Walking - YorkieTalk.com Forums

OhBaxter · 07-28-2009, 10:17 PM

I am trying to figure out how to train my yorkie to walk on a leash properly. It's driving me crazy! I have watched tons of cezar milans shows and used those techniques to easily train my husbands dog who used to just drag me, but she's bigger and could use the choke collar.

Baxter just runs full force on his leash though. He literally runs on his back legs because he is pulling so hard. I have used his regular collar and a harness to keep from hurting his neck. I used the calm method that cezar always shows where you have to get them in a calm state before walking, and if they get excited again wait for them to calm down again. But Baxter is nuts. He sits and looks at me, I take one step and he lunges full force. So, I stop and he patiently sits there looking at me, one step, and he lunges. I can not figure it out. I try pulling him to the side because they say that distracts them, but he just runs sideways. I've tried to hold him at my side with little slack, nothing seems to work. I know we look so silly trying to go for a walk.

Lady Amethyst · 07-28-2009, 10:47 PM

Hello & Welcome!

I just wanted to say that I am having the same problem with my dog. So I just can't wait to come back to this thread to read the responses. I hear that walking your dog is the best form of exercise. However, I don't walk mine at all. I have a huge backyard (I like to refer to it as a football field..fenced of course..LOL). I just let him out to run around the yard once or twice a day. I call that excercise!

I'm very afraid of people stairing when I walk Neko. He PULLS so hard that he walks on his back legs, almost taller than me..lol. It's pretty embarassing when I can't get him to listen to me in public. He will not walk side by side for nothing, just pulls and tries to run all the time (and it's worse if someone or something comes along..my God). So I just don't walk him. I know this isn't good, but I don't have the patients. So around the yard he goes.

Again Welcome...And I'm sure at this forum, you will find alot of GREAT advice/help! Good Luck...

Britster · 07-29-2009, 06:11 AM

Have you looked into the Premier Easy Walk or Walk Nice harness?

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...k-harness.html

Jackson wasn't quite as much of a puller as yours sounds like, but he did pull, and the first walk in this stopped it. The difference in this harness is that the D-ring is on the front of the harness, not the back. So whenever they pull, they get pulled in the opposite direction. It worked wonders after a couple days of walking and practice. Just continue what you're doing... the calm approach, stopping when pulling, relaxing, etc.

Premier also makes a Walk Nice harness which goes over their muzzle and that helps with bigger pullers, I think. You can buy these online or at Petco or Petsmart!

RoxyLuv · 07-29-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

Have you looked into the Premier Easy Walk or Walk Nice harness?

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...k-harness.html

Jackson wasn't quite as much of a puller as yours sounds like, but he did pull, and the first walk in this stopped it. The difference in this harness is that the D-ring is on the front of the harness, not the back. So whenever they pull, they get pulled in the opposite direction. It worked wonders after a couple days of walking and practice. Just continue what you're doing... the calm approach, stopping when pulling, relaxing, etc.

Premier also makes a Walk Nice harness which goes over their muzzle and that helps with bigger pullers, I think. You can buy these online or at Petco or Petsmart!

I agree on either of these. It would have saved me some money if I had started with these. The Premier harness worked wonders over the others. However I've found w/the harness that the sizing adjustments want to slip out of place a little too easily. There have been a few times when she has gotten her leg up over the straps even though I had just double checked the adjustments before starting the walk. It may not be a problem w/a bigger dog though. I found that I needed to take up some of the slack in the leash to prevent her from stepping over the leash & getting it behind her front leg. There is a marked difference in the way she walks with the D ring in the front instead of on the back.

I've got the Premier head halter, but have been hesitant to use it. Roxy is such a strong puller it scares me on such a little dog. She's been like a sled dog hooked up to sled. I've used head halters to train large animals, but find it intimidating for her. Of the two brands of head halters that I've seen, I like the way Premier fits the best.

AAR, I've ordered a harness from chattiesmom as my last attempt before using the head halter. At least with hers, I can use the same harness for walking & hooking up in the car. Yea! Otherwise I have to switch harnesses. Hate that! - Good luck!

OhBaxter · 07-29-2009, 08:13 AM

Thank you! I'll give it a try. I did buy the walk nice harness that goes over the nose but he was terrified of that one and not having it, so that one didn't work out.

Britster · 07-29-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoxyLuv

I agree on either of these. It would have saved me some money if I had started with these. The Premier harness worked wonders over the others. However I've found w/the harness that the sizing adjustments want to slip out of place a little too easily. There have been a few times when she has gotten her leg up over the straps even though I had just double checked the adjustments before starting the walk. It may not be a problem w/a bigger dog though. I found that I needed to take up some of the slack in the leash to prevent her from stepping over the leash & getting it behind her front leg. There is a marked difference in the way she walks with the D ring in the front instead of on the back.

