i have a 4 1/2 month old staffy and constantly pulls on lead when walked,wot is best method to stop this ?

Answer 1

I forget the name of the type of harness, but it goes around the nose also. When the dog pulls it will make their head go down to their chest (will not hurt them...I used it for one of my dogs and it worked great), and soon they will learn not to pull.

If that doesn't work, try taking him to an obedience class

Hope that helps

Answer 2

Boy oh boy oh boy, if only I knew the answer to this. My Staffie is 8 and a half and I still can't get her to stop pulling, it's the one thing that lets her down, for want of a better phrase. I can put her on a shorter lead and that will keep her by my side, but as soon as she feels it loosen she's off again, steaming ahead and pulling like a train. Her lead is an extending one that goes to 21 feet (I daren't let her run free, she loves people and would have to go and say hello to everyone she saw!) but she'll go as far as she can and then start pulling. I've walked other Staffie dogs for friends some times and it seems to be a trait. I also know a lot of people walk their Staffies without a lead, and I can understand why. My only real worry is that she'll harm herself with the constant pressure on her neck, so my next plan is to try a harness. Not a fancy leather one, just an ordinary woven fabric one. I expect she'll still pull but at least the pressure won't be a round her neck.
I've tried a Halti head collar for another dog we had, and although it did keep better control of her it didn't stop the pulling completely.

Answer 3

Your dog is still very young and provided that you use the proper techniques, train consistently and firmly and start now, the dog's tugging will lessen and/or eventually cease.

I am a firm believer in the Gentle Leader, a head collar or harness that discourages pulling. There are generic collars and harnesses of this nature that you can purchase for less (the Gentle Leader brand is costly), but believe me when I say that you are paying for an effective tool.

When training your dog on a Gentle Leader, use it initially in increments of time and even keep it on the dog occasionally while in the house. When walking outside with your dog, keep the leash short but not taut, leading the dog in a walk beside you. As soon as the dog walks PAST you, make the leash taut (don't yank) and stop walking. The Gentle Leader will cause the dog to stop and look back at you for direction. Stay consistent with this method and the dog will quickly learn that s/he is not going to get what s/he wants (to go on a walk) unless they walk beside you and obey your lead.

Answer 4

Although there are several different collars and head harnesses, these are only partially effective. First and foremost, enroll in a local obedience class. Even at 4.5 months, puppy kindergarten class will help with the walking, as well as other miscellaneous puppy behaviors.

When you are walking, keep him close to you, i.e., don't give him a whole lot of leash. Then, as you are walking, talk to him. If he start to pull ahead, give him a tug back on the leash, get him back next to you, and tell him to "heel". It may seem that all you do is pull back, and release, and pull back, and release, and that's okay in the beginning.
When you are walking, don't walk a straight line, literally weave like you are walking around posts in the middle of the sidewalk. also, make a lot of quick start and stops, and a lot of turns. When the dog is pulling, turn and go a different way. If the dog doesn't know where you are going, then they will pay more attention to you.

And use your voice to keep the dog focused on you. As you are walking, talk to the dog and keep their attention.

Answer 5

The suggestion of an obedience class is an excellent one. Read here https://tr.im/BNwiW
It will help your dog learn to behave around other dogs, and help keep your training moving forward as you'll want to be prepared for the next class. Also, a good instructor can be a wonderful resource, someone to help you with any questions or concerns about your dog. Leash training can take a LOT of time and patience, depending upon the dog. I'm not sure what you mean by 'horrible on a leash' but my basic suggestion is that you take a lot of yummy treats with you on walks. When your dog behaves well on the leash (not pulling) praise her and give her treats. Change direction a lot so that she learns to pay attention to YOU and where you are going. It's also helpful to teach a "Watch Me" command such that whenever your dog looks at you you praise her and give her a treat. About chewing, yes a Kong is a great chew toy. Some dogs also like Nylabone brand bones. I suggest also teaching a "Leave It" command. You use this when she shows interest in chewing on something she shouldn't. Then immediately give her something she is allowed to chew, such as the Kong stuffed with somethig yummy. This same command will be helpful on walks when she wants to sniff or eat something she shouldn't. Again, when she does leave the item alone, be sure to give lots of praise. I would look into an obedience class right away. I think that you'll find that a good obedience class can help enormously! Good luck and enjoy your new dog.

Answer 6

Yo Lee D (Good name for the question) Ya know, Lead.....Oh well?
My Staff was a real nightmare for yonks and took ME for the walks. Although people don't often credit Staffs for their abilities to learn and train, they are actually really clever and eager to do their bit for you. Mine loves to learn new stuff, as long as he knows it's fun and that he might get a little reward at the end of it!!
The whole thing about training is to make it fun for the both of you. Don't use a monotone voice, make it sound exciting as he/she will respond to you more. Don't raise yer voice as this won't help (People think shouting does it...it doesn't). Have a few treats in your pocket for any occasion when a new thing is learn't but obviously limit this as too much of a good thing will wear off.
When you walk yer Staff be nice and calm. Have him/her in the sit position before you walk off and you start off first. At the first pull on the lead, gently pull back, saying 'heel' immediately that you pull back and then turn in the opposite direction to that in which you were walking. It will be a little monotonous as you won't be getting very far to start with, but this will improve within the hour by leaps and bounds.
Training is best done in a park or area of ground that is reasonably isolated as you don't want other distractions for yer pooch to start with.
As long as you make training a game and fun, you will soon see that he/she will be really responsive and will look forward to more of the same. Good luck and happy walking!

Answer 7

Train it not to pull. Put a choke-chain on it. don't use a harness when you walk it. use a collar and leash. when it pulls you, slightly yank on the leash and say "heel" in a commanding voice. don't yell to loud just make it so the dog knows what to do but knows it is a command and not a request. Don't pull to hard either, you can seriously damage its throat, just a small yank to pull it back a couple centimeters. use the command and the yank whenever it pulls ahead. you will eventually break the habbit. also, walk your dog at least everyother day.

Answer 8

I have found that the best thing to do although very time consuming is every time he or she pulls you stop and at the same time pull the leash . I saw this on a DVD . My dog is a Belgian herder and was a real horror and I found it a real problem to take him amongst people or shops. Now he is good as gold .

Answer 9

Why not try a Halti? My dog used to pull me so much I was jut witing for the day he pulled me over, but as soon as I started using a Halti he walks like a lamb. In fact he's so good with a Halti that even the kids can walk him!

Answer 10

Why not try buying him/her a toy to carry when u take him for walks, that way he/she will already have something in his mouth & will be pre-occupied with that. One other thing, Staffy's like to chew on leather so if the lead is leather try changing it.