Pulling too much!

Jacko_amz

Hi everyone,

I have a 7month springer spaniel, he's been to puppy training and we have been using a halti to help with his pulling, but my god he's even pulling with this now.

Just got back from a walk that should take half hour but took me hour and half, started on his halti and thought I would try him just on his collar and lead doing the stopping when pulled or turning round.

Shall I continue doing this? I've started to suffer with back pain and after today's walk I was in a lot of pain.
Any advice on how you got your dog to walk nicely on a lead? X

Caroline_a

Dogmatic all the way... http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/

Best thing I ever got!

hop3y

We use a Halty. Works great everytime.

Jacko_amz

With the halti he stills pulls though but not as strong.

arbrighton

holding a treat/ interesting thing by your side as you walk and a quick check on the lead if they start to pull/move forwards of you. On and off lead repeatedly on walks.

I think we got lucky with ours though, she's learnt very quickly not to pull

sheramber

I find a harness woth a D ring at the fornt in much more effective.

There are several makes but Dog Ganes is a good one. It has a ring on the back and you can get one on the front as well.

http://dog-games-shop.co.uk/perfect-fit-fleece-dog-harness

Another one is the Premier Easywalk Harness

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Premier-Easy-Walk-Harness-Large/dp/B000BHT5OE

This one only has the ring on the front.

Johnny_Dangerously

I think the key thing here is that you have a springer spaniel. The two breeds I've found the hardest with pulling are springers and dobermans. Both have a very strong nose and are easily distracted by smells.

For my dobey, a halti helps, but it doesn't solve the problem. My recommendation here (as in most things) is approaching it from a few angles:

1 - make sure they are getting plenty of strenuous exercise to get their energy levels down. Ball play is perfect.

2 - setting the scene right from the off. Only allowing the dog out of the door when calm and focused on you. Take as long as it takes for her to give you eye contact

3 - if pulling away from your side, stop and again, no moving until they are back in position AND giving eye contact. Turning around in the opposite direction often works get the message accross, but can mean you have a few really silly walks:)

4 - find a good reward for them when they are focusing on you when walking. For a springer, I'd say a tennis ball will work:) Possibly even allow them to retain the ball while walking in areas of particular distraction, but be careful not to let them keep the ball constantly. It can mask the problem, but could lead to obsessive behaviour.

Personally, with springers, it's all about trying to reel in the crazy nature of the breed. I love them to bits, but they can be nuts:rotfl:

MallyGirl

I use Dogmatics when I walk my 2 Alaskan Malamutes at once. It makes a huge difference to my confidence which I am sure transmits down the leads. One of my dogs is fear reactive and it helps to know I can keep control if we get approached by an off lead dog with no manners.
That being said, they are sled dogs, bred to pull so I expect a certain amount of drive from them. I signed up for that!

Babbawah

If you need a 'device' to train your dog not to pull on a lead then your dog really would be better off with a different trainer.

Katiehound

Babbawah wrote: »

If you need a 'device' to train your dog not to pull on a lead then your dog really would be better off with a different trainer.

Sorry, but that really isn't a very constructive comment. It isn't as if the trainer is with you every hour of the day! Some dogs really enjoy the pulling thing.

I would suggest some really short boring walks up and down the pavement! As soon as your dog pulls you turn and walk the other way and just keep doing that......reward your dog every time it walks nicely, looks up at you etc. Of course you don't have to be in the street to do that- garden, hallway....whatever
Is there a way you can get the dog to let off steam and then do some lead work? I'm thinking like drive to the park for a good run/game first and then lead work.

I know it sounds silly but don't have a halti with an extending lead attached- I've seen that very often! The halti to discourage pulling and the extending lead to do the very opposite.

Here you need to be more determined than the dog- it's worth it in the end

krlyr

Kikopup/Emily Larlham does some fab videos on teaching good lead manners
https://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup/search?query=loose