How do I go from a 16 ft. retractable leash to a regular 6 ft. lead?
 

I have used a retractable leash for Princess most of her life since we usually walk near home & not on any roads or even sidewalks along them. Well she's just becoming unruly & is not obeying 'wait' & 'up' etc. as she once did like going up & down the stairs (3 floors). There's also a problematic dog so if she's out 16 ft. it'd be hard to ''reel her in'' quickly.

So I bought a 6 ft. lead & hooked it to her puppia style harness. The harness falls at the very bottom of her throat yet she is practically gagging herself pulling so hard. She seriously looks like a sled dog & sometimes her feet even lift off the ground as she tries to lunge further forward. How can I teach her to use this without putting her safety at risk? I've went back to the other for now as I'm worried about CT & honestly very frustrated.:( I'd like to just use the longer one for recreation to give her a little more freedom since we have an open yard, but the short one for car trips, etc. Will that confuse her?

Any suggestions?

I am going through the same thing. I have always used a flexi leash and now I need to use a regular leash for training class for my older dog. I don't like the regulary leash. I actually like the flexi leash. Have you tried locking your flexi leash.

Yes but she seems to know where it normally comes to an end & pulls like heck until I release it. I think the first thing is going to be finding her a harness that she can't choke herself on.

Yeah, find a better harness.

As for the 6-foot lead, don't expect too much right away. It's a whole different mindset for her than to wander as she pleases. Work 10-15 minutes a day until she can walk on a loose leash.

Here's a couple things to try:

To get her to stop pulling, don't allow it. When she hits the end of her leash and pulls, stop. Change directions frequently. You want her looking at you and trying to anticipate your direction changes. When she does it right, give her a treat immediately accompanied by a "yes!" If a treat doesn't work and she pulls, pull out a favorite toy. Loose leash earns a treat. Tight leash earns a direction change.

For more of a formal heel, hold a treat right in front of the position you want her in when walking on leash. When she falls into that position, give her the treat. Ideally, the treat will be dangled so it's between your eyes and hers. Eventually, you want her looking at your eyes and not for the treat. Some instructors use cheese whiz on a spoon so you don't have to bend over while you're walking.

Don't expect too much right away. For a while, walks won't be the walks as you remember them. They're gonna be training sessions. It can be frustrating and not a lot of fun for you to have to keep changing directions, but it's a necessary evil to get the pulling to stop.

Good luck! Once she learns it, walks will become pleasurable again -- and safer.

Good advice! I have a flexi as well, but I use it sparingly. Kaji is muh more use to his 4 ft leash. I keep him on a short leash since he freaks out in public. The only additional advice I can give is use a harness that clips in the front on her chest instead of the back.

I gave that advice to an ex co-worker who swore she had tried everything to get her 20 lb terrier mix to walk in a leash. Accordin to her, Nothing worked. I told her about that kind of harness, she bought one, and her dog caught on very quickly. The idea is that when the dog pulls, they don't get where they are going. (which is their reward) Instead of moving forward when they pull, they face you instead. There is no reward.

That really made me giggle! Kaos does the SAME thing on his retractable leash. :p

I have the same problem with Jaxon. I have never seen a harness that clips like that. Where can I get one? and how do you keep them from tripping over the leash? Sorry, I don't think I am picturing this right.

The same way you keep them from tripping on the leash when it's clipped to their back, you hold it. I know that sounds like a smart Alec answer; I don't mean it that way! It should only be an issue if you give them too much slack. Kaji trips on his leash if I give him too much slack, and his harness had the ring on his back.

I don't know where you can get one. I've seen them on YT, which is why I mentioned it to my work friend. I don't personally use it. Kaji pulls out of panic, and needs a special kind of training for leash walking. I've also seen them at the shelter I use to volunteer for. I know they're out there, just not sure where.

LOL! I guess it was kind of a stupid question. I was picturing the clip being low on the chest like between his front legs and wondered how that would work? I should have thought it out more!
Anyway, I googled it and found a couple, but for larger dogs. I'll have to keep looking.
Thanks for the idea.

:thumbup::thumbup: Excellent advice.

Thanks for the great advice.:) Since everyone agrees with Mike I guess he's not just trying to make me the laughing stock of the sidewalk who can't make up her mind, lol.;):p

He's just lucky he's good at something. :p

Front Harness
 

Premier Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harnesses for Dogs - Gentle Leader Harness Collar - Petco.com

This is the one I have for our Great Dane, I love it. He does not pull hardly at all. I would even let my 12 year old daughter walk him. I have not had to use one on Gizmo yet, he will walk right by by side.

Hope this helps!

They do make it in XS but most stores don't carry it, But they can order it in if you ask!

I have this problem When i take lola out to go relieve herself she is in such a hurry i feel awful stopping and waiting so she will stop pulling. i know she is still young and has to get outside to go to the bathroom quickyl. the short leash i guess would work for a "walk" but we take her otu multiple times for bathroom use, so i need to have her have room to roam, sniff, pee, etc. ugh i dont know how to do that with a 6ft leash