Recommendations please on check collars?

[Roo-Roo]

Hi all just after abit of info on check collars really ruby is five months now and half walks fine on the lead but the other half of the time doesn't listen at all. Was thinking of a check collar. She won't wear the halti we've got. Anyway any tips/recommendations regarding check collars would be greatly recieved.

Many thanks!

[Chip Chesterfield III]

I seem to have got here first, so in the absense of any advise I will offer mine.

Forget about buying anything other than a flat leather collar for a 5 month old pup.

Instead spend some time, you should be able to get a pup to walk with you in minutes.

Walk in the direction YOU want to go, if she pulls in the oposite direction, stand firm. When she gives in praise or even treat her and move further in the direction you want to go.

No theatricals, no scolding just go where you want and praise or treat when she goes along.

And never give in when she wants to go off in another direction.

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[Roo-Roo]

Hi I've been doing that including of she pulls stopping and go backwards and she will follow me occasionally. I don't want to use a check collar ideally but I don't know what else to use. My main issue is if she sees something "exciting" she goes for it. If I notice it before she does I hold her attention using treats and praise etc. she won't wear her halti and was going to get a harness but have been told they can cut in the armpits? Is there anything else I can try as well as continuing with the obvious (training, praise etc).

[Kealagirl]

I am in total agreement with Chip here NO check collar for a 5 month puppy please. You will damage it's neck. Check collars should only be used if at all on adult dogs and even then a lot of people don't use them correctly IMO.

As chip has said you need to change direction if your pup pulls. It should learn that it doesn't dictate the direction of the walk, you do and the best place to be is beside you. Lots of praise when Ruby is in the correct place ( but not OTT praise as you will over excite her)

Take the time to Teach her how to walk with manners now and you will have less issue with her in the future

[Kealagirl]

Places like Pets at home don't even sell check chains any more. That says a lot!

[Kealagirl]

Does she like a squeaky toy? Maybe use that to get her attention back to you.

Sounds to me like you are maybe taking her places where there is simply too much going on. If you want to train her to walk on the lead then you need to do this somewhere where there are no or little distractions, and build up the number of distractions the better she gets.

Remember pups are curious and new things will get their attention, it's good for their confidence to experience lots of new sights and sounds, but take this a separate training exercise away from lead training

[Roo-Roo]

Maybe my original post didn't explain what I meant correctly. I have NO intention of using a check chain at 5 months. I am aware how they work and would not subject ruby to that until adulthood (and that's a last resort), what I was asking was more if there was anything else I could do to help me along, the main problem as said before was being excited and running across me into the road, I have heard that harnesses can cut the armpits and wasn't sure of any other options?

[Roo-Roo]

FYI I live in a rural village the only distractions are a few cars and people and the odd bit of litter on my weekday walks. During the weekends we go into fields and do on and off lead training.

[Kealagirl]

I tried a harness when my old girl was a very young delinquent and. Personally found it gave her more pulling power as she was pulling using her whole body, so I didn't like it. I think there are some on the Market now that have padded bits under the arm pits to stop any rubbing.

I found gencon head collar worked great for my nutty springer, and I know others who swear by dog matic. They won't like any sort of head collar to begin with but again you need perseverance and they will get used to it. You will have their head between your legs and all sorts but they do get used to it.

[Roo-Roo]

Ok thanks very much I will look into the gencon, thanks everyone for all your advice.