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The doghouse

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Original poster

Cocker has reverted to pulling so hard on the lead, we can't control him

26 replies

HaveACarDoh · 24/10/2021 19:08

We have a 16 month old cocker who has always been a bit of a handful, though a lovely one!

Recently we've had a massive regression in his lead walking. We were doing so well but it seems we can't get off lead and on lead working well at the same time!

Today we went for a long walk to the pub - on one side of the walk was a steep bank down to a river. We can't let him off lead as on the other side of the walk is easy access to a road so we had him on lead with the idea that when we got to the bit of the river that was easy to access by steps we would go down.

Well ddog had other ideas and was pulling so hard I had to hand him to dp. Dp (over 100kg and v fit) managed to hold onto him for about 5 mins and then ddog pulled so hard, he pulled dp over and ddog ran at the steep bank, fell down it (steep and jagged), fell over 10 foot and ran straight for the river.

He then shat himself a bit and we managed to find a point that he could scramble up. The minute we grabbed his lead, he tried to do the same again so it's not like he learned his lesson!

I'm just looking for some tips really - we love him so much but it is really ruining our enjoyment of him! When we went home we were totally shell shocked because he could have easily broken his legs or something much worse :(

It's not only rivers that excite him - anything really! Grass, ponds, other dogs etc.

OP posts:
MothsAreSadButterflies · 24/10/2021 19:15

Does he have a harness?

lemonyfox · 24/10/2021 19:17

Front fastening harness? Prevents them from being able to pull hard enough to topple an adult over.

I have a strong male lab who used to be a shithouse for pulling but a combo of front fastening harness and a ball to keep his attention has worked.

Otherwise I've heard good things about the Canny Collar, although I've never used it myself.

Original poster
HaveACarDoh · 24/10/2021 19:17

Yes he does - he is bloody strong though!

OP posts:
Original poster
HaveACarDoh · 24/10/2021 19:20

We have tried the front harness (we have a perfect fit one and a ruffwear) but he pulls so hard he basically just walks sideways or sacrifices a front leg and walks on 3 legs to avoid the front lead pulling him round

Today he did exactly that and dp loosened his grip at which point he sensed it wasn't pulling, and threw himself forward and pulled him over argh!

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ImJustMum · 24/10/2021 19:31

Halti? Its not a muzzle as many think it is. Hell use his feet to try pull it off but ive always gently lifted their head with a firm no when they do and its picked up quickly. Id maybe contact a trainer and go right back to basics. Walks around the garden doing basic obedience etc

tigerinyourtank · 24/10/2021 19:35

I’m surprised a grown man can’t hold a cocker spaniel. As a last resort I’d get a waist belt that distributes the pull around the walkers waist at least no one can get pulled over that way.

Funnyfive · 24/10/2021 19:35

Try a figure of 8 from SWAG - it’s a game changer for a dog that pulls. I’ve used Halti’s in the past but I love the figure of 8 as it doesn’t ride up into their eyes or twist their head, plus my dog even started to pull with the halti but not with the figure of 8!

Original poster
HaveACarDoh · 24/10/2021 19:41

Thanks - the link isn't going to the right place but I can see what you mean!

He does know how to walk to heel - if we do it in the garden he is absolutely fine. It's just when he sees something he wants to get to and gets over excited - nothing seems to distract him (we've tried food/ball etc ).

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Chunkymenrock · 24/10/2021 19:47

Halti headcollars or Gentle Leaders are brilliant for strong pullers.

Lougle · 24/10/2021 19:51

@Chunkymenrock

Halti headcollars or Gentle Leaders are brilliant for strong pullers.
My boy has worked out that if he tosses his head diagonally, he can still create enough tension to pull.

But it's much better than the chest harness, which just gave extra power.

TabithaTiger · 24/10/2021 20:11

I used to have this with my Springer. If you put the work in, you can train them not to pull. I was told by a trainer to stop walking every time he pulled(means walks take ages to start with!) . Also hold the lead with both hands, right hand (if you're right handed) holding the end of the lead, left hand holding the lead diagonally across the body, dog on the left - does that make sense? This gives you more control.

