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The doghouse

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Original poster

Pulling tips?

9 replies

extremepie · 15/04/2012 12:14

I know this has probably been done to death but I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to get a (big) dog to stop pulling?

So far we've gone through 2 halit's, and a gentle leader each - they have broken them all!

We've now got another one which seems s a bit more effective (although we've only used it once so far!) but it's clear to me that the problem is not the collar/harness thing we use but the dogs themselves - I just don't know how best to train them not to pull!

I want to get to the point with them where we can take them out just on collars and not even need a head harness for them and they will walk fine but at the moment I dread taking them out because they pull the whole time and I feel like my arm's going to come off! I can't walk the boy at all because he is just too strong when he pulls so the only one who can take him out is my DH :(

I want to enjoy walking my dogs! Help!

OP posts:

Original poster

extremepie · 15/04/2012 12:15

Ohh, forgot to say they are both great danes if that makes any difference :)

OP posts:

tipp2chicago · 15/04/2012 12:18

Stop in your tracks every time they start to pull, and make them sit. Once they get the idea that they're going nowhere fast they usually calm down a bit. But you have to do it every single time to drill it into their heads.

Work with our GR anyway, so hopefully it'll work for you.

GinPalace · 15/04/2012 12:21

Hmmm - possibly not the tip you want but I found with my large collie that a head harness was completely ineffectual but a chest one was like a miracle.

We use a Lupi harness and it has transformed my dog, my shoulder joints and our life!

GinPalace · 15/04/2012 12:24

In fact I got it after meeting someone with a dog big enough to saddle and ride whose owner swore by it - think it was a newfoundland-esque thing. So I am sure it would be suitable for a GD. Though I'm sure you would rather train the right thing it doesn't hurt to have a plan B.

Original poster

extremepie · 15/04/2012 12:44

I have seen the lupi harnesses amd they've had very good reviews but from our previous experience anything that goes around the shoulders is a big fat no as it actually makes the problem worse :(

My DH tried to walk our boy with our girl's old shoulder harness (which we stopped using because it was worse than useless!) and after about 5 metres walking he had to stop - our boy was dragging him down the street with ease (and he is a big, heavy guy!)

I'm fed up with spending money on things that claim to stop pulling and don't help at all! Hence why I'm currently feeling like it doesn't matter what we use if they are not trained not to pull :)

It is good to know what other people have seen work though, as opposed to the manufacturers telling you it's really good so will bear that in mind :)

OP posts:

GinPalace · 15/04/2012 12:50

Maybe not the thing then, but the lupi isn't a fixed harness, the straps tighten, so when the dog pulls it tightens under their armpits, this is the thing which stops them. (Don't know if that makes a difference)

The strap is a smooth cord so doesn't chafe the skin, tug the hair or hurt as such, it just squeezes and this in itself weakens the pull.

If you had seen the dog who persuaded me you would know what I mean think 'draft horse' not dog!!

WhereBeThatBlackbirdTo · 15/04/2012 12:54

I have a springer x pup and have tried 7 different harnesses and leads, including the halti and gentle leader.

My trainer recommended a Metuki harness with double ended lead. It clips to the harness on the pup's back and round his neck, I think it's called a balance lead. When you walk with it you hold it like horses reins and as he pulls on one end you gently pull the other so he is unbalanced and is unsure of which bit to pull against. It has certainly slowed him down and although he still pulls on the way out for his walk (all excited and bouncy springing) when we walk home he is quite easy to control.

The trainer also suggested a way to help him stop pulling (I've tried the stop/start method, changing directions suddenly and using food, nothing worked). She said put a foot in front of him quickly, for about a second, say quite firmly 'slop' then step back. I'm to do this for only 10 seconds at a time to start with so he gets the idea, then make him sit then give his release signal.

Wish me luck ...

Whoopydofoxpoo · 15/04/2012 14:28

I'm doing the stop start method with ours at the moment - I really don't want to go down the route of even more harnesses, leads etc etc

UptownAbbie · 15/04/2012 15:15

Will be harder with 2 dogs but the stop start method worked for my lab. The idea is that dog needs to know he can't get anywhere if he pulls. Also a small piece of cheese held in left hand worked brilliantly to keep my dog walking in heel position. Might not work so well for less foodie breeds. I still use cheese if there are a lot of distractions, he eventually gets the cheese but will walk like this for 15 minutes so don't have to give him much.
Perhaps you could do separate short training walks for each of your dogs and maybe drive somewhere so they can get off-lead exercise?

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