Hi guys,

For those of you who don't know, I have a 6 month old Shar Pei dog called Harvey.

He now weighs about 3.5 stone and when we go for a walk he does nothing but pull. He's quite literally pulled me over on numerous occasions.

Everytime he pulls I say 'no', stand still and wait for the lead to slacken and then I praise him. The moment I step forward he's pulling again.

I've tried a choke chain and he chokes to death! Doesn't understand that if he doesn't pull then it won't hurt.

I'm really stuck.

Any ideas greatly received.

Paul

You could try a headcollar....halti/gentle leader etc
Archer

Hi Archer,

Because of the shape of the breeds head, halters won't fit on them.

It's a nightmare. My friend has got a collar which cost £130 and squirts short bursts of air via a remote which I think would work fantastically but couldn't afford it! :(

Paul

How about teaching him that pulling means the walk ends NOW!  No messin' - the second he starts to pull, you turn around and go straight back home again.......  It might mean several shorter walks a day, and plenty to do at home to keep him stimulated, but most dogs learn quite quickly from this method........

Hi Digger,

Will definately give it ago. Don't think we'll even get down the driveway, ha ha. But I'll try it and let you know how it goes.

Thanks, Paul

Another method is to attach his lead to your belt.Ask him to heel and set off at a brisk walk.When he gets to the end of the lead but before he pulls turn 90 degrees and walk briskly in that direction WITHOUT speaking.Continue to do this every time he gets to the end of the lead.
This DOES work.It will teach him that if he gets infront he cannot tell where you're going next.One hint though...try it in a big open space(field/empty carpark etc) since you need plenty of room
Archer

>I've tried a choke chain and he chokes to death! Doesn't understand that if he doesn't pull then it won't hurt.

I suspect you may not be using the chain in the right way. Used correctly it doesn't hurt and is loose 99% of the time. Until you've had someone show you how they are supposed to be used, please don't use it at all, because used incorrectly they are at best useless, and at worst will cause serious and lasting damage.

Good point JG.
Also Paul are you fitting the chain the right way round?
Archer

I think th Gentle leader would fit a sharpei.  The loop that goes on the muzzle is large and has a slide under the chin to adjust to the right width, and clips shut, which is behind the jowls, and the neck part should be snug to keep the loop under the chin and not slipping forward. 

Why not go into a Pets store that has them and ask to try one on him.  they are also made of a nice round edged webbing that does not have sharp edges like some of the head collars.

I have a gentle leader...I'm sure it would fit a pei.I've seen a boxer wearing one.
Archer

>Doesn't understand that if he doesn't pull then it won't hurt.<

So bin the choke chain.  Start your training in a place with few distractions.  Only ever move forward if the lead is loose.  Be consistent - never follow when he pulls.   Reward with something more than praise when the lead is loose.  Be unpredictable - change direction frequently, getting his attention first and reward him when he follows.  Gradually increase the level of distraction that you are training against.

It will take time and effort but at least you won't be choking him.

Have a go at what Archer recommended :)  I've used it on several dogs who were terrible pullers and it quickly teaches them to keep their eyes on you :D  The oldest dog |'ve retrained with this method was 6 years and it took 10 minutes before he was walking nicely :D :D   You will need to remind him by doing this daily at first but he will learn that keeping his eye on you and not pulling is more fun :D

Hi paul
I have a shar-pei, well 2 now.
My girl was terrible at pulling, almost takeing my arm off.
She would almost be laying down she was pulling so much.
I did what ARCHER did, plus stopping dead until she came back to me and made her sit and start again.
I would go over to this carpark by me that wasnt used at night and pratice and pratice.
Also to a dog training class once a week, which i was taught how to make her walk slowly and normal pace.
I must say she is heaps better just i little way in front now.
I do use a choker though, got a material one in stead of a chain.
Good luck with all advise off everyone.
I got it all to come all over again lol with new puppy.

Also, use a stop pull harness (I had the Kumfi one) for getting from A to B as you won't have time to train then; and use specially set up sessions for loose lead training with an ordinary collar and lead :)

Never let your dog off the lead if the lead is taut  ask for it to be loose first, if the dog understands what "loose lead" etc means.

Lindsay
x

One of my dogs pulls too (buster), he is the perfect angel at training classes :rolleyes: but in a busy highstreet hes too excited to listen etc... I use a gentle controller when i know hes going to pull ie highstreet/carboot/really busy places etc.. he is a totally different dog when i use it as he knows he cant pull using it. I do try to avoid using it and make him walk using his half check but he pulls to the extent of choking :(
His normal routine of walkies i dont need it as he knows we go home if he pulls so has learnt to walk reasonably well to get to the feilds and then hes too tired to want to pull on the way back :D The change of direction works but my neighbours must think im mad at times going round in circles and my OH has no patience with me when i do this and walks ahead with our other dog who walks beautifully by the way then buster has to catch up with him as he hates being at the back and needs to be in front pulling like mad and OH then decided to tease buster and call him knowing that im going to kill him when i eventually get there as i'm still going round in circles getting my dog to heal and not choke in the process. OH thinks its funny as its so easy to wind buster up. But i get my own back as when i do catch up with him i swap dogs and he can deal with him and then its not so funny anymore. OH has since stopped doing it since i swapped dogs and wont let him walk bengi anymore if we go out together that'll teach him!

All the advice here is good but a quick something I would like to mention is that you may not think you are making progress but give it time and persevere and you will see the changes. I personally like the 90 degrees advice best, it really does work but like I said takes time and effort.

Christina