I've got the Premier head halter, but have been hesitant to use it. Roxy is such a strong puller it scares me on such a little dog. She's been like a sled dog hooked up to sled. I've used head halters to train large animals, but find it intimidating for her. Of the two brands of head halters that I've seen, I like the way Premier fits the best.

AAR, I've ordered a harness from chattiesmom as my last attempt before using the head halter. At least with hers, I can use the same harness for walking & hooking up in the car. Yea! Otherwise I have to switch harnesses. Hate that! - Good luck!

I've heard a lot of people having the issue with sizing the Premier. Jackson is 14lbs so the small fits him fine, but it did take a while to get it exactly right. I will be ordering Chattiesmom's walk nice harness eventually too because it will be nice to have the d-ring on the front AND back. When I have to walk him on the retractable leash or something, that's not easily done with a ring on the front!

Britster · 07-29-2009, 09:23 AM

Here's a video of Jackson walking on the Premier harness, for example. Sorry it's kinda hard to take a video and walk a dog at the same time, lol, but you get the basic picture.

yorkies :: VID00090.flv video by brit015 - Photobucket

alaskayorkie · 07-29-2009, 09:37 AM

I agree a better harness might help, but I'd still encourage you to get back to the basics. Don't allow pulling. It's going to be frustrating at first because your "walks" turn into shorter training sessions. You may even have to find another way to get your pups their exercise until they master the leashed walks. (Toss a toy in the yard or in the house, etc.) It wouldn't hurt to exercise them at home BEFORE your walk so they burn off some of that energy. On the walk, what you're trying to do is make yourself more interesting than what they're pulling toward. Here are the things you can try:

* Stop when they pull. Change directions. You'll probably say "I've tried it; it doesn't work!" Consistency is the key for that. Eventually, it will. Keep your walks to 5-10 minutes if they continue to fight you. Don't yell at them. Encourage them to change directions with you. Try whatever you can to make it fun. Always end the session on a success, however small.

* Try luring them with a treat. Hold it in your hand and get their attention, then start walking. If they don't keep their attention on you, consider getting a spatula and putting a little "cheez-whiz" type doggie treat on it. Hold it right in front of their nose. If they stop pulling as you walk, give them a little lick.

* If that doesn't work, dangle a toy in front of them; same idea. The reward for a successful session is letting them play with the toy -- at home when the walk is over.

It can be VERY frustrating, I know. But when it clicks and they focus on you and not pulling, it's equally rewarding and worth the effort.

Good luck!

QuickSilver · 07-29-2009, 12:37 PM

The vision of a yorkie running on his hind legs cracks me up.

alaskayorkie gives some good advice (for once!

). My problem with Thor was not as bad as you describe, but I had corrected him literally hundreds of times, and he would still run in front of me. I tried the following technique ONCE, seriously, ONCE, and it had a permanent effect.

The purpose of the exercise is to teach your dog that he cannot take the direction you are going in for granted - he has to watch you. So take ten minutes to walk as unpredicatably as you can. RUN forward, stop suddenly, then shuffle to the right. Spin in circles, both ways. Walk backwards. Hop on one foot.

Yes, you will look crazy, but your dog will learn that he has to watch you to get his cue. Now when we walk, I can see Thor checking that he is keeping pace with me. Occasionally I will reinforce by turning around and walking in the other direction a few times, in a row, but that's all that is needed.

The article I got this from said that this is very hard work for the dog mentally, so let him play and relax after ten minutes. The last time I recommended this, the two people asking said their dogs were either heeling or walking slightly behind them after this exercise.

Britster · 07-29-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

The vision of a yorkie running on his hind legs cracks me up.

alaskayorkie gives some good advice (for once!

). My problem with Thor was not as bad as you describe, but I had corrected him literally hundreds of times, and he would still run in front of me. I tried the following technique ONCE, seriously, ONCE, and it had a permanent effect.

The purpose of the exercise is to teach your dog that he cannot take the direction you are going in for granted - he has to watch you. So take ten minutes to walk as unpredicatably as you can. RUN forward, stop suddenly, then shuffle to the right. Spin in circles, both ways. Walk backwards. Hop on one foot.

Yes, you will look crazy, but your dog will learn that he has to watch you to get his cue. Now when we walk, I can see Thor checking that he is keeping pace with me. Occasionally I will reinforce by turning around and walking in the other direction a few times, in a row, but that's all that is needed.

The article I got this from said that this is very hard work for the dog mentally, so let him play and relax after ten minutes. The last time I recommended this, the two people asking said their dogs were either heeling or walking slightly behind them after this exercise.

UmbeandYudi · 07-29-2009, 02:13 PM

My one does the same thing but i think she just turns into another dog when she is out side.

