Leash Issues

So when walking Martin (for those who don't know a min pin) He is constantly DRAGGING me around....He is sooo strong for a little guy and i am tired of running behind him.

what should i do?

Re: Leash Issues

Did you try a harness on him?

Re: Leash Issues

omg thats so funny!
yes i was going to ask the same thing. are you using a harness rather than a collar???
it makes a BIG difference.
also, if he's running so far ahead he may be choking all the time? (if on a collar). a harness will help fix this too.

Re: Leash Issues

i use a collar but he will be just as strong in the pulling with the harness

but you are right...i will switch

Re: Leash Issues

I can totally relate - Bama is only 50 lbs but he's a stong little guy! He used to drag me, until I learned that I needed to walk HIM instead of letting him walk ME. So what you do is everytime he pulls, walk in the other direction and make him follow you. Do this constantly. With Bama I also make him sit and stay whenever he pulls (after yelling "NOPE!"). I make him sit there for a little while, then I say, "ok, let's go" and start walking. That teaches him that everytime he pulls, he gets stuck sitting still and not getting to go anywhere. (I kept him on a very short leash when doing this, so I could make him stop and sit right away).
It took a bunch of times doing this, but it worked! I still haven't been able to get him to walk right next to me; he still walks out in front of me, but at least he doesn't pull anymore (except for when he sees a bird or a cat)

Message edited 5/11/2005 2:14:57 PM.

Re: Leash Issues

I gave up on teaching Cosmo to walk with me. He's a 100 pound lab who drags my 230 pound husband around so I'm not even trying LOL!!!!

We go outside and throw the ball around and run around the yard. Some days he goes to my in-laws and plays there with their doggie. That is how he gets his exercise :)

Re: Leash Issues

I'm sure I will get a comment about my answer, but I will give it to you anyway. Get a prong collar - our trainer recommends them for all dogs and I am not a firm believer in it. I have a 6 month old Lab puppy, and although she wasn't terrible with pulling - well unless there was another person or dog in site, she needed some work. I read up about them on line, and although they look like a midevil torture device, they are very humane. Regardless, it nips the pulling thing in the bud. The first time out, we had the MOST enjoyable walk ever. FM me if you want more info.

Re: Leash Issues

DML.... her dog is a TOY breed. She should only use a prong collar on him if she wants him to die! He is a small dog. Strong, but small nonetheless. She should def NOT use one on him. He is too small for that. Only bigger breeds can handle one of those.

Re: Leash Issues

They make the collars in all different sizes for different size dogs. I've seen them on maltesse dogs and other toy breeds - again, it is a suggestion.

Re: Leash Issues

Definitely switch to a harness so he doesnt damage his trachea and maybe a little "heel" training with treats?

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Re: Leash Issues

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the harness will make a big difference

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I used something called a Halti that worked WONDERS with my dog. Sometimes it is called a Gentle Leader.

It is humane, no prongy things, like a body halter but not. Check out these links:



Idaho Humane Society head-halter link

US Humane Society on halters

Dog trainers on halters (scorll down a bit)

Message edited 5/14/2005 2:56:34 PM.

Re: Leash Issues

use a harness, and one of those leashes that are short, and not the ones that wind up.
We felft with the shorter leashe we could have better control of Tiger.