Leash training
My question is if any of you have any suggestion in how to train my 4 months old puppy not to pull the leash while on walking. He´s getting bigger and stronger and it´s becoming harder for me to control him. He knows the command sit but he doensn´t obbey when we are outdoors and there´s extrange people there (specially kids). Sometimes he can´t breath well but he won´t stop pulling  . Suggestions? thanks! |
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| My suggestion for leash training although it sounds a bit opposite of what is expected would be to use a long leash (I use a 20 ft. close line sometimes). My goal is to get the dog to pay attention to me and to avoid the pulling. I use an open space and use a general command like "with me." I work to gain the pups attention and then to keep it. In an open space I walk and as soon as it seems the pup isn't attending I turn and go in the opposite direction giving the with me command. If the pup follows the command praise is given if the pup reaches the end of the line it recieves a correction. If the pup is successful with this length I shorten the leash maybe to 15 then 10 then six. I repeat the same drill. No formal obedience. I do not expect the pup to walk right next to me. A command can be introduced later i.e. heal for that I do expect that the leash never get tight. Even with my pup now 18 mo. I warm up before a walk or traiing class ith a longer leash just to get her in the habbit of attending and listening to my voice.
I do use a different type of collar which I can get into in another message if you like. But I really work on "manners" with my OES so when we are in with a bunch of kids she knows "wait" "with me" and the command "easy" which is a word I taught her that means quit being so hyper and I have found these simple words to be a life saver and a good start when we did start formal obedience. Good luck  |
Thank you Jessica. Could you explain more about the different type of collar you mentioned in your post? And if you can about the command easy too. Thanks a lot!  |
| No problem.
I have trained dogs for a number of years now. I have used the pinch collar and choke chain up until now. However, these in my experience provided to rough of a correction (as in the pinch collar---what mother dog is able to get her entire mouth around her pups neck and bite down?) or a delayed correction entirely up to me to deliver. Now I use what is called a Q-Collar. http://quansaqcollar.com/ This web site talks a lot about it. Basicly, you take a regular flat collar and slip a 3 or 4 inch "Q" on it. It is in the shape of a dog bone made out of some type of plastic and has small plastic prongs on the back. When using this type of training collar you have to also use a second flat collar. The correction comes when the two collars are pulled apart. To end the correction the dog must end or change the behavior. So when I talk about two collars then there are also 2 leashes or lines. Typically when first beginning, one line is anchored to a stationary object (stake in the ground or maybe a 25 pound weight if that is enough for your pup not to pull The correction comes when you pull on your leash because the two collars are now being pulled apart.
Once you have this set up, "easy" is the first and easiest command to teach. Use a simpel word like let's go or with me or come on....doesn't really matter and walk in a circle around your stationary object. Use a leash long enough to allow your dog not to be right up next to use. When the dog tries to get close give the command "easy" and pull on the leash giving a correction. If the dog is fighting you give the command "easy" until the dog stops fighting you. I use the word "easy" now all the time. I have her drag a leash around the house and if she is excited when some one comes to the door, I simply step on the leash and give the command...if she attempts to jump she corrects her self as I have used my foot as the stationary object. I would recomend checking out the web site. There is also a discussion forum on the web site. I have found this very helpful when questions come up. I would recomend posting your question on that discussion as well to get some more situation specific advice from people who have used this training style for a while now. |
| Hi, my OES pulled alot on her leash as well when she was young and my arm and shoulder would ache within 10 mins of our walk. This really concerned me when my mom and dad were going to be looking after her for a couple of weeks while I was away with work. I started looking into different kinds of harness to see what would be best. I very reluctantly went for a head harness in the end called a "Halti". I thought I'd never use it myself but to get her used to it for my parents. However, I was amazed at how effective it was and how quickly my OES got used to it, literaly within 15 mins!
The Halti harness has been designed in such a way as to allow the dog to open their mouth fully therefore not restricting their breathing and the straps are low so they do not cover or pull on their eyes. The leash clips under the lower jaw, just like a horses harness. This gives you far greater control over your dog with a lot less effort (it's much easier to gently turn her head than to pull against her neck, close to her shoulders, where her greatest body strength is). If the dog starts pulling all you need to do is gently pull the leash upward, this tightens the harness closeing the mouth which causes the dog (normally) to slow down. As soon as the dog slows down the harness releases its self and the dog can open her mouth as before. I have now been using the Halti harness for over a year and have found it to work wonderfully. I don't go anywhere without it! My OES (now 2 years old) walks to my heal without pulling (most of the time) when on her leash. I have also worked with her to walk to heal without the leash when given the command and feel that this has helped too. With each Halti harness you recieve a little training book which gives a web site (www.companyofanimals.co.uk) and an e-mail (behaviour@companyofanimals.co.uk). I highly recomend you cheak it out. I have found the 'Halti' invaluable in my dogs training, and no more sore arms!  |
| hi! since your oes is still a baby puppy, try this to encourage staying with you...hook the leash onto a regular collar...not a choke, halti, etc., just a regular collar. then, tie the other end to your belt loop and go about your business. do this in the house for short sessions, about 10 mins. at a time one or a few times a day. do not give commands or touch the leash. your baby will quickly understand that he needs to pay attention to you and what you are doing. i did this with matie and she is very attentive. she pulls sometimes outside to chase a bird, etc. but i walk her with a choker and give a firm correction if she pulls. it's not too often anymore. also, try to find a puppy class in your area. 4 months is not too young to start. they still have to go through the "teen years" but it's much easier if they have the basics...you can gain a bit of control. good luck! |
| Ok. Thanks everbody! I´m planning of buying him a new collar and also going to try to attach his leash to my belt and see what happens next.... I hope I don´t fall!!! More suggestions welcome!! |
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