.
Second you should have realized that I mentioned that walking the dog on the left side of the person was a safety issue, NOT a dog show issue and that is where/why walking the dog on the left came from.
As for walking the dog at heel. Where you think that walking the dog at heel is cruel, I think it displays a well socialized dog that can be out in public areas.
I am sure there are people out there that think it is also acceptable for dogs to sniff other dog's privates. Yet, I look at that behavior as possibly introducing the dog to unwanted germs, viruses, and other diseases.
By the way, I do not understand where the dog being at heel is rigorous. My dogs seem very relaxed and happy to be at my side. My dogs also seem to be more happy to be with me then to sniff other dirty places...I don't know, keeping the dog away from unknown germs seemed like a good practice.

Where did I say anything about letting a dog sniff people's privates? You seem to be under the impression that I let my dogs do as they please.

I also never said heeling was cruel. I said it was BORING and UNECCESSARY. That doesn't make it cruel.

If you are so concerned with your dogs getting a disease from sniffing something...perhaps you are a tad bit paranoid and shouldn't take your dogs outside at all. Teaching my dogs to leave it keeps my dogs from anything I don't want it in.

Loose leash is a term that means at your side. It is not forging ahead or lagging behind, It simply is not the formal healing position.

You also use the term sentimental feelings as if I am somehow soft on my dogs, I assure you when my dogs are working I expect them to work. You are quite lucky if your dog is happy to heel for 2 or more miles. Personally I will never make my dog do it because it is again unnecessary.

Perhaps your definition of heel is different but my is extremely close to the handler's body eyes ON the handler at ALL times forging forward at a slow normal or fast walk. Ff the dog looks away it is corrected. if it moves without me it is corrected. To me again this is simply not something I would require on a walk.

I apologise if our definitions vary but those are the ones I follow. There is a very big difference between the formal heel and a loose leash walk.

"You also use the term sentimental feelings as if I am somehow soft on my dogs,"
I read my post again. I do not see a direct reference to you.
"Where did I say anything about letting a dog sniff people's privates?"
I read my post a third time and I do not see a reference to people's privates.
Lastly, How would you write up how you got your dogs to behave so well on a loose leash to another person that has a dog that is untrained and running amuck where by the person also has not previous experience with obedience training?

I have some things to add in, but also a question:

My question is for Bocch; would you require your dogs to heel even when say - Off the leash on a hike in the woods?

I don't know about anyone else, but I agree with Badkittyamy. I think having a dog in heel position (which my idea of heel is right next to you, not sniffing, not stopping, just focusing on walking with the handler; on either the left or right side, depending on which is more comfortable for the person - right handed, or left handed like myself) for a whole walk is boring, and defeats the purpose of taking a walk to sniff new things, hear new sounds, and maybe meet new people/dogs. I will admit, I liked the idea of a dog walking by your side through out a walk, but when I had my dog doing it I really wasn't enjoying it and by the looks of it, Remington (my pup) didn't like it either. After attempting this method for a couple weeks, I decided I truely enjoy him walking in front of me, not pulling me (which we're working on), so that I can happily watch him sniffing about and having a good time. This may not be others idea of a good walk, but it is how I enjoy walking with my best friend. Also, when he is off the leash (hiking mostly) I allow him to run off ahead of me, checking back regularly of course, but having a good time being a dog, not walking right next to my side missing out on everything nature has to offer. Sometimes, when I walk Remington in the morning I use the Flexi leash (there are really no people or cars out when I walk in the morning) and allow him to walk out ahead, without pulling and waiting at each corner to cross the street (which is another thing we're working on). I think it's each person's own option; but as for me, I don't like heeling unless there is a serious need for it.

As for the sniffing other dogs thing; Dogs are going to be dogs. They are supposed to sniff each other, that is how they work. Don't get me wrong, some dogs do get a bit carried away and need a little correction to get their focus on something else but it's just natural; I wouldn't be too worried about germs and what not, dogs can be pretty hardly animals.

I trained my old dog, an old english sheepdog, to heel either side and probably used the right side heel more than the left. Mostly I would only ask him to heel if I was walking him in a city and there was pedestrian traffic, where I would want him on my right side away from the oncoming pedestrian. I trained him to walk off leash in cities (never step off the curb) even though I live in the country and also he ALWAYS came when he was called. I thought I was a great dog trainer but now I have an independent pointer mix who hopefully will learn what I need of him by the time he's 2 or 3. Also, a dog that looks like a stuffed animal (the OES) is an advantage with non dog people. The other command I think would be good for his safety is a stop and stay where he is until I release him. Anyway, thats my ideal leash/heel training for a pet, a dog I can take anywhere and knows to have fun and still obey me when it's needed.

replying to acdxx:
I do not agree with most of what you wrote.
I am afraid to elaborate further.

Bocch, I don't mind at all that you disagree with what I wrote.

I only make my dog heel when we're practicing for Agility, passing closely by other people, or close together with other people. And if you don't agree with that, so what?

But since you're "afraid" to "elaborate further" - maybe you shouldn't be in this forum. Only a suggestion though - since you were, I'm assuming, being facetious - which I really don't appreciate.

Actually, it's kind-of funny. Last night at Remington's Obility class, we were working on Heeling (on both the Right and Left side). The trainer said it's good to have your dog walking in your general area - within a foot or two of you, which yeah that sounds kind-of nice when I think about it. But hey we'll see how it goes. With some work - maybe it'll happen.

Bocch, I don't know if you saw my question before or just didn't want to respond to it (this is an honest question, not meant to be facetious); if hiking in the woods would you let your dogs off the leash and to roam a bit? Or would you have them in a heel position?

Replying to acdxx:
My approach to dog handling in the city and in the woods is the same. I protect my dog(s).

All right. I don't know if I 100% agree with that as "protecting" your dog(s), but I guess it's all in how you look at it.

I have a question for Badkittyamy: How do you go about training a dog (how did you train your dogs, I should say) to walk nearby you, but not in an intense heel position, while taking a nice relaxed walk? Did you learn the heel position first, and work off of it? Because I would like to have down a solid heel, for Agility and Training class purposes - but when taking a relaxed walk I would like my pup to enjoy the walk as well as mind me as his leader, not be pulling, and of course be a safe and well mannored dog. And sometimes I rollerblade, bike ride, or jog with my pup - I was curious if having the ability to have your dog walking by you in a relaxed walk, would apply here in the dogs mind, and the dog would do the same thing? I don't know if you have any expereicne with that, but I was just wondering.
Also, I wanted to know what you think about walking your dog in the woods/hiking. Do you keep your dogs right by you? Or do you allow them to kind-of sniff about and what not, but still minding you and your comands?

I value your input greatly, so thank you if you answer this!

There are many ways to accomplish this as you are tr