Amazingly strong German Shepherd pup is pulling so hard - advice please?

[pinkrocker]

Parents have a 11 month old stunningly gorgeous GS pup, she is huge, but she pulls so hard I'm worried about how my Mum will manage in the future to take her for walks. Their other dog (pointer) pulls as well.
They've tried chest harnesses on both, (as well as a muzzle harness along with the chest harness) on the GS but not having any success.
They went to puppy training for a while with the GS but it doesn't seem to have done a great deal of good.
Any advice?

front clip harness with a double ended lead - we have the Perfect Fit harness and it's very good

have a look at the loose lead walking files on the Dog Training Advice and Support Facebook group - there is a wealth of information there

also go back to puppy training - it's a work in progress - the need for training doesn't stop just because you've completed a 4/6 week puppy course

Thank you very much, that link looks interesting.
I shall show her that facebook thread too and send her your advice.

Totally agree with the puppy class thing - but GS caught an awful
respiratory infection, she was sedated and on a drip at the vets for three nights with it, vet was extremely concerned and my parents were told she might not make it as she was so very very poorly. Gladly she recovered.
My parents were worried she'd caught the "bug" (for want of a better word) from the class so they didn't return.
(they did inform the puppy class leader as to their reasons why though)

Dogs can pick up snug from going outside anywhere, so probably wrong to lane puppy classes, and they can be great for aiding socialisation and other training, so certainly worth encouraging them to go back,

I use a gentle leader nose harness for my pointer x, works well on her when others didn't.

Bugs and blame that should say!

Head collar lead or front fastening chest harness can work. Training is basically stopping dead every time pup gets to end of lead and pulls. She has to know that pulling will never get her where she wants to be. This means that you just have to be consistent and may take 20 mins to walk 10 yds! If you let a pup pull, you are telling her that she will get to where she wants quicker if she pulls. She pulls, you stop dead, once she looks back at you and lead goes slack, praise and walk on. She will immediately pull again so you will need to stop again...and so on. !!

I have shown them the leads and they think they might try them! Thanks very much.

Important to add that Nellie has given you the most important advice on the thread. No amount of gadgets, leads and harnesses and headcollars will train a puller to stop pulling. Only learning that pulling doesn't work will train them to stop pulling.

That's a lot of work and commitment and it takes a long long time but it is effective. For older people it is essential because a big strong dog lunging ahead can lead to injuries at worst and at best means walks are unpleasant and consequently shorter than the dog really needs.

Thank you, my Dad has now taken over walking as it's too hard for my mum

Training training and more training. If your parents are in the south east I can recommend a really good trainer who has GSD's. PM me if you want the details.

Aw thank you, but we are in opposite end of the country!
I have suggested to walk a bit, as soon as GS starts pulling, to stop, pull her back a bit and praise her for stopping. Then repeat and repeat. ..I am thinking GS will eventually realise that the walk she is on will be more fun when she's at heel?
Will that work do you think?

It might but it will take a long time - have you read the ideas on loose lead walking on the Facebook group I suggested?

As soon as there's tension on the lead, stop dead. Try to make sure the dog can't reach what it's trying to reach (eg a lamppost or another dog). You can either lure the dog back into a heel position (with food) or start by just waiting for eye contact before you move off again. And repeat.

Eventually the dog learns that to move forward they need to walk with a loose leash and they need to check in with you (make eye contact).

Use the environment as the reward - so the dog lunges for a lamppost to sniff, you stop dead, the dog comes back to your side (with or without a food lure), makes eye contact and you can then say "go sniff" or whatever and release the dog to get to the smell they're really interested in. The dog starts to learn that loose leash will be rewarded by access to the stuff they want.

Have they tried a canny collar ? Much as I'm anti gadget and in favour of training realistically as your parents have an older dog that also pulls it seems more likely that a quick fix will suit them better .

basildon yes I have shown them that page, that's where I saw the idea.
GS now wears her lead in the house a few mins before going out.
Floral I'll have a look at the canny collars too.
crap yes that's exactly what I'm thinking. I'm hoping my parents have the energy to try it .