Dog-walking problems?

Question

Hi. I own a golden retriever, who is one year and four months old. My dog tends to pull forward against the leash, which means she is ahead of me (not all the time, though). It is even worse when she knows (instinctively from previous walks) that I am walking back home.

On a canal walk, however, where there is a long and straight trail, when I walk back she will pull at the leash much more intensively because she can see the way back clearly (whereas a walk around the neighborhood she cannot see the straightforward path back to home).

Also, she tends to go after vehicles driving by.

I would appreciate any advice with the following questions =):

-- How do I permanently walk her beside me at all times?
-- How do I prevent her from going after vehicles?

Any training tips or advice is greatly appreciated!

Message me if you have any other ideas.

Thanks alot!!! =D

Jeff

Answer 1

I agree with the other poster who mentioned Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer). His program airs on the National Geographic channel.

http://cesarmillaninc.com/

What you have is an issue with dominance. Your dog does not consider you to be the pack leader. Pack leaders always lead, never follow.

You must first learn how to be dominant, and how to recognize submission - both in your dog, and in your own behavior.

Check out Cesar's website and definitely watch a couple of episodes on cable if possible. He has addressed this issue several times.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

The issue is that dogs are poor generalizers - it's not that the dog is "sneaky, greedy" etc, but that they have no intrinsic sense of morality or "rightness" and so only think something is "bad" if it has bad consequences. If it has never had bad consequences except with a human in the room, then how on earth are they to know that the rules still apply with the human out of the room? You need to train in such a way that corrections and rewards occur when the dog does not think you are present - i.e. hiding around the corner. Read here https://tr.im/BIncI

I personally owned a Labrador Retriever (read: chow hound) that could be left 6" from a hot dog in a sit-stay for half an hour and not touch it - the word was "mine" and it meant that you don't touch that, even if I am not in the room, even if whatever, you DO NOT touch that. You could leave a plate of food on the floor for hours and not only would she not touch it, she would also keep the other animals (dogs and cats) from touching it.

In all probability, these dogs studied were just not properly trained/proofed before the experiment. With "proofing" to set them up and catch them in the act to give

Answer 3

Try Gentle Leader. I had three dogs once, they weigh over 100lb. I had no problem walking them with Gentle Leader at the same time. I could hold all three leash on one hand if I had to.

Answer 4

Everytime she pulls ahead of you pull her leash to the side then release the tention, if your always tense shell always pull. I suggest watching the dog whisper on the national geographic channel

Answer 5

Jeff, to many questions to answer. Good idea, just take a simple obedence class. You will learn alot of great tips. It just takes practice, thats all.
Good luck

Answer 6

you really need to take your dog to a dog training class they will show you how to walk her or go on line there are alot of free advice pet smart and others

Answer 7

Find an obedience class in the area and sign up

Answer 8

get a retractable leash so that she won't walk into traffic
to get her aside you, you could try carrying treats in your pockets