Two weeks of leash training, and my doodette is still pulling...

[Sara & Trix]

I was so excited in early July when Trixi finally got her last shot! We had been leash training in the house and yard in anticipation of being able to start walking as soon as possible. I was also very aware that our first dozen walks would be challenging, even if she got the concept of heeling in puppy class, in the house and in the yard. It's been two weeks now (and over 30 short walks) and I every time she pulls, I stop, lead her back to the heel position, she sits, I praise and give a treat. Then, three steps later, she's pulling again. I've also tried holding a treat in my left hand while walking to guide her...but that usually only works for a couple steps before she lunges for the treat, or looses interest and runs head. Some days we don't even make it to the end of the block! So I have two questions....first, am I being too hopeful thinking that she should have gotten the concept by now (she's now 4 months old)? Second - does anyone have advice or person experiences they could share that could help me? I'm a first time dog owner, so I'm not sure if I'm missing something here. Thank you!!!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I agree with you Carol. Whle the Easy Walk has been awesome, it has simply made me lazy about doing the proper training. I bought a collar that will allow for corrections (not sure what it's called, but the chain part with the loops is only a small part of the collar, the rest is flat nylon), but it is too big. Once Sophie Bear grows into it that is what I'll use from then on.

 

Also, the dangers of it are true. SB has completely flipped over when forgetting that she has it on and lunged at something. It's only happened a couple of times, but I'm afraid she might break a leg or something.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

That sounds like a martingale.

[KAHLUA]

Sara, the best advice I ever received about leash training was from my neighbor who has a 125lb Golden Retreiver.  He said to use a Gentle Leader (sold at most pet supply stores).  I did and am forever grateful.  2 1/2 years later and at 95lbs, Kahlua is a CINCH to walk.  Even my 60 lb granddaughter can walk her without any problems.  The theory is not to choke the dog, but to gently pull her snout down, which automatically stops the dog from pulling.  I kept the leash at a length that she couldn't go any further and so her head was always up (not dropped so I wouldn't have to pull on the leash).  When taking her out for her walks (beginning at 10 weeks) I always kept her on my left side and about a step in front of me.  When she was little I had to pay attention to when she had to do her business but after a while, she just moves over a bit and I give her a enough leash to do her business.  One thing that I started doing after her obedience clasess and teacher her to sit.  Whenever we stopped at a light, for a car, or just to practice, I would say sit and she would sit.  She now also knows when people start to approach her (of course they want to pet her!) she will sit right next to my leg because I always take up the leash when others are around, more for her protection because sometimes people don't know how to approach a dog as big as she is and they freak if she moves, staying close to me I have a better handle on her movement.  I promise, you CANNOT go wrong with a Gentle Leader, and it is very gentle.  Oh, it may be hard to put it on, watch the video and instructions.  Trixie may not like it at first, but eventually with time and consistency, she will and so will you!

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

From my perspective, of COURSE it would be better to train instead of masking, but in my case, I have put in so much training and she still doesn't get it, so I am masking!!  Personal preference IMO.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

The method we have been using since Luna did basic obedience seems to be having a permanent effect on her.  It's a bit slow, but it's effective.  We also just use a standard wide nylon collar and 6' leash.  I have heard that the gentle leader (or similar walking harness) is amazing - but we wanted to try to do it the "traditional" way and it's working so far.  Of course, Luna is not a standard, so I can physically manage her more easily than I could if she were 60-80 pounds of puppy energy.

 

1. Start your walk off calmly.  Before Luna exits the house, she has to sit to have her leash put on.  She is then asked to "wait" while the door is opened, and I exit first.  She is allowed to exit the house when I give her the release word ("okay").  I then take her to the driveway where I stand on her leash (with about 3' slack) until she sits and looks at me.  This also works with the dog park - she knows she can't go play until she's sitting!

2. Keep the leash fairly short so that the dog can't move more than about 2-3 feet away from you

3. If the pup pulls, don't jerk, but back away quickly and make the pup follow you while pulling in the direction of the side of the pup's neck.  The key is to keep pulling with just a little more force than the dog until they start to follow you. 

4. When the pup gives way and starts to follow your lead, continue in the direction you were going. Their reward for being nice is that the fun walk continues!

5. When pup has been walking nicely for a little bit (start small - 10 feet or so) then give some sort of command like "go sniff!" to tell them it's ok to stop to "smell the roses".  When you want to get going use something like "let's go" to start going again, so they know sniff time is over.

 

This made walks a bit of an interesting spectator sport (and long!) when we first started the training in this way (at around 6 months - the method from puppy class wasn't working).  However - now as soon as Luna feels pressure on the leash (most of the time) she slows down and waits until the leash is slack again before moving.

 

You HAVE to be consistent with this, or else it won't work at all.  The rewards are great though, and Luna is well on her way to having pulling-free walks :)  We are still working on the "OMG IT'S A SQUIRREL" moments.

 

 

 

[Sara & Trix]

I like the idea of this method!  Just a quick question - In step no. 3 - you back away (walking backward) pulling the direction of the side of the pup's neck, then once he follows you, you start walking forwards again?  I just wasn't sure if there was a complete turn around and change of direction - or if you just back up till he follows, then keep going.  I hope my question makes sense!  

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Yeah it makes sense - this is one of those things that's WAY easier to explain by demonstration.

 

You back away until the pup starts to follow your lead, then you start going forward again, forcing the dog (who is now facing you) to turn into you and follow you forward.  It's a bit awkward at first, and like I said it does take a while for it to work... but now basically as soon as I start pulling backwards she starts following. 

[Sara & Trix]

Wow, J - our walk tonight was the best one yet using your method!  I think the smooth motion of simply backing up and going forward clicked with Trixi more than stopping abruptly like I used to.  She was actually understanding what I was wanted her to do which is a big leap for us!  I'm going to stick with this for a good few weeks before I try one of the recommended no-pull leaders or harnesses.  Now that I have a list of everyone's awesome suggestions, I feel that I won't get discouraged and will stick with it until I find what works!   

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Great! :)  Glad it's working for you.

[Connie & Bocelli]

I don't know if anyone else here has one of these but I use the 'Walk Your Dog With Love' harness.  It's just like a gentle leader and from the time I put it on Bo, he has walked beautifully.  It's not something you can buy at a store you have to get it online.  I love, love, love mine!  Actually, I bought the small size for Bo and I just had to get a bigger size for him last week.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

This sounds good what you are doing, we also call their name and turn and start walking the opposite direction then turn again when they are back at your side. Sometimes I feel like a dork doing this and we do the stop and sit. Mine are 3 &4 and still pull on the leash and yes they have been to class. Myla woorks perfect when it's just me and her, with Chloe it's more like a race. Patience-no frustration or they win!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I am so glad to hear you are taking classes.  You also say you have lots of patience.  You are halfway there.

 

I will just add that I, too, am a fan of the prong collar.  It is a much better collar than a choke chain to use correctly and effectively.  A choke chain on a real puller with a less than polished trainer (me for instance) can really harm the dog and frustrate the owner.  I don't like gentle leaders or harnesses.  To walk any dog you want him to take his cues from you, those don't accomplsh that. 

 

My two doodles now walk tied to my waist on prong collars.  They walk at my pace, which I must admit is often not terribly fast.  They are 3 and 3and 1/2 and have walked this way for close to a year.  It was worth the practice, practice.... did I mention practice?  Roo was extremely difficult and therefore received lots more practice.  Tigger was much easier and needed less.  If I had been afraid of injuring my cranky back I probably could have walked them together much sooner.