Different walking problem

[angelchampy]

I have a different walking problem than Kia's owner does. I have a foster that has been with me almost 2 months now. She's about 14 months, female, probably not spayed (she was a stray), and very energetic. I housetrained her so far, she is a little better with the jumping, and listens when I say "no." I have a fenced in yard so most of the day I just let her out. She runs all over the yard like a greyhound. We go for walks once or twice a day and she pulls terribly. I wrap the leash around my hand several times and it turns blue halfway through the walk b/c she's pulling so much. I don't like choke or pincher collars. When she pulls, I yank at the leash and use the word "easy". She stops, but then starts pulling again. I also sometimes stop walking completely so she gets the idea that if she keeps doing it, I'm not going any further. She will stop with me, then start again. When we're almost done walking, she's calmed down a bit, but that's a good 20 minutes later. I don't believe in hitting and I feel I've done everything the "dog whisperer" would have done. Any advice?

[Ginger's Mom]

Treats. I taught Ginger not to pull by giving her a small treat on occasion. Initially, I think I would say her name. she would look at me, I would treat her. Just at various times during the walk. Then after a few days rather than calling her I would treat and praise her if she would just look at me during the walk. She soon learned that she didn't want to be too far from my left hand, and if she paid attention to me during the walk she would get a treat, or praise, or some other positive reinforcement. She forgot all about pulling. Now that is how I trained my dog. But, let me warn you, Ginger isn't the perfect little walker. She doesn't pull, but she doesn't walk at heel by my side. She is allowed to explore and sniff.

[ramanth]

I walk Chipper on a harness. He doesn't pull nearly as much and like Ginger suggested, I give Chipper treats for not pulling.

[Karen]

Teach her "heel." She has to be right next to you, not out ahead of you, at all times. You may have to start with her on a very short leash, but every time she suges out in front, stop in your tracks, pull her back to your side and say heel when you begin walking again. Even switch directions. You may feel silly the first few times, but she will "get it' if you are completely consistent. I did this with the office heltie where I used to work, otherwise he'd literally pull so hard he'd be choking himself. I didn't mind having to repeat "heel" every few steps (he wasn't the brightest bulb on the tree, RIP, Tyler boy), it was better than hearing him choke himself.

Having her walk NEXT to you also relieves her of the responsibility - it puts YOU in charge of the walk, and the environment.

[angelchampy]

Thanks everybody. I'll try it all. It is very upsetting to hear her choking. You would think they would associate "pulling means choking" and if I stop - I won't choke. but they don't. I will do all of the above and see how it works. Thank you all.

[boris91]

have you tryed one of these collars? they are great you can be comfortable with how much it tightens because you can adjust it to how you want but when i went on a walk with my friend and her 2 dogs (1 staffie and 1 jack russel) her staffy pulls like mad when she wears a normal collar but with one of these she is fine never pulls unless she gets real scared and whilst we were on a walk we met her friend and he got a staffie who had a harness and she nearly pulled my friend over she is soooo strong so we put her on one of these collars and she walked at my heal!!! it is unbelivable they dont get to tight but you can adjust the collar part if you want it tighter or loser (colour may vary) here it is! they are really worth the money!


http://www.softwarexpress.co.uk/images/16235f.jpg

[boris91]

P.S i hate them slip lead i always get scared i will kill the dog with it!

[boricuajenny5]

I have a small cockapoo so it'll be interesting to give Amaya treats often throughout the walk without her jumping up for it but i'll definitely try that. I tried the choke collar with pronges. It works for a while but Amaya still pulls and chokes herself when she is curious about something. She bites through all of her leashes so I had to buy a chained leash so I just end up hurting my hands trying to hold her back all the time. She would go to the moon for a treat though so we'll see.

