Very strong on the lead - basic training tips needed

Hi all

We adopted Oreo two months ago and from day one she has been very strong on the lead. We knew when we adopted her that this was the case. She is a four year old lab cross.

We are looking to get a second dog in the near future but we need to resolve this before we can consider it.

She pulls often to sniff things but she becomes very very strong when we go past a certain house which has a dog in the back garden. We have avoided this route now and she just ignores other dogs. It just seems that ok dog gets her goat every time.

Also we walk past a fence with a metal door and that also sets her off, which we can't understand.

We use a easy walk harness at the minute but we do have a gencon lead for her head which we haven't used properly yet.

Can you suggest an basic techniques that might help with the pulling.

She is very good once we get to the park and comes back great when let of the lead. It's just getting there that is the issue.

Thanks in advance

I have a large exciteable youngster who leaps, pulls and lunges.
I use a combination of things.
On the way out I use a Halti headcollar.
I also use the technique of turning and walking back if he gets too excited. That calms him.
When he`s not hugely excited I use a flat collar and the `drunken walk` method. in this, I turn and keep changing direction when the dog pulls. When the dog is following me, not trying to lead, I continue the way I wanted to go.
It does take a while to calm an excited dog.

Thank you for the quick reply.

I think judging by her reactions when I fetch her lead she wasn't walked often when she was in her previous home(s). She gets so excited she barks and jumps around the house. This is ok but not at 6 In the morning lol.

Maybe this has something to do with it?

I have been going through the same thing with my Goldie, she is one and a big girl. I have tried the Halti which does work but she is not keen on, she just flops herself on the floor and refuses to budge . I have continued with a short lead and stopping every time she pulls,changing direction, keeping her nose close to my thigh, it is tiring but I can see the results. Additionally I keep her on her short lead but try and walk her in more open spaces on a long line lead which again has been slow progress but with good results. I also find that once she has been off the lead in a secure area to run around the walk home results in less pulling. There has been a lot of responses regarding lead pulling so I am sure some of the more experienced members will give you some valuable advice- good luck

http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/lo..._diagramed.doc
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/le...lktogether.pdf
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/strolling_on_lead.doc
http://www.learningaboutdogs.com/aca...alktogdvd.html
http://www.deesdogs.com/documents/wa...headhalter.pdf

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/541

Look under loose leash walking here:


http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti...ndex.htm#basic


Remember that this design of harness can be potentially harmful to the dog as it is designed to be restrictive and goes directly over the shoulders where it tightens.

This can result in inflammation over that area.

It is not a good design.

You can use a head halter, but if you do you must have a double ended lead with the other end attached to the collar so that the head halter only comes into play occasionally.


A helpful book is

My Dog Pulls, What Do I Do? by Turid Rugaas

It won't be helping I'd simply put the leash down and go and sit down for a minute (or until she calmed down) every time she jumped around and/or barked. Mine have all got the message very, very quickly that the leash doesn't go on and the door doesn't open unless they're sitting quietly.

My Lab is very excitable and lunges, jumps and generally goes mad with glee or fear depending on the 'trigger'.

Be careful with the Gencon. I tried using this and it really does tighten an awful lot when the dog pulls. The theory is that the pressure causes the dog to stop pulling. The reality - at least with my dog - is that you simply end up with your dog half throttling themselves.

I think a headcollar is a good idea to allow you to remain in control and then reinforce calmer behaviour. I recommend either a Dogmatic (the padded/webbing type) OR a padded Halti.

The Dogmatic is really good; if you email them they will advise re sizing which is especially crucial when using this brand, I think.