2007-09-26 10:47:58 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
There are many options, but I wouldn't recommend a choke chain. Choke chains usually do not stop dogs from pulling. They tighten around a dog's throat, which the dog usually ignores but nonetheless can seriously damage his trachea. Choke chains should be used for training but not walking.
Head collars, such as halti and gentle leader, are popular choices. They work similar to a halter for a horse. My dog absolutely hated his and I couldn't even walk while he was wearing one.
A prong collar looks cruel but works well. It tightens and pokes the dog as he pulls. Unlike the choke collar, this will not damage the trachea and most dogs are a lot more sensitive to it (meaning they'll stop pulling when it tightens). When you first start, you might want to turn all but three of the links backwards (facing out). If he still pulls, turn a few more inward.
There are also multiple no-pull harnesses. I can't personally recommend any brand, but just do a google search for "no-pull" and "dog."
2007-09-26 10:50:18 · answer #1 · answered by Cleoppa 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the prong collar, I call it a pinch collar but it is all the same.
I don't recommend a choke chain at all.
Make sure that when you start out walking that you walk through the door or gate (wherever your starting) in front of the dog. This shows that your the leader..never let them go first. Keep the least short and keep the dog right at your side. Anytime they try to pull or get interested in something just give them a slight tug and say their name. Keep this up and walking will become a breeze.
Good luck!
2007-09-26 10:52:48 · answer #2 · answered by sue2blues 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Choke chains are NOT the answer. These are actually correction chains used for behaviour modification. They are not meant to be used on a daily basis.
You could try a halty dog harness or alternatively you could try a limited slip collar. These are used on my racing Alaskan Malamutes. Have a look at them at my breeders/friends website www.windchill.com.au.
You could also try a basic training method of sit stay. Start walking, when your dog starts to pull, then stop and get them to sit. Then start again. It is all about behaviour modification.
You dont, however, mention the breed type. Some dogs are instinctive pullers due to their working background (such as sleddogs, weightpull dogs). Perhaps you could use some of this behaviour into a working activity and an exercise - get a weightpull harness made up and introduce it to this activity.
2007-09-26 13:51:21 · answer #3 · answered by jcsledda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had a lot of success using the harness type, as well as the "head collar". There's also a type of collar that is a combination regular collar and "choke" chain, but it doesn't choke the dog. The nylon part stops it from tightening past a certain point, and the dog responds to the sound of the chain part rubbing when you pull on it without tightening up like a regular choke collar.
2007-09-26 10:54:00 · answer #4 · answered by Jennifer 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Our puppy is 1 year and 2 months, he's a golden retriever about 90 lbs. and I couldn't ever walk him. We tried the gentle leaders and they didn't work at all! He found a way to get it off... I use a pinch or prong collar, whatever you want to call it. They don't really hurt the dogs, it more or less scares them. It works so great and my dog doesn't pull at all with it on. I'd go with that, they range from like 15-25 dollars but they're amazing!
2007-09-26 11:04:24 · answer #5 · answered by rockinkarterchick 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As soon as I got my dog, I invested in a harness. It prevents from pulling, prevent them from biting the leash and it prevent the pet's head from slipping out of the collar. Just with any collar or harness be sure to get the right size. You don't want your animal to be uncomfortable by having the strap cut into their skin.
Dr. Foster and Smith has a great website with every kind of pet product imaginable.
2007-09-26 11:02:00 · answer #6 · answered by ericaD 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
training consistently is the best thing, there is a collar called a martingale that is used on sight hounds,it is like a choke chain but it is made out of nylon mesh,most pet stores(petsmart in particular)does not carrie the collar,it is kind of like a collar that's used in the show ring but wider,type in martingale dog collar in a search engine,and ck it out.
2007-09-26 16:16:30 · answer #7 · answered by bonny b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a gentle leader would be the best. when the dog pulls on it, it actually pulls his face downwards, making him stop because he can't see. it is also off of the shoulders, where dogs have the most muscles for pulling.
my pit would pull his prong collar so hard that it would puncture his skin. choke chains would make him gag, he pulled so hard. he couldn't pull at all with the gentle leader because it would pull his face down.
it works wonderful for me because i have a separated shoulder and my dog has pulled my shoulder out of place when walking. there is no physical way that he can pull with a gentle leader because it has 2 loops, one around the neck under the chin and the other over his muzzle.
2007-09-26 10:56:47 · answer #8 · answered by Malina 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have used many many collars/ devices on many large and strong dogs and by far the Head Halti or gentle Leader work the best. I taught my Lab to walk with it while I was on crutches.
2007-09-26 13:13:14 · answer #9 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I found that a harness worked great for my Eskies. The harness gives me more control and now they don't pull anymore. Occasionally they will get over excited and pull a little bit, but with the harness I can get them quickly back to walking again the way they should.
2007-09-26 10:52:12 · answer #10 · answered by eskie_mama2 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