We tried a Halti, it worked for a bit but he kept getting it off. A harness made him pull even worse! This was the best lead I found, a gun dog trainer recommended it to me.

www.gundog-solutions.co.uk/product/figure-of-8-slip-lead

Elieza · 24/10/2021 20:12

Halti and lead, AND a normal lead as you currently have.

The idea being that if he pulls then you start using the halti with your other hand. It will bend his head round towards you and he can’t run off or pull. He won’t like it as it spoils his fun but if you fit it properly he can’t get it off with his paw. It does not affect his breathing, ability to bark or indeed bite or eat.

It will only be employed when he pulls so it won’t affect him at any other time and you have full control. I could control my lab cross in one no problem.

I’d suggest you use both leads as you may find ge stops his nonsense once he realises he can’t win by pulling and the halti is annoying!

SylvanasWindrunner · 24/10/2021 20:16

I used to walk my two with a walking belt. Means you don't get pulled off balance when they lunge and they can't really pull you due to your centre of gravity. And it keeps your hands free too.

Is he a working cocker? I've yet to see one walking nicely on the lead, including my own, although she will grudgingly do so now at the grand old age of 8 Grin

Sunnydaysarethebestdays · 24/10/2021 20:17

Another recommendation for the SWAG figure of 8.

SylvanasWindrunner · 24/10/2021 20:18

This is mine I think. Even without a puller I find it great because it leaves your hands free for using your phone, looking at a map, navigating tricky bits of the walk, etc. and means you don't risk the lead being jerked from your hand or getting rope burn if they do lunge unexpectedly.

www.sassdogequipment.co.uk/dog-walking-belt/

Original poster
HaveACarDoh · 24/10/2021 20:18

Thanks for all these tips - I can see that double strategy working actually. He does know what to do but it's like he can't control himself with excitement so I can see having something that stops him from being able to be a lunatic would work!

I've seen a few spaniels with those on. There must be a theme Grin

OP posts:
ShirleyBadass · 24/10/2021 20:20

Spaniels are surprisingly strong for small dogs!

I have to walk mine with a halti, she is fab on it and doesn't pull at all. Minute a normal lead goes on she pulls all over the place. Definitely worth investing in.

Original poster
HaveACarDoh · 24/10/2021 20:21

@SylvanasWindrunner yes he's a working cocker! Annoyingly I thought we had cracked it a few weeks ago as he was walking absolutely beautifully on the lead, we could barely believe it. We then swapped to focusing on his recall, which got better but at the same time the lead walking evaporated! This time it seems to have got worse than it ever was - I can't quite figure out what we did wrong!

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Original poster
HaveACarDoh · 24/10/2021 20:22

Thanks - I will definitely look into these all!

OP posts:
longtompot · 24/10/2021 20:34

Mine pulls if we walk somewhere she's not been before, or somewhere she especially loves going ie the beach. I have taught her to 'stay close' which means she will walk pretty much next to me. I taught her this by having treats in my hand and saying 'stay close' and giving her a treat every now and then. She can do this pretty well off her lead now. But that said, the pulling still happens, like I said, when we are somewhere new. She's 9 now.
The other thing you can do is when he pulls immediately walk in the opposite direction. It can take time and you feel a bit daft, but it does work.

Ingleduh · 24/10/2021 20:39

We use the figure of 8 too. Ours is similar and he can walk fab but goes through stages of pulling like a train!

TokyoSushi · 24/10/2021 20:45

We have a Springer cross, he pulls like an absolute train, so this thread is really useful!

icedcoffees · 24/10/2021 20:48

You need a harness with two D-rings and a double ended 2m lead.

Clip one end of the lead to chest ring and the other to the back of the harness. You then hold the middle of the lead so the dog doesn't have the full length of the lead at its' disposable.

I walk several cockers and they are shockingly strong for their size!

PiousPenelope · 24/10/2021 21:24

You have a working dog, so need to treat it as such. Gun dog trainers won't use harnesses.

Harnesses just give the dog more power to pull as they can use their whole body strength.

Best way to stop pulling is to use 'figure of eight'.