my miniature schnauzer pulls on her lead all the time what can i do ?

Question

My leash is quite short. But i use it because she continually barks at other dogs and i can pull her to me quickly to distract her. She is fine off the leash and comes to the whistle but on the leash she is hard work. She is 5 months old

Answer 1

I use a choke chain. I've used it on three dogs of my own. They pull at first but after a few snaps they learn and I really don't even need it now.

Oh yeah, and don't every leave a dog unattended on a choke chain.

Answer 2

Five months is high time to have your dog start basic obedience training. Most training classes admit from four months.
A quick sharp pull on the lead to bring her to heel, and a sharp, "Heel!" You will get the "schnauzer scream" the first few times, as she tries to convince you you're choking her to death. Relax, you're not, they all do this. In dog terms 5 mos is about 11...she's turning into a rebellious teen. Schnauzers are notoriously willful about not heeling, barking etc.
A correction collar (ie "choke chain") is a help but only put it on when walking her...take it off in the house. She will soon associate the collar with minding her manners on the street.
Make sure when you put the chain collar on, it's in such a position as will release the tension immediately when you stop pulling.
I recommend Barbara Woodhouse's book "Training Your Dog" or the shorter version, "Dog Training My Way." No nonsense, no cruelty, just a well-trained and socialized dog that you won't have to feed treats to get to obey.

Answer 3

a.) Don't use a short leash. When she gets older, you want to have some lead in the leash, allow her to to in front of you and "snap" her back. HOWEVER, at 5 months for such a small dog this is NOT something I rec YET.

b.) Dogs act "counter" to your action. If you try to push a dog forward it will back up. If you hold it back, it will pull. So, when training her you have to "snap" the leash when she gets in front of you by a few feet.

c.) Start with regular training first. 'Sit,stay, shake" You need to build that 'relationship' first and have her learn to listen to you. The more training you do the better she will listen to everything

d.) Use "treats" in the beginning to praise her.

e.) Be gentle since such a small breed at such a young age can easily be scared and intimidated. Choke chains are TOUGH on such a small and young puppy.

Answer 4

Have you tried a Halti-type harness on her? Our Mini used to lunge at other dogs, but after using the Halti for a while she's all but stopped it.

I've found that our Mini on the leash is a lot different than our Mini off the leash - I'm thinking it's the guard dog nature coming out. When she's attached to us via leash, she's "on the job" so to speak, and it's her "job" to warn other dogs away...

Answer 5

When your dog sees another dog and starts to pull simply turn around and start walking the other way. If you come accross another dog later on your walk and it pulls the lead again, turn around again.

Even if your dog pulls when there is no other dog do the same thing. Your dog will soon get the idea that it doesn't get to its desired destination if it pulls!

Try it, it really does work. Even if you feel like a bit of a wolly having to turn and walk the other way several times!

Answer 6

Five months is still pretty young, and your pup still lacks the cognitive skills to fully understand training. Give it a little more time and it should all come together. Somewhere between now (5 months) and 7 months your dog will demonstrate a new found sense of independence, this is your sign that it has developed those cognitive skills.
Now,,, do not try to teach your dog *not to pull*, it simply lacks the ability to fully understand "do not".
Instead teach your dog to keep a loose lead. Surging ahead, lagging behind, lowering it's head to sniff all become moot issues when the dog learns that it is suppose to walk on a loose lead.

Answer 7

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tr.im/gNCTw

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 8

so she is still a baby. It sounds like you never botehred taking her to puppy socialisation classes. Take her now while she is still young if you want to sort the problem out. If you cannot be bothered, learn to live with it. Training requires some effort. She barks and pulls because she wants to play with the other dogs and you are keeping her on too short a lead which frustrates the poor thing.

Answer 9

When your dog pulls on the leash stop walking. Only begin going again when your dog stops pulling. Your dog will eventually get the idea that if she pulls then you don't walk. Make sure you reward her when she does it right as well (treats, praise etc.). If she pulls when she sees something stop and walk away from it. Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 10

We have a boxer and have the same problem. We bought a Halti collar and she walks perfectly on this.

The halti goes round the snout and the back of the head. If she pulls, her head comes up, thus restricting her movement.

We have only had her a year and she is 4 yers old. We don't think she has ever been trained to walk properly.

Try the halti. I think it will work for you.