Pulling on lead - extra details?

Question

53 minutes ago
A gentle leader is the same as a halti, i think and he hates this, i tried putting on at quiet times at home for a couple of weeks before he went out on it, as suggested by a friend. I have tried to go out on numerous occasions but he just tries to get it off the whole time, even with treats?? I work on the canal and want to walk him there at lunch times. You cant cross the road when another dog comes unfortunately and there is nowhere to go out of the way, i do believe that it is not unreasonable for me to do something as millions of other people walk there every day and i would like to be able to enjoy it with my dog. Will sit when another dog comes but pulls again when they get there. Some dogs do not want to say hello??

Answer 1

I agree, my dog doesn't like her gentle leader, but she's not the boss. Make sure it's properly fitted, and then just start walking. If you can, take him for a walk where you know there won't be a lot of distractions for him, so you can both get used to walking with the halti and then slowly incorporate distractions like other dogs, etc.

Answer 2

I use a gentle leader for my collie - she's really strong and I have a bad back so get really sore when she pulls. It took her a couple of days to get used to it, at first she was down clawing at her face every few steps - I used food and toys to keep her attention on me and encourage her to walk properly. It's a lot like when they first get a collar on, they don't like it, but once they are used to it they are fine. Persever, it may take a week or two for him to be happy to wear it and it makes such a difference to the pulling. My collie is quite hapy in it now.

Another answer says that a gentle leader goes around the chest and throat, but the one I am talking about is similar to the halti, it goes around the muzzle and behind the ears. I find it is better than a halti, as it doesn't push up into the eyes of the dog.

Try again with the gentle leader and your dog will get used to it, and it will make a huge difference to your walks.

Answer 3

I had a lab and we used what is called a choke chain, and were shown what type to get and how to best use it at obedience classes. It is important to get one that runs smoothly through the ring, so the size and shape of the links is important, and which makes a good noise as it does so - this is a warning to the dog. The chain runs across the top of his neck first so that it will loosen when he stops pulling, get a vet to show you this. Lengthwise it needs to be about 18 inches longer than round his neck.

Practice with it when there are no dogs around, checking him so he gets used to the action. the chain shouldn't go tight on its own, only when you tug sharply on it - which you will only need to do for the first couple of times. Say 'No!' sharply each time you tug on the chain. Labs are quick learners and will get the hang of it real quick. Praise effusively straight afterwards so he will get the message that you don't like having to use the chain, either.

Speak firmly to him when another dog approaches, be silent as they pass, or growl a 'No!' in an undertone if necessary, and as soon as they are past - walk on and praise immediately with pleased surprise - 'What a good boy!' and maybe a treat. These last instructions are what I've used with my dalmation who is the most sociable animal and would prefer to introduce herself to everybody.

Answer 4

One of my dogs pulls tremendously as well. We tried him on the Halti, and it worked like a charm but about one week in he totally snapped at us and will no longer let us come near him with it.

So we got a gentle leader and it's worked very well. Our guy isn't happy about having to put him on, but we taught him that he's not going for a walk without it, so he's starting to understand that it's a necessary evil.

One thing: It is significantly different from a halti. The halti goes on like a muzzle, over their jaw. The gentle leader goes around their neck and their chest, so when they pull it kinda squuezes a bit uncomfortably around their chest. Not nearly as bad as the halti (though also not as effective)

Answer 5

i use a choke chain. if use proberly it does not hurt the dog. it must be behind his ears. the loopthat u attatch the leash to must come back at u. and be on the other side of the neck u are not on. all it takes is a little tug and release. when he sits and stays. if he goes to get up and go after the other dog tug again and make him sit...or don't make him sit.. just keep moving with u between him and the other dogif he tries to move at the dog pull up and back. with a quick tug....the chain must stay at top of neck to work right.i give a leave it or heel command don't scream it just say firm.
hope that helps.

Answer 6

you need a choke collar and no they do not choke the dog when used right.
put that on her and when she pulls give a quick brief pull on the leash and say heal. when she does heal praise her. this should work very fast and again the collar does not choke the dog when used right quick pulls and release.
with a choke collar you want the part of the chain that is pulled on to be coming off the top and across the back of the dog.
kind of hard to explain it .
just check that you have it on so that it releases just as fast as it tightens. it is not cruel it works and its simple .

Answer 7

Just because the dog doesn't like the halti, it doesn't mean that you don't use it.

Obedience training will really help you and the dog a lot! Labs can be VERY stubborn and unruley if not properly trained!

Answer 8

Try a pronged collar. Similar to a choke chain but it has little prongs on it that will put pressure on the dog enough so that he will stop pulling when it becomes uncomfortable for him. I have giant, hard pulling dogs and they learned very quickly NOT to pull. Now I can walk them with ease just using a normal collar and lead. This is a good training tool even though some people might disagree, or think it's cruel.

Answer 9

I had the exact same problem!! My dog used to always get out of his collar all the time by pulling back on his lead! What I did: Tightened his collar as much as I possible could only leaving room for my pinky finger to fit trew so he could no longer get out of his collar! He used to pull on the lead all the time aswell! I started to pull him back beside my feet and told him to " heel ". He'd just start again and keep on choking himself but I did'nt give up! Everytime he pulled I pulled him right back really fast (yes it does choke him but hes choking himself anways pulling on the lead himself) to my feet. He got the picture soon and everytime he did'nt pull or when I said heel he came back I gave him a nice rub and told him hes a very good boy (using my baby voice to get him excited!) It worked and hes fine walking now!

Answer 10

I disagree with the pronged and choking collars. You don't want to force your dog to be obedient. Realise your dog WANTS to do what you want. Next, be aware he gets excited and training may take awhile so be prepared to be patient.

Why not try controlling what your dog sees? When another dog/person pair approaches, turn around and have your dog sit so he is looking in the other direction. Practice "Stay" and get him focused on you. Get him to look where you want... IMPORTANT; bring tasty treats, the good ones. reinforce him sitting and staying. Once the other pair is beside you.. continue walking and focus on "come" command. Try working on the "stay" and "sit" command in less intense environments so he gets the positive feedback too.

You can also try "leave it." Its an effective command in many situations and has done very well for me (think... poop, garbage, campfires, fearful people). He'll learn to ignore the object he was just looking at.

Good luck