Background:
Ezra began to show challenging behaviours on lead - most notably, a strong fixation on other dogs and a tendency to pull with considerable force. These habits made walks stressful and difficult to manage for his owners.

Assessment:
Ezra’s behaviour stemmed from overexcitement and a lack of clear boundaries on walks. While friendly in nature, his intense focus on other dogs and poor leash manners required structured intervention to ensure safe and enjoyable outings.

Training Approach:
We introduced Ezra to a slip lead to enhance communication and control, then focused on three key areas:

- 1. Communication:
Teaching his owners how to communicate with Ezra using continuation and terminal markers so that Ezra understood when he was exhibiting correct behaviours, and when he could move out of position.
- 2. Heel Work:
Teaching Ezra to walk calmly at his handler’s side, paying attention to leash pressure and body language.
- 3. Recall Around Distractions:
Strengthening his ability to disengage from other dogs and return promptly when called, even in high-distraction environments.

Outcome:
Thanks to the consistent effort and dedication of his owners, Ezra made incredible progress. He responded quickly to the training, showing improved focus, responsiveness, and calmness on the lead. Walks became far more manageable, and his ability to recall around distractions significantly improved.

Conclusion:
With structured guidance and a committed family, Ezra transformed from a “steam train” on walks into a much more attentive and manageable companion. His journey highlights the importance of consistency, teamwork, and clear communication in dog training success.