What is the best product to use on dogs that pull when walked?

Question

I have a 2.5 year old female american staffordshire terrier who is 55 pounds and very strong. I have tried several harnesses available at Petco / Petsmart, including the Halti and the Gentle Leader Easy Walk. The Easy Walk helped for 2 weeks and then she got used to it, and the halti did nothing. I need something super strong and that will STOP pulling, not just curb it. Anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

Do not use a choke collar or a pinch collar! These not only cause pain to the dog, but if not used properly can cause serious injury or death.
I have used the Halti and it did not work on my dogs either. But I bought a collar from my vet that is similar to the Halti called a Promise Halter. This worked wonders on all my dogs, I have 14. 6 of them are well over 100 pounds.
The best way to train them not to pull, without using a special collar or harness, is to use a nylon choke collar. You do not yank on the collar though, that is what causes injuries. Place the collar so that it lies just behind the dogs ears, hold the leash snuggly so that the collar doesn't slip but not so snug that your choking the dog. Make the dog walk even with your left leg, do NOT let the dog get ahead of you. This is a dominance position and he is showing you that he is boss when this happens.
Every time he tries to pull, tell him no or make a noise then at the same time tap him on his back end. You can use your free hand, or your foot. Just a light tap is all you need, this will break her attention span long enough for you to regain control.
This is not an over night fix, it will take some time but it does work. I've trained hundreds of dogs using this method.

Sorry, I know that I tend to be a bit long winded! Good luck to you and your dog. She's very lucky to have an owner willing to put in the time and effort that is needed!

Answer 2

You don't need a "pinch" collar. They can do some serious damage in the long run.

A correction collar (a.k.a choke chain) would work well, as would a slip lead (the same thing they give you at an animal shelter. It's a piece of rope with an O ring attached at one end and a looped handle at the other).

Now when using a correction collar you will need to make sure you have a correct fit. The correction collar should go on snugly over the head. You DO NOT want it to look like your dog is wearing some "bling-bling" (i.e: it should not look like a necklace, more like a women's choker).

Once you get the right fit, you want to make sure you use it correctly. The reason the correction collar has been called a "choke chain" is due to misuse of it. For one reason or another people think that if the dog continually chokes itself, sooner or later it will stop pulling. This is simply just not true.

The correction collar is to be used to get the dogs attention back to you and where you are walking. All it takes is a quick snap and release from the leash to get the desired effect, thus making the correction collar effective.

Snap and release means a quick, NOT hard, yet firm pull of the leash (to the side, not upward) as to make the correction collar tighten then immediately release.

*** TIMING IS EVERYTHING! ***

Timing is the most important part of using any correctional device. If your timing is off the dog will not know what it is being corrected for, so don't wait for the dog to get way ahead of you, give the correction as he/she STARTS to pull and follow simultaneously with a "heel" command. This will make the association much clearer. You can also use a technique called "I Am A Tree". To implement this technique, all you have to do is stand completely still when he/she starts pulling out of control. This conveys to the dog that if you do not move, neither do they. The more they fight, the longer you stand firmly planted in the same spot. When the dog relaxes, you move. You will most likely have to repeat this A LOT, but if you are consistent with it, they will come around. Patience is essential in dog training.

Hope this helps you get a hold on the walk with your Am Staff.
If you have any questions you can e-mail me and I will do my best to help you out.

Answer 3

Training is the best product that I know of.
The type of collar/harness/etc is nothing more than personnel choice. The dog doesn't care which one you use. I have trained dogs to heel nicely with everything from an electric collar to an old piece of rope tied around the their neck.
You will constantly hear people suggest enrolling your dog in an obedience class, but what most people don't realize is that the class is not to train the dog, the class is to train the trainer. There is an art to teaching a dog to heel, and until someone shows you haw to do it, most people will never figure out how to do it properly.
And it is so easy, when you know how,,,, most dogs can be taught to heel properly in one day,,, then all it takes is reppitition so that they will remember

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Answer 4

I've seen a training collar that has a loop that goes over a dog's muzzle as well as around his neck. Instead of choking the dog, it puts pressure on their nose. Never used it, but I had someone swear by it.

The trick with a choke collar is NOT steady pressure. You want to jerk it and release. Dogs that pull get accustomed to the steady pressure. The jerk and release gets their attention. They soon learn to walk at heel or to lead off without pulling (slack leash).

Answer 5

Choke type collars are not good for a dog that pulls. It can damage the wind pipe of the dog. I suggest a Gentle Leader. That type of leader has a loop that goes around the base of the skull and a loop that goes over the muzzle of the dog. The idea behind it is where the dogs nose goes, so does the dog. Do not let the dog pull you. Keep the leash short and do not let the dog go past your knee.

Answer 6

Well, i have three dachshunds, and for my pups i have always used harnesses, becasue that is what worked best for me, and still has. I would if it is a big dog get a choke collar and leash and walk him reguarly so that he knows that you are the alpha, and he isn't. Train the dog to heel by you so that he is not running you to the ground when you walk him outside. That would look funny. Harnesses in my book work great...no problems with them, as long as you take the harnesses off the dog after your walk them outside.

Answer 7

be consistant when training your doggie. use verbal discipline when she pulls too hard. Make her sit, when she listens give her positive reinforcement (carry treats with you in a plastic baggie at all times when training her). Then start walking slowly, keep the leash wrapped around your hand and arm so she has to keep walking slowly with you. When she listens always give her a treat, and when she doesn't say "slow down". She's still young and wants to run around like a pup. If you're consistent, she will soon get it. PLEASE don't use spikes, choke chains or harnesses that will hurt your doggie, keep her happy and you'll have a loyal best friend for life. Good luck hun! ;)

Answer 8

When I went to petco, I must have caught the attention of a dog trainer, because she came up to me while I was looking at harnesses and collars. She actually assisted in helping me understand what to use, when, and why. She suggested that we use a choker collar. They are safe to use and your dog won't be pulling for long because they choke their own neck when pulling. So they teach themselves not to.

Answer 9

I'll admit that I'm not the best person to answer this, but next time I get a dog I'm going to train myself how to be a better owner. I think if you're doing the right thing, interacting with the dog the right way (I'M the boss, not HIM), the dog won't pull and I won't need products. Last dog was a black lab that pretty well yanked my arm out every time, and in hindsight I think it's because I wasn't a smart master

Answer 10

Forget a choker collar or pincher collar. Try a Gentle Leader find it at any pet shop or vet.

Works superbly when properly used!