Different walking problem

[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.

[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!)

[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!

[boris91]

a dog trainer i know from another forum said to get a gentle leader!