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Law1 min ago
how can i stop my dog pulling the lead
15 Answers
when i walk my 17 month old springer spaniel she constantly pulls on the lead, does anyone have any tips on how to stop her from doing this. many thanks.
Answers
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Try using a Halti, which put on over her face and head and changes the point of control from the muscular shoulders, to the head, which is pulled to one side if she starts to pull.
Very safe, very effective and not particularly expensive - you can pick them up in most pet shops, just be sure to buy the correct size. You'll find at first she'll complain and try to claw the Halti off and will not want to walk, but this shortly goes. We've used one on our dog for years- he pulls like a train without it and can be handled with practically one finger with it.
Very safe, very effective and not particularly expensive - you can pick them up in most pet shops, just be sure to buy the correct size. You'll find at first she'll complain and try to claw the Halti off and will not want to walk, but this shortly goes. We've used one on our dog for years- he pulls like a train without it and can be handled with practically one finger with it.
Hi lauraking 72,
my Collie pulls badly on the lead, we had to get a Halti because he was literally choking himself (proof that if people use a choke chain on their dog it doesn't work, because they pull regardless). It controls their head so they can't pull against it, although Jack still tries!
He pulls because I didn't lead-train him enough; he was my first dog so I was a bit naive. There are a number of techniques you can try once you are able to control her better with the Halti, for example holding the lead across your body and with your other hand as close as is comfortable for you and your dog walking her to heel, using a command and praise.
She won't like the Halti at first, as scubadiver says, and it might be wise to buy the attachment from the halti to her collar so if she slips the harness she won't escape. Sometimes the attachment is supplied with the Halti.
There are other head-collars available that attach at the top. I am looking for one of tyhese because Jack still pulls hard enough that the Halti ends up scrunching his eye up!
Bit of a ramble, sorry, but hope that's of use. Good luck :)
Lisa x
my Collie pulls badly on the lead, we had to get a Halti because he was literally choking himself (proof that if people use a choke chain on their dog it doesn't work, because they pull regardless). It controls their head so they can't pull against it, although Jack still tries!
He pulls because I didn't lead-train him enough; he was my first dog so I was a bit naive. There are a number of techniques you can try once you are able to control her better with the Halti, for example holding the lead across your body and with your other hand as close as is comfortable for you and your dog walking her to heel, using a command and praise.
She won't like the Halti at first, as scubadiver says, and it might be wise to buy the attachment from the halti to her collar so if she slips the harness she won't escape. Sometimes the attachment is supplied with the Halti.
There are other head-collars available that attach at the top. I am looking for one of tyhese because Jack still pulls hard enough that the Halti ends up scrunching his eye up!
Bit of a ramble, sorry, but hope that's of use. Good luck :)
Lisa x
The dogmatic headcollar is similar to a halti but does not ride up into their eyes.
http://www.dogmatic.org.uk
I also prevent a halti riding up by cliping the lead to the collar first, then through the ring on the halti.
http://www.dogmatic.org.uk
I also prevent a halti riding up by cliping the lead to the collar first, then through the ring on the halti.
If you have never used a choke chain how do you know it won't stop him pulling? On certain dogs, used CORRECTLY they do the job without harming the dog. It is better to teach them not to pull than to let them keep pulling and maybe damage their neck or shoulders.
Haltis do the job while the dog is wearing them, but as previously said, they do not teach them not to pull. As soon as you take them off they pull again.
I prefer a combi collar, (often called a half check) which is part nylon collar part chain, and it cannot tighten any more than you have adjusted the chain part. Much better in novice hands than a full choke chain (which incidentally should be called a check chain, as they only choke if put on the wrong way round. Used properly they release when the dog is in the correct position i.e. not pulling).
With the combi collar, if you bring the dog back to your side each time she pulls or turn to go the opposite way each time she pulls she will soon learn. Use lots of praise so she listens to you as you are walking and put in lots of 'sits' which keeps her attention on you. Lots of titbits will also keep her mind on you.
Why not enrol for a dog training class, they will help you to teach her to stop pulling.
Haltis do the job while the dog is wearing them, but as previously said, they do not teach them not to pull. As soon as you take them off they pull again.
I prefer a combi collar, (often called a half check) which is part nylon collar part chain, and it cannot tighten any more than you have adjusted the chain part. Much better in novice hands than a full choke chain (which incidentally should be called a check chain, as they only choke if put on the wrong way round. Used properly they release when the dog is in the correct position i.e. not pulling).
With the combi collar, if you bring the dog back to your side each time she pulls or turn to go the opposite way each time she pulls she will soon learn. Use lots of praise so she listens to you as you are walking and put in lots of 'sits' which keeps her attention on you. Lots of titbits will also keep her mind on you.