[angelchampy]

have you tryed one of these collars? they are great you can be comfortable with how much it tightens because you can adjust it to how you want but when i went on a walk with my friend and her 2 dogs (1 staffie and 1 jack russel) her staffy pulls like mad when she wears a normal collar but with one of these she is fine never pulls unless she gets real scared and whilst we were on a walk we met her friend and he got a staffie who had a harness and she nearly pulled my friend over she is soooo strong so we put her on one of these collars and she walked at my heal!!! it is unbelivable they dont get to tight but you can adjust the collar part if you want it tighter or loser (colour may vary) here it is! they are really worth the money!


http://www.softwarexpress.co.uk/images/16235f.jpg

Wow, I've never seen a collar like that. Do they sell them in certain pet stores or can I get it somewhere on the internet? I like the fact that it doesn't have the prongs. They look so barbaric.

[Ginger's Mom]

That is a half choke, or modified martingale. I know they sell them at PetsMart because that is where I bought Ginger's. They are good for dogs that like to slip their leads (like Ginger ). You can probably find them on the internet as well. It doesn't close completely so it doesn't pinch the dog. I don't know that it will do much for a puller, but it might. If you try it let me know.

[MyPetTherapyDogs]

I like Ginger's mom's post. I use treats to get the dogs attention too!
It works great!!!
You may also try exercising your dog first by playing this game. This will burn off excess energy
PS I love martingale collars. All of my dogs wear them.

This is a great obedience training tool that is used Three Ways.
1) Mentally stimulate your dog

2) Exercise your dog

3) Teach your dog a strong recall (come)

Tools needed: 26 foot “Flexi brand retractable leash”

Fanny pack & Dog training treats, & fresh water available for you and your dog.

The triathlon game should be done daily before your dog goes out on a leash walk.

The idea is to use up any pent up energy that the dog has and to mentally stimulate as well as teach come to your dog all in one exercise.

Begin by taking your dog for a long relaxing walk using the flexi leash let the dog have fun running around. Each time the dog gets to the near end of the leash, call out the command "EASY". The dog will soon realize that he needs to slow down when you call out” Easy” because this command means he is getting to the end of the line (this may take a few times of the dog pulling at the end of the line to realize this so dig your heels into the ground deep)

After first doing this for about 5 minutes or so, your dog will have burnt off excess energy and begin to learn where the end of the line is and you are ready to begin:


Have your dog sit directly in front of you.

Say “Good Sit” & treat.

Next teach your dog “Watch Me”

(See below how this is done)

Watch me:
How to Teach the Watch Me Command:

Take whatever reward you are using.

Food is easiest to work with for this command. Stick the treat either near your mouth or up by your face.

If the dog already knows sit, Ask the dog to sit, once sitting in front of you,

Say, "watch me" As soon as the dog looks directly into your eyes, ... "Say Good Watch me" INSTANTLY high praise, & treat!!!

(This command becomes important to keep the dogs focus on you instead of elsewhere, and can be a big help in crowded area's where the dog may be overly excited or anxious)

After your dog has done Watch me,& has been rewarded, throw out a treat or ball and say to your dog “GO FETCH”. (Make sure the flexi leash button is open and not locked).

Let the dog fetch the treat or ball.

Next, you run backwards, and say, “Come”. If the dog doesn’t come, use your flexi leash like a fishing pole and reel the dog towards you.

Once the dog is front and center to you, say, “GOOD COME” and treat and praise!!

Keep on repeating this game for at least 10-15 minutes to tire the dog out. Try doing the game in different locations so the dog gets used to distractions. Begin this game in an area that has the least amount of distractions and gradually move into greater amount of distraction areas.

Now, its time for you to move on to basic leash training:

Take the flexi leash off and switch your dog to a 6-foot leather leash and buckle collar or martingale collar/ or tighten up the flexi leash to about 6 feet long and begin Leash training Part 1. Once you have mastered Leash Training part one, then (begin leash training part 2 see below)

Leash training (Part 1)

Go out walking with your dog. If the dog is staying with you (does not need to be on any particular side) continue your walk. If the dog begins to pull, call out the command "Easy" and pull on the middle of the leash using even pressure like you were pulling back while riding a horse. Now, Slow down your pace and see if this helps slow the dog down, if he still forges (pulls) ahead, just abruptly around about face, and say, "Let's go" Then go the other way on the dog. Keep this process up until the dog learn to watch your "back side" and follow your moves.
(*You can lure the dog close to you by dropping treats close by you) Keep up this training for at least one full week or until you are sure the dog knows the command. ”Lets go.”

