How can I get my 1yr old dog to walk properly on a leash?

Question

I have tried a choker collar and it doesn't seem to be working that well. Any suggestions

Answer 1

I'm going to guess your dog pulls, tugs and may even bite on his leash; is that true? You can sign up for obiedence classes, but you can solve this yourself. But, in order to do so, you must be willing. People always want the easy way out of things and "The Walk" being the most important part of a dogs training must be done with (calmness) and (assertiveness). The way I train my dogs is quite simple and can be accomplish in one session.

First you will need a lead of 15-20 feet, and and a good amount of space and no interference. Step by step...

1) Have your dog sit in front of you and put the leash on. (Do not put the leash on till he is calm and you have his complete attention.

2) Say "heel" and begin walking, go ahead and give him the entire lead.

3) All you want to do is walk forward for 20- 30 yards, stop turn around and walk back. While you are walking keep your hands in front of you and DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DOG.

4) Your dog may want to do cartwheels, pick flowers, walk on his hind legs, but you can not pay attention to him.

5) Canine want to please their masters and if you are ignoring him he will get the hint. Eventually he will begin to walk along side you. When he does this shorten the lead.

6) As soon as he is in a postion that you want him in (right next to you) or a little bit behind you begin a "WALK"

7) This could take some time so you don't want to give up. My puppy took 15 minutes, but my g/f's 8 y.o. dog took 40 minutes. Bring water, and make sure you do not show anger or frustration w/ him otherwise he will quit on you.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

Try a Gentle Leader dog collar (head harness)- the best 25 dollars I ever spent on my dogs. I walk a hyper puppy who weighs 120 pounds with ease. Also, Obedience classes. Chokers encourage pulling on the leash.

Answer 3

What is he doing when on a leash? Most of the time, I just say drag the dog. It sounds inhumane, but it's not if you do it right. Get him on a wood or tile floor, or something smooth that wont hurt him, and pull the leash and say "come" or "come on" or "lets go" or whatever you want, and pull the leash. If he doesn't come, just keep pulling, dragging him. Obviously, you dont want to pull too fast to hurt him, just enough to get him going. Dogs usually give up after a while and walk okay. If this isn't quick enough for you, go to your pet store and buy a pinch collar. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS and use that to walk him. Most dogs respond well. The shock collar probably didn't work because you were using it improperly; most people do

Answer 4

Obedience class is a good idea. Also another thing to try is a head halter such as a Halti or a Gentle Leader. Both are available in pet stores. They are more gentle and humane than a choke chain and the dog absolutely won't pull when wearing one. It worked for my golden retriever and it worked for my friend who had a crazy doberman/lab cross that would literally drag her down the street on every walk.

They may roll or rub their noses the first time you put it on, but they usually get used to them quickly and walk very nicely on a leash afterward.

Answer 5

Dog training is all about reaffirming and rewarding correct behaviour.

Get him to walk to heel by holding his chain firmly towards the collar so there is very little slack and use your strength to hold him back and as close to heel as possible. When you start to walk repeat the word "heel" in a firm and positive tone so that the word is associated with the act of walking to heel. When he pulls ahead repeat the word "no" firmly and negatively (so that he can tell it naughty) and associates pulling ahead on the lead with bad behaviour.

Now to the reward! After a reasonable time of consistent walking to heel (say, 30 seconds at first then longer as he gets it) reward him with lavish praise and affection and a treat (for particularly good behaviour).

After a while of repeating this exercise you can lengthen the slack on the lead and eventually let him walk unrestrained.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Walk it all the time and when it tries to stop pull on the leash so it will keep walking and when it starts going towards the grass pull the leash so it will walk on the sidewalk and when you stop and your dog keeps on walking pull the leash back so it will stop and it will learn how to walk.


P.S. Dogs also walk better when they grow older.

Answer 7

You could give them a long stick with weights on either end, that way, the dog will be able to balance better when walking on the leash!

Answer 8

Seriously consider obedience classes. They will teach you how to get your dog to walk on a lead and so much more. For the cost of classes it is so worth having a trained dog.

Answer 9

dont give it any leash to walk ahead of you. just wrap it around your hand so the dog has to walk right beside you and when it trys to move away then tug the leash and tell it to heal. it will get the point eventually.

Answer 10

I LOVE gentle leaders, it works amazing. My room mates had a dog that would choke herself on the leash, until they bought the gentle leader. I have never seen a more dramamtic change in a dog!