How Do I Train My Dogs To Walk Easier?
October 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
We have 2 dogs, A Boxer And a Mutt (Beagle/Greyhound) and whenever I walk them (Everyday) they go everywhere. The constant pulling and stopping is getting ridiculous, and when I pull on the leash, I feel like It hurts them.
Any answers or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Related posts:
Sign up for some basic obedience classes. They will teach you how to leash train your dogs along with some other basic commands.
The gentle leader is a good suggestion, just make sure that you get the one for dogs without a long nose.. Most stores DON’T carry that one so you’ll probably have to order it directly from the company.. Be patient when first introducing it to your dog- it may take a few days, and it MUST be fitted properly or it won’t work.. Once you get your dog comfortable with it, and the fit is right it will work well and it’s also very humane..
The other way is like someone else said, stop and go in the other direction.. It will take a few times but your boxer will figure it out and you’ll be good to go in no time..
This may ruffle a few feathers, and that’s NOT my intention, but please, please, please, don’t put your boxer on a choker chain, or a prong collar and definitely don’t utilize the quick jerk of the leash or poke at your dog like Cesar Milan advises.. I like much of what Cesar preaches, especially the exercise advise- but boxers are different than other dogs and they will respond much better over the long haul with positive training..
I’m sorry if that upsets some people, but as the owner of several boxers over many, many years we’ve tried pretty much all of the training methods out there and because a boxer tends to be silly, and fun loving by nature we’ve found that our happiest boxers are the ones that were trained using positive methods..
Don’t get me wrong, they’ll love you no matter what because they’re such wonderful dogs, but they don’t need that negative coercion that people advocate.. And whatever you do, have a sense of humor with them- they’re not hard to train, but they don’t take themselves to seriously, and neither should we..
well if there pulling you when you walk them i would recommend a GENTLE LEADER it goes around the dogs head and in back of the mouth and when you pull it the head turns and they look at you….heres a picture
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/shop_dev/assets/new_product_images/canac/gentle_leader.jpg
or you can get this one
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/shop_dev/assets/new_product_images/co_of_animals/5991.jpg
If your dogs start to pull turn around and go in the other direction. And if they still pull turn around and go in the other direction again. And in no time you dogs will see that if they pull it will get then no where.
I had to get a spikey collar for my dog that pokes him when he pulls too hard. I put it on my neck first to test it to be sure it didn’t actually hurt.
put yummy treats in your pocket they will stay right at your side
walk your dog more and it will get faster and faster
dog trainer 30 plus years -
Start by taking them on separate walks…then when they get the hang of it take them together. I would make sure you keep one always on the right, one always on the left that way it keeps them from wavering back and forth from side to side.
Here’s how I do it, I hope it works for you.
When taking a dog out for a walk first off you need to be the pack leader. SInce your dog does not fully understand this yet here is how you teach them. I always use a harness no matter how large or small the dog may be. I think pulling on a dogs throat to teach them something they will learn just as easy without that discomfort is just unnecessary. Never give a dog full lead when on a walk when they do not have the social skills to handle that kind of freedom. It is not fair to the dog to assume he will just act socially acceptable…they do not know what we do not teach. This being said, potty your dog outside in your yard before you leave. Then put on the harness/leash. Do not give your dog any more lead than what will keep them in a heel position. Walk and chronically tell your dog “nice walk..good job…stay with me…nice work Buster (name of your dog)” When the leash is being strained by a over vigorous dog…just give it a tug, put him in a sit position with a stern, but not loud command. This just helps them to get back some self control. Remember that when a stew is being made we say “mmmm that smells good” while a dog can smell each and every ingredient put in the stew. So while outside there are an abundance of smells that will bring on excitability. This doesn’t mean your dog is out