[melodiousaphony]

Hullo,

This is going to sound ridiculous, but I want to train my SO to walk the dog without being a total b*tch. I'm not a great person-teacher, but I don't really have a problem walking our adolescent, ~40lbs Lab/pit(?) mix. Personally, I go between a pinch collar on one or two rings (don't want to be too dependent on one, especially since we aren't allowed them in puppy class, so I clip on both rings to reduce the amount of "snap" action) and can, usually, walk her on a loose leash next to me without issue.

Somehow, however, she manages to pull my 6'4", 260 lbs boyfriend around. At these times, she is then "my" dog (well, she is in most cases unless she's being cute or we're around friends when he spouts all kinds of love for Mina). That's fine, I am the one who wanted a puppy, etc., but if he's going out for long walks anyway, I think to myself, why shouldn't he take the pup?

I try to explain what to do about her pulling but either he isn't listening or can't be bothered to take the maybe 10 minutes at the beginning of every walk (decreases down to almost nothing for me since I've been consistent, save initial young dog WHEE IT'S COLD and I'm EXCITED prancing) to establish who's doing the walking.

Help? I don't want to be a jerk, but darn it, if he's walking anyway?

Next step is buying a gentle leader or front-snap harness JUST for him to walk the dog.

::sigh::

[jennay2]

God I feel your pain with this. I tend to be condescending towards people about dog's. My BF's code word for me is "Pancakes" to tell me non-directly I'm being a bitch. lol

Kayrah knows within seconds who's holding the leash. I'm considering starting with the GL too with him. He isn't as near as advanced as me when it comes to training/discipline. He's constantly saying "Kayrah, slow" or "Kayrah, heel". lol what a bitch. I've tried following quietly and give the warning sound with the shock collar, which SOMETIMES works, but I refuse to be reliant on it.

But if he isn't willing to learn then it doesn't matter what you try. He isn't going to get it right. Perhaps you should try communicating (if you haven't already) your issues?

[melodiousaphony]

Originally Posted by jennay2 But if he isn't willing to learn then it doesn't matter what you try. He isn't going to get it right. Perhaps you should try communicating (if you haven't already) your issues?

I have such a problem with understanding not understand and, as you can relate to, not being condescending. He took her for a walk today and, apparently, she pulled, he'd pop the collar, she'd stop, he'd walk, she'd pull. And, apparently, it takes "too much time" to do the whole stop when she pulls thing (things, I can understand, it is a pain in the ass but it works REALLY well). However, he does have that whole "just another puppy" vibe to him, which I think is what is at the heart of the problem... he's not in charge in her head, just me. Don't think that'll change. So I'm going to try the gentle leader, I think, just to give him better tools to work with (I hope?). The desire to help with the dog is there, especially since he already wants to take evening walks, but he's kind of easily frustrated.
If I didn't want to take the them-on-a-walk opportunity to study or clean (or relax for once), I'd just go with... but I'm the morning walker

[debo-dumbo-ears]

We just bought a Halti this weekend (similar concept to the GL) & I'll highly reccomend that kind of device for pulling when walking. We didn't have to do anything - the Halti worked it's magic all on it's own. So, if your BF doesn't want to take the time to train correctly, the GL would probably be the best solution for him. That's my $0.02.

[jennay2]

Could someone explain to me how a Halti works? I'm very familiar with GL's, but I've veered away from Halti's because they seemed like they didn't work.

[Drgnrdr]

okay I'll give my 2 cents..Halti vs GL
1. Halti goes by breed not weight, if you have a mix breed or out of standard breed it is difficult to figure out which one is better a number 2 or 3 or 4 etc...
2. GL comes with written instruction and a dvd, halti doesn't come with complete written info and NO dvd at all.
3. The nose loop for the Halti has no way to lock into a position to keep the dog from pushing it off the nose, GL has an adjustable strap on the nose.
4. The Halti has a safety strap it comes with, which to me means it keeps coming off the nose ..ergo.. needs a safety strap, I don't want it coming off the nose, or it keeps popping off, bad snaps? I don't like that thought either.
5. Both the GL and the Halti make ppl think the dogs have a muzzle on, BUT< the extra material the Halti is made with actually does look more like a muzzle than the one thin strap of the GL.
So that is why I recommend the GL ...Halti is suppose to do the same as the GL, but not as well IMHO.

[Drgnrdr]

Sorry wouldn't let me add
6. GL sits up high on the neck behind the ears, the weaker part of a dogs neck, Halti sits more on the lower neck portion.
7. Gl sits up high on neck it hits the pressure point which makes some dogs calmer because when pressed they behave themselves, they are being corrected with pressure, not pain.
drawback...you can't jerk and pop with them, or use a retractable leash with them, it's only for walking, not fit correctly it will try to rub a spot on your dogs nose, your dog will rub against things unless you stop them from doing so.
okay I think I gave a nickel...

[jennay2]

ah okay.

Thanks