Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Bad leash behavior
I have a 7 month old puppy, and I'm sad to admit that I neglected her leash training and now its giving me headaches. I have a very large yard and live close to many dog parks, so she can usually run off leash...and when I do take her on walks with her leash on...well she was very small and it wasn't an issue. But now she isn't so small and I've tried taking her on some trails and she pulls on the leash very hard all the time. I understand I had this coming and I should have known better...but is there any advise you can give me on how to improve her leash behavior?
As always, thanks for your valuable advice. :)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom on
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Well, you basically have two options. (1) You can put a band-aid on it. By that I mean you can get any one of the bunch of training collars or harnesses that are available on the market. (2) Or you can go to training and put in the hours of home training that it is going to take to fix the problem. Probably the most used training aid on DK is the Gentle Leader. There are two types, the head harness or the chest harness. There is also another harness that Adrianne uses (and hopefully she will chime in here because I can't remember the name of it) that is currently being offered as a fundraiser for the DRC (Doodle Rescue Collective). Adrianne can walk all 4 of her doodles when they have these on. I have to say though that I really recommend going to training because you are going to learn so much that it really is worth it. Fixing poor leash habits won't be easy (lots of patience) but it is dooable! I'm going to go see if I can find Adrianne's post on the harness and I'll come back and post it when I do.
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Here is Adrianne's post on the harness that is donating using code "doodlerescue" to the DRC
For those who didn't see this the other day, this is my new most favorite thing! I can walk 4 doodles at the same time!! It has 4 different places to adjust so there is no sagging or irritation. USA Dog Shop has graciously offered to donate a % of all sales made through Doodle Rescue-Collective to DRC so we can save more doodles!! We got our first order of 2 harnesses from Shelly Cardy - thanks Shelly!!!!! Should anyone order before they get the 'coupon' set up for us, please PM me so I can let Alan know.
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Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on
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Also, there are prong collars about which I have written many times, you can do a search. I love them and easily walk two doodles.
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Permalink Reply by Moe on
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I usually walk my dog offleash but when I am in an area where I can't I use a prong collar. She walks right next to me. I have tried the freedom no pull, the gentle leader, gentle leader with head collar and every other collar / harness ever invented. None compares to a prong collar.
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Permalink Reply by Debb, Lucy & Oscar on
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I'm looking into your previous comments on prong collars. Now with 2 standard doodles I find its getting very challenging controlling Oscar, who is much stronger (and younger) than Lucy. We just completed Intermediate training with Oscar and will be starting a 2nd complimentary Intermediate class next week (because Oscar was the only dog in his last class, and this next class will have other dogs in it). Its been great, and he's excellent at heeling while walking, but when he gets it in his mind to go after something, or get to something, he is OFF and RUNNING at full speed! Its enough power to pull me off my feet if I'm not expecting it! I already have the Canny Collar (head halter) which I stopped using a few months ago (due to him constantly stopping and flopping in grassy areas to rub his nose), but I will try it again first before going to the next step of the prong collar. I need something that will stop him in his tracks when he gets it in his mind to take off!
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I really use the prongs as insurance now but it's well worth it to me. I had Calla's on inside out recently, so no prongs and I never knew the difference : ) Leashesbydesign.com has stainless steel easy open close leashes and the owner is great.
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Thanks, F.! I believe I'd read somewhere that there was one model of Herm Springer prong collar that was known to unexpectedly come off, at the worst possible moment, no doubt. You wouldn't happen to know which model that is, would you?
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No but it may be due to those scissor closures. Mine has a special closure from LBD. They are stainless steel Herm Sprengers though. People advise to have a back up collar but I don't and I have not had a problem. I think if you open and close with the links they get looser with time.
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Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on
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Seven months is actually a perfect age to do some serious obedience training. I really think it's important to teach a dog how to walk politely on a leash. Even if you don't often walk them, there are times when they will be required to be on leash, and having them walk by your side without pulling makes everything so much easier and safer for everyone. There are lots of different tools that you can use, but I'd first recommend figuring out what method you want to use....often the training tool and the method are closely related, and some trainers will insist that you use their preferred collar. I'd look around for a class or a trainer and go from there. There are also lots of YouTube videos on how to train a dog to "heel" or loose leash walk...but I personally would start with a trainer.
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I agree with obedience training... now.
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Permalink Reply by Winnie on
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I bought the Freedom No Pull Harness for Winnie. Her pulling instantly stopped and after using it for a while and switching back to a regular leash for shorter trips her pulling had diminished.
http://wiggleswagswhiskers.com/Freedom-No-Pull-Harness-Training-Pac...
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