Ihave a male german shephard who is two in July, and we have a problem with getting him to walk to heel.He has been to training classes and obedience classes but they didn't work.When he was younger he also went on a three week course.He can now sit, come,lie down etc but we can't get him to walk to heel.We have tried chains, halties and lots of different things but he still pulls.Its at its worse when we come accross people and other dogs.We have also tried changing his food to make him less energetic but it doesn't work.I would be grateful with any advice to help us with this problem.

Hello,

What did you change his food to....from? What have the training classes already recomended to you?

As a trainer myself, I would recomend you start from the beginning again, this does mean you will have to be very patient and put in a lot of effort, but if it solves your problem, I am sure you will be willing to.

I would suggest in your circumstances that you put him onto a Gentle Leader with one lead and a half check collar or normal walking collar with another lead. Take him out of the door and onto the street using the collar lead (hope this makes sense :)), ask him to sit, reward with a very tasty treat, such as cooked/dried liver, tell him gently and start to walk forward. The second he starts to pull, tighten the headcollar lead (don't jerk it!!!), pull him round so he is facing you, guide him in next to you, tell him very firmly NO PULLING, ask him to sit and start again. Repeat this process over and over again. Some dogs learn quickly and some take longer, but it's important to have the two leads so that you can reward him for not pulling by releasing the head and encourage him to learn to walk on a collar.

Don't get cross and be very patient.

Good luck

manda
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