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Walkies and equipment

1K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  KayWilson 
#1 ·
So in T-minus 17 days Tessa can finally go for walks!!:D I think I'm more excited than she is:p. Anyway, since she came home we've been working in the yard (both front and back) on leash. She behaves very well in the big back yard, but pulls in the front (who wouldn't really though, since the world is so close out front). She pulls pretty good on her lead, and was wondering how to train her out of it? would a harness help (it helped my previous pup stop pulling)

Also what's the best harness out there for walking? I've looked in Petsmart at a few but there all so confusing. Do I want a specific no pull? Do I want one that covers the neck and back? or one that has a breast plate?
 
#2 ·
I'd Swear by this any day. Hope this gives you some ideas before, during or after a walk. :)

1. Walk in front of your dog.
Walking in front of your dog allows you to be seen as the pack leader. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. You should be the first one out the door and the first one in. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk.

2. Use a short dog leash.
This allows you to have more control. Attaching the leash to the very top of the neck can help you more easily communicate, guide, and correct your dog. If you need additional help, consider the Illusion collar. Always keep your dog's safety in mind when giving corrections.

3. Give yourself enough time for the dog walk.
Dogs, like humans, are diurnal, so taking walks in the morning is ideal. I recommend setting aside thirty minutes to a full hour. The specific needs of each dog differ. Consult your vet and keep an eye on your dog's behavior to see if his needs are being met.

4. How to reward your dog during the walk.
After your dog has maintained the proper state of mind, reward him by allowing him to relieve himself and sniff around. Then you need to decide when reward time is over. It should always be less than the time spent focused on the walk.

5. Keep leading, even after the walk.
When you get home, don't stop leading. Have your dog wait patiently while you put away his leash or take off your shoes.

6. Reward your dog after the walk.
By providing a meal after the walk, you have allowed your dog to "work" for food and water.
And don’t forget to set a good example by always picking up after your dog!
By Cesar Millan
 
#4 · (Edited)
I'd Swear by this any day. Hope this gives you some ideas before, during or after a walk. :)

1. Walk in front of your dog.
Walking in front of your dog allows you to be seen as the pack leader. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he’s the pack leader. You should be the first one out the door and the first one in. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk.

2. Use a short dog leash.
This allows you to have more control. Attaching the leash to the very top of the neck can help you more easily communicate, guide, and correct your dog. If you need additional help, consider the Illusion collar. Always keep your dog's safety in mind when giving corrections.

3. Give yourself enough time for the dog walk.
Dogs, like humans, are diurnal, so taking walks in the morning is ideal. I recommend setting aside thirty minutes to a full hour. The specific needs of each dog differ. Consult your vet and keep an eye on your dog's behavior to see if his needs are being met.

4. How to reward your dog during the walk.
After your dog has maintained the proper state of mind, reward him by allowing him to relieve himself and sniff around. Then you need to decide when reward time is over. It should always be less than the time spent focused on the walk.

5. Keep leading, even after the walk.
When you get home, don't stop leading. Have your dog wait patiently while you put away his leash or take off your shoes.

6. Reward your dog after the walk.
By providing a meal after the walk, you have allowed your dog to "work" for food and water.
And don’t forget to set a good example by always picking up after your dog!
By Cesar Millan
whitebane96 ~ Cesar Millan uses outdated techniques that have been disproven by science and unethical by many. We don't support him on this forum. This is a positive training forum where as CM uses punishment and intimidation to train dogs. Please see the link in my signature to read more about that. :) Please also see these rules: http://www.dogforum.com/dog-training/forum-rules-guidelines-training-behavior-please-4330/


Most of the time my dogs wear their "Wonder Walker" harnesses. About the Wonder Walker They have a clip in the front and also one in the back. It just really depends on the situation for me for where I clip the leash. They are allowed to walk ahead, beside or behind me as long as they do not pull. They do have a heel cue and I use it as needed.

Emily Larlham (kikopup on youtube) has a really good article for why walking a dog in a harness is important. Dogmantics Dog Training Blog: Is it harmful to attach a leash to your dog’s neck?
 
#3 ·
I have an Easy Walk harness for my dog and it helped manage her pulling while we worked on loose leash walking. There are a number of no-pull harness on the market, but most will have a ring to attach the leash in the front rather than than on the back. There are also head halters, but I'm reluctant to use one because they just seem potentially dangerous.

When we walked and trained, I'd reward her for keeping a loose leash. Logistically, she needed to be near me, although not necessarily in proper heel position, to get the treat. If she pulled, I stopped until there was slack in the leash.

There is a sticky on "loose leash walking" with great information and links, including explanation of harness types.

Personally, I like my dog to walk in front of me so I can keep an eye on her. The walk is for her benefit as much as mine, so she can sniff and explore within reason. It's good mental stimulation for her, too. Usually if she's too interested in a specific spot that means there's something there she shouldn't have (like trash or a dead critter).
 
#6 ·
I've looked all over Lethbridge (my city) and these are my options; which would you choose:

EZdog harness
Rogz dog harness
or
Sporn Mesh no-pull (i have this one left over from my previous dog who was roughly the size Tessa is at now, so I'm gonna try it till I need a bigger one)
 
#7 ·
A harness will manage the pulling behaviour, not train the dog not to pull.
If you are happy with that, go for it.

I think 'dont allow your dog to walk in front' is garbage. There are many styles of walking. Most of mine is done off leash. From 8 weeks of age, i walk, pups follow, i turn and walk in other direction, pups follow. I call them to me, for treats, they come running coz they are hungry, i then release them. I do this repeatedly throughout the walk. The more i practice, the more stable the dogs recall is, and following me skills.
I use a flat collar and leash. and my dogs dont pull, ever.
If they do, i stop dead and turn in other direction. they can be anywhere just so long as they dont pull. All my dogs have learnt the exact length of their leashes, and jump, bounce etc. but never pull.
The Heel walk, is what you would see in competition, a entirely unnatural behaviour, that should be kept for short durations of time. I use this when we go into the town on crowded pavements only.

Using this method, i get dogs that will not leave my side, unless i throw a ball to get them to leave me.
None of my dogs run off. None of them require leads, i am their pack leader.
I dont believe in strictly positive training entirely, as a professional behavioural therapist, i know this is not actually possible.
But Ceasar Millan is definately a idiot who deserves to come train my dogs, so i can watch him getting the crap beaten out of him! grrr cant stand the man.
 
#8 ·
Thank you rotten for the response. My concern wasn't so much with the pulling (we're working on that with off leash work too:)), but with the damage that could be caused by any pulling.

As I mentioned before, my previous girl was a puller; but only when we went on sidewalks where cars were and big dog approached (she had been attacked, so she had issues). Tessa is pulling because the whole world is out there ;). I just worry that if something should grab her attention and she were to pull, the collar would cause damage; so I want a harness for her.

I also think Ceasar is an idiot. If you've ever looked at his dogs on his shows, they don't seem happy and 'balanced' just scared.
 
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