| Lady T
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I know that a lot of members here have dogs so I'm hoping that someone can give me some goood advice.
I have an almost 1 year old lab. I recently started taking him for walks. I should say he takes me for walks because he pulls and tugs on the leash like crazy. If he spots a rabbit, another dog (this neighborhood is FULL of both), and sometimes people, he goes absolutely crazy trying to break out after it. Although he is still a puppy, he weighs over 60 pounds and is getting hard to handle.
I really thought training him to walk would be easy. Afterall, potty training him was a snap. He also learned to sit, lie down, speak, beg, stay, shake hands, fetch, etc. EXTREMELY quickly...like 2 weeks quick.
Most of the advice I've found online says to stop abruptly when the dog starts to pull and not continue until he calms down. Well I tried this and after 2 weeks, we still could not go 4 or 5 steps without stopping. It would take us nearly 2 hours to walk half a mile.
I've also tried the clicker method, but as soon as the treats ran out, he went right on back to pulling.
A neighbor told me about choke chains, but I've been reading where this is somewhat inhumane to the animals.
I don't know what else to do. I love my dog, but this is getting REALLY unbearable. I was told to start training him early not to pull and I feel like time is running out. If he is this uncontrollable now, I can't imagine what it'll be like later on down the road. Help! |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:52 am |
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| toese
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| Have you used the Gentel Leader?? That helped my lab but I do know what you mean about them pulling. |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 5:06 am |
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| Lady T
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toese wrote: Have you used the Gentel Leader?? That helped my lab but I do know what you mean about them pulling.
I've never heard of that so I went and looked it up on petco.com. It has some good reviews. I know he won't like it though. I can already see him trying to take it off. He's a fiesty little booger! I am seriously thinking about giving it a try, though. The funny looks we get from people because he's gasping for breath and making choking sounds is really embarrassing. Thank you so much! |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:08 am |
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| toese
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| You should have seen my lab wearing it. He hated it and tried to take it off but then they get used to it. It really helps with the pulling though. |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:25 pm |
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| ladybugnessa
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Bagel and Hannah were both pullers. I put them on PRONG COLLARS and it really helps. it's all in the placement of them. you want them HIGH on the throat with the top JUST behind their ears. NO pulling.... trust me.
now we've switched back to martingale collars and while bagel will pull now and again he's easily corrected. Hannah really just can't help it and will pull and pull and pull... |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:37 pm |
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| ljmusicmom
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I have a 1-year-old shepherd mix, and she's much like your dog. The Gentle Leader/Halti works wonders! She's totally fine walking with that on. Just make sure you read the directions/watch the DVD that comes with it so you fit it correctly. It puts pressue on the back of their heads rather than on the neck (which they'll keep pulling against), so they stop pulling pretty quickly. Cypress is 60 pounds, too, so it should work well for your pup, too!
One bit of advice ... check your local hardware store for them before going to Petco or wherever ... our local Menards (like Home Depot, etc.) carries them, and they're substantially cheaper than at the petstores.
Good luck!
Laura |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:50 pm |
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| oldpjams
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| We had good luck with Gentle Leaders on a couple of dogs. Be careful not to make it into a crutch -- use it for too long and it can be difficult to get them to walk well without one, in my experience. Have you thought about an obedience class or an in-home trainer? They can get you off in a better direction, so to speak. |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:19 pm |
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| Lady T
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toese,
Another problem that I'll have is getting it on. But if it'll help, I'm definitely looking into it today! He'll just have to learn to get used to it if he wants to walk.
Nessa,
Are you talking about something like this?
I heard that the placement of those have to be just right. I'm so afraid I wouldn't know how to place it correctly. I really don't to cause the little fella any pain.
Laura,
We have a Menards here! Thank you so much for the advice. I think I'll check 'em out today!
Jams,
I have thought about an obedience class, but they are terribly expensive in this area. There's only place that does it. Since they have no competition they charge an arm and a leg.
Wow! Thanks for the help guys! |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:21 pm |
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| ladybugnessa
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yeah those are the ones... if you get it high behind their ears and up off their throat (which when properly sized is the ONLY place it will fit) it works
they also make CAPS for the prongs if you are afraid. My dogs used them without prong caps... |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:23 pm |
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| determination
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| My sister uses that type of choker on her boxer mix. She is a high energy dog. She chases birds, they make her crazy. My sis will command Aida to sit and stay when this happens. She's a Dog Whisperer fan and has Ceaser's book. It takes a lot of patience and repetition to get the dog to obey but I do see progress. Sometimes it's just a test of wills and time..eventually they outgrow the puppy stag. A dog should not lead you, it is showing the dog they are the "master" not you. A dog should walk along side you. You are the leader of the pack. Just remember to stay calm & assertive. A dog can sense you emotions, if you are depressed and down do not go to your dog for comfort, they do not understand and only see this as a sign of weakness & that you are showing them they are the leader. |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 5:15 pm |
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| LegalBeagle
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Another vote for the Gentle Leader!
I've also used the micro pinch (prong) collar you showed, but it needs to be fitted by a professional trainer or you can really hurt your dog. |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:03 pm |
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| ladybugnessa
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LegalBeagle wrote: Another vote for the Gentle Leader!
I've also used the micro pinch (prong) collar you showed, but it needs to be fitted by a professional trainer or you can really hurt your dog.
yep i know that's how I learned about mine... she even has her's specially made with lobster claw catches much easier to use. |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 6:09 pm |
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| LightWolf
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I've done rescue work with German Shepherds and they're about the most hard headed dogs you'd ever meet. I had one that even the prong collar didn't work on! If you get it properly fitted and learn how to use it it might work, but I would lean towards obedience classes...so much more than just obedience! Do you have a Petsmart anywhere near you? They offer obedience classes and they're not too outrageous for classes. Short of that...the Gentle Leader is also another good choice, but make sure it's on right, I've seen dogs shake right out of them.
Good Luck! |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:04 pm |
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| toese
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| I tried those choker things when I had my doberman and it didn't work at all. He still pulled my arm out of my socket. :evil: |
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Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:31 pm |
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| ladybugnessa
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| I do want to stress that my use of a prong collar was used in conjuction with bi-weekly long term professional training. |
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Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:36 am |
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