Houseline
A houseline is a long thin lead without a loop at the end that can be used to remove your adult dog or puppy from problem situations without the need to touch or interact with them. For lots of dogs, getting hold of their collar, or physically moving them, can be perceived as threatening. For many attention seeking dogs, even telling them off can be perceived as giving them attention and therefore may reinforce the behaviour. The houseline allows you to manoeuvre your dog from a distance without the risk of confronting them or rewarding them for the behaviour.
The houseline must always be attached to a flat collar and should only be used when the dog is supervised. Always take it off at night and when you leave the house. The houseline needs to be attached to the dog all the time that you are with it, there is no point in trying to attach it when the dog is already performing the unwanted behaviour as this may be perceived as being confrontational. There is no need to hold onto the houseline, it is designed to drag behind the dog.
The houseline can be used for many different unwanted behaviours; a few examples are jumping up on the furniture, counter surfing, chewing furniture and for visitor interactions.
House Line
Clix house Line
How to introduce the houseline:
- Attach the houseline let your dog trail it about the house for a day or so (when you are present) for them to get used to it.
- To start with, get them used to being led about the house when they are not doing an inappropriate behaviour. Pick up the end of the line, turn your back and do not interact with them at all (i.e. do not look at them, speak to them or touch them) and lead them into another room. Once you have brought them into the other room give them a treat, so they are rewarded for following you.
- You can label this behaviour with the word ‘move’. Make sure you label the behaviour (i.e. say the word as they are doing it) before you start to use it as a cue. Normally a dog should recognize the word after 50-60 repetitions and then you can start to use it as a cue. Once they then learn the word ‘move’ you should be able to use this to move them without the need for the houseline.
Lead dog into other room – say phrase e.g. “move” – treat your dog
In problem situations, use the houseline in a similar way. Do not interact with them directly, just pick up the end of the line (eyes and body averted) and lead them out of the room. Make sure you reward them once they are away from the situation and behaving appropriately. If your dog has learnt to follow you from the initial houseline training then you should not need to apply any force, other than a little light pull-release pressure to the line. They should never be dragged out by the line, and the lead should never be jerked. Once the dog gives in to the light pressure on the lead and follows you, remember to praise them with calm verbal praise.
Remember that although houselines are quite strong, they are not strong enough to be used as a lead. They should only be for use inside of the house and not out on walks.