[JoeFeezy]

I have a male that we took back after he killed some goats. I try to walk him on a leash and all he does is pull the entire time. It makes me want to not even walk him. Any tips on how to break him of this without a choker? I have trained plenty of puppies to not pull, but he isn't responding to anything. I have tried stopping and turning around when he pulls, I have even tried batting him with the leash a few times. Any suggestions?

[HighVoltageAPBT]

The way I have done my dogs is when they start pulling I abruptly turn and go the other way. You may look silly for a few days but it really does work. The dog will get sick of you doing it and will learn to watch you instead of dragging you

[Suki]

i've always had sucess, both with my rotts and my APBT's by using a choke while dealing with and helping to cease pulling issues. a good firm tug, a firm "no pull", followed by a "sit/stay" command at EVERY pull was the only way I could deal with pulling issues. sometimes a walk might only last, yup, 5 minutes, cuz they just wouldn't "get it". so be it. after some really short walks and many pulls of the leash, and LOTS of sits, they FINALLY got the hang of it and comprehended what i was asking them to do. key is, you gutta be diligent AND consistent with your commands. practice in your yard, on leash for a bit and see how he works out with not pulling, and see if making strides with say, only 10 feet of no pulling will help. then add on another 20, and no pulling and so on. be sure to reward his good behavior so he knows what he's supposed to do. if he starts to pull on you, give him a command, yank up on his collar and make him sit again and start it all over again, til he walks calmly and listens to you.
i had much success with a choke, so, sorry if this doesn't help you any. some will probably recommend a pinch as opposed to a choke due to the possibilty of injuring a dog's windpipe. I imagine you'll get varying replies on this, so I'm curious what the answers will be. I currently have a female who's a REAL challenge, MOST times. Doing all of the above, every time, especially with making her sit when she gets too excited, is the only thing that I've found to be effective with her.

[HighVoltageAPBT]

The method I stated I like useing a choke chain . BUT you have to have it on the dog right and use it right. I love prong collars they are VERY effective but again they have to be used right! If used wrong you COULD hurt the dog. Whatever method you choose do make sure you ask a GOOD trainer (not petsmart or petco) how to use a prong or choke properly (IF you go that route).

[Purple]

I actually prefer the prong. My English Bell Terrier is a bear when it comes to walking, and the prong was the only collar he responded to.

[Chiapit]

Ahhhh... I'm really looking forward to suggestions as well...Big girl will sit and "lock" if I try to go in a different direction...I have tried a million different things...

[CynthiaATL]

I had alot of success with the Gentle Leader or Halti with Scrappy. He HATED it at first and rubbed his face on the ground. But When they pull it jerks their head back. It took about 3 days and he stopped pulling. And he has done good without it. I had to get it out twice to just re-enforce it.

I am so scared of prong collars.

[215pitts]

It doesn't matter what you use. My dogs use to be the same way, I had put their collars up high on their necks where the jaw meets the neck and pull from there..."this will hurt them" and when they start to pull just jerk the collar and they will feel it.

Or you can watch "The Dog Whisperer"

[Suki]

Originally Posted by 215pitts It doesn't matter what you use. My dogs use to be the same way, I had put their collars up high on their necks where the jaw meets the neck and pull from there..."this will hurt them" and when they start to pull just jerk the collar and they will feel it. Or you can watch "The Dog Whisperer"

this was exactly the method i was taught by some trainers who trained for the police force, with my rotts. i've use this as well for my APBT's too. you're correct, it does work. for me, very well, actually.

[dogged]

Used correctly, prong collars can be a good training tool. Don't be scared of it, but do your research beforehand IMO, the whole point of the prong collar used in leash walking is to get the dog to understand how to walk correctly and then wean the dog off of it.

My Boxer pulled a lot but I didn't want to prong on him due to his bitework training (we encourage pulling in prey work) and I didn't want to squash his puppy exuberance (he's still young). When he started pulling, I just abruptly stopped in my tracks. Yeah, I looked a little silly doing this in public but he got the message. The whole reason he wanted to pull was to get to where he wanted to go faster, so if he started pulling then he learned that's no way to get from point A to B.

Good luck!

[CynthiaATL]

Originally Posted by 215pitts Or you can watch "The Dog Whisperer"

Ha Ha you got jokes

[CynthiaATL]

Originally Posted by dogged Used correctly, prong collars can be a good training tool. Don't be scared of it, but do your research beforehand IMO, the whole point of the prong collar used in leash walking is to get the dog to understand how to walk correctly and then wean the dog off of it. My Boxer pulled a lot but I didn't want to prong on him due to his bitework training (we encourage pulling in prey work) and I didn't want to squash his puppy exuberance (he's still young). When he started pulling, I just abruptly stopped in my tracks. Yeah, I looked a little silly doing this in public but he got the message. The whole reason he wanted to pull was to get to where he wanted to go faster, so if he started pulling then he learned that's no way to get from point A to B. Good luck!

Scrappy still pulled and did not care that he had the prong collar on. So thats why I did not like it. He did well with pulling high up as well. But the gentle leader worked the best for him.

[chinasmom]

All of my dogs pull but Tink will only do it for a little while. She gets tired of being yanked and told No Pull. Then she just starts looking at me for direction. The bully's are another story. I have to take them on a run for them to calm down enough to walk. And I use Prongs as well.

