dog behavior on the leash

[seagirl]

Has anyone got any tips on how to get our 2 year old rescue dog not to pull on the leash? all her other behavior is fine, she comes when called and is generally quite obedient. But on the leash she is a nightmare. Any ideas?

[jules77]

You will have to be 'very' patient.

Dont let her pull, if she does, stop, (use a word like 'with me' or 'heel', whatever you feel comfortable with) and turnaround and walk the other way, keep repeating everytime she pulls. It may be that you dont get further than the end of the road for a week, but if you go for a walk and let her pull in between 'training', you will revert back to square one.

Remember lots of praise when she walks 'to heel', you may find giving her a treat when she walks correctly, or carrying a toy she likes helpful.

It may sound like a long winded exercise, but I know it works. Scolding a dog and yanking the lead is unnecessary, just remember when she pulls, if you turn around and walk in the other direction she isnt getting anywhere, and she will soon learn that if she wants to go for a walk, she has to walk to heel without pulling.

[seagirl]

Many thanks Jules77. I will give it a go and report back

[gallapunk]

jules is spot on seagirl. It will take time, but she will learn. Good luck.

[alfieblue]

jules is def spot on! We had probs with pup pulling on lead - felt as if my arm was going to give way!! Had excell training club and we were advised about the 'turn around
method' - yes - it takes a lot of patience and perserverence - pup didn't know whether he was coming or going! Nor did I for that matter!!! Walkies took a touch longer but not getting very far!!!

However it worked!!!! Plus a treat in the hand usually works. We use the term 'close' for the pup and he is very good now, if he does forget etc we just turn round and walk back a way or sit. Well, pup sits, I sort of hover looking around!

Good luck, you and doggie will be fine.

[eileenb]

its not a border collie by any chance?
nearly all the borders i know insist on lead pulling and walking nearside to walls?? but otherwise are ok off leads.
ps
ours is a border and does exactly the same!

[alfieblue]

Years ago my parents owned a beautifiul border collie. The dog would insist on walking up the road backwards - facing my dad until they reached the woodland then, once off the lead, she was fine!!! Lol! What a character! She never did get out of this habit - seemed happy enough tho! She must have had eyes in the back of her head!!!!

[leelapops]

alfie, that just cracked me up! Our Collie isn't clever enough to walk backwards, bless him...
Ah actually, he is just 'differently clever'...
He walks in zigzags, which I think represent his thought patterns!

I love Collies :)

[alfieblue]

Lol leelapops!!

They are a wonderful breed. So intelligent and such characters! The rounding up of sheep (working collies) always amazes me. I had a collie cross for 15 years - another character - very handsome and i could write a book on his antics!!! He walked up the road sideways like a crab!!!! Ho hum!!!

Got a lovely cocker spaniel now - a youngster and a complete loopy loo!! Lovely nature tho and a right character!!

[seagirl]

Thanks everyone. Hopefully things will get beter. By the way we think she is collie, spaniel, setter cross. That probably explains a lot!

[alfieblue]

Lol!!! Yes, that would explain it!!! Intelligent, and slightly loopy loo on all counts! But lovable, affectionate and a great companion!!!Good luck with the leash training. :o)