August 31st, 2009
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If your dog is a puller, don’t let him pull you! As he attempts to pull you, don’t let your arm extend all the way out, which is enabling him to pull. Keep your elbow bent and tucked in, and when he starts to pull, don’t let the elbow straighten and pull back. If this is done enough times, it should help… it may not eliminate the pulling, but the dog will not pull as hard. |
my dog is definetly a puller. i have a weight pulling harness for him.before i moved back to mn iv’e been to several weight pull compitions .but to combat your particular dog pulling problem a good prong collar or shock collar would work just fine.
I learned that you should stop walking when the dog starts pulling. After a while, the dog realizes he does not get very far with this behavior and stops pulling. Works pretty well.
You can also touch the dog – gently, please – with your finger on the ribs area. Dogs correct themselves by touching each other with the teeth. The finger touch works the same way, and it is subtle, sound and humane.
Daniela Caride
http://www.TheDailyTail.com
I learned that you should stop walking when the dog starts pulling. After a while, the dog realizes he does not get very far with this behavior and stops pulling. Works pretty well.
You can also touch the dog – gently, please – with your finger on the ribs area. Dogs correct themselves by touching each other with the teeth. The finger touch works the same way, and it is subtle, sound and humane.
Daniela Caride
TheDailyTail.com
A gentle leader or halti helps too!
Yes – its true. A good prong or shock collar can be used to control pulling in dogs. Here’s a cheaper alternative: go find a good stick, and consistently everytime your dog pulls, give him a good whack with it. The effect is pretty much the same. Why one is considered normal, while the other will probably earn you a visit from the SPCA is an enduring mystery.
As another alternative, try looking into (humanely) training your dog to walk on a loose leash! If your shoulders need a break during the training process (absolutely the case with my rescued Malamute and I!), then a gentle leader/halti can be invaluable. One caution though – If the dog bolts after, say, a squirrel or something while using this hardware, they can really hurt their neck. If this might be a problem (as with my Mal!), the Easy Walk Harness is also reasonably effective a mitigating pulling behaviour while you work on the actual behaviour modification.
I am sorry but you need not shock, hit with a stick or a weight harness to train your dog to not pull. Daniela had it right. It took me 1 month to start my Lab. to go around the block. The block takes about 8 minutes max and the first time it took me 45 minutes. Every time she pulled I stopped and then started watching Cesar Millan. Pull the leash to the side. You don’t need a 6′ leash either. I’ve found a 1′ leash is plenty unless you have a little dog. The longer the leash the better chance of your dog pulling. Makes sense guys don’t you think. After the month was up I could walk my beautiful lab anywhere and she was right by my side. Its called a lot of time and patience. After the training then the fun of walking your dog begins. I now have a 2 year old puppy lab mix. We just got back from our daily walk and she was right at my side. Remember a dog only does what we let them do. We have to be the smart ones and you don’t need to hit or shock a dog to make them mind. Remember they depend on us. We need to be passionate to them too. Unconditional love. Who could ask for more. Thank you.
With a dog that pulls I find it helps to turn the dog in a tight cirlcle with you to the right on a short lead. This makes it impossible for the dog to get ahead.
You guys are really funny..esp the response to the prong collar..i absolutely agree..If youd invest the patience and time..and money into proper training and communication there would be no need for the collars that crush the windpipes of our pets..
many times its us that cause the dog to pull with too long leashes,harness that encourage,and tension during a walk..the more you walk the easier the walk becomes..
uh..if you keep your dog unsocialized then suddenly notice that its only 75 degrees and a nice night to show off your puppy…its gonna pull..you down the street..in its excitement…at freedom from cabin fever…haha
I have found Cesar Milan’s philosophy of positioning yourself as the leader to be extremely easy, natural, and effective. Just hold the leash so the the dog is walking behind you on a very short but loose leash, no tension, and block him with your leg if he tries to move in front. Try it: it works! In a very short time (sometimes 10 minutes) he’s content to trot along behind or at your leg with just a gentle reminder (slight tug or verbal command) if he starts to forge ahead.
Some dog trainers say that when your dog pulls, you should stop and stand still until he releases the tension. I tried it and it worked great. My dog no longer pulls, because he knows that if he does, we will stop and it will take longer to get where he wants to be. Some say that each time the dog pulls, you should turn around and walk the other way. Sounds good, too.
Thsi is what I am working on right now. Correcting my rescue shih tzu from pulling like a sled dog and stopping every few feet to smell. Driving me nuts! Am going to put in the time and take advantage of this good advice and get a good walking dog. Thanks!
Here are two great videos showing how to train loose leash walking behavior with positive training, one using treats and one using a toy.
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