Story is pulling again!
Hi all! Story is almost 8 months old now, and has been fabulous through 3 obedience classes. I had her pulling under control by using a non-pull harness, (has a loop around each front leg, leash attaches between shoulder blades and tightens when she pulls) but she hated having it put on. When she saw me pull out the harness and leash she was NOT excited to go for a walk, so I would have to trick her into it (hate that!). Her trainer recommended an Easy Walker harness instead, which attaches at the breast bone and pulls the shoulder blades together front the front. Yuck, she hated that one even worse and would lay down on her walks. I went back to the other harness and she would hunch her back when I put it on her, clearly telling me that something was not comfy. I put her in a martingale collar for walks, and she is happy, happy about her walks again BUT she is pulling like a sled dog. I went back to basics, changing direction, stopping when she pulls, using lures to keep her attention, etc. and nothing has worked. I googled the fitting of the collar and am certain that it is adjusted correctly. She was lovely to walk in the first Non-Pull harness I put her in, once she got over the stress of having in put on. The fit appeared to be great, but I wonder if the metal ring at the top pulled on her hair. I'd appreciate your expertise and suggestions, thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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What I did is teach heel off-leash. Pulling can be self-rewarding for some dogs and hard to stop with the leash.
I started in my basement, but any large indoor space will do. I used a treat as a lure to keep the dog at heel position. Use the lure, treat often. When the dog is walking correctly, say "heel" and treat. Change direction, make the dog get used to focusing on you.
After a few days of this, then fade the lure and ask the dog to "heel" without the lure. Still treat often for correct response. Since you are inside, the dog will probably follow you closely because there are no distractions.
Once the puppy is heeling well without a leash, then snap a leash to the collar but let it drag on the ground. Say "heel" and treat often. Then progress to picking up the leash. The leash should stay slack because the dog is already heeling.
Then you switch to a safe outdoor location with few distractions and start again with no leash, using a treat as a lure. Gradually fade the lure and then go through the other steps (having the pup drag a leash before picking it up.)
If this is not possible because you lack the space, you can alternately "capture" correct behavior by saying "good" or "yes" and rewarding whenever the dog walks next to you.
If puppy is home and confined for long periods during the day (as most puppies are since we have to work) then it is not realistic to expect them to walk nicely at the beginning of a walk: too much pent-up energy. But later in the walk you can start asking for better behavior.
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Permalink Reply by Tomi and Story on
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Thanks for that reminder, Beth! We did a lot of the off leash heel in her last obedience class, but it just hasn't transferred to our walk, so she really needs more practice. I took Story into school with me today since only a couple of people would be there, we practiced heel off leash in the halls and on the playground, she was so good! She is not confined during the day, in fact she gets to play with another dog at Grandma's on most work days, but I'll take your advice and wear her down a bit and practice some off leash heel before we go on our walk tomorrow. Thanks again!
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Don't be afraid to use a treat as a lure on walks to get her attention and remind her of what she's supposed to do. You can then fade away the lure over time.
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I always have my treat bag, lately it's been harder to keep her attention with the treats on walks (training at home is not an issue). There are some treats (Blue Buffalo, I think) that I called "puppy crack" because she would do ANYTHING for it! Then it was the jerky, but she's grown bored with that. I need to find another 'high value' treat to alternate. I try to stick to either organic (jerky) or corn/wheat/soy free. Do your babies have any favorites you would suggest?
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Permalink Reply by Bogart the Cardigan on
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The person teaching our beginner obedience class at PetSmart fitted Bogart with a harness on the second day, I just looked at the tag - Sporn. He doesn't mind it at all, and lets me put it on without fuss. However, he is still pulling and I think it will take a lot of continued hard work to get him to stop. He is also 8 months old. The worst time is when we are approaching the dog park, he pulls like a sled dog!
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Thanks! I looked that one up and it looks very much like one of the ones she doesn't like. I ordered one last night from 2 hounds design, so I'll see how it works! I'm also going to work on the off leash heel, like Beth mentioned. Thanks for your advice!
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Permalink Reply by Nora on
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Try what everybody else recommended. If nothing improved, I would try Gentle Leader head halter.
I had Easy Walk harness early when I started to take her out for a walk. But I didn't feel it actually worked, but she didn't mind the harness though. Then the trainer I went suggested Gentle Leader, which not only works for no-pulling, but also keeps the dog calm in a distracted environment. At the beginning, I disliked the way the halter was on my dog's cute face and hesitated. But the pup was hyper and hard to control, so I decided to give a try --- IT WOKRED WONDER! As long as the halter in on, we almost have trouble free on walks or else.
However, the reason I said try something else then the halter is that the halter requires more work from YOU. If I could start over again, I would shape the dog to like the halter much longer so that she likes to be put on. (I rushed to put it on. Even though I know how to stop her fighting it and she doesn't fight it now,it would be so much better to make her like it from the beginning) when your dog walks on halter like a pro for a long time, you need to decide whether it is time to fade the halter --- which might take a year to do it...
Again, every dog is different, so is the human. Your dog might not need it. If you would like to know more, I could give you some more details. Good luck!
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Thanks! I went back to the first non-pull harness for now and worked on the off-leash heel today, like Beth advised. I will keep the halter in mind for the future, thanks for sharing your info! I see what you mean about not wanting to hide the adorable Corgi face, LOL!!
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