Walking a difficult dog

elljay

Hello folks, I would be grateful for advice from dogwalkers or others.

A dear friend has been in hospital but is now home though it's going to be a long while until she is fully strong again. To help out I've been taking her dog out during the week and occasionally having her to stay at my house (the dog I mean!). Her husband's there at weekends. The dog's about 3 I think.

This dog is lovely, no idea of breed, sweet-natured, verging on the soppy really, not remotely aggressive ....however...it's completely untrained and unruly! She toilets in the garden ok but doesn't have a trigger word or ask to go out so because I'm watching her constantly I let her out when the timing seems about right. No accidents indoors though.

The worst things are pulling on the lead which is really hard going, and lack of recall. She also has no idea of sitting still to be brushed and has a fairly long curly coat. Jumps around and thinks it's a huge game.

Given that I'm only a temporary carer, has anyone any tips or methods for me while she's staying at mine? Obviously I can't do a proper training programme with her but I do find her quite hard work. For example would it be ok to use a harness when walking her? If so, can anyone recommend one? I've tried carrying nibbles with me so she can have a free run through the fields but it's a bit pot-luck whether she hears me rustling the bag or even returns when she does.

I'm not going to stop helping with her and don't want to say anything to my friend, I can only assume these issues don't bother her and I know the husband takes the dog out for long walks over the moors at weekends so probably doesn't use a lead much or worry about the dog running off.

Any advice please? I've had my own dogs in the past and while not perfect, these were things they were trained in early on.

Thanks - EJ

Red-Squirrel_2

First of all, don’t let the dog off lead if you can’t reliably recall it unless you’re in an entirely enclosed, secure and private area.

Secondly, a Halti headcollar is good for strong pulling dogs as a short term solution.

Thirdly, I see no reason why you can’t do some basic training. Dogs learn really quickly, and if you return the dog better behaved and knowing some basic commands it will make life much easier for your friend as she recovers.

swingaloo

We have a cocker spaniel who is very boisterous. Son walks him on a lead but I found he pulled too much for me, it made walking him a chore rather than fun.

I bought a harness and he does not pull on that at all, its like walking a different dog.
I cant remember where I bought it from but I know it wasn't very expensive (I didn't pay Pets at Home price).

I also have one of those extendable leads so he has enough freedom to sniff around and investigate everything without me worrying about him coming back. He is very good at coming back but as with everything he does it in his own time!

Katiehound

If you are keeping her for a while I would be inclined to teach a trigger word for house training purposes.I've trained 3 adult dogs (2-3 years old) in recent years and in a couple of weeks the words are understood. My dogs don't ask to go out but I usually anticipate their actions!
I remember reading about someone who taught their dog to ring a bell at the door when they wanted to go out- now that was clever!

Actually a proper harness can make a dog pull even more as it gives them confidence.
I've heard good reports on a 'Gentle Leader' head collar

elljay

Thank you so much all, I shall go shopping for one of the harnesses you recommend. Any thoughts on the best source? As you say, pets at home is expensive. She does have an extending lead but as soon as she has it on she's off to the far end of it and pulling, it seems to be an instant reaction to having a lead on.

I've also started using a trigger word for toileting but it's early days yet, however I've never had messes in the house, as you say, it's not hard to anticipate and the door is open most of the time so she can get out whenever she wants. Sleeps all night so I think this is the least important issue.

I think the recall is going to be difficult, luckily I have a big well fenced garden so she (we!) get lots of exercise chasing balls etc around but I'd love to take her for long walks.

Will follow up the suggestions, really grateful, thanks.

EJ

candygirl

I use the Sporn harnesses of Amazon. They work really well, even with my crazy Staffie barrels:D You are a fantastic friend for doing this x

Fire_Fox

Consider a Victoria Stilwell It's Me or the Dog any episode/ any series/ box set binge.

And lots of good-dog karma for being a brilliant friend!

sheramber

I prefer a long line to a flexi lead. A dog pulls to extend the lead to learns to pull .

A long line is loose so the dog doesn't associate pulling with getting somewhere. It is also easier to hold securely. Use a normal fixed lead to get to the exercise area and then swop when you want to give him more freedom.

Start training a recall when she is in the garden. all her and reward her and le her go again so she doesn't associate coming with the fun ending.

Ue every opportunity to call her- come and get your lead on, come and get your dinner. These are high value rewards for coming. t other times use very high value treats and keep them for recalls so they are 'special'. I find using a whistle for recall works with 'diifficult' dogs.

I train it in the garden first and only start ti use it outside when it is perfect in the garden/house. The dog comes 10 times out of 10.

Use it with the extending lead/ long line outside before trying it off lead.

A boisterous dog is often calmer with something to think about so make your walks interesting-play hide and seek by dodging behind bushes or trees and letting him find you. Have a party when he does. Change direction so you are unpredictable rather always walking in a straight line fromA to B.

Choose a time when he is tired to brush him and only do a couple of strokes then reward and release. Gradually build up the number of strokes.

For street walking I prefer a harness with a chest ring as , if the dog pulls he is turned round to face you rather than gaining ground.

But or use with a lead extended you need one with the ring on the back. Using a extending lead running out or a long line on a collar can lead to throat or neck injury.

Katiehound

For recall have the most delicious treats known to dogs! I have home made sardine flapjack!
You could just practice recall in the garden.
Call, treat, lots of praise, act silly. Sometimes clip on the lead, other times don't- keep the dog guessing.Make it a game. To be truthful I would rather have a dog exercised in a safe garden than the risk of not returning out in the big wide world.

An extending lead doesn't really help with slack lead work- it encourages a dog to pull- therefore you can't use it with any kind of training harness.

Give yourself a big treat!

Training ideas are on Dogs Trust website. Sometimes brain training is as much exercise as running- scent work, hiding sausages under flower pots etc.