Pulling

[aquarian215]

Everything I have read says that when you walk your dog he should walk beside or behind you. Dudley is a puller, not bad, usually sees stuff he likes, needs to sniff everything, ect. But most of the time it's just that he needs to walk ahead of me, not really pulling but walking at the leashes limit. I have tried several methods, treats he doesn't have any interest in when we are walking, won't even touch them. I am now trying just holding him at my side with a short leash, he of course pulls and chokes himself, making me feel like a jerk. Is there a better way? How do I know if I am hurting him when he pulls on the short leash or if he has figured out that when he does it (chokes)I will loosen the leash? And is it such a horrible thing to have him walk ahead of me?

[CdnRottieMom]

I have that problem with Neyla. She's not a constant puller but the odd time she will pull if she sees someone she likes and hasn't seen in a long time (family members / friends), or if there is junk on the ground (an empty water bottle, a stick) something she just has to have. At the old obedience school I had her in, we had no choice, we had to use a choker collar (which I hate), I asked if I could switch her to a prong instead. Better than a choker but still not something I like. At her new obedience school because Neyla wants to pull closer to the other dogs to sniff and play, the trainer suggested to me and the other couple who own a mastiff to try a Gentle Leader Anti-Pull Harness. This is what I use and it works wonders. I made up a command "close", when Neyla hears this it means she's wandering too far from me and will walk beside me, if she starts to pull, I say "easy" and she knows she's gone ahead of me and to get back. Because she's food motivated majority of the time, I use certain treats that she likes only for walks and for the "come" command. That way she's more motivated to do what I need her to do.

[borzoimom]

What I use is the about turn method. You start walking with the dog ( even a buckel collar works for this).. As soon as the dog starts to pull, you do an immediate about turn. As soon as the dog complies and glances at you, quietly calmly praise.. Keep walking the new direction- first pull- about turn again! .. The dog quickly learns- if I pull I loose it. If you have to go in the other direction- you do a big circle not the about turn.
I can walk all 4 of my 90-100 pound borzois at one time ( and I only weight about 120 pounds). NOT ONE pulls ..

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

All of my dogs walk ahead of me but I only let the little ones pull. When Aysa sees a bush he *must* pee on immediately and starts to pull I stop walking (which is difficult because he weighs almost as much as I do. lol) and then walk again when he stops pulling, similar to what Borzoimom does. Aysa and I have wayyy more relaxing walks because he doesn't pull versus when I'm walking all three little dogs pulling me along. So I'd highly recommend what Borzoimom does and/or like a gentle leader. I think dogs listening to you on walks is important even if they aren't constantly next to you and looking at you for what to do next.

[StephanieandTeddy]

You can also tie the leash around your waist (use a martingale collar) and get your dog to go wherever you go...even in the house...make it interesting...go around obstacles...change direction...climb things...make it fun so the dog pays attention, but don't talk too much. The second the dog pulls, you switch direction...walk briskly.
Try do about 3 hours a day and you'll see results!

[oc_spirit]

I do dogsledding so personally, I like having my dogs in front of me. I only have them at my side in thick crowds. I like them to be happy, comfortable and confident enough to face abstacles and challenges head-on instead of needing my leadership and guidance to always solve a problem (independency) since on the trail, I cant be in front of my team to always be telling them what to do and showing them my body language. They need to be able to take my commands and then still deal with a situation on their own without balking, shying, or being fear-aggressive. They also need to learn to be independent enough to vito a command if they feel it is in the best interest of our safety on the trail. It's a thin line between vitoing for the good, and just plain ignoring commands. So out on walks my dogs are ahead and with tension on the lead but NOT pulling. Its what works for us and when it comes down to it thats all that really matters for you and your dog. There is no rule that states your dog must be at your side with a loose leash when on a walk. If you are happy with the way things are, leave them. If you want something better, go for it! You dont have to train your dog to do something just because everyone else does

[Ritz459]

My dogs don't walk beside me on walks, they walk the leash's distance in front of me. Blackie, in his old age, now plods along at my side, but Rose still walks out in front, not pulling, but definitally out in front. I make sure that they are well behaved enough that if I was in a crowd or such they are happy to walk at my side without any bad behavior, but on our normal walks they don't have to be at my side.

As long as they are behaved on a short leash and follow my commands, I could care less about where they are on the leash.

My Grandma used the Gentle Leader no pull harness and it worked wonders. There is another type of harness that isn't so much for pulling but for control. That might work as well. It looks like a black stringy thing...I bought mine from Petsmart.

[Rottielvr18]

If I was to let my dogs have their ways, they most deffiantly would be out in front, not pulling but leading the way. However I prefer any dog I walk, right by my side. I personally feel I have more control over any situation if it may arise.

Replying to the original question, if I do walk a dog who pulls everytime he tries to go farther, I stop dead in my tracks, (yes it can & will be very aggrivating) but I find it does help,then procide with the walk when he stops pulling IMO. Other methods I have heard of are harrnases, chokers, and prong collars. I use a choker on my GSD on walks, because once he feels it tighten he knows he better slow down, plus he has learned the command "slow" so he also listens to me on that one.

