leash training

[NamelessZuk]

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.

[Dawn]

What type of collar are you using?

[NamelessZuk]

A nylon collar at first, then we tried a nylon harness. He doesnt choke himself using the harness, but he still pulls.

[Dawn]

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.

[fullhouse9873]

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!

[kmtell]

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.

[fullhouse9873]

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.

[Lou]

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.

[Dawn]

The absolute only way that a choke chain is harmful or abusive is if it's misused.

[Lou]

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.