Walking dog question

[Jenny & Henry]

What did you do when your dog would pull on the leash while walking?  I don't want to resort to any other colors yet and am hoping to really work with him.  Sometimes he's perfect and others he's pulling.  I think it goes with the mood of my daughters.  If they are annoyed they have to go on a walk with us, he trots along at their pace.  If they are excited and running, or on their scooters, he's all excited and pulling. 

 

Just wondering what the one thing you do when the pulling starts?  I have been pulling him to the side, getting him back in heel and making him sit and startingover.  It is helping but I just didn't know if this was helpful.

 

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I have the DVD and the book.  To be honest, I don't think the DVD will give you enough info without the book to also reference.  I'd be happy to lend it to you....I'll send you a friend request so you can send your address.

[Adina P]

I want to add that $60 (if it looks like a feasible program to you) is dirt cheap because if you did the full program as instructed, you'd have a dog that has gone through beginning through advanced obedience and is ready for the CGC by the end.  That would probably cost you AT LEAST four times the $60.

[Jenny & Henry]

Yeah, I just paid $130 for this six week class I have him in.  :)

[Jenny & Henry]

Adina, do you just wear a regular collar with this training method?

[Adina P]

Choke chain. I'll contact the members who have the DVD and see who might be willing to lend it out. That is reallly the best way to assess if it is right for you.

[Jenny & Henry]

With this training method is that what they want you to use? 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

When Daisy pulls we say Stop, which she does, then Hip, which she does, and then we start walking again. Sometimes she is really naughty and the entire walk consists of Stop, Hip but usually she settles quite a bit. I think the trick is consistency. If she is pulling we have to actually follow through, if we don't she rules the walk.

[Pam & Trixie]

We are stuggling through this with Trixie too.  When we 1st started loose leash walking...we would slowly reel her in if she was at the end of the leash....Sometimes we only made it a foot before we had to reel her in again.

 

I am treating still for good Loose leash walking.  but we only make it so far on a walk-usually 1 block.  Then she gets too hot & wants to find shade...So we struggle on the way back home.

 

Sometimes Hand targeting works good to get them back by your side-without pulling the leash.

 

I wish we could go for longer walks...I miss going around the block!

 

We did bring Trixie to a music event a few weeks ago.  We used a Harness & treats.  But I think it set her back on her loose leash walking.  My dd has an Easy walker...but she lost it.  So we  cant borrow it.

I hate to spend $25 on one if we wont use it much.  While I feel they work really good (we used it with our last dog)   I do feel it delays the loose leash skill.

 

So- I guess I have no advice...Im looking for suggestions too : )

[Jenny & Henry]

Hey Pam! First, I love your new avatar of Trixie!  Too cute. 

 

So, I am not alone struggling with the pulling!  I am gonna focus on staying in front of my house so that Henry can focus on me and I won't have my girls right there with me.  So, I think that will really help.  They are so smart, they gotta get it right? 

 

How is training class going?  Henry has done great with everything but the pulling.  To be honest, I have just now started to really focus on it the past couple days, so i need to get a plan and I am sure he too will get it.  He can spin and do touch now too, it's so cute!  :D

 

Hang in there Trixie will get it!

[Pam & Trixie]

Hi Jenny,

I bet Henry will catch on very quick if you concentrate on just walking in front of the house.  I will probably need to go back to practicing there with Trixie too.

 

Trixie started level 4 last night.   We only have one class left.

 

Spinning, How Fun!

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

If he pulls, turn around.  How old is your dog?   Instead of heading out for a "one mile walk" or heading out with a destination in mind, leave the house with a "time" in mind.   For example, today your goal could be to walk 15 minutes.   That 15 minutes could take you back-n-forth in front of your garage or it may take you 2 houses down the street.   Every time he pulls, turn around and head the other direction.  Focus on that rather than distance/destination.  It'll still be stimulating for the dog and he'll still get the 15 minutes of exercise but it isn't a "walk" like you probably have in mind but this way, its a "training session" more than it is a 'walk'.  

 

P.S. the neighbors will think you are strange for walking back-n-forth in front of your house at first, but they'll get over it!  LOL!    One of the best feelings in the world is to have my dog, Boomer walking right next to me.   It took practice and training but he's the best dog on the block (or so I think).   Milo (the 6.5mo puppy) is a work in progress!  :-)

[Jenny & Henry]

Thanks Julie.  He just turned five months.  His walks are relatively short yet when I am trying to work with him.  My block takes me all of five minutes to walk around, with him and all the stops it takes about 10 to 15.  I do like your suggestion of just going back and forth up the section in front of my house and neighbors.  He might focus more on me and what I am doing instead of my girls and just trying to go.  Thanks for the suggestions.