We have an 8 yr old Chuihuahua/Jack Russell. She is very smart, knows LOTS of tricks and is very well tempered however we (I) am having a problem with her on her leash. We have one of those long retractable leashes and when my boyfriend walks her she good as gold, but when I walk her she's always testing her limits. She will go as far as I allow her to (by me pressing the button to stop the leash) but then she will bare down and try to push herself farther either pulling me along or pulling the leash out of my hand all together. I have tryed tugging on the leash when she does this and firmly saying no but she does it everytime I walk her. Does anyone have a secret??? like I said, normally she is VERY well behaved, its just this one thing thats really bugging me as to why she does it, and Im worried that one day she may pull the leash out of my hand and run onto the road infront of a car.... HELP!!
2006-09-22 09:23:42 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I forgot to mention that she does have a harness that she wears everytime shes outside and NO I refuse to put any type of "choker" on her, she's my little girl not some wild animal
2006-09-22 09:32:03 · update #1
There are two issues. First, your dog shouldn't be walking in front of you or anyone else --she should be walking by your side or behind you. You are her leader, she is not yours.
Second, when she extends her leash, it is natural for her to feel like she should pull. She feels resistence, she keeps pulling.
What I'd suggest is teaching her to walk next to you (and your boyfriend). The easiest way to teach this is by using a chain collar -- choke collar is a bad name. Collars are not to choke, they are to correct.
Attach the leash and place the collar right behind her ears. Keep the leash loose but close like you're carrying a purse or shopping bag. When she starts to walk in front of you or away, gently pull and release the leash so that she feels a tug in her color.
Don't give her a lead on the leash to walk in front of you. Also, don't keep the leash taught because that will give her the same sensation as having extended her retractable leash. Loose and at your side.
Check out some episodes of the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. He's always demonstrating how to walk a dog properly.
2006-09-22 09:50:04 · answer #1 · answered by stimply 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a "Gentle Leader". They're in most pet stores. It's a band that goes around the muzzle and attaches behind the dog's head. It is doesn't restricted mouth movement. The dog can drink and eat. However, when it's attached to a leash, and the dog pulls, it'll put pressure in the nose and stop the dog from pulling. It doesn't hurt the dog at all. It is just an "annoyance" that reminds the dog to behave.
2006-09-22 09:35:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The absolute best behavior book I've seen that has a whole section about this is The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell. You can get it for less than $10 on Amazon and it has a long section about how to train your dog to walk next to you.
Plus she is a genius behaviorist.
2006-09-22 09:42:15 · answer #3 · answered by Lauren M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You most spoil her and daddy doesnt =)
Just keep consisten with it. Walk her on your side with just a little leash dont let her walk in front of you, thats telling her that she is the leader and you are following her. You want her on the side of you or a little further back. Dont give her too much freedom when your walking or she will take advantage of it. It sounds like with the walking shes trying to dominate you (be the leader) so make sure she knows that you are the alpha dog. When you take her out YOU step out of the door or step inside first not her. You eat before her (where she can see you so she knows...the leader dog always eats first.) And you always start and stop the play. Meaning if you are playing tug o war with her dont let her rip it out of your hands and run away with it you decide when you want her to stop playing and this all will eventually help with her walking.
2006-09-22 09:52:00 · answer #4 · answered by buddrfly421 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-02-16 11:02:21 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The harness you put on the dog spreads out the pressure and puts it on her chest and actually allows her to pull harder and easier than a collar.
She also knows that you let her get away with the pulling and do not force her to stop the bad behavior. Your BF does not have the problem. She is in charge of you and she knows it.
If you are against choke collars get a Gentle Leader or Halti type collar and use it. It will work; Also ditch the retractable lead they are worthless and they also encourage the dog to pull and be out ahead of the person.
2006-09-22 09:55:07 · answer #6 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first try correcting him by when ever he starts pulling stop sit him/her down wait a little then keep going if that doesn't work then boy a thick string leash put it far up as it can go (just below the ears) that a sensitive place and it would keep the head from wondering and you dog at your side
2006-09-22 09:55:29 · answer #7 · answered by A dime piece 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never let your dog walk in front of you. In wolf society the pack leaders are in front. Your dog probably thinks she is leading you. You could try a shorter leash. I have a leash that keeps the dog right at your side. When your dog tries to pull give it a little jerk and make a loud assertive noise in your throat. If she keeps it up stop and make her sit for a moment or two.
Giving your dog a little jerk will not hurt her. With wolves when the dominant or alpha dog wants the lesser members of the pack to pay attention or listen they nip there face and neck. So by giving your dog a little tug on the neck will act as a little nip in the neck. Your dog will realize that you are in charge and are the pack leader.
Just make sure you do not let her walk in front of you.
2006-09-22 09:33:09 · answer #8 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Try a gentle leader, or a harness. You will have more control over the dog while you're walking. You can find them in all bigger pet stores.
We have one for our lab mix and I absolutely love it! It's also great because they can't pull against their trachea and choke themselves.
http://www.gentleleader.com/
***edited to add
Get rid of the retractable leash, or don't give her more slack than she needs, if you give her room to run out in front of you, she'll do it. Keep her by your side.
2006-09-22 09:25:58 · answer #9 · answered by Nikki T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to treat her as a dog not a human. You have to let her know who is in charge. You don't have to be mean to her but let her know you are the pack leader. Never let her walk in front of you because then she is the pack leader. Watch the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic Channel on Friday Nights at 8P.M. He has helped me so much with my beautiful boys! I have two greyhound & blue heeler mix dogs. I can walk both of them together now & they do not pull me. They weigh 70 lbs each so you know I have to be in control or I couldn't do it. I am a 68 yr old female. It has taken me awhile to accomplish this but they know when I say shush & tug their leash they are to mind me. Cesar has been a God send to me. Now my boys & I can walk & enjoy it!
2006-09-22 09:47:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