Now you are ready for leash training part 2

Leash Training Part 2 (Sit/Stay)

Now that your dog has learned “Loose leash walking” we are ready for the second half of leash training.

Begin training your dog to “Sit/Stay” on your left hand side each and every time you stop. While walking with the dog on leash at your left side, stop and have the dog sit. Pivot directly in front of the dog & extend your hand down placing it in front of the dogs nose, say "stay" very firmly. Step out in front of the dog (6 or 12 inches away) from the dogs nose and wait just 30 seconds or less. If the dog does not move, return back to the dogs side, say "good stay” Praise and treat! Give the release word ok and continue on your walk. If the dog does move, re-group the dog and try again the next time you stop.

Soon you will have a very well behaved dog that is able to walk nicely on a leash and have the ability to focus on you when necessary.

Susan

[crow_noir]

I wanted the kind with a bit of chain (for the sound - dogs use the association) but all they had were the all cloth ones. Two weeks later I'm back there for an adopt-a-thon... and all they have are the ones with chain. Grrrr. LOL.

That is a half choke, or modified martingale. I know they sell them at PetsMart because that is where I bought Ginger's. They are good for dogs that like to slip their leads (like Ginger). You can probably find them on the internet as well. It doesn't close completely so it doesn't pinch the dog. I don't know that it will do much for a puller, but it might. If you try it let me know.

P.S. Try telling Koli they're supposed to stop her from slipping away! LOL. I have that thing where it does create a bit of choking if she pulls too hard. So that should be tight enough right? Nope... She will stand still and in the blink of any eye duck and back out of it. She is the master of escaping collers. I end up making an attachment after thinking about the safety length on Gentle Leaders.

~ ~ ~

Clarification... What i meant by association with the chain is the sound. Instead of having to remember to give them a signal to slow down (and if they don't their going to be punished -sorry i refuse to call it correction - i.o.w. slight choke) Instead of having to remember to give them an audio clue such as "slow" "no" "back" "easy" "ho" "walk" etc... which can come too late... The chain makes it's slinky clanky sound as the dog is beginning to pull. The dog quickly associates "slink!" with *choke* and soon realizes THEY are the ones causing it... not the person. Since the collar is making the sound and not the human. Hope that made sense. (Dang! Typing it out reminds me why i want to spend the extra money on buying a new one!)

[angelchampy]

Thanks everybody for the great advice. I have done all except get the collar b/c the nearest PetSmart is over an hour away and I haven't had the chance to get there. Maybe this weekend. I only have a Pet Supplies about 30 minutes away and they don't have it. It's important though and I want to get up there to get it. Anyway, Cassie seems to be improving, but then not. It's strange, I'll take her out and she'll improve. Then take her out again later, and it's like she forgot everything all over again and pulls like there's no tomorrow. I guess it's just a matter of time and consistency. One thing she will not do is walk beside or behind me. She's always ahead of me and unfortunately, I don't have the strength to hold the leash with my left and then have my right hand on the leash down by the collar to control her to be by my side. My shoulders are really bad and it just pulls. So what I do instead is stop completely so she knows that if she keeps it up, I'm not moving. But I'm hoping once I get the collar and with some consistency, that will stop. I know it's important that she not be ahead of me. That's where she has the control. I am also going to do the exercising and training like Susan said. It'll take time, but be worth it in the long run. Everything that is worth it takes time and effort. I so appreciate everybody's input. All of the advice together I'm sure will work. Thank you all.

Lisa

[Hellow]

When i take my dog on her 7 minute daily walk (10 minute is the limit for pugs in the heat we are having. Above 80* from noon on.) and she pulls forward or backwards i always tug lightely on the lead until she is upat my side again.

[boris91]

Wow, I've never seen a collar like that. Do they sell them in certain pet stores or can I get it somewhere on the internet? I like the fact that it doesn't have the prongs. They look so barbaric.

yes you can get them in many stores! they are great!