Why not enrol for a dog training class, they will help you to teach her to stop pulling.
My rescued shepherd pulled luke a train after we got him and a halti did stop him pulling me over but didnt cure the basic broblem. We used the stop and turn method ot the stop and wait method. If the dog slightly takes the slack on the lead you stop and turn to go the other way hense he is always following you. You may only get 5 yards from the gate at first but persevere he will learn that if he doesnt pull you will actually get somewhere. It worked a treat now we ditched the halti. If he pulls now only a couple of changes of direction remind him who is taking who out.
This didnt work with the lab as she thought it was a great game running round in circles. We simply stop wait for her to come back treat her and keep walking. Again only 2 steps and you stop again but they get the idea with perseverence.
Both walk great now. A tip is to tell your neighbours you are not turning into a peeping tom or a nutter. Another one is not to try to do too much at once. If you only get 10 yards dont worry little and often is the key .STAY CALM
This didnt work with the lab as she thought it was a great game running round in circles. We simply stop wait for her to come back treat her and keep walking. Again only 2 steps and you stop again but they get the idea with perseverence.
Both walk great now. A tip is to tell your neighbours you are not turning into a peeping tom or a nutter. Another one is not to try to do too much at once. If you only get 10 yards dont worry little and often is the key .STAY CALM
Firstly, springers aren't really "designed" to be on leads. They want to "get amonst it"....flush out the birds etc.
But they will learn and they'll learn quick if you're prepeared to be patient and persevere. I've now got my 3 year old springer walking to and from the park without a lead and to absolute heal. Yet my wife can't take him out unless he has a halti on.
But they will learn and they'll learn quick if you're prepeared to be patient and persevere. I've now got my 3 year old springer walking to and from the park without a lead and to absolute heal. Yet my wife can't take him out unless he has a halti on.
winny you beat me to it as my reply is very similar but i shall place it anyhow as i tried earlier from work and for some reason got web marshalled..Hi Laura, i have a 7 mnth old cocker who would drag me down the street should i let him, but after 3 weeks at dog training he is beginning to learn not to pull and the training session always tires him(mentally i think) so its worth it for that reason alone. He will now trot along nicely beside me whilst drooling at the treat i have in my hand, then after about ten steps he gets the treat and lots and lots of praise. It takes a lot of practice and patience, but its worth it to have a dog that is a pleasure to walk.
As soon as he starts to pull then quickly change direction, then should he pull again then swiftly turn again. You may not get very far on your walks for the first few times, and your neighbours may have you sectioned but your dog will soon learn if she wants to get anywhere she will have to stop pulling. If she is anything like our cocker she will be very much food orientated and will do anything for a tasty nibble. Good luck and happy walking.
As soon as he starts to pull then quickly change direction, then should he pull again then swiftly turn again. You may not get very far on your walks for the first few times, and your neighbours may have you sectioned but your dog will soon learn if she wants to get anywhere she will have to stop pulling. If she is anything like our cocker she will be very much food orientated and will do anything for a tasty nibble. Good luck and happy walking.
Basically the problem is that the dog has never been told that it is not ok to pull. They have no reason to walk to heel, but if you 'explain' to them what you want, they will soon realise and say, 'why didn't you say that in the first place!'
Whenever people complain their dog pulls them, you never see them trying to do anything about it, they just let the dog drag them along, so the dog carries on dragging them, and they allow it to. Dogs are not born knowing how to walk on a lead. They want to go for a walk, to the park or wherever and will try to get there as soon as they can.
You must show them what you want, and this should ideally start as soon as you put a lead on them.
This is where is feel show ring training has the edge over pet dog training, as most people only take their dogs to classes when they are having a problem. With show training, the pups are not allowed to pull in the first place, they are encouraged to walk or trot alongside their handlers and are given praise and titbits when they do it right.
Whenever people complain their dog pulls them, you never see them trying to do anything about it, they just let the dog drag them along, so the dog carries on dragging them, and they allow it to. Dogs are not born knowing how to walk on a lead. They want to go for a walk, to the park or wherever and will try to get there as soon as they can.
You must show them what you want, and this should ideally start as soon as you put a lead on them.
This is where is feel show ring training has the edge over pet dog training, as most people only take their dogs to classes when they are having a problem. With show training, the pups are not allowed to pull in the first place, they are encouraged to walk or trot alongside their handlers and are given praise and titbits when they do it right.
Use a choke chain lead and have it positioned right up to the upper part of the dog's neck (no lower) then you have more control with the dog. When you are walking you must be relaxed and very calm because the dog can sense this, when she starts to pull jerk the lead gently (this part of the neck is delicate) and make a aloud shh noise then release the lead. Your dog must walk beside or behind you but not in front. You are the leader and dog is the follower. Good luck.
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