This May Help U When Walking U're Babies...

[TeddyandTiffy]

I've been trying to go walking with my Yorkies, now 1 at a time, we watch Cesar all the time & my Galahad is so very scared of everything when it comes to walking, I put him in his harness but he just won't walk right in it for nothing, twisting all around, running in front of me, to the side of me & sometimes he ends up making me trip.

Last Summer I had got some Parachute Nylon Braided Choke Collars & we never really used them, well with Galahad being the way he is I just can't walk with him safely.

Last night I was trying to walk with him on his harness, no way so I thought this has got to change so I went inside, got one out & put it on him, he of course didn't like it at all, even fought me sliding it over his head & neck, I had our Cesar leash on his harness already which is very short compared to any other leash I own, this leash is needed to control him.

I left his harness on unsnapped the Cesar leash, put it on his choke collar & I put the collar high on his neck as Cesar tells us to do. Made sure he was on my left side with my hand holding the leash loose & the handle (That's what I call it) in my right had & off we tried to go.

No thought Galahad, he yapped, was panting, spun around yes even coughed a little, so I stopped & made sure the collar was up high as not to hurt him & it was, so here we go again, he of course went through the whole process of it all again but this time I give him a little nudge with my foot, took a deep breath, he was like hey what was that & straightened right up & off we went, he did really good, he gets startled by anything & wanted to do his little turn, pull away & not walk but I would nudge him with my right foot on his behind, hip area (Not kick him) to get his attention, (never stopped walking while doing this) take deep breaths & keep going, he was fine we walked all the way down to the stop sign & back. He is a fast pace walker which wears me out and I will have to work on getting him to slow down but that will come with time I'm sure.

Hubby was walking Teddy the other way as not to distract Galahad. Teddy is one who does really good on his harness until he see me then he goes nuts, have to work on this

So then we put Teddy & Galahad up, got our girls out with each in their harnesses, oh Hubby swore he could take 2, I took Sage well these dolls are trying to pull Galahads stunts & yep he had trouble. So now I'm gonna have walk everyday 5 different times with 5 different Yorkies to get them all use to walking with the leashes then go for the harnesses.

Some of U might think oh no a choke collar well this isn't U're normal choke collar, it is so very soft and so flexible that it doesn't hurt their necks what so ever, even if they pull against it while U're walking. I love them and by the way it straightened Galahad up during his walk I think it is great. We have pink and blue and they aren't that high in price.

None of our Yorkies has the trach problems and I don't think this would hurt them or cause trach problems, I have seen Cesar use them high on Yorkies before. (Not the kind I have) So I'm sure he wouldn't do it if he thought it would hurt them.

We just have to try to get them use to walking period & with the harnesses our Yorkies have to much control & we can't get them to walk right with us. I hope this will help some of U that may have troubles also walking U're Yorkies. Don't be afraid what ever U do as U're Yorkie will feel U're fear. Just take a deep breath, bow it out, look straight ahead & think we're gonna do this one way or another, it truly works trust me.

Also don't let U're Yorkie con U into thinking it is gonna hurt them for if they are like Galahad & Sage they will do what they think they have to in order not to have to do it, Yorkies are smarter then we are at some things. If in doubt get one of the choke collars and take it to U're Vet ask them if they think it would hurt their trachs. Good luck to any of U who try this and if U have other questions feel free to PM me, I also am new at this but I'm gonna be walking 5 Yorkies separate. If U can watch Cesar tonight so U can view how he walks the dogs he helps. If it don't help them then maybe it will be good for my heart

[TeddyandTiffy]

I did want to add that I "TRIED" I say "TRIED" to take Sofie for a walk with the same choke collar that I used on Galahad.

I didn't work for her, she hacked and choked & I mean down right faught it so bad I didn't even take a few steps and choose not to go any farther with it so we ended up with the harness and she did really good. If she was just doing it not to have to walk with the choke collar on then it was a good one on me and worked.

So please just test it 1st. What might work for one of U're Yorkies may not work for the one of U're Yorkies. I have to admitt I was wrong on this one. Sorry. I just didn't want risk hurting her.

[PrincessDiana]

It's great that this worked for you and I know they are your dogs and you can do what you like. It looks like you've been around for a long time and so you are probably aware of the dangers of collapsed trachea and such with our yorkies. Since you are fully aware of this, you can choose whether or not you'd use a choke collar on your yorkie.

However - there are many new members on this board who do not know better and I'd hate for them to run home and try a choke collar just because their pup isn't cooperating on a harness. It takes time to get a puppy leash trained, and I don't want anybody to stop and try a choke collar as an easy way out. They ARE dangerous and they absolutely should not be used on yorkies.

Just my opinion. Thanks for sharing, though.

[MyTrixie143]

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

It's great that this worked for you and I know they are your dogs and you can do what you like. It looks like you've been around for a long time and so you are probably aware of the dangers of collapsed trachea and such with our yorkies. Since you are fully aware of this, you can choose whether or not you'd use a choke collar on your yorkie.

However - there are many new members on this board who do not know better and I'd hate for them to run home and try a choke collar just because their pup isn't cooperating on a harness. It takes time to get a puppy leash trained, and I don't want anybody to stop and try a choke collar as an easy way out. They ARE dangerous and they absolutely should not be used on yorkies.

Just my opinion. Thanks for sharing, though.

I agree. Not even a regular collar should be used when walking a yorkie, only a harness. You have to work with them really hard to get them used to it but they will learn. Mine always start out the say way, twisting and turning and refusing to walk or suddenly sprinting to get away from it. But with time, patience and a lot of coaxing and treats they all learn to walk on their harness like well behaved dogs.

I am glad you had success with Galahad but I still wouldn't recommend a collar of any sort on a yorkie going for a walk.

[Potter]

My Yorkie pulls like crazy on his harness but I'd really never think of getting a choke collar ever. I just don't think choke collars are for small dogs. I just bought him a more comfortable harness that is well-made and lined with durable sponge on the inside and a stronger leash. That being said, I am glad it works for you.

[Erin]

Personally I don't think choke collars are necessary for any dog, because there are better alternatives out there. I have successfully trained with the Premier products - the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness, the Gentle Leader and the Wonder Walker. I use all 3 in different situations with Loki. They are wonderful things and don't hurt at all.

Also, dogs don't have to walk right next to you. They can be trained that they can go out 3-4 feet and have some freedom but that they need to watch you or come back to you when called. Loki is a puller but he will walk next to me when instructed to. (we have a walk and watch command) I also find that if I run with him for just 1/2 a block, he is happy to walk nice the rest of the way. He isn't pulling so much as wanting to walk faster than me! You might notice that the 1/2 half of the walk is easier - that is the best time for training and rewards!