My boyfriend has two kids and i swear she runs back and forth and if i hold her back she yelps like i'm hurting her! its so embarrassing because she moves around like crazy and once i put her down she does the same thing she pulls to where she is on her back to legs. Then she pulls so hard that last week her back paw ripped and i had to take her to the ER because the bleeding. So i'm planning on seeing a trainer friday and if i have anything good i'll post it up! But if anyone has advice please let me know!!! I need it!!!

mickey3696 · 07-29-2009, 02:34 PM

Muffy is a big puller and this is what I done to fix her. Evertime we go for a walk and she starts to pull I will quickly turn the other way and start walking away from her saying lets go. If she starts again I will go the other way again. It takes a few times for them to catch on but after they do they have no idea which way you are going to go so they stay next to you. This way you are not pulling on them or hurting them. This has worked on all my friends dogs. They were having trouble and so I took there dog for a walk then showed them what I did and it has worked everytime. I hope this helps, if you have any questions just ask.

Nascar Fan · 07-29-2009, 10:17 PM

I'm just curious. Myself, I have a spinal disability, and we have a fenced yard, so I make sure Smokie gets plenty of exercise in the yard. But, are you walking your dog on the sidewalk or pavment? If so, is it hot? I know i have walked Smokie, and using treats, he learned quickly to walk with me, and even not to bark at the neighbors dogs as we walked past them. But when the pavement is hot, he will not cooperate at all. If this is the case, maybe a pair of shoes to keep the heat from burning those precious little paws? Just a thought.

Nascar Fan · 07-29-2009, 10:20 PM

Just a note - I mention quite a bit about using treats for good behavior from going potty outside to coming to me when i call him. i use an organic treat you can get at the grocery store that looks like beef jerky. I give very small bites of treats. one bag lasts a long time.

07-28-2009, 10:17 PM	#1
OhBaxter YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 7	Walking I am trying to figure out how to train my yorkie to walk on a leash properly. It's driving me crazy! I have watched tons of cezar milans shows and used those techniques to easily train my husbands dog who used to just drag me, but she's bigger and could use the choke collar. Baxter just runs full force on his leash though. He literally runs on his back legs because he is pulling so hard. I have used his regular collar and a harness to keep from hurting his neck. I used the calm method that cezar always shows where you have to get them in a calm state before walking, and if they get excited again wait for them to calm down again. But Baxter is nuts. He sits and looks at me, I take one step and he lunges full force. So, I stop and he patiently sits there looking at me, one step, and he lunges. I can not figure it out. I try pulling him to the side because they say that distracts them, but he just runs sideways. I've tried to hold him at my side with little slack, nothing seems to work. I know we look so silly trying to go for a walk.

07-28-2009, 10:47 PM	#2
Lady Amethyst Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2009 Location: MICHIGANDER Posts: 43	I need this to.... Hello & Welcome! I just wanted to say that I am having the same problem with my dog. So I just can't wait to come back to this thread to read the responses. I hear that walking your dog is the best form of exercise. However, I don't walk mine at all. I have a huge backyard (I like to refer to it as a football field..fenced of course..LOL). I just let him out to run around the yard once or twice a day. I call that excercise! I'm very afraid of people stairing when I walk Neko. He PULLS so hard that he walks on his back legs, almost taller than me..lol. It's pretty embarassing when I can't get him to listen to me in public. He will not walk side by side for nothing, just pulls and tries to run all the time (and it's worse if someone or something comes along..my God). So I just don't walk him. I know this isn't good, but I don't have the patients. So around the yard he goes. Again Welcome...And I'm sure at this forum, you will find alot of GREAT advice/help! Good Luck... __________________ Mrs. Lady Amethyst LOVE yourself..Then Worry About Being LOVED!

07-29-2009, 06:11 AM	#3
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	Have you looked into the Premier Easy Walk or Walk Nice harness? http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...k-harness.html Jackson wasn't quite as much of a puller as yours sounds like, but he did pull, and the first walk in this stopped it. The difference in this harness is that the D-ring is on the front of the harness, not the back. So whenever they pull, they get pulled in the opposite direction. It worked wonders after a couple days of walking and practice. Just continue what you're doing... the calm approach, stopping when pulling, relaxing, etc. Premier also makes a Walk Nice harness which goes over their muzzle and that helps with bigger pullers, I think. You can buy these online or at Petco or Petsmart! __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

07-29-2009, 09:23 AM	#7
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	Here's a video of Jackson walking on the Premier harness, for example. Sorry it's kinda hard to take a video and walk a dog at the same time, lol, but you get the basic picture. yorkies :: VID00090.flv video by brit015 - Photobucket __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