[bahamutt99]

I think a lot of folks underestimate the need for praise when training the heel. If the dog is in heel position for even a second or two, you praise. I like to train heeling by having a treat in my left hand, held at about my waist. I drop the treat in front of the dog's field of vision to get their attention, and then I tell them to "heel" and we walk. Usually, the dog will be looking up at me because they want that treat. I take a few steps and if the dog is still with me, even if they're bouncing up to get the treat, I praise and give the dog the treat. (The bouncing can be corrected later.) And I make sure to train a release word -- mine is "okay" -- so that the dog knows when its okay to just be himself.

As with anything, it takes time and consistency, but it seems to work. Correction is fine, but if that's all you're doing, without guiding the good, then its going to make it a lot harder for the dog to learn what he's supposed to be doing. What you're building is the dog looking to you for cues. Oh yeah, and make sure after you've done a few passes with the heel training, that you break it off and play with him, so he doesn't go stale on you.

[Dunlap]

When a dog starts to pull me when I'm walking them, I'll stop and make the dog sit. Then I'll start to walk and tell them to come on or give the leash a quick little snap to let them know to follow and I'll make em' walk behind/beside me. But if it goes before I tell em' to, I'll stop and do it again... They eventually get tired of it and listen lol. I just cant stand to have a dog jerk on my arm...my shoulders hurt bad enough as it is.

[JRSPITS]

I also put the collar at the jaw line. I use a short leash - just a handle attached to the collar. It keeps th dog at your side - he can't pull unless you let him. If he tries to pull say the dogs name to make him look up and when he does praise him for listening. If he's looking at you for attention and guidance he doesn't focus on what is ahead of you as much.

[PNWPBR]

Has anyone (other than me!) used a Sporn harness for leash walking?

[PitRottMommy]

I may be beating a dead horse when it comes to responding, but this is how I do it:

After your pup becomes acquainted to the leash (sounds like you've already passed this point, lol)...it's choker time. You can use the "pinch" type...or you can go with the more passive collar that is actually a collar that tightens when you pull on it (or they pull). [I can find a link if no one knows what I'm talking about, it's basically a minimized slip-leash. Moreso, slip collar].

What you want to establish now is who is leading. I work my dogs HARD on sit and stay before I even start leash training. Because I want them to know they have 2 commands they can respond to before intervention comes. That is "Mom, I have no clue what *heel* means, but I do know what you want me to do when you say *sit*...so I get still praised".

Put the collar and leash on (and for sanity, don't use a retractable, 6' max and keep the dog within 3' of your side). Have him sit during this point. He knows he's good when he sits. Pull him close to your side, walk 1 step and tell him to sit. He listens. Treat. Walk 2 steps, sit. Treat. Eventually he will know that sticking by your side and listening to your commands yields food. Not a bad idea to skip 2 meals before attempting this, you want the dog to focus. lol. We use the command "with me" because I don't like heel...but you can use whatever works for you.

When going through the initial leash training, it's best to do everything that you can on the leash. We absorb our dogs in leash training when its time. We don't even take them outside to potty without a leash. Obedience yields reward. Since we currently live in an apartment our usual rigor of leash training would involve opening the kennel with the command to sit and stay. Once done, they're ok'd to leave the kennel. At the top of the steps, it's sit again. Leash is connected. We WALK down the stairs with the command "with me". At the door, we sit. We walk outside, we sit. Once accomplished, we potty. I understand that some dogs are going to spill the urine before we make it to the potty patch, but you get the idea. You've worked the whole routine at least 5 times before getting to the final destination. The more you use it, the more they'll know your expectations. And don't waiver. Don't use it on M, W and F and let them run loose on T, R and the weekend. Be firm in your training, stick to it. You will get results. With a stubborn dog, it may take longer but repetition is the best method of training. You may need a stiff drink after training sessions, but success will be at the end of the road.

May I also suggest that, on any free days, you consider taking this particular dog with you wherever you go? There are many reasons for this, my favorites being:

A) Your dog gets personal time...that is valued in the doggie world. That means he's getting special treatment. You didn't leave him at home in the kennel, you took him with you. It's obvious to him that you want his company. Now's the time to work your magic with training. (AND SOCIALIZATION!!!!) Beyond that, you'll learn how your dog behaves when not fully focused on you. Then you can work on other things (ie. excited jumping, dog-to-dog encounters, etc).

B) If it so happens that you must take your pet into a public place, he'll be much more apt to behave instead of running amock like most newly introduced puppies. He'll hear your voice above the crowd and respond to your commands. This will cut down on your stress level. *Ah, inner peace*.

Hope this helps (someone).

Sami

[PNWPBR]

Originally Posted by Purple I actually prefer the prong. My English Bell Terrier is a bear when it comes to walking, and the prong was the only collar he responded to.

You have an english BELL terrier?

[Wyldmoonwoman]

I have had tons of success doing the "random" walk....walk 10 feet forward, abruptly turn and go 20 feet to the left, another abrupt turn and go 10 more feet forward....you get the picture...you do this for 30 minutes in a field and the dog gets a little confused and starts to follow you...when they start to follow reward with what works for you.

I also have taken off running in the opposite direction if my dog was pulling towards a distraction to correct her.

I hate choke collars, my dog will pull and choke herself out with one if I let her, but a properly fitted medium prong is almost magical for us, like she has her listening ears on...we used the prong to teach leash manners with little tugs for a correction and verbal praise for doing the right thing....I have a pet peeve with prongs because most people don't properly fit them and get one that is way too big and menacing looking...once she really understood what she was supposed to do, we ditched the prong and went back to the flat nylon collar