Help me with my dog!!

[Anythingwithagiraffeonit]

I have a 4 year old cocker spaniel and he's fantastic. Great with my DD, sits, paw, rollover, etc etc.

But after 3 different dog schools he will NOT walk on his lead! I pull him to heel over and over, have tried giving treats, walked in between DH and I, but it's just crazy. He pulls so terribly the whole time he's literally being strangled. DH runs with him to try to wear him out, but he just runs faster... And pulls!

The problem is getting worse now that I have DD and need him to walk beside the pram rather than drag me and it down the street.

Any advice please?? I've taken to just not bringing him out on our walks and that's no fun for anyone!

Thanks.

I walked Devil Dog around in a circle everytime the leash got tight. We spent a lot of time walking around circles. It must have been quite amusing to passers by, but he got it in the end.

Leash goes tight. I stop walking. I use the lead to guide him in a circle and back to my side. I found it easier with a harness than a collar.

treats in hand?

as soon as he pulls, walk in opposite direction for a few steps- im sure thats what vicoria stinwell?doggy trainer thingy does

i saw a spaniel walking a woman the other day.

every time dog pulled, she pulled dog back and then it continued on and on. poor dog. as she kept going in same direction how was dog supposed to know not to pull as it was getting him/her where he wanted to go ie the field at the end of the road

would recommend same as others - change direction, persevere for days if need be without going for a proper walk. keep high value treats, such as sausage or cheese cubes in your hand and treat when he is in correct position. adjust feeding accordingly so dog not overfed. dog needs to be taught that walking by your side equals nice treats and/or going for a walk

If you need to be able to train the dog and have the pram I think the easiest way would be to stop every time he pulls. Every single time the lead goes tight, stop dead. Wait for the lead to go loose again and only then walk forward. If the dog keeps pulling when you have stopped, take a few steps backwards, then move forwards again when the dog comes nearer to you and the lead goes loose. It is utterly painstaking to start with as you'll be stopping every step, but if you're consistent then the dog will quickly get the message and the results will last forever.

I would stop your husband running with the dog until the problem is sorted because if the dog is allowed to pull at all, even once, without the person holding the lead stopping it will make things much, much harder.

Doing more training indoors or the garden with the dog will help tired him
out, using their brain can be as tiring as a good run for some dogs.

I am still using the stop method with my spaniel who currently takes me for walks.
At first it was a case of stopping at each step. But now, we can walk a out 15 steps without having to stop. It is so hard and boring but it has to be done. I do not want to be dragged down the street for the next x amount of years. He is such a strong dog, I'm hoping he won't get any stronger!

Thanks everyone, I hope it works!!

Using a pram is actually a great way to get a dog to heel!

It is very important that your dog knows what heel is.
Make sure you teach the heel position in a quiet boring location - usually indoors to start with.

Do you have a long hallway or kitchen.
Put the dog between you and the wall (I would use a clicker and treats)
Lure the dog into the correct position with the treat and then walk one step give the dog the treat as you are moving.
Because you are close to the wall the dog will have less places to wonder off to.
DO NOT use the heel word here at all. - the dog is learning the behaviour first - then add the word.

if you have been saying heel, then change to a new word when you are ready eg close, side or with me.

When your dog is good at this indoors put on a lead and do it again in the hallway - make sure that you are not in anyway letting the lead go tight - if you do you are teaching the dog to pull against you.

If the dog does go forward just stop and lure back into the correct position and carry on again treat after a few forward steps.

Do this for a while.

To see if the dog has learnt the heel position stand next to the dog and step to the side and then ask heel - the dog should also step to the side to the hell position.

You are not ready to take this on location!

Try in your garden first if possible again against a wall, try dow the pavement again next to a wall. IF the dog does go in front stop. pause, quietly say the dogs name and lure back into the hell position continue on for a few steps and then reward.

This will take time - and do not expect the dog to be perfect or to heel in all situations to start with eg when out walking on the common and their is another dog , or a pheasant to chase! So build it up and do not expect too much too soon. Most dogs will need constant training in heel work, especially if they have learnt to pull.

Your pram will actually be a positive aid - if the dog does pull ahead you can block with the pram and the wall so will clearly show the dog the correct position.

Let us know how you get on. But remember in dog training if you want a good result quickly go slowly!

Wow - you are all much more informative than the trainers we paid!

I'll let you know how we get on :)