Dear All,

I'd appreciate a little more advice on walking on the lead.  As many of you know Poppy (14month mini schnauzer) is a terrible 'puller'.  Having gone through numerous head collars etc., we are now trying a Mikki Walkrite - the pulling goes on to some extent, but is cetainly saves on the coughing and choking and she is a little easier to control.  But, during the first 10 mins of the walk, whenever we see people, bikes or movement ahead she gets v. excited and squeals like a a banchee.  So that you dont misunderstand me, this is definitely nothing to do with pain, it is a reaction to anything interesting.

I guess she cant do this with a conventional collar, as it pulls on her throat (she was similar to this on the head collars, only far worse, almost with frustration at not being able to pull ahead).

Has anyone else experienced this.  Do you think it is becuase are throat/neck are clear to make noise, or do you think it is frustration at not being able to pull ahead as fast as she can to the 'item' of interest?

Thanks for your help
K.

Hi KarenC,

Although I can't offer any direct advice I can say you're not alone, our Akita bitch does a very similar thing, excited barking when she sees people.  This used to have that "Ahhhhh, look at the little puppy barking" look, but now she's five months it's more "Errr, there's a large dog barking at me".  We tried treats to stop her with the quiet command she knows but she's not interested in treats when there are exciting people around.  We're also going to try using friends and family to approach her outside the house, if she barks they stop and she goes inside for a short time then comes out to try again i.e. you don't get to meet people by barking.

Hopefully if these don't work they'll grow out of it, Akitas have a bad enough rep without her barking !!!!  Fortunately it's quite clear that she's just excited to meet them, I knew all this socialisation had a down side ;-)

Regards

CJG

Hi Karen, as you know, my mini is the same age as yours and a boy.  He has always pulled on the lead but I think he is getting a bit better. He seems to be better when walking somewhere familiar.  If it is a strange new area then he pulls alot.  As for the barking - I have exactly the same problem particularly at night.  As soon as he sees someone he barks and it can be embarrassing.  He doesn't do it out of excitement, I am convinced it is because he is nervous or unsure and barking is his defence mechanism.  He does seem more sensitive at night time but I think (and hope) that he becomes more confident in time particularly as he continues to get exposed to new places and situations.  He used to bark at people on the park but a lot of that has stopped (unless someone takes him by surprise) I think it's a schnauzer trait, my Sister's is just the same.  Can't really offer much advice I'm afraid. 

Hi.

Poppy never seems nervous, just very excitable, and on walks the barking can turn into a peircing squeal (this only tends to happen if she sees an adult ahead that she recognises, or any children  or other dogs) - and as you say it is incredible embarrasing.  I know they are renound for being vocal dogs and to some extent we have to live with it, but I would like to be able to stop the high pitched yapping/squealing. 

Somebody has suggested that a quick squirt with a small water pistol might help??  Any thoughts on this.

Karen.

My shih tzu does this - squealing like an excited kid and pulling. When we walk her over the playing fields especially on Sundays and there are literally hundreds of people playing football on the pitches she takes no notice of them or of the people watching the footballers but just let one person come anywhere near us and she is off. She is getting better but is still a menace on the evening walks when it is dark. She is a tiny little thing but people still make a wide berth and she is always on a lead as we dare not let her off. I am just hoping that once the summer nights come in lighter she will behave herself again as she was fine up until the nights got dark last year and we cant think of anything that started this off.

Gina

Gina,

At least if she only squeals in the dark, it isnt a problem all the time.  It's strange as I am the main carer for Poppy and if we all go out for a walk she tries to demand that I hold the lead - little monkey :-)  I am also the one who dishes out most of the discipline.  However, if my husband takes her for a walk on his own, she is much less likely to mess around or squeal, so to some extent i think she is trying it on a bit with me.

How old is your dog?  Poppy is 14 months.

Best Wishes