Mastering the "Walk"

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

I have been walking Riley (13 weeks) everyday and the past few days he has started to pull me. I am not sure what the right response is to this. Should I just stop? or do I pop the leash and bring him back to me?

I was hoping on some tips of what works an what doesn't. Before this week he walked right next to me with a loose leash. I of course thought he was a "natural". Duh!

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[MBKANE]

There is no doubt many recommendations on this topic. I have used the technique of saying in a firm voice "No Pull" and stopping. Once your pup lets some slack on the leash you can continue. Repeat when neccesary, Riley will get it over time. Also you might want to consider purchasing a "Gentle Leader" head colllar. It is truly amazing! If it can tame my familys 110lb Choco Lab it can work for anyone, i'm convinced!

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

Yes, he knows sit really well. In fact I have been teaching him to sit at the curb before we cross the street, so I will try this too.

[fergie11]

I too used the gentle leader and I loved it. Now I don't use it anymore at all. Actually I hardly use a leash but that's naughty of me.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

We use a harness called the"Easy Walker". It attaches in the front so you can guide him better and he won't pull. Our trainer suggested it for training. It works really well

[Adina P]

13 weeks is awfully young...I wouldn't expect perfect walking for months and months and months.
I'm assuming you are walking for exercise, right? IN that case don't feel like you have to walk in a straight path down the side walk from point A to point B and back. Turn around walk different directions, keep it easy and fun.

Also I think the BEST thing to do at this point, so that Riley doesn't learn to pull MORE, is to NOT move forward when he pulls. If you LET him pull you forward then he learns "All I have to do to get where I want is to keep pulling and mommy will follow me!"

Instead you can:

1) Stop in your tracks and wait for puppy (as long as it takes) to loosen the leash before proceeding.
2) Stop and turn around and walk the opposite direction
3) Lure puppy to you and praise it and give it a yummy treat when it walks near you
4) Dip a long handled wooden spoon in peanut butter and keep puppy's interest by dangling it near you

Good luck!

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

Yes, excercise for him.

I keep stopping in my tracks as soon as he starts to pull and then walk again. I just wanted to make sure I was doing it correctly.

Although today when I took him I mixed up our route a little bit and he seemed to walk better. He didn't know which way we were going since I mixed it up and he seemed to follow better.

I appreciate the other ideas too. I am sure I will use all of them in the months to come.

[Chris & Boys]

I used to stop and pull my pup back to me, make him sit and then I would continue walking. But that was 14 years ago, I am not having as much luck with my new pup. I know they say to turn and start walking in the other direction. That is what I am trying now, but not having a lot of success if there are distractions. The best is the gentle leader.

I really just wanted to write to say "WOW" for getting him to heel at that age! Kudos to you. Good luck

[Kyoko]

HI, Yvonne!
For me, I am thinking that if Charlie can get use to the idea of having the leash to walk with for now, that's good.
We use Martingale collar, which is sort of works like a choke, but does not keep tightening up. When Charlie starts to pull, I just stop and wait until she loosen the leash, and continue.

[Debbie and Thomas]

I have not even read the other responses to this. We had the same problem.and our dog trainer told us to buy a harness system and it works immediately. I don't know the name of it because she lent us one, then when he is bigger we could buy our own for his size. It goes over their head and behind their front legs and the leash attaches to a ring that is on the front of their chest. It may be called a "gentle leader". Apparently, because they cannot pull on the leash from their chest, they walk in a well behaved manner. If the leash is attached to the collar on their neck, they can pull with all of their strength. This harness is very comfortable and most of the larger dogs I see out walking now have it on. It really works.

[Will I Am]

I experience some tugging but, ironically, my issue now is a walk that consists of taking care of business and then sitting like a statue for a prolonged period of time. We have a yard that is not fenced and, due to the fact that final vaccinations have just been administered, i have done nothing more than leash walks around the yard (and occasional neighborhood). I 'm looking forward to long wallks with no pulling, etc. but, right now, i find myself having to pick him up to get back to the house. I assume he does this because he just wants to hang out and smell the "proverbial roses" (that would be a cool charateristic) but it is irratating none the less. Maybe i should be as laid back. By the way, these doodles grow like a weed. Dewey is 4 1/2 months old and 40 lbs. I swear it was Christmas not too long ago when he fit in my arms at about 8 pounds. Good luck to you all.

[fergie11]

I second the Gentle Leader thing. It's great! I had great success with that thing. I have horses and this works just the same as a bridle on a horse so if it can work on a 1200# animal, it sure can work on your little puppy.

[Holly Southall]

I heard the gentle leader is very successful. I have a little puppy - 16 weeks and in training last night they gave me some good techniques we are just starting to try. If she starts to pull - stop and wait for her to turn and look at me. When she looks at me I click with my clicker (you could say good) then walk two steps back (she will follow) and give her a treat. Then start your walk again. Right now I am not expecting to have a good walk with her because of her age. So this has not been a very productive walk, but in the long run the trainers said you get a dog that pays attention to you and knows a loose leash is better than a tight leash.