Is there any way to get my dog to stop this?

[CrazyDawgy]

My dog, when on walks, decides he would like go faster than us and pulls so hard and gets so far on the end of his leash he breathes heavy, so we switched to a hlter. He still pulls, but now he sort of like drags himself without moving to try to go fster than us and I can't stop him. I don't get why he won't stop pulling SO HARD, and I was wondering if you have any tips.

 

[animalcrackers]

He pulls because it gets him to where he wants to go. I think some types of halters can actually make some dogs pull more because of something called an oppositional reflex. Try an Easy Walk Harness by Premier Pet. It's designed so as to lessen pulling on the lead. Then, you can start teaching your dog loose leash walking.

 

[tessa_s212]

Have you attempted any training? Training classes?

What has been your methods to stop the pulling so far?

To teach loose leash walking one way can be to simply STOP every time they pull. Stand completely still and firm until they let loose on the leash some and look back at you, or even better if they even come back to you. Continue walking and stopping EVERY time the dog pulls.

Another method is to simply do a complete 360 degree turn whenever it begins to pull, continue walking without stopping. If the dog hits the end of their leash, they give themselves a correction. Encourage them to catch back up with you, doing an about turn every time they begin to pull.

You can also try a harness. The only harness I recommend is the type that snaps to the leash in the FRONT on the dog's chest. Because it is attached to the front, the dog's butt tends to flip out whenever it tries to pull, teaching it not to pull or it will kind of get stuck. But, with a harness or any other training tool, it might be hard to fade off of it and back onto a regular collar.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I suggest an easy walk harness. Good luck.

 

[TopShelfPets]

What has been your methods to stop the pulling so far?

To teach loose leash walking one way can be to simply STOP every time they pull. Stand completely still and firm until they let loose on the leash some and look back at you, or even better if they even come back to you. Continue walking and stopping EVERY time the dog pulls.

When you're in your house, try taking gigantic steps off to the side, with your dog on leash. Exaggerated movements are best, because it's very obvious to the dog. It will get him moving with you. Every time you take a giant step and the dog moves the same direction, click and treat (if you use a clicker)

You can also try walking backwards, instead of making a 180. Just take a few steps backward and stop. Then move forward. The dog will have to move out of your way and will generally move over to your side again. You might have to take 3 steps forward, 5 steps back, then 4 steps forward, 4 steps back. Just a warning, until you get it engrained into his head that pulling won't get him where he wants, you won't have a leisurely, enjoyable walk. But if you're consistent, you will start building up many more steps forward before having to take one or two back.

Dogs do what works for them. If they pull and get to go faster, pulling is working. If they want to go over to another dog, or a certain tree, and they pull to get there, they win. They've just rewarded themselves, and it didn't cost you any treats! Well, you can use the tree as a reward for not pulling to get there. If he wants to chase a squirrel up a tree, but keeps walking nicely, run over to the tree with him.

 

[hedwig]

i could be wrong but could this also be a dominance thing, generaly dominant dogs will always want to be in front, maby you should try taking him on a different route? or carry treats in your pocket to guide him?
i have a harness and i dunno if people have mentioned this already but its elastic and connected from his specail collar and under his legs through to the collar again so if he pulls it tightens around his chest to the extend he will want to stop pulling, its a natural stopper, its very effective with my dog.

alot better then chokes and half chokes

 

[hedwig]

another method i used was to change direction everytime the dog pulls, jerk the lead sofly and walk the way you came till he stops,and keep changing direction maby this will work with your dog???

 

[Brattina88]

i could be wrong but could this also be a dominance thing, generaly dominant dogs will always want to be in front, maby you should try taking him on a different route? or carry treats in your pocket to guide him?
i have a harness and i dunno if people have mentioned this already but its elastic and connected from his specail collar and under his legs through to the collar again so if he pulls it tightens around his chest to the extend he will want to stop pulling, its a natural stopper, its very effective with my dog.

alot better then chokes and half chokes

yup, you were wrong heh heh

It's a very common misconception that it is a dominance thing. In fact, a lot of dog behaviors are falsely blamed as being dominant.

Dogs do what works. And so far, pulling has got your dog where he wants to go. In addition to the above posts I also suggest training to loose lease walk, and a harness

 

[animalcrackers]

I agree about the misconception -- and I actually prefer my dog to walk in front of me so I can see what she's up to. Also, I think chokes aren't supposed to be used for walks.

 

[Colin Pederson]

Hi CrazyDawgy,

Yes this is a partial dominance issue. Instinctively all dogs like to explore. Your dog is getting excited about going out into the open and seeing what's new. You simply need to let your dog know that, although he's excited about going for a walk, there are still boundaries, you are still in control and not go too fast.

For starters, shorten the length of the dog-lead (simply bunch the lead up in your hand or fold it in half) and keep your dog right by your side (give him about 1-1.5 meters leash). He will probably continue to pull on the lead at first, but you are in a much better position of control. After a short while of doing this (possibly over the space of one walk), keeping him right by your side will have an affect, and he should start to pull less and less. If you are walking to a park or controlled area where you can take the leash off, this can be his reward, and time to explore at his own pace. After successfully using this technique for a few weeks, give your dog a little more length on the leash. If he starts to drag you again, simply pull him back in by your side until the behavior stops. This technique is very effective as it isn't punishing your dog or rewarding with food treats, but tells him clearly that you want to enjoy your walk as well.

If after a month or so you still see no progress, it's time to step up the way you tell him that dragging you along isn't acceptable. When he starts to pull, simply turn around a go home. After a while take him out again (keeping him close still), and when he starts again, take him home again. He will soon learn that no-pulling equals longer walks.

All the best for getting this sorted,
Colin