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Hi @Abbie – you are asking great questions! As with everything in our profession, “It depends!” You are right in thinking about what will work for the client. That’s the first consideration. Then it’s about what will work for the dog. You are right in thinking that the dog will largely start figuring out which equipment means which kind of walk, too. I think this is a situation where teaching the dog how to move toward leash pressure is a great tool. (We discussed that in this thread.) Then, if the dog is “getting stuck” on a scent during a moving mode walk, a slight and steady pressure from the leash will be an opportunity/cue to move toward the handler and be rewarded. I think this helps pet owners get into R+ mode as well. Since, rather than jerking the dog, they are being trained to do a long steady pull which ends with a reward for the dog moving toward them.
I’m sure others have ideas to share on this, too! Let’s hear them!