2007-03-19 10:18:42 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
The best option is to go to obedience training where you will learn how to train your dog.
Until then though you can stand like a tree when the puppy starts pulling and not start walking again until the puppy stops pulling. If that doesn't work pivot and walk in the other direction when the puppy starts pulling. Before long the puppy will learn what you want him/her to do.
2007-03-19 10:25:45 · answer #1 · answered by Vickie 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Do not use a choke/check chain under any circumstances. They can seriously damage your dogs neck. There is a "correct" way to use them but they are used incorrectly so often it's not worth it. Also, they are not suited to for many dogs i.e. longer haired, delicate necks etc. Just don't use them!
The best way is getting a gentle leader or halti. These are very useful in training your dog to walk beside you. Taking a dog for a walk should be a pleasurable experience for both of you and this is only achieved with proper training. Getting a dog used to these restraints takes about a week if done properly. You should get the dog used to it in the house first by putting it on with a treat in the same hand while moving it over your dogs head. Do this for a few minutes several times a day then start to leave it on a bit longer while playing with your dog etc. Gradually lengthen the time you have it on the dog until it no longer tries to take it off. Then attach the lead to it and let the dog walk around with the lead hanging loose. Never leave your dog alone with it on as it will find a way to get it off and it could become entangled.
You should seriously consider enrolling in a reputable obedience class - not only will this give you all the tools you'll need to train your dog it'll will also make your bond stronger. A well trained dog is a happy one! Make sure you keep training fun!!
Good luck!
2007-03-19 10:57:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
kindness and gentleness. Treat with small pieces of cheese or sausage when he is doing it right - he will remember this more than the yanks on the lead!
If you have a nice relationship and they like you, and respect you as a leader, then your puppy will try to please you. No 'good firm yanks' on the choker (or even 'gentle tugs,' - whatever that means) are necessary - they won't know what it is for!
Vickie has the right idea - you encourage them to watch you (as you are the leader and they follow you at all times) so if he pulls, you sharply turn around and say in a happy, up-beat voice, 'this way! Follow me!' Then he walks with you you way. Admittedly, you might never get to where you were going! but patience and perseverance is the key. Join a decent obedience class where they use positive reinforcement, and soon you will both be happy!
Read the Practical Dog Listener by Jan Fennell, and please don't yank or shout at you r puppy, you will damage his happiness and trust in you.
2007-03-19 15:46:38 · answer #3 · answered by rose_merrick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with James C. I use a harness on my Lab puppy (because a collar was choking him) and his walking next to me skills have improved. Keep the pup on a short leash too. If you want him to learn that he's got to stay next to you then there is no point in going on walks with a retractable leash. I say a 6ft leash for the first year, at the max! In the meantime, puppies like to explore, I'd give the dog until at least 16 weeks to get the point, after that, try obedience school. Choke collars should be banned, as they are cruel and hitting your dogs does nothing but envoke fear, and the point of a walk to get them out and about and enjoy their company. Good luck.
2007-03-19 10:44:26 · answer #4 · answered by greenbuddha03 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You might consider trying the "Gentle Leader". It's a replacement for a collar that natually teaches the puppy that the best place to walk is right next to you.
We couldn't use a normal collar or a choke chain with our dog because she had a damaged trachea from previous owners pulling on a choke chain. The Gentle Leader will take a few days to adjust to, but over a period of time, the dog will learn to walk right beside you.
It comes with a DVD that tells you how to use it best and how it will benefit your dog in the long run.
2007-03-19 10:30:18 · answer #5 · answered by Tunsa 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
With my puppy I would let him take the lead for a few minutes just till he got familiar with the area. Then I shortened the leash to where he was right by my side. When he pulled I stopped and made him sit after telling him heel or easy. Once he did that only then did I allow him to walk again if he continued I repeated it. Eventually my dog got the hint and its been fun walking ever since. Hope that this helps.
2007-03-19 10:37:14 · answer #6 · answered by lucki_ducki02 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
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/l1qO8
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.
2016-02-15 11:12:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I started with a longish lead and gave him time to sniff and explore. As the weeks went by I gradually shortened the lead and by the time he was about 12/14 weeks I stopped dead every time the lead went tight. It means taking a very long time to get any where but now he's 17 weeks and has definitely got the message.Of course I also praise and reward him when he's actually at heel. He can manage heel quite well if there aren't too many distractions!
2007-03-19 10:27:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
DO NOT use a choke chain, i had one for my husky and she would refuse to let us put it on at walk times. we soon realised that it had pulled out her fur round her neck so we moved onto a half choke. this is better for her but she still pulls a lot so i would say obedience lessons would be best, or perhaps a halti. i had one for a previous dog which worked a treat, but i have a different breed now and a halti just slips straight off her short nose!!! good luck
2007-03-19 23:41:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No dog trainer wouldsuggest using a choke chain, check collar or whatever on a pup under 6 months of age. Obediance trainers won't train your dog if its under 6 months, its a puppy.
Puppy training uses a different set of skills to training an adult dog; go to puppy training classes, you'll learn all kinds of stuff. Pups have a short attention span, but an inbuilt set of instinctive behaviours which you can use to train them.
2007-03-19 11:35:24 · answer #10 · answered by sarah c 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