Originally Posted by QuickSilver (Post 2580996)

I got an incredibly useful suggestion from an eBook someone sent me. It's similar to chattiesmom's method.

Go to a park if you can (I did this on the sidewalk and dealt with looking completely crazy).

Your goal is to make your dog realize that he can't make any assumptions about which direction you are going in. So basically, move as unpredictably as you can. Run a couple steps backwards, stop dead, and shuffle off to the right. Spin in circles. Do figure eights. Change your speed. Hop. The weirder you can get, the better.

The book said this is very tiring mentally for the dog, so just do it for ten minutes or so, and then let them go off and play.

The book suggested doing this several times a week, but I just had to do it once! I was getting incredibly frustrated with Thor, because he would insist on running ahead of me, despite the fact that I was completely consistent with stopping or turning around EVERY SINGLE TIME. Now though, I can see him checking to the side to make sure he's in step with me. If he does get a little ahead, I stop, make a little correction noise, and he walks back to my side. :D

He's not absolutely perfect yet - he ran in front of me to bark at some dogs today - but he's seriously like 99% better. He'll even walk by my side when we're in front of a park.

Originally Posted by QuickSilver (Post 2580996)

I got an incredibly useful suggestion from an eBook someone sent me. It's similar to chattiesmom's method.

Go to a park if you can (I did this on the sidewalk and dealt with looking completely crazy).

Your goal is to make your dog realize that he can't make any assumptions about which direction you are going in. So basically, move as unpredictably as you can. Run a couple steps backwards, stop dead, and shuffle off to the right. Spin in circles. Do figure eights. Change your speed. Hop. The weirder you can get, the better.

The book said this is very tiring mentally for the dog, so just do it for ten minutes or so, and then let them go off and play.

The book suggested doing this several times a week, but I just had to do it once! I was getting incredibly frustrated with Thor, because he would insist on running ahead of me, despite the fact that I was completely consistent with stopping or turning around EVERY SINGLE TIME. Now though, I can see him checking to the side to make sure he's in step with me. If he does get a little ahead, I stop, make a little correction noise, and he walks back to my side. :D

He's not absolutely perfect yet - he ran in front of me to bark at some dogs today - but he's seriously like 99% better. He'll even walk by my side when we're in front of a park.

Originally Posted by polomysweetpup (Post 2581086)

i was having the same problem with my puppy Polo and then i went to walmart and purchased a no pull harness Toy Size. Let me tell you this really works well with him no more pulling and he now walks nicely by my side and and even when he is in his regular harness he will not pull anymore and this was only like 8 dollars. Well worth my money and time!:):)

Originally Posted by polomysweetpup (Post 2581086)

i was having the same problem with my puppy Polo and then i went to walmart and purchased a no pull harness Toy Size. Let me tell you this really works well with him no more pulling and he now walks nicely by my side and and even when he is in his regular harness he will not pull anymore and this was only like 8 dollars. Well worth my money and time!:):)

Originally Posted by polomysweetpup (Post 2581086)

i was having the same problem with my puppy Polo and then i went to walmart and purchased a no pull harness Toy Size. Let me tell you this really works well with him no more pulling and he now walks nicely by my side and and even when he is in his regular harness he will not pull anymore and this was only like 8 dollars. Well worth my money and time!:):)

Originally Posted by chattiesmom (Post 2580023)

If the EZ harness is slipping off, it doesn't sound like it fits correctly. The harness should fit snug but not tight.

I have two golden rules for training which I gleaned from a horse trainer that I respect:

#1) Is it safe for me and my dog

#2) Is what I am doing working? If not, try something else. Be creative, have fun, after all YOU are your dog's best trainer.


I would try some different tactics. Forget food treats for this one. His reward will be on a mental level. Wookie can quickly learn to pay attention and respect you while walking using these few simple little tricks.

Make sure your harness is properly fit AND safe - be absolutely certain that there is nothing in the throat area. This will require that YOU be quick and on your feet :D and that you focus 100% of your attention on Wookie. It will require that you follow through EVERY SINGLE TIME until Wookie gets the idea. Don't jerk the leash, and above all, don't get angry. In fact, enjoy yourself, sing a song, whistle, etc. You want Wookie to get the idea that you are enjoying a nice pleasant walk, but it won't be pleasant for Wookie until he stops pulling on the leash.

Remember, this is a training exercise, not a regular walk - and every single walks should turn into a focused training exercise until Wookie is walking nicely. Start the walk as normal. BUT before Wookie gets to the end of the leash, turn and start walking the other way. When Wookie gets to the end of the leash he will have no option but to turn and go with you or he will stop being the puller and start being pulled.

I guarantee that Wookie will dash ahead as soon as he realizes that something went wrong, so be ready and before Wookie gets to the end of the leash again, turn and walk in a different direction. ANY time that Wookie is NOT pulling, quietly praise him. His biggest reward will be that he is doesn't have to keep up with your quick direction changes.

You will look silly and for the first few walks you probably won't make it out of your own driveway, BUT it won't take long for Wookie to get the idea. Continue with this until he stops tugging and when he is walking nicely reward him by letting him have a turn at deciding which direction you walk. But any time he starts pulling, just turn and walk in a different direction. You can also add a verbal command, to remind him not to pull - NOPULL would work. This is helpful once he gets pretty good at not pulling and if he gets excited and forgets.

Originally Posted by Robin Lodal (Post 2582124)

I have never heard of this method before, but it sounds great. I will have to try it. Do you think this will work well with walking TWO dogs at once? I use a coupler for Max and Molly and sometimes I feel as though they are competing with one another to see who can get in front of one another! This could potentially be exactly what I need (or a no pull harness... hmm) Thanks ladies!

Originally Posted by Robin Lodal (Post 2582124)

I use a coupler for Max and Molly and sometimes I feel as though they are competing with one another to see who can get in front of one another!

Originally Posted by chattiesmom (Post 2582164)

In order to have a peaceful walk using a coupler, you need to train each dog to walk politely individually before putting them on a coupler. Once they are walking nicely, then you won't need a no pull harness :D.

I learned this the hard way while training my miniature horses to drive. All I'm going to say is..... to avoid disaster, each individual needs to be well trained BEFORE teaming them up.

Originally Posted by QuickSilver (Post 2582218)

Just a note, they probably ARE competing. The dominant animal walks in front. When I was dog sitting, it was pretty hilarious to walk Thor and his guest together. Thor was constantly trying to run in front of the other dog, and that dog would literally hip-check him at the last second to prevent him from getting in front.