YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post

Maolee · 08-09-2008, 08:29 AM

there is not a proper way to leash train, but there are improper ways.

the reason you are seeing this setback is because you switched to a harness. the harness is designed so that a dog can comfortably pull a weight.

there is no longer any reprecusion for your dog when pulling. i would recommend you switch back to the collar for his training, and when he pulls, you give him a correction.

my 4.5lb yorkie took about a week of being stubborn before finally understanding that i was the one leading the walk, and he had to walk weather he wanted to or not, then probably about 3-4 weeks before he would finally properly heel. but to this day i still need to correct him from time to time (especially when distractions, i.e. other dogs, rodents, garden gnomes are present.)

a lot of people dont like to use a collar on their yorkies because they say their yorkie pulls and then coughs (because of the pressure put on their throat) this is sort of true, but as long as your corrections are of the correct magnitude for your dog it should be fine.

i.e. your dog should maybe shift in his walk, but not be turned around, or lifted off the ground. its just a light tug that gets their attention back on you.

08-09-2008, 08:29 AM	#2
Maolee Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Glenville, NY, USA Posts: 22	there is not a proper way to leash train, but there are improper ways. the reason you are seeing this setback is because you switched to a harness. the harness is designed so that a dog can comfortably pull a weight. there is no longer any reprecusion for your dog when pulling. i would recommend you switch back to the collar for his training, and when he pulls, you give him a correction. my 4.5lb yorkie took about a week of being stubborn before finally understanding that i was the one leading the walk, and he had to walk weather he wanted to or not, then probably about 3-4 weeks before he would finally properly heel. but to this day i still need to correct him from time to time (especially when distractions, i.e. other dogs, rodents, garden gnomes are present.) a lot of people dont like to use a collar on their yorkies because they say their yorkie pulls and then coughs (because of the pressure put on their throat) this is sort of true, but as long as your corrections are of the correct magnitude for your dog it should be fine. i.e. your dog should maybe shift in his walk, but not be turned around, or lifted off the ground. its just a light tug that gets their attention back on you.