We have a year old springer and she is a nightmare on her lead. We've done classes and she started walking well, but now she just won't. We have invested in a choke chain, which helps a little. Once she is tired out from her walk she's fine, but I'd like to be able to let others walk her, without her pulling their arms off!
2007-07-17 02:03:59 · 25 answers · asked by Teresa M 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Hi we have the same problem, I bought a harness for my dog that goes around the upper quarters of the dog rather than around the neck. it has been a huge help, when she pulls now her upper body is lifted off the floor, she then cannot pull as she only has her back legs left on the floor. If she is being really naughty we lift her off the floor with the harness. This slows her down, it also reminds her who is in control and slows her down. It has helped and she is now learning to walk properly, though I must admit when I haven't got it with me I now miss it. You can also get hold of a haltie which fits over the head like a muzzle and straps over their nose, when the dog pulls it pulls their head down and their nose into their neck, dogs hate it as again it removes their control.
Good luck with whatever you decide, it is a battle of the wills and reminding them who is boss
2007-07-17 03:22:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this problem with my lab. They can be very stubborn, so you have to be more stubborn than they are. If you allow the dog to get to where it wants to go by pulling, it will learn that behavior will get what it wants. There are a couple things you can do.
Take the dog out, specifically to teach it not to pull. As soon as it pulls, give a sharp jerk on the lead and give a firm 'no'. Don't move forward again until the dog lets the tension off, then praise it, 'good dog', and begin to move forward. Likely, it will pull immediately, just keep repeating this. You won't get far at first and it will take up to weeks to instill the good behavior, but it will pay off. You might also want to put the dog on the ground at times and hold him there until he gives up his struggle. This instills your dominance. Once you are successful, have someone else walk your dog with you present. Correct bad behavior immediately. You will teach the dog, it must obey others too. This is what I did with my lab and he is about the most stubborn dog I know, but also one of the smartest for training and working.
The other option is to use a shock collar with the normal collar and lead. As soon as the dog puts tension on the lead, zap it. Start forward again and do the same thing with the first tension. This is a much faster way to teach the dog and can be very effective.
My parents both have bad shoulders from surgeries and can now walk my dog without problems. I wish you luck.
2007-07-17 02:21:54 · answer #2 · answered by Staveros 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi Teresa M, lots of different opinions here. The 'Halti' is a good idea - if you control the animals head you control the animal. - ever seen a racehorse with the reigns round the neck?? Better still - try a 'Gentle Leader' which is basically the same as a Halti but slightly different for the better I think.
PLEASE - a word of advice. If you continue with the chain choker, please make sure that you remove it immediately after the walk. When left on a dog, chain chokers cause burn marks to the dog's neck.
2007-07-17 02:28:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy some type of head halter. I have a Gentle Leader. You can get it at the pet store. It sits high on their neck and loops around their snout, so when they pull, the gentle leader forces then to turn and look at you. When they look at you, give a treat. You will be training your dog to watch you when you are on a walk, and not pull ahead like a maniac. Plus, the gentle leader takes almost all of the force out of a pulling dog. It makes a 50 pound dog feel like a 5 pound. Your dog will simply not be able to pull your arms off anymore.
Important note: when introducing your dog to the gentle leader, give lots of treats for putting it on. And more treats for wearing it. For the first few days you might want to just play your dogs favorite game while he wears it, and feed him while wearing it. Then he will think the gentle leader is the best thing on earth, and won't try to rub it off his nose when you go for a walk. Some dogs will paw at their nose and wipe their nose on your legs and on the ground, trying to get the thing off. But if you get him used to it first, you won't have a problem.
Gentle Leader:
http://www.premier.com/pages.cfm?ID=29
2007-07-17 02:52:39 · answer #4 · answered by Carrie O'Labrador 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try using a harness as a choke chain can do more damage to the dog than good if she pulls with a harness on walk the other way when she pulls she is still a baby and full of energy and excitement
2007-07-17 02:28:38 · answer #5 · answered by Lesley W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
saw a programme about this once, the lady turned around and walked back the way she came when the dog was pulling, and then after a few seconds turned back and walked the right way, the dog did stop pulling after a while it might take a few tries for the dog to learn he is not going anywhere when he pulls, but you got to be persistant with it,
2007-07-17 02:13:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consistancy is the key. I have the same problem with my labrador. He wants to lead and continuously pulls.
I have to constantly remind him to wait for me.
To train him, I wouldn't give him any leash at all. I keep the leash wrapped around my wrist/hand. This forced him to stay beside me and keep is head up and nose away from the ground. He eventually realized that he was supposed to walk beside me.
Now all I have to do is give a quick yank on his lease and say wait to remind him when he pulls ahead. I do it before he tacks all the slack so he doesn't get the upper hand.
I still have to remind him, though. He's getting better. But it's been a long and hard time to get him to this level. So I have to keep working with him.
2007-07-17 02:11:30 · answer #7 · answered by James L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try walking her in your yard first. If she pulls just go the other way. It might take her a while and neighbores will think you are crazy...but what the heck..;-)
You can also try a halti or gentle leader which stops them from pulling. I have to say that my dog would not move with the halti or gentle leader. He would just drop to the ground.
I use a prong collar...works wonders. just have someone show you how to put it on correctly.
2007-07-17 02:08:19 · answer #8 · answered by curious24 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I beleive it is called a No Pull collar. It is a harness, but instead of the leash hooking to the back, it hooks in the front between their legs. If the try to pull, the just get turned around. I saw it on Rachel Ray. It seemed to work for her dog and she swore by it!
2007-07-17 03:06:40 · answer #9 · answered by Stacy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog was the same,then I bought a harness,she still tried to pull at first but now she walks nicely so it's a pleasure to take her for walks
2007-07-17 02:30:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