Ok here's the situation my 4 year old lab is a nightmare on the lead.  Just pulls constantly.  Had her on  a halti for a while and that seemed to improve matters but soon after stopping using it she has reverted.

Now I know I should have stopped this issue earlier so please no comments about well tut tut what can you expect!

Anyone have any suggestions on how to improve this.

Thanks in advance

I've never considered 'can't teach an old do new tricks' anything more than a saying. Older dogs can certainly new things, although if they're unused to the learning process it may take them a little longer than a younger dog. However, I wouldn't consider 4 old anyway!

Haltis don't really teach the dog not to pull, they just prevent it from happening. You could continue using the Halti indefinatly if it works and it fits her comfortably. If not, I'll let someone more experienced contribute the lead-training advice!

I'm not going to :rolleyes: that you should have stopped it earlier, but bear in mind that she has had 4 years of pulling on the lead so it will take longer to train her not to than if you'd done it when you first got her.

Most training dogs to do something involves rewarding them when they get it right. Training dogs not to do something involves making the unwanted behaviour unrewarding. All you need to do is work out what the reward you are going to give is for walking to heel and what reward you are going to take away for pulling.

The reward for walking on a loose lead is most importantly being able to continue walking. Extra rewards to make it easier for you are toys, treats, being let off lead, playing with other dogs. The reward you will take away if she pulls is continuing walking. IE you stop!

While she is learning you might want to continue using the halti when you are too tired/grumpy/pushed for time to train.

Start off training in the house and garden, if she is excitable when you put her lead on, train her to sit first. Use her favourite toy/treat reward when she is calm. Also ask her to sit and wait at the door and gate on your way out.

Move on to being able to walk in the house, garden, to the gate, without pulling. It will be slightly easier in the boring home environment. If she pulls at any time stop and use your lead to bring her back to heel (I don't mean yank her about, but firmly guide her into place) and try again.

When she is walking on a loose lead, even if only a few paces to begin with reward her with toy/food or being let off for a run around the garden, but get a sit first. If the rewards are worth it and you consistently stop when she pulls she will begin to understand what you are asking of her.

Progress this training to on your walks, the best time to do it is when there aren't too many distractions around when she will find it easier to concentrate on learning.

You might need to take extra special rewards with you if she is easily distracted but as she gets the idea don't reward with food every time or she'll be fat and pull when you run out of treats. :-)

Remember not to keep your lead tight when she is walking next to you and make sure you use loads of "good girls", really mean it, try not to go onto autopilot.

Thanks for the replies - I'll start putting them in to practice

I won't add any more training tips, just to say that I rescued a Golden aged 9 and she pulled so hard I used to say all I'd need to do was put on rollerskates and stand still and she'd pull me all the way to the park. She stopped pulling altogether and after a few weeks took her bronze test at her advanced age (that was back when there was only one GC test). So yes you can teach old dogs new tricks. :) Good luck!