Gencon and puppy?

Debs1 · #1 24-10-11, 10:43 PM

Oh dear! I am feeling really Cruel.
I bought the Gencon, as recommended here by stuart, thanks it is really good, however Lola is only 13 wks and she absolutely hates it, when I say walk she gets really excited but when I get the Gencon out she runs off and no longer wants a walk! Am I being cruel or do I just need to persevere? The woman on the Gencon website said 12 wks Is a good time to start.
Basically I am scared that at our first puppy class on Sunday the trainer will say get that off!

Lutgard 1 · #2 25-10-11, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debs1

Oh dear! I am feeling really Cruel.
I bought the Gencon, as recommended here by stuart, thanks it is really good, however Lola is only 13 wks and she absolutely hates it, when I say walk she gets really excited but when I get the Gencon out she runs off and no longer wants a walk! Am I being cruel or do I just need to persevere? The woman on the Gencon website said 12 wks Is a good time to start.
Basically I am scared that at our first puppy class on Sunday the trainer will say get that off!

I would say 13 weeks is way too young to be using a Gencon.
Ive only just started using one with Link on walks only and she is 6 and 1/2 months.
For training she has a flat collar and training lead.
I would suggest using a nice soft flat collar for training and plenty of treats or use a toy for praise.

Jude · #3 25-10-11, 08:21 AM

I agree that at the moment she is far too young to be using a gencon - a flat collar and plenty of treats/games are all that is needed at this stage. Save the gencon for when she gets to the gobby teenage stage!

Stuart · #4 25-10-11, 09:25 AM

I am in two minds here, but its a long time since I had a pup, so I must go with the others.

but I would have thought that 13 week is not too young, if the pup is trained to it like everything else, i.e. slowly.

I would take her to the classes on a normal lead anyway, because a Gencon is a tool to stop the problem of pulling, it is always more favourable to have a dog not pull on a normal lead in the first place, and I am sure that the trainer will ask you to use a normal lead

Let us know how you get on

kita · #5 25-10-11, 01:04 PM

I would agree with Stuart.

My Anatolian had a Halti on from from day one (I got him at 7 weeks old)! Because he was never able to pull on the lead he never did.

I used one with him as he was so big - he was the size of a Great Dane with a lot more power.

Even though I used a Halti with him I still 'trained' him and I was able to walk him on a normal collar if I wished to.

Like I say, he never learned to pull in the first place - so I never had to 'cure' the habit.

Sue

Debs1 · #6 26-10-11, 07:58 PM

Thanks for the replies, it's great to get some advice, well for the last 2 walks I've used a flat soft collar and lead, she was much more excited pre walk but she pulled like mad every time we saw another dog and barked her head off at both dogs and owners! I'm sure this is another post entirely though so for now will stick with flat collar and lots of treats.