Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject: Is he taking the Mickey?
Hi Folks
I've got a two and a half year-old black lab who constantly pulls on the lead.
I've been training Sam to 'walk nice' since we got him. (He also went to Basic Obedience classes when he was a puppy)
Thing is, he understands how to walk nicely on the lead but just won't!
As soon as he begins to pull, I turn in the opposite direction and straight away Sam catches up with me and almost plonks his chin on my left knee - heeling as if he were at Crufts.
Few seconds later, he overtakes me and begins to pull again - so I turn around again. I've been doing this for over two years now and it's just NOT working.
I've tried harnesses and head collars (which he absolutely hates - he ripped one Halti off his face when he saw a nearby cat). The Canny Collar was next door to useless - he was out of it in five seconds flat while I was slipping an envelope in the post box.
I'm being very firm with him (I go out the house and garden gate first before Sam) but no amount of training seems to help.
I've tried going by different routes to our nearby parks but he pulls just as badly as ever when he gets to a 'new' street.
At home, he's a brilliant dog and accepts me as the 'Alpha' so why is he behaving like a wilful kid outdoors?
If he knows how to heel, why is he taking the Mickey?
Someone who talks sense will no doubt be along in a minute but I must say although I've only ever kept bitches (who may be less likely to pull your arm off tho' I'm prepared to be challenged on that) I reckon teaching them to walk at heel OFF the lead is the secret.
We cheated like mad as Meg is Food-o-holic, walking around any empty space we could find - garden, park, beach, kitchen - with a bit of cheese or sausage in my hand. We did the quick-turn etc when she strayed, I've even seen me hiding behind a tree when she got seriously distracted once lol she was pretty frantic and shot past the tree looking for me!!!
But once we'd sorted that the lead thing then became a non-event. Only really useful if you live in the country/ have access to open spaces/ etc. But it worked for us.
although I've only ever kept bitches (who may be less likely to pull your arm off tho' I'm prepared to be challenged on that
Consider yourself challenged.......there are many on here who can back me that the 11.42 frieght train ( Tilly ) and the 13.55 ( Beth ) defy that comment totally
walks to heel perfectly off lead. well mannered in doorways etc. tried allsorts. Even pulls when clearly knackered. What's going on?
realised just how badly she walks on the lead since she's had kennel cough and has had to be confined to short unstrenuous walks. what a nightmare, she weaves back and forth, wraps me round trees, pulls me all over like a flaming benny hill clip and generally is not nice to walk. horrible child.....
i'm seriously considering going back to obedience classes
i will watch with eagerness for any tips or advice.
My problem is I walk too much off lead and don't do much lead walking.
When I do put M on the lead we have a few silly moments, but then she settles, if I walk both of them on lead they have to be on Gentle Leaders to keep them at bay
Kathryn, sometimes, and I hesitate to say this, we have to somehow accept our dogs are baffling The funny thing is, having last year attended a championship level obedience show for experience of every part of the dog world as a show and gundog person, I was GOBSMACKED to see these 'trained to within an inch of their lives' approaching obedience champion dogs who would heel offlead bent in HA:F to stay with their owner, drag at the end of their lead around the showground when clipped on!
Its a amazing one because you have done so much to try and help this problem. How do treats sit with your dog? I'm certain you have gojne the 'treats at waist level' route but... well... have you? As the options book is a tad bare otherwise...
Have you thought about deciding to chuck it all in, and pretend he is a 12 week old puppy again and start from scratch. twop steps forward, if they get ahead, treats to get them back then heel when they are in the right place, then move forward? The 'only get twenty strides up the street in half an hour as he is NOT going to pull even ONE of them' approach?
Just wondering?
Rhoni - I have a 13.27 from Kings Cross bitch too. Oh.... and by the way, how are your paws? - wicked grin.
Di
____________
The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
I would whole heartedly recomend the method that GDBA use (so I believe) and DftD use it too with some dogs.
I have double ended leads (with clips at both ends)I clip both clips to the hook on Ugo's collar and then have one end of the lead on his left shoulder and the other on his right, and his clips sit to the front of his collar. I hold the lead in one hand like baby reins...if you can remember what they're like.....and he walks beautifully. Having the lead like this seems to make him much more balanced, he doesn't tend to sniff along the ground looking for rubbish and I don't get that horrible jerking either. I'm also told that it makes them feel more 'hugged' and secure.
I have arthritis in my hands so a pulling dog really hurts me
Its hard to explain but if your stuck I'll post a pictue tomorrow(if I get his lead out now to take a picture he'll expect another walk!)
Di, yes, neck high in treats, its now back to square one i think!
you're right about baffling, she even pulls back to the house I think i will try the two steps forward etc. If i say heel, she'l heel on the lead until she gets a treat, and then dashes off again. its all very wearing. Trouble is, she's not on the lead much, i think i'll have to change that until she can behave when she is!
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:55 pm Post subject: Taking the Mickey
Wow!
Thanks SO MUCH everyone for your kind replies about Sam.
I have gone down the 'not another step if you pull' route and am still doing it. As far as treats are concerned, they can't hold a candle to playing ball in the park.
I think Sam is a very assertive dog - even though he's good at leaving thru doors after me, he really resents the garden gate - and is absolutely disgusted with me when I tie him to the inside of the gate for a few seconds so that I can get out of it first. He'll sit and wait until I tell him to 'come' but won't even look at the treat when I try to reward him for that particular 'sit'.
He'll take a treat when he 'heels' for a few seconds but isn't overly impressed but many thanks for your advice, Diana.
I'm like most people, I suppose, and just want a dog to walk on a loose lead without pulling - I want Sam to enjoy his walks but I've had to stop him from sniffing everything in his path. I've found one sniff comes before one pull.
Thanks becs for the kind offer of the photo - I've wondered about getting one of those new harnesses that have a D link at the front - might be worth a shout - I've tried everything else!
Ho hum, if I get some kind of a breakthrough, I'll be sure to let you know.
MANY THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR KIND HELP, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
but I must say although I've only ever kept bitches (who may be less likely to pull your arm off tho' I'm prepared to be challenged on that) I reckon teaching them to walk at heel OFF the lead is the secret.
she was pretty frantic and shot past the tree looking for me!!! 
