Difficulty holding leash due to back injury

[Terri Erickson]

Hi all, I'm excited to get feedback on something that is quite a challenge for us.  Our goldendoodle pup, Cricket, is almost 6 months old and is already almost 40 pounds. The plan before we brought Cricket home was that she was going to be my walking buddy as I walk about 2 miles every morning.  Unfortunately, due to a previous injury, anytime she pulls even slightly on the leash, my back bone between my 2 shoulder blades gets pulled out of alignment.  The pain is severe and my chiropractor has told me that if this keeps happening I will need surgery.

I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on how I can walk our pup despite my injury.  Does anyone know of a way that I can attach the leash to something around my waist for our walks?  Cricket still pulls on the leash - especially if she sees another dog that she would like to play with - as we walk around the neighborhood.  Would love feedback!  Thanks! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are all kinds of leashes available that attach around your waist. Google "hands free leashes". 

[Carolyn Shusterman]

Have you tried the 'gentle leader'?  My husband has had back surgery fusion and this leader keeps Sydney from pulling. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Have you considered working with a trainer to teach Cricket to heel when walking with you?  The problem with even the hands free leashes is that as she gets larger and stronger she could still pull you (especially if she sees a distraction that excites her) and you could still be injured.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My fear with attaching a dog around my waist would be that he/she would pull me over.  I wonder if you could pay a trainer to leash train Cricket for you.  With a solid heel, she shouldn't pull.

[Amy and Annabelle]

I fractured my foot last week while I had  Annabelle on a leash, I was holding it with my hand. It was like the perfect storm of her being excited to see my grandson and also see what goody he had in his hand, just as I was going over the thresh hold to go in the house. I slammed my foot and went flying. I still am not sure exactly how I did it, it all happened so fast, other than Annabelle was on the leash and we were walking into the house.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Amy, I am so sorry. I broke my foot once and it was no fun.  I hope you heal quickly.

[Amy and Annabelle]

Thanks, the way I feel, it is going to be a long road to recovery. Of course it only happened last Tuesday. I am not used to not driving myself around.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I feel for you- literally! I had a major tendonitis problem in my elbow that would absolutely KILL me when I was training Winnie to not pull when walking. Despite intense therapy to the area, it didn't completely heal until Winnie learned to walk properly.

My advice is to have your husband (and maybe a trainer) work really hard on teaching her to walk properly with a leash. Some people have had success using the Gentle Leader or a harness in addition to learning voice commands, treats, etc. Personally, I used a type of smaller prong collar when teaching Winnie to heel.  It really doesn't hurt the pup- it just reminds them to not pull, and takes a LOT of strain off of your body.

I would be afraid of attaching something to your waist at this point. You wouldn't have as much control in correcting Cricket, and I think you would risk injuring your back even more. Once Cricket is really good at walking right beside you, the hands-free leash can be a wonderful thing for walking or running. 

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I walk both Roo and Tigger (50 pounds each) together each on a leash that clips to a nylon band on my waist.  I also walked my two Siberians that came before my doodles this way.   It is for a similar reason.  I have compromised S4-5 nerve that causes severe sciatica unless I "stay straight".  This works wonderfully.  Look for an adjustable waistband with "quick release" leashes and a extra ring to hold phone, car keys etc.  That way nothing is pulling on your arms. I have both the slightly stretchy leashes and the not stretchy leashes.  I like both one of them and do not prefer oneover the other. You can go to Amazon from this sight for many choices and then DK gets a small % of the sale as your "favorite" charity. Roo walks best in a gentle leader and Tigger in a prong collar.  I would start with a prong collar first.  Choke chains and regular collars allow too much pulling for a hands off leash.  Just stop walking forward if she starts to pull a let her learn to stay within not pulling distance.  Take Nancy idea of a professional trainer to teach loose leash walking, heeling and general leash behavior, while your foot heals.  I was in boot last spring for my Achilles. It is not fun at all, my heart goes out to you.

[Terri Erickson]

Thank you, to all of you, for your responses!  My husband and 2 teenage sons are working diligently on trying to get her to heel.  I am looking forward to walking with her soon!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Hooray, Terri!