Any success with leash pulling?

[polomysweetpup]

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!

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

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.

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.

Thank you for expounding on what I was trying to explain. The ultimate goal is to have your dog giving you his undivided attention and respect at all times. The exercise you described will certainly get his attention. Like Geez, Louise, I am walking with a crazy person I better pay attention.

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

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.

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.

Gosh, it sounds brilliant, and like a ton of fun to watch!!! I'll have to try it. However, I'm afraid Miss Ginger would just climb on after a few moments of that and go along for the ride. Seriously, great post! Like you, I've tired of the constant correcting. You've inspired me to walk like a nut. I think it just might work.

[QuickSilver]

Please note for this method to work, you also need to speak in pig latin. And it would be best if you have someone record a video and post it to YT later for review.

Ha, I'm so hilarious. Seriously, I'll be interested to see how it works for other people, so please keep us posted! I'm always interested in how the advice given on this forum works out. So many threads start with problems, and I always wonder if the advice helped, or if they tried something better, or just gave up and learned to live with it, etc. Satisfy my curiousity.

[toke]

Originally Posted by polomysweetpup

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!

This really interests me...I've never used anything but a rolled leather collar. What is it about this harness that stops the pulling?

[KJLive]

Originally Posted by polomysweetpup

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!

What's the difference between a harness and a 'no pull' harness? Sounds like this might just be the last thing I need to polish off her walking skills.

[dogbert]

Yesterday we walked a mile and a half instead of a mile. She pulled for the first mile, the last half she had plenty of slack in the leash but that's because she was gotta gas! lol

[Britster]

Originally Posted by polomysweetpup

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!

'
Walmart.com: Yuppie Puppy: Anti Pull Toy Harness, 1 ct: Dogs

Is this the harness you got?

How easy is it to get on/off?

Jackson's good on the leash 95% of the time, but If I can get something to make him almost perfect, that'd be great. I just like the easy harnesses to put on, lol

[toke]

I found these directions on the web for that Yuppie Puppy Anti-Pull Harness:

http://yuppiepuppy.com/PDGImages/APH-directions.jpg

Here's their main site:

www.yuppiepuppy.com - Anti-Pull Harness

[Robin Lodal]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

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 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.

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!

[grandmatoall]

TJ is also hard to fit into a harness.. even the no pull ones. One of the things I have done that helped a little. When he kept getting his leg out of one of them.. I put a little t-shirt over the harness. This worked well. He is a houdini for sure.

I am going to try this changing directions constantly and hopping to the side. I don't care if I look like a nut. as long as it works. There have been some great ideas here... and I am going to give them a shot.

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by Robin Lodal

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!

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 .

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.

[KJLive]

I've just PM'd with Chattiesmom regarding her "walk nice" harnesses. They seem to be designed along the same lines as a "no pull" harness. As soon as I get my Sophie sized up this weekend, I'm going to order one from her. I'd rather give a fellow YTer my money than Walmart.
Besides, hers are absolutely beautiful!

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Robin Lodal

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!

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.

[Robin Lodal]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

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 .

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.

Thanks! I figured that I would have to work with them individually on this, but was hoping that I didn't have to! Sometimes its hard having two babies b/c to teach them tricks and stuff I usually have to work one on one.

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

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.

Yeah, that's what someone was telling me. That if your dog walks in FRONT of you then they are the dominant/master over you. I don't honestly care if my dogs walk in front of me - is that a bad thing? Or is it very important for them to walk beside me? I just don't want them to pull so I will start working with them this evening!