Pulling dog

[drinkingwineoutofamug]

As title says. It's as if she always wants to be in front . It's worse when we leave the house for her run , I'm guessing excitement, but no better after a 2 hr run.
She has 30 mins sniff before I go to work. Partner/me for long walks in afternoon.
45 mins before bed. Training/Brian games in between .
I've tried those figure of 8 leads which she just dragged her face across the floor to get off.
Used a harness , made it worse.
Had a trainer, which when I can still see.
They think it's her personality 🤷🏻‍♀️ whatever that means.
For back ground she's a rescue. Not through a animal charity , but my daughter found her.
Had her 2 years , she's now 3
Healthy , frequent health checks
Spayed
Lots of exercise indoor and out. Big garden in between
From what I know she never had puppy training so we had to go back to basics , I can now get her to sit , stay etc.
Treats don't work. She will just expect the treat.
She a Belgian Mali cross whippet.
I know high energy and intelligent hence we do long off/on leads , brain training etc
I'm not on Facebook/Instagram
Don't drive and nearest agility place is 15 miles away (tried in back garden!)
Listens to partner but not me.
First time dog owner.
Advice happily taken , I think I'm going wrong somewhere with training.

She need to be taught how to walk on a lead. Your trainers sounds useless, I'd find another one and go back to basics.

When she pulls what do you do?
How long is the lead she is on?

Did your trainer suggest stopping still every time she pulls and not setting off again until the lead is lose? It’s a pain but works eventually if you’re consistent.

Theory is right now the pulling is self rewarding, she pulls and gets to sniff and go where she wants. You stop still and she doesn’t.

I spent hours walking round our local industrial estate doing this last lockdown. Quite often in tears! It’s not easy and you get nowhere fast.

Will try and answer each off you @SoDiorDarling , I know. I'm trying to find another but a lot are only offering zoom calls or just not working due to restrictions.

@Cluckycluck , when she pulls I stop. Must look like a moron. This is when I used to reward her for stopping , treat, carry on. It would be fine and then she would start again. Just for the treat.
Her lead is a standard length. I don't use those expanding as she bolts and it would probably hurt both of us.
Started with the long lead for basic training. Her recall is actually ok

@Delatron yes tried this. She's actually pulled my shoulder that bad I needed physio. It's making walks depressing. I want to enjoy walking her. She even pulls the way she wants to go , so I gently nudge her with my knee on the rear to say no, we're going this way. I stand in front of her. She's nearly pushed me down the stairs trying to get in front.

She's had her morning walk with partner. I'm trying to psych myself up to taking her out now , but I know it's going to be a battle of wits.

Love her so much. She's a beautiful, good natured , healthy but bossy dog who loves cuddles and dragging her owner about on her lead

Sorry that should say extending lead not expanding 😳

www.southenddogtraining.co.uk/free-videos/

Could not recommend this guy enough. You don't need to sign up to access their videos (well the short ones)! I should be on commission for how often I recommend them!

@SoDiorDarling

https://www.southenddogtraining.co.uk/free-videos/

Could not recommend this guy enough. You don't need to sign up to access their videos (well the short ones)! I should be on commission for how often I recommend them!

Thank you will have look

Harness with a front and back ring with a double ended lead for loose lead walking. It takes time but the front ring allows you to steer and the back is for hold. Gamechanging along with everything you’re doing on loose lead already. Perfect fit, Ruffwear, there are others.

Is she clicker trained?

If you’re actually running with her, canicross lead and harness and she can pull all she wants on the run.

I don’t mean all she wants actually as she may want to go in a hedge 😀 I mean a running harness with her in front. Only for running of course.

I would try using a shorter lead. A lead that will keep her right next to you.

Everytime she pulls you stop, give her a verbal command (we use 'enough') and carry on when the lead has loosened. If she pulls again stop, turn around and take her home. If that means you only get three steps outside your door so be it. Persistence is key. Eventually you will get further and she will learn, it will just take time.

Our staff used to pull. As I'm petite and she is strong she could easily injure me when pulling. We did the above an she is now great on the lead. I still use a short lead for her as it works for us.

Sorry, not a trainer, but perhaps giving the treat when you stop is confusing her. She needs to learn the stopping is because she's pulling. Surely the reward is that she gets to sniff around and move again when she doesn't pull?

My trainer told not to treat when practicing lose lead walking. I sympathise, this is so hard. We’re seeing improvements with our large, pulling Labrador.

It’s awful to dread every walk. I’ve cried lots!

Loose lead. Brain not working at the moment!

I was recommended a book called my dog pulls what do I do.
I use a dogmatic.
Perfect fit type harness is supposed to be very good though.
Practice in the garden?

Harness with link on chest and their back does work better. They effectively pull against themselves. Company of Animals do one and you clip the lead on the ring on their back and one on their chest.

Halti anti pull lead worked for our over excited labrador!

www.southenddogtraining.co.uk/free-videos/ sorry awful training advice from this site. Old fashioned and adversive methods including use of prong collars. I would not use any of this on a Mali unless you are bonkers.

I was reading the original Op and then came to

Belgian Mali cross whipet even a little bit of Mali goes a long way!

Mali are very very clever strong dogs but the good news is that they love to work with people.

I reckon if you do the stop when they pull method you will be doing it until they ar 20! It frustrates the owner and it frustrates the dog and frustration leads to more pulling. Get her to use her brain to walk next to you.

What is her greatest motivator? Food or toys.

If not toys that is something I would work on - if you are able to have controlled tuggy games you will have her eating out of your hand.

Initially I would work on things that seem to be disconnected with her pulling but will make a major difference.

Two things I would work on. One eye contact. Have her in a small boring room at home the minute she looks at your mark (either with a clicker or just a marker work "good") and treat her. Do this a lot in lots of different locations. Build up gradually until she will look at you outside despite distractions.

Her lead does not go on until she looks at you she is not feed unless she looks at you. All good things happen when she looks at you.

Nest would be a nose touch. Hold out your palm and when her nose hits your palm mark and reward. This is great game and she will love it.

When the two tasks above are solid (should take a Mali about 2 days to get that sussed)

Then you can add to the walk, reward when she looks at you when walking, it is hard to pull ahead if she is looking at you. If she does pull ahead put your hand to your side and ask for a nose touch reward.

Mali's are much happier with being given something to do rather than be told not to do something.

Bet she is beautiful -lucky you

sorry about typos on phone and rubbish keyboard! (or just rubbish user)

@PollyRoulson . I forgot the obligatory photos.
We worked hard together today. Took 3 hours of near tears but finally got her to walk in front on a loose lead . Best we can do , I haven't got whiplash so that's a bonus.
I'm ordering a clicker and going to try that. We did training in a field with lots of distractions and she did brill.
Actually did better than me , with a look to say hooman why haven't we tried this way before🙄
We use treats , sardine and garlic stinky things which she will even walk through a puddle to get.
Oh and toys, we play lots of tug of war.
Neighbours must think I'm mad playing tag with a dog, hide and seek, jumping through hoops (literally) .
She also loves swing ball.
Will see on tonight walk if any of it has stuck.

Love the Mali ears, she is stunning. Enjoy her