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Author
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Topic: leash training
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NamelessZuk
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posted November 01, 2003 01:29 PM
My 4/5 month old yellow lab pulls fairly hard on his leash while we are walking. I can still control him no problem, but he is choking himself. How do I get him to walk with me and not try to pull me. I'm 220 lbs so he is not very successful at pulling me right now, but I'm afraid that when he is bigger he will be a problem for my wife to control. He is not aggresive, he is just excited and ready to explore.
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4/5 month old yellow lab
Posts: 2 | From: Lewisville, Tx | Registered: Nov 2003
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Dawn
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posted November 01, 2003 04:07 PM
What type of collar are you using?
Posts: 428 | Registered: Nov 2002
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NamelessZuk
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posted November 01, 2003 05:18 PM
A nylon collar at first, then we tried a nylon harness. He doesnt choke himself using the harness, but he still pulls.
Posts: 2 | From: Lewisville, Tx | Registered: Nov 2003
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Dawn
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posted November 01, 2003 05:34 PM
I strongly suggest that you not use a harness. This will allow him to pull even harder. I would suggest that you use either a choke chain or a prong collar correctly.
Posts: 428 | Registered: Nov 2002
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fullhouse9873
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posted November 02, 2003 12:14 PM
I would definately recommend getting in for some obedience training. You want to teach your dog to heel properly - because it's not an ewnjoyable walk for anyone when your dog is choking himself.
I would start off by using a choke chain. Make sure that it's fitted and on correctly. When your dog starts to pull ahead of you - drop the leash so that you are only holding on to the very end of it. Turn around quickly and start walking in the other direction. As you turn you want to pull the leash and say "no heel". Make sure it is a sharp tug, then release - don't pull your dog with the leash. Once your dog comes back to the heel position (his shoulder lined up with your leg - always on the left side) give him lots of praise. After a while he should start to catch on. You have to be consistent though - never allow him to get away with a bad heel or pulling on the leash.
I would also reccommend seeing a trainer - this is the best way for you to learn how to teach your dog.
Good Luck with everything - let us know how it goes!
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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kmtell
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Member # 323
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posted November 03, 2003 11:18 PM
Our dog (a 3 y/o Chesapeake) pulls like crazy on his leash...we've tried a pronged choke collar and also a "halti" muzzle-type leash. He knows how to heel, but basically just waits for us to catch up and then he takes off again.
When we take him running, he's pretty good and just trots along with us--it's like he only has one speed, which is a jogging pace to a normal person.
Posts: 11 | Registered: Nov 2003
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fullhouse9873
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posted November 03, 2003 11:52 PM
I like to walk my dogs at different speeds when training. This way, no matter how fast you go - your dog will stay with you. It also helps keep their attention focused on you.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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Freckles
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posted November 06, 2003 05:34 PM
Oh, you guys and these hurtful, hateful choke chains. Our trainer would not train a dog if you brought it on a choke chain. We have used the gentle leader or haltie type (works like a horse halter) with no pain to the animal and I was absolutely amazed and so were all my old "choke" chain friends the results we got from the leader. Everywhere we take her people are asking about it and observe the results with her. The entire class of basic/advanced training came around. It takes some getting used to they aren't real happy at first with the nose strap but... I've seen dogs voice box (bark box) damaged from misuse of choke chains. I admit there are some cases where there is major aggression that they are the solution... but, not normally. Taking our border collie/red heeler for a walk is a dream now.
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Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
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Dawn
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posted November 07, 2003 02:09 PM
The absolute only way that a choke chain is harmful or abusive is if it's misused.
Posts: 428 | Registered: Nov 2002
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Freckles
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posted November 07, 2003 04:44 PM
I think "misused" is the key word. I have seen so many frustrated pet owners start yanking and jerking....it is not a perfect world and prevention is better than cure.
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Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
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fullhouse9873
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posted November 07, 2003 11:06 PM
I really like using the choke chains when training my dog, but I agree - they do need to be used properly. Too many times you see a dog walking his owners down the street - choking himself with the collar. It's people like this that give using them a bad rap. I've used the halti before - when I was working with a big, strong-willed, stuborn dog. If I gave him a correction with that - it didn't phase him. Once I used the choke chain - all I needed was a simple correction - and it seemed to get through to him. I think a big part is you need to find out what works best for your dog. I haven't really had to use a choke chain on my pup yet - he responds to verbal corrections - but that may change as he gets older.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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KiKi
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posted November 09, 2003 09:25 AM
The 'Gentle Leader' is the only way to go. I've had both of my German Shepherds in obedience classes and used it successfully. My trainer said she will only allow the 'Gentle Leader' to be used in her class. I had absolutly NO CONTROL with anything else. It only took one day for my female to quit pulling and now walks next to me beautifully. Please get one (at any pet store)and have an instructor (found at any petsmart) or vet tech. show you how to fit it. It must be fitted properly for it to work right. It was the best thing I ever did! The nice thing about it; I only had to use it for a couple of weeks and two years later I haven't needed it since. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posts: 18 | From: Aliquippa, PA | Registered: Oct 2003
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