Walking your dog

How does your dog do on a leash? I walked Yogi everyday over the summer and he was doing pretty well for the most part. He was pulling but I thought I had broken that habit. Now that it has gotten colder and darker earlier, it is harder to walk him when I get home from work (and I have to leave early in the morning so a walk in the AM would be hard ). The problem we have with him now is that he is pulling like crazy when we walk him. I almost had to drop the leash a few times and he is really starting to hurt my arm. DH and I play with him in our yard everyday (fetch and kicking/running with a soccer ball), but the walking is terrible. Any suggestions on how I could break Yogi of his habit?

DH and I were using a choker collar but it didn't seem to be helping. Yogi was pulling so hard and we thought he was going to hurt himself.

Re: Walking your dog

First bring treats with you on your walk.

Start walking and when he starts to pull stop. You have to let Yogi know you are in control. Stop immediately when he starts to pull , and don't start again right away. You will probably only get a few feet without him pulling. Once he starts to not pull treat him. Tell him he is a good boy while he is walking without pulling, and then stop and treat him.

Eventually he will put together that when he walks without pulling he will get a treat for the good behavior. And when he does pull he does not get to walk.

We did this in our Petsmart classes, hope it works. It takes a lot of patience.

Message edited 11/25/2007 3:05:21 PM.

Re: Walking your dog

We have this problem with Misty...she wants to run and ends up pulling.
I have found the prong collar to work the best. Even with the choke collar she will still pull, but the prongs make her walk nicely. I don't have to use it all the time, but if she starts to pull regularly we use it once or twice and she gets the idea.
I've tried everything else - making her sit when she pulls, treating her, reprimanding, etc. The prong collar is the only thing that consistently works.

Re: Walking your dog

Rudy is horrible on the leash. We tried the walking and stoping thing but honestly it's annoying for me We used the prong collar. Worked then Rudy decided he didn't care if it bothered him

My vet suggested a harnass BEST THING EVER! Like walking a new Dog!

Re: Walking your dog

We use the choke collar for our two boxers, but in the beginnning it wasn't working. You have to make sure your using it correctly- we weren't. When you put it on them make sure it's making a P shape and snap it when he starts to pull. It took a little getting used to but it worked for both of them.

Re: Walking your dog

We have 3 dogs: Denver and Bella are very good on leashes. Holden gets so excited, he pulls and pulls.

Re: Walking your dog

I would harness. The pressure point on a harness is mid-chest for most dogs, and they get the point that they are not to pull. There is also a harness especially for dogs that pull. Petco and Petsmart both carry it.

I also agree with the treats on walks, but incorporate the "heel" command. Try to not stop your walking stride when using this command, or it may be misinterpreted by the dog. Walk with the dog on a short and tight lead, and repeat the word heel. When the dog begins to walk at your pace, treat them. Do this for a few weeks and it may help.

Also, one last tip. If you are at all playing tug of war with the dog when you play outside, stop for a while until the pulling subsides.

Good Luck!

Re: Walking your dog

Try using the choker collar, but instead of letting the collar go down on his neck keep it high up, right behind his ears. Keep him on your left side and when he starts to pull just give a quick sharp yank on the leash. Just very quick. He will get the point

Re: Walking your dog

I totally forgot the harnass, thanks June262004.

The harnass worked for my pup too. He just would not walk at all on the leash. He'd take two steps and then I'd literally have to drag him.

Message edited 11/26/2007 5:04:49 PM.

Re: Walking your dog

Thanks for your suggestions girls!!!

Re: Walking your dog

Tiger is pretty good, but we normally dont walk him too much, we have a HUGE backyard that is fenced in and just let him out when he wants to go out or needs to use the bathroom.