[Mooncry]

To avoid the choking, I'd suggest a harness for your dog. That way he pulls with his chest and not just his head. I read a solution to this problem in a dog book I have (yes, I am a nerd ). When he starts to pull, slow down. If he keeps pulling, stop walking altogether, and don't walk again until he stops pulling. If he keeps pulling, back up slowly. He'll soon see that pulling on the leash operates your brakes, so to speak.

[aquarian215]

Thank you all for the great suggestions. The leash around the waist thing I have tried, though without the proper collar I guess, and I didn't enjoy it at all, I am tall 5'8", and dudley is short (only to my knee), so it wasn't very comfortable. My nine year does this though and he says it works for him, I am going to get the proper collar and try because I am usually pushing a stroller as well and that would be ideal, in the house though he is my shadow for the most part. I am glad to know that walking ahead is cool, I was so worried that it meant he was "dominant", I watch way too much dog whisperer. I do try the stopping, and sitting, but as soon as I start walking hes right up ahead, I know it is just repitition, it gets old after awhile though, and it stops me from enjoying my walk ( a great stress relever (sp?)). Sorry for the ramble.

[shodge]

I'm not half the expert that most others on this board are, but I don't think having the dog in front is a big deal unless there are dominance issues. If the dog accepts your position and commands, trotting a bit ahead is fine in my opinion. Lola usually walks ahead, but is always aware of where I am and looks back for direction when she needs it...

[Cherokee]

I typically will use a Martingale Collar when I'm training a dog...especially a puppy because they require less force in any correction.

When you first leave the house to begin a walk don't even walk out the door untill he stops pulling on the leash and he allows you to walk out the door first. After that if he starts pulling give him a leash correction...stop walking until he is at your side or behind you with no tention on the leash. Once that happens then you may begin to walk again, and just keep repeating the process.

[StephanieandTeddy]

Originally Posted by aquarian215

Thank you all for the great suggestions. The leash around the waist thing I have tried, though without the proper collar I guess, and I didn't enjoy it at all, I am tall 5'8", and dudley is short (only to my knee), so it wasn't very comfortable. My nine year does this though and he says it works for him, I am going to get the proper collar and try because I am usually pushing a stroller as well and that would be ideal, in the house though he is my shadow for the most part. I am glad to know that walking ahead is cool, I was so worried that it meant he was "dominant", I watch way too much dog whisperer. I do try the stopping, and sitting, but as soon as I start walking hes right up ahead, I know it is just repitition, it gets old after awhile though, and it stops me from enjoying my walk ( a great stress relever (sp?)). Sorry for the ramble.

It will be uncomfortable for awhile...You want the dog to follow you without even thinking about it...having him leashed to you forces the dog to pay attention and accept your leadership. You also don't want to talk to and bargain with the dog....just leash it up and go-go-go...it won't be forever.
Closest example I can think of would be learning to drive a car...at first you have to think every time you use a turn signal...or change lanes...but after practice it becomes "automatic." That's what you want to see from your dog!

[tessa_s212]

Originally Posted by aquarian215

Everything I have read says that when you walk your dog he should walk beside or behind you. Dudley is a puller, not bad, usually sees stuff he likes, needs to sniff everything, ect. But most of the time it's just that he needs to walk ahead of me, not really pulling but walking at the leashes limit. I have tried several methods, treats he doesn't have any interest in when we are walking, won't even touch them. I am now trying just holding him at my side with a short leash, he of course pulls and chokes himself, making me feel like a jerk. Is there a better way? How do I know if I am hurting him when he pulls on the short leash or if he has figured out that when he does it (chokes)I will loosen the leash? And is it such a horrible thing to have him walk ahead of me?

1) whenever the dog gets ahead of you to pull, turn a complete 180 degrees and continue walking. be sure not to turn or walk so fast to actually harm your dog. You just want it to get a suprise by htting the end of hte leash. When it does, call it back to your side and praise when it gets there. Do this EVERY time the dog gets ahead and pulls.

2) Similar to the last, whenever the dog gets ahead and pulls you, simply stop exactly where you are and actually take a step back. Don't continue until the dog looks back/comes back towards you. Stop every time your dog pulls. This will teach the dog that every time it pulls, it gets further away from what it wants.

Don't be afraid to bring treats along, plenty of praise and reward when the dog is doing what you want.

As for your question, it is okay if the dog is walking ahead of you, so long as they are not pulling you over.

[c0_re]

If you don't ever plan on walking your dog without the leash I don't thin them being in front is really anything but an anoyance.

With that said once you get a solid recall and heal there's really no need for teh leash to be attached unless your around busy traffic\machinery(I keep one inmy pocket just incase)

I find our walks much more enjoyable(as I'm sure my dogs do as well) with my boys at my side and not on a leash, but thats just me.