How long should a puppy take to learn to walk by your side? If it generally takes a month or more, then i will just persist and not worry. However, my puppy is 14 weeks old and has been walking on the lead for 2 weeks. He pulls ALL the time and no stopping or turning or sitting method seems to have any effect!! Is he taking a long time to learn or does he sound normal? If not I will have to think seriously about getting help before he gets permanent bad habits!

P.s. it's not like he's a stupid puppy! He will sit, lie down, shake hands on command...so why can't he learn this one? :(

The training class I've been taking my pup to has a 'no pull rule' - no pulling towards anything - other dogs, smells, people, objects lying on the ground - it seems mean with a puppy who wants to explore the world and chase the odd leaf but I found that after a couple of days of being super-strict that he stopped pulling so much.  It's surprising when you start to take notice just how many little battles they win in pulling towards things and I guess every win encourages them to try it on all the more.  I do let him greet other dogs and people but only when I say 'go on then' and always with a loose lead so that it's clear that it's allowed. 

The other thing I've been taught is that pulling is often about the 'chase instinct' and if you can curb than, then you might curb his pulling.  I've been shown to have my pup on his lead and then throw a titbit a couple of feet in front of him whilst repeating the 'leave it' command and restraining the pup from going for the treat with the lead - ultimately you want him to leave it without have to hold the lead tight. Then pick the treat up, hold it out to the pup but keep saying 'leave it' if he reaches for it - usually a dog will look away after a few times of trying to take the food - even just for a second - this is a submissive act and you should then say 'take it' and give the treat.  Might all sound long winded but all I can say is, it's really worked for me and I can throw a toy down in front of my puppy and he won't lunge at it and considering his age, he walks nicely on a lead. 

Good luck!

Sounds good! Thanks:) How long did it take for your puppy to learn though? Days? Weeks? Months?

He didn't take long to pick it up, leave it took a couple of days and when I started to be really strict about his pulling, I noticed a change also within a couple of days.  I also put my foot down about that annoying crossing from side to side thing puppies do - can't stand it!!  He's 22 weeks now, so older than your puppy which probably helps... 

oh crumbs, my dog is nearly three and i still can't get her to walk nicely by my side, i must be doing something very wrong! ;-)

Hi keri-lee,

I just replied to you on this topic under your other thread re pulling on the lead.  Have a look - hope it helps ;)

Regards, Teri

Hi Keri-lee,

A "Lupi" harness is great for pups to train them out of pulling - it's made of a rolled soft cord and is in a sort of figure of 8 shape starting around the neck, down the front of chest and with lead attaching to an extended loop over the centre back.  The front legs go through it so when the puppy pulls there is no stress put on the head or neck at all.  Haven't needed to use one myself but did get one for a friend and showed her how to put it on - it made a big difference quickly BUT it's a *training aid* so you still have to teach the puppy at the same time and not just depend on the gadget ;)

My training club sold them (so I witnessed them being used effectively on FCR, Dalmatian and Boxer pups) but I believe a lot of vets stock them too and also the PDSA.

Might be worth trying - they come in different sizes and can actually be used for larger dogs too.

Regards, Teri :) 

Hiya I have an 8 month  old Staff one of the worse breeds for pulling they say. Our girl was good at everythingelse bar the pulling . We were hoping she would grow out of it but when she got to six months we had had enough. What worked with her was the quick tug back on the lead saying no and then stopping with her. I would say after a week we noticed a difference but then she was alot older than yours but it has taken a good two months for the pulling to be almost eradicated. Be patient and consistent, lots of cuddles and treats when he stops pulling even if only for a few strides. But he is very young,bless! He will learn

2 people at work swear by halti collars and said they worked like a treat for their dogs who were awful pullers.  I got one for my golden retriever but she absolutely hated it (although when it was on she didn't pull, but she was very unhappy so I gave up on it).  Still, it might be worth trying.  Apparently you can also get something called a "gentle leader" for puppies which stops them pulling, don't know anything about it though.   My girl is now 5 months old and is so much better on the lead.  We do go to training classes which helps.   I'm going to try Rudi's advice though, that sounds really good.

A gentle leader is similar to a halti, but works in a slightly different way, the halti closes around the nose when they pull, a gentle leader doesn't. Both are good for pulling dogs. They can be used on both puppies and dogs. Head collars don't actually teach dogs not to pull, it just makes them more manageable when they do. I use a head collar on my BC for pulling and aggressive tendencies and couldn't be without it.