Loose lead walking without food??

[TeenagePup]

My 1 year old is a nightmare at pulling on the lead and will not take food when we're out, he just isn't interested so I need a way of training him to walk nicely without food. Please help!!

I'm going through this with my Cocker, who is just over a year old.

What's working for me is a gundog lead / slip lead. You need to Google how to use it first, as you don't want your doggo pulling hard on it. But it's pretty straightforward. You fit it high on the neck (under the jaw, just below the ears). When they pull, it tightens uncomfortably, which gives them "feedback" to tell them to stop pulling. You have to practice indoors first and be patient. But it's working great for my dog.

The video I've been following is by Fenrir Dogs:

It's not the lead itself that solves the problem. The lead just provides better feedback to the dog. You then couple that with verbal instructions. Over time, your dog should become resistant to pulling regardless of the equipment you are using (that's the idea, at least).

The other option is to start teaching your dog to heel, using treats indoors. This doesn't work for my dog, because he gets too over-amped by even low value food. But if you haven't done that already, it would be worth a try. Kikopup on YouTube most likely has a video for this. Her videos are great.

I just watched that video. I like his methods. To date we have been using treats but I would like to start weaning off the treats. I am not sure they are working too well. I wonder if his method could be adapted to a normal collar and lead or if we need to use slip lead

We did try a slip lead after watching that very video, but he will pull so hard on it he chokes himself! He doesn't care

Could try a harness with attachments both between shoulder blades and on sternum.
Then when they pull, the tension on the sternum makes them go sideways. Helps with some dogs so worth a go perhaps.

A two-point harness and a double-ended lead.

Attach the lead to the front and back D-rings and it gives you more control over the dog.