Dear All

Poppy is now 14 weeks old and has been out on a lead for just over 3 weeks. She loves her walks and is very enthusiastic about everything going on in the outside world! Our problems is that she continually pulls, to the point that she often chokes. She is going to puppy/basic obedience classes and the trainer has suggested that a Gentle Leader might be appropriate.

Does anyone have any experience with these? Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks
Karen.

I have. My dallie used to wear one, but it didn't *cure* the problem, it just made him walk along with his eyes shut and he still pulled!

I would suggest that at her age she is still trainable to walk to heel. I think you need to really practise practise practise and teach her she is going nowhere when she pulls. I actually found Willis (Great Dane) harder to control in the training class, so my trainer didn't see how good he was on the lead... therefore I struggled at training but he was as good as gold on a walk. :) take her out a lot on the lead, and everytime she pulls - stop. she will soon learn...

HTH
Chloe

I have a schnauzer (and im getting a pup in 5 weeks too!) i found the best way to cure his pulling was to teach heal work.. Every time he started pulling i would bring him to heal saying 'heal' stop for a second then walk again saying 'walk on'. After a few weeks he realised that he wont get anywhere pulling and its no fun having to stop all the time!

From there you can use walk on after saying stop at roadsides, traffic lights or even when out and there is danger around. I have no experience of puppy classes, i am going to take my pup but only really for socialisation as we dont know many people with dogs (and our schnauzer is a snob and only likes other schnauzers! and i dont want the pup to be the same lol)

Hope this helps.

Roxanne

hi kkgirl
we also have a mini schnauzer and are getting a puppy in 7 weeks(kerry blue):)
zak (schnauzer)pulls quite a lot but is getting better and as you said certain words are the key,he sits for the road etc,then we say "come on" to cross.good luck with your puppy and your snobby schnauzer(zak would play with a horse if we let him,he will be anyones friend)
mel :)

Karen - at this age it's down to training - don't look at head collars and the such like, she's too young and should learn what to do from firm consistent training. When she pulls, stop and walk backwards making her come to yoo, then walk forwards, she pulls, you do the same, over and over and over. Do heal work, making her walk by your left leg. Find some decent training classes and get yourselves registered. They'll teach you the correct techniques and commands. The big thing is consistency - if she pulls you stop. No exceptions. When she's walking nicely, give her gentle praise, you'll have to learn what makes her tick so that you give her the right reward without getting her excited etc.

hth

Pam n the boys

Hi Karen,

I have a 6 month Dob that pulled all the time, we put a Gentle Leader on him last week (recommended by our trainer) and walking him now is a pleasure! He has stopped pulling totally and does not seem to mind it to much at all, I also know a lady who used one on her boxer dog and got the same results.

Lou

Dear All,

i am going to try a 'training walk' each day for a while, whereby I take her out on my own for 20 mins, without kids!! If this has no affect over the next week or two I will then try a gentle leader and see how we get on. Whilst doing this, will I lose the affect if I go out walking with children etc and am not able to give the training my full attention - or, would you recommend that I spend a week just walking her on my own??

Many thanks for all your advice.

I would keep up with the training even when the kids are with you. My Great Dane walks beautifully on a loose lead because I drilled it into him. Wherever he was, if he pulled, we stopped. I honestly think it will only take a few days to get the idea, then just keep reinforcing it. So if she forgets herself, stop. I get the kids to join in "when willis pulls we all STOP!!" :)

The other disadvantage I found with a halter was that people automatically thought my dog was muzzled :(

Many thanks - have had a session today and had to stop at every step forward. I'll see what happens, at them moment she just looks totally confused. I am shouting heel and pulling her back towards me and then saying good girl and setting off again.

It'll be really interesting to see what happens - she has learned other things quite quickly, such as the words Sit and Bed and she is almost there with Lay.

Thanks again
Karen .

Hi

OK, try taking some treats out. Walk. stop. get her attention and give her a treat. You need to try and focus her attention on YOU! :) She will be confused - confused is good! It means she's losing focus on getting to her walk as fast as possible and starting to realise theres a bit more required for this walking lark! Its hard work, but I am so proud of myself when i walk down the road with willis and he is just strolling along next to me at my pace.

HTH
Chloe

I found that one of my dogs had learned that the word "Heel" meant pull on the lead! Because that was when he was told it. I now only use "Heel" before we start moving and he is in the right position - if he gets too far ahead it's "NO".

If she looks confused - good! She's starting to listen to you. :)

My stubborn little silky terrier did the same thing and a gentle leader was advised. It works perfectly and we no longer have to worry about his little throat collapsing from tugging. He's so used to wlking correctly now that we don't use the gentle leader hardly at all. Our obedience trainer said that teaching these kinds of dogs to heel is hard because they're so inquisitive.

Again, the tips look great. In fact I might take her out for another walk in a few mins to try them all out again. I shall try this for a while and consider a Gentle Leader if I dont get anywhere. As the owner of the Silky Terrier mentions it could be more difficult with these terrier type breeds, but you never know she has been quite receptive in other areas.

Thanks again,
Karen.