lead walking

[dollydaydream]

Hi i am mum to the lovely Max
He will be one on the 22nd of this month. He has gone to dog training since he was 12 weeks old, but i am still having trouble with his lead walking. I have him on a Dogmatic at the moment, but it is just as if he does have one on as he puts his nose into it and can then pull even harder. He used to walk lovely when he was younger but now it is as if he is ignoring me.
I would be grateful for any advice or tips.

[Stuart]

Most dogs will respond to,....

Try not to set off while he is pulling, make him sit and settle him first,..set of in the right frame of mind.

If he pulls [ with the dogmatic ] stop pull him back, before starting again, each time he pulls repeat it.

...and the one that worked for me,........If he pulls, suddenly change direction, everytime he pulls swiftly change again, it comes to a point where he has no idea where you are going to go, so he stops pulling untill he knows,... but persist and it should work for you,.. dont lose your temper, shout, or give up, you will get there in the end

[niclou]

hi, ive been trying the changing direction method to and that seems to be working quite well with Indy

i have issues with Indy dragging me through the entrance to the park so now if he pulls i walk away from the entrance and try again and again till he walks in calmly

[T'sAndC's]

Oh that`s Spykes birthday too

I always find the first thing in the morning walk the worst. He walks fast because he is bursting for the loo and I walk fast because I know he is bursting for the loo but on the way home he is much better.

Spyke is by no manner or means a fabulous heel walker, he has his good days and bad but I put that down to me not taking the time to walk him without Braeden. *hangs head in shame* but I see results when I use lots of patience and redirections.. just a shame we don`t seem to get anywhere fast.

Keep your chin up.

Tracy

Both mine walk on a loose lead. I don't care if they're ahead of me as long as the lead's loose - having a wet, muddy dog right by your leg means you get wetter and muddier. So I'm not bothered about having them doing a perfect 'heel'

Group dog walks are the worst for one of mine - Remus - who thinks it's his job to be in front, and needs more correction. Zee, on the otherhand, walks lovely even when there's other dogs.

The only method that works for pulling I've found is to walk backwards, while you're still facing forwards. Just 3-6 steps, so the dog comes with you. When you set off again and the dog's where you want it to be, and not pulling, praise or reward it.

If it pulls, then walk back and before setting off again use your heel command. Do it every time it pulls - the dog soon works out a tight lead means you don't get on with the walk and move ahead which is what it wants to do.

This is where most people fail - they're in a rush to walk the dog before work, or whatever, and are not consistent with correcting when it pulls. So, the dog pulls and gets re-inforced for its pulling - it gets what it wants!

If you're consistent you can dispense with the headcollars etc and just walk on a normal collar and lead

[Otto 's Mutter]

Thank you, I have never thought of walking backwards whilst looking forwards. I've been standing still or turning and walking the other direction when he has pulled....I have too many books...

[Bonniesmummy]

Originally Posted by Anni

Both mine walk on a loose lead. I don't care if they're ahead of me as long as the lead's loose - having a wet, muddy dog right by your leg means you get wetter and muddier. So I'm not bothered about having them doing a perfect 'heel'

Group dog walks are the worst for one of mine - Remus - who thinks it's his job to be in front, and needs more correction. Zee, on the otherhand, walks lovely even when there's other dogs.

The only method that works for pulling I've found is to walk backwards, while you're still facing forwards. Just 3-6 steps, so the dog comes with you. When you set off again and the dog's where you want it to be, and not pulling, praise or reward it.

If it pulls, then walk back and before setting off again use your heel command. Do it every time it pulls - the dog soon works out a tight lead means you don't get on with the walk and move ahead which is what it wants to do.

This is where most people fail - they're in a rush to walk the dog before work, or whatever, and are not consistent with correcting when it pulls. So, the dog pulls and gets re-inforced for its pulling - it gets what it wants!

If you're consistent you can dispense with the headcollars etc and just walk on a normal collar and lead

This is what I do and admit that I have been guilty of not doing it EVERY time like you say when Im in a hurry to get through the walk (slaps wrist) and when I dont its like starting at square one all over again with her!!

On the plus side when I do it consistantly it works!

I dont want to use a halti as they look lke muzzles to people and I dont want her to always have to use it either, I dont criticise anyone who wants to use it, its just not for me! (I wont be a hipocrit (sp)....I do use it at times when her behaviour is especially bad as when its on she behaves well) but I dont believe they truely solve the problem, consistant and good training will get the issue sorted just my opinion

[Beki]

please be very careful using the head collar and the sudden changes of directions with their necks.

I use a mix of walking with some yummy smelly meat bits in my hand using the heal command and sometimes the just stopping getting her in a sit and focused back on me n off we go again,

Ellie wil eventually have heal which is right by my side and a "steady" (which we use atm) which is a nice steady lose lead walk

[dollydaydream]

Thanks everyone i will give them a try and keep you updated
Many thanks again.

[Bonniesmummy]

Originally Posted by dollydaydream

Thanks everyone i will give them a try and keep you updated
Many thanks again.

Just stunning x