How do you get a dog to slow down on walks??!!?

Question

I own a 3 year old brittany spaniel. He is a hunting dog and my dad hunts him. I love taking dogs on walks, but whenever i try to give him some exciersie he pulls so hard on the leash, trying to run after chipmunks,birds etc. he ends up choking himself so i dont take him on walks anymore. i really want to but i need some advice!

Answer 1

Use a harness and wats up?!?!?!?!?!?!
Go on AIM!
<3

Answer 2

Try the Halti that was suggested by another person! We have had several brittanies and they all pull on their leashes when going for a walk, even when wearing a choke collar.

My current brittany hated her Halti when she first got it, but she got used to it. My 7-year-old can walk her now because she doesn't pull anymore. I got it at Petsmart for about $20.

Answer 3

Don't put a choke collar on this poor dog, he will probably choke himself unconscious if he sees an animal or other distraction. As an immediate solution, i suggest the EZ Walk harness made by gentle leader. It is a harness that the leash attaches to the front of, on the dogs chest. i have a 75 pound pit bull who is very easy to handle with his harness on. they sell them at petsmart or petco and they come in all sizes. You should also train loose leash walking. Go in your backyard, or even in a large room in your house. Get a pocket full of treats. Get the dogs attention and give him a treat, start walking around and when he starts drifting away from you get his attention back by calling his name or making noises and give him another treat. Keep doing this, gradually reducing the frequency of treats, you'll notice that as long as he sees you as a big fun treat dispenser, he'll be happy to stay at your side. Doing this around distractions will take a lot of work and patience, so in the meantime use a harness so he can still get his walks. Good luck!

Answer 4

Put a choke collar on him, making sure it's not on upside down or it won't release. Hopefully, he's had some training. Start with him on a short leash on your left side, tell him "heel" if he knows that command or "stay close". Walk fairly briskly because he's not going to enjoy it if he can't stretch his legs. When he pulls, give a short, sharp snap and repeat your command to him. Give him lots of praise when he's walking nicely beside you and a quick snap when he pulls. You can also try just stopping when he pulls. The first few times your walks will be really slow but he will get the idea that when he pulls, he's not going anywhere because you stand still until he's beside you. Just be calm, patient and very consistent and he'll soon learn.

Answer 5

First check with your dad, or another person knowledgeable in the hunting skills this dog has, before you start doing ANY training with him, to make sure you do not UNDO anything that he has been trained to do. I am sure your dad payed some real money to buy or have this dog trained. I am not personally qualified to answer this question as I have never owned or trained a hunting dog. Tyke, on this list mentioned something about hunting his dogs, I am sure he knows allot more about this.

Answer 6

My other dog cookie was like that just buy a choker chain or a harness for dogs he harness is very good i recommend it it helps and buyng a harness helps alot because since ur dog is very full of energy he wont get out of his collar my dog got out of his collar and ran in the road luckly i caught him so yea get the harness but the choker chain i may not really recommend because if you pull too hard u may break its neck of choke him alot he wont be able to breath that good on the walk

Answer 7

Because your dog is a hunting dog (instinct driven) you have to have control of his mind and keep his mind on you.
You don't have your dogs attention on you. Does your dog know sit, stay and down? If no, then teach these commands. These basic commands can improve you walking with your dog. Work on walking your dog and asking these commands. Ask your dog to sit or lay down at random times during the walk, this keeps the dogs mind on you and what you might ask. The stay command is important to be taught because it lets your dog know that he needs to have his full attention on you. If your dog sees a chipmunk ask him to sit and stay. If you did your training on the basics he will listen. Change the pace in which you are walking, making the dog go as fast or as slow as you want. There are so many things you can do to make your dog think while your walking him, just use your imagination.

Answer 8

when you put him on the leash start out by just taking him on short walks. have the destination already planned so that is as far as you will walk. start with just going to the neighbors house and back.you have to let him know that you are the one in charge so that he does not try to drag you every where.

On the short walks when ever he starts to pull stop walking and make him stand still. when he has been still for like 30 seconds start walking again. Keep this up on the entire walk. when he gets so that he is not pulling or trying to chase everything on that walk start going a little further.

he will eventually get so that he is one of the best dogs that you would ever want to walk.

i went through this with my rottweilers. they tried to drag me everywhere when i first tried to walk them. now i do not even have to put my female rottie on a leash and she stays right beside me and does not even acknowledge any other animal on our walks. I have to keep my male on a leash though because every once in a while he tries to chase squirrels or cats. not often just like once every couple of months.

Answer 9

Don't take a hunting dog for leisurely walks. They are trained to hunt and it's in their blood. You could train him but it will mess up any training your Dad has done. Either walk alone or get a dog of your own.

Answer 10

Sometimes all it takes is some training. PetSmart offers dog classes for this sort of thing. Working with him and taking him everyday will help also. Stopping the exercise is not a good idea.

Answer 11

Two words: gentle leader. Get him a gentle leader - you can buy them at most any pet store. I have 2 Siberian Huskies, and my wife and I got tired of feeling like our arms were being ripped out of the socket every time we walked our dogs. We got gentle leaders for both of them and that completely solved the problem. Best of luck to you and your dog.