Walking

[PhilMckrakin]

We have just rehomed a jack russell who is about 15 months old. Unfortunately he wasn't walked very much at all by his previous owners and they told us he doesn't like walking on the lead.

I have just taken him for his first walk and I didn't manage very well at all.

The lead we were given is an extendable one and it only seems to lock when he is pulling on it all of the time when it goes slack the lock releases. Everytime we walked past another dog or person he would either go mad barking and hanging off the lead or he would be wimpering and trying to run away. He was also very difficult to control as we live on a busy road and because the lead does not lock properly I was very worried he would run into the road.

Just to add I also have an 8 month old so have to push the buggy whilst walking.

Sorry it seems like bit of a jumbled post. This is the first dog I have ever owned so I guess I am looking for advice on how to control him when out for a walk, how to manage with a buggy as well and the best lead/harness to use.

TIA

Get a halti training lead and sign him up for some dog training classes. If he is happy walking on a collar I'd stick with that rather than swopping to a harness

Well, to start with , get rid of the horrid extendable lead and get a normal one instead. Ours has several d rings on it so you can change the length easily, but any (not choke chain) would do.

You'll need to do some (a lot) of training without the buggy as you'll need two hands. Either carry the baby on your back in a sling, or train without DC.

I suggest looking up either Ian Dunbar lead walking (sorry, can't link on phone but he'll come up on google) or clicker training lead walking and have a read. Also, read some past threads on here.

Some of the training can be done indoors or just on your drive or garden. If you choose the method where you turn round everytime he pulls, you can spend several days not getting past your neighbours house, so maybe baby could sit in the buggy and watch.

How's his recall? If it's perfect, you could make sure he gets his exercise off lead so that the lead practice is at a different time.

YY to the training classes! Essential for learning to get along with other dogs. And our lead is a halti.

I would use an ordinary short lead, and leave the extendable one for now, they can be more trouble than they're worth.

Agree about training classes - or get a trainer to do one-on-one sessions with you if you prefer. Especially if you're a first-time owner, having someone show you in person can be helpful, and help you get your confidence.

Don't panic though. It's very early days and with patience and persistence you will get there!

Thanks for the responses. Will look into training and a halti lead.

Not sure what you mean by recall. If you mean does he come back when off the lead I don't know. Didn't want to try it as I couldn't get him back with the buggy in tow if he went missing and we have only had him since last night so haven't really figured much out yet!

Will be able to go for a walk with Dp at the weekend so will be able to try out some of the things you have suggested.

The previous owners gave us the harness that they had used. Would it be better to use a collar instead?

Probably better to train him using a collar if you can. Practice the recall (coming when called) in the house. Constantly. And reward every time. First rule of recall is never, ever to punish or be angry when they do come back. They have to see it as Something Good. So don't call him for a bath or something he doesn't like - just fetch him physically instead.

I've found slip leads perfect for training. They naturally loosen when the dog is walking nicely, but tighten when they pull. If you angle them high up on the neck (almost on the head) they seem to do more good.

I wouldn't use a harness - all they do is teach dogs to pull. Fair enough he's a JRT so not going to dislocate your arms, but you don't want any dog pulling you if you've got a buggy to worry about too.

Recall should be practiced in the house/garden. Lots of treats and fuss when he comes to you (make him sit when he gets there though) and turning around and walking away when he doesn't.

Never ever ever use a slip lead on a dog that pulls. Unless you want a dog to always pull, be stressed and deprived of oxygen. Also on a small dog like a jrt you could break its neck.

Cuebill, I have always trained my dogs with slip leads, including a JRT. They have never choked, been stressed or starved of oxygen.

I use Bisley rope leads that came highly recommended example HERE

My friends, one with 4 pet dogs, one with 6 working dogs have also always used them. If you use them correctly, high on the neck they are NOT dangerous.

All of our dogs walk lovely at heel, so much so we hardly ever use leads.

Thank you for all the advice I will definitely give all of the above a go and hopefully we'll make some progress soon :)

I don't really want to go off topic but slip leads, choke collars all work on the same principle and are not necessary. The can cause panic in dogs.

They do not teach a dog to walk to heel they just prevent a dog from pulling ahead due to the discomfort. That is not a training method I would ever use.

For working dogs that can already walk to heel I can see the use - to easily be able to release a dog but other than that they are the work of the devil.

Well then we shall agree to differ Cuebill. I am quite happy with my use of them, and very happy with my well behaved, well trained dogs - none of whom pull on the lead (not even the Jack!).

A choke chain is NOT the same as a slip lead and does NOT work on the same principle. Slip leads do NOT fully tighten against the neck, and they immediately release which choke chains do not. I would NOT recommend choke chains.

If they are used correctly, I do NOT believe they are the work of the devil

you can train with the push chair, either clicker or Dunbar. I use a training lead over my shoulder(you'd need an extension for a JT) and that gives me a hand on the push chair and a hand for treating and correction.

I forgot it was a little dog, honeydragon. Or maybe I'm just a wimp as can't train my springer with a pushchair. I'm not coordinated enough!

belinda

I have a very strong large Lab puppy. I use this 6 position training lead over my shoulder.

For intensive training I have one hand on the buggy/toddler and one hand free

Just the same as if you had the lead in one hand and your clicker/treat in the other.

When she's trotting to heel nicely she goes "hands free" and I push normally. I also like the security of my full body weight if she pulls suddenly. - no chane of tipping pushchair either.

It is always good to train a dog to walk alongside a pushchair, you never know what life will bring.

by ver shoulder I mean across body....sorry

I have a 6 month old lab who used to pull terribly and lunge at cars I now use either a halti or a slip lead depending on where i am going or what i am doing. The halti gives great control and the slip lead is good for training.