07-29-2009, 09:37 AM	#8
alaskayorkie Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 30,843 Blog Entries: 57	I agree a better harness might help, but I'd still encourage you to get back to the basics. Don't allow pulling. It's going to be frustrating at first because your "walks" turn into shorter training sessions. You may even have to find another way to get your pups their exercise until they master the leashed walks. (Toss a toy in the yard or in the house, etc.) It wouldn't hurt to exercise them at home BEFORE your walk so they burn off some of that energy. On the walk, what you're trying to do is make yourself more interesting than what they're pulling toward. Here are the things you can try: * Stop when they pull. Change directions. You'll probably say "I've tried it; it doesn't work!" Consistency is the key for that. Eventually, it will. Keep your walks to 5-10 minutes if they continue to fight you. Don't yell at them. Encourage them to change directions with you. Try whatever you can to make it fun. Always end the session on a success, however small. * Try luring them with a treat. Hold it in your hand and get their attention, then start walking. If they don't keep their attention on you, consider getting a spatula and putting a little "cheez-whiz" type doggie treat on it. Hold it right in front of their nose. If they stop pulling as you walk, give them a little lick. * If that doesn't work, dangle a toy in front of them; same idea. The reward for a successful session is letting them play with the toy -- at home when the walk is over. It can be VERY frustrating, I know. But when it clicks and they focus on you and not pulling, it's equally rewarding and worth the effort. Good luck! __________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube

07-29-2009, 08:13 AM	#5
OhBaxter YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 7	Thank you! I'll give it a try. I did buy the walk nice harness that goes over the nose but he was terrified of that one and not having it, so that one didn't work out.

07-29-2009, 12:37 PM	#9
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	The vision of a yorkie running on his hind legs cracks me up. alaskayorkie gives some good advice (for once! ). My problem with Thor was not as bad as you describe, but I had corrected him literally hundreds of times, and he would still run in front of me. I tried the following technique ONCE, seriously, ONCE, and it had a permanent effect. The purpose of the exercise is to teach your dog that he cannot take the direction you are going in for granted - he has to watch you. So take ten minutes to walk as unpredicatably as you can. RUN forward, stop suddenly, then shuffle to the right. Spin in circles, both ways. Walk backwards. Hop on one foot. Yes, you will look crazy, but your dog will learn that he has to watch you to get his cue. Now when we walk, I can see Thor checking that he is keeping pace with me. Occasionally I will reinforce by turning around and walking in the other direction a few times, in a row, but that's all that is needed. The article I got this from said that this is very hard work for the dog mentally, so let him play and relax after ten minutes. The last time I recommended this, the two people asking said their dogs were either heeling or walking slightly behind them after this exercise. __________________ If you love something, set it free. Unless it's an angry tiger.

07-29-2009, 02:13 PM	#11
UmbeandYudi Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 69	My one does the same thing but i think she just turns into another dog when she is out side. My boyfriend has two kids and i swear she runs back and forth and if i hold her back she yelps like i'm hurting her! its so embarrassing because she moves around like crazy and once i put her down she does the same thing she pulls to where she is on her back to legs. Then she pulls so hard that last week her back paw ripped and i had to take her to the ER because the bleeding. So i'm planning on seeing a trainer friday and if i have anything good i'll post it up! But if anyone has advice please let me know!!! I need it!!!

07-29-2009, 02:34 PM	#12
mickey3696 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hemphill, Texas Posts: 632	Muffy is a big puller and this is what I done to fix her. Evertime we go for a walk and she starts to pull I will quickly turn the other way and start walking away from her saying lets go. If she starts again I will go the other way again. It takes a few times for them to catch on but after they do they have no idea which way you are going to go so they stay next to you. This way you are not pulling on them or hurting them. This has worked on all my friends dogs. They were having trouble and so I took there dog for a walk then showed them what I did and it has worked everytime. I hope this helps, if you have any questions just ask. __________________ Angel,Muffy,&Buddy

07-29-2009, 10:17 PM	#13
Nascar Fan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Council Bluffs IA USA Posts: 44	I'm just curious. Myself, I have a spinal disability, and we have a fenced yard, so I make sure Smokie gets plenty of exercise in the yard. But, are you walking your dog on the sidewalk or pavment? If so, is it hot? I know i have walked Smokie, and using treats, he learned quickly to walk with me, and even not to bark at the neighbors dogs as we walked past them. But when the pavement is hot, he will not cooperate at all. If this is the case, maybe a pair of shoes to keep the heat from burning those precious little paws? Just a thought.

07-29-2009, 10:20 PM	#14
Nascar Fan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Council Bluffs IA USA Posts: 44	Just a note - I mention quite a bit about using treats for good behavior from going potty outside to coming to me when i call him. i use an organic treat you can get at the grocery store that looks like beef jerky. I give very small bites of treats. one bag lasts a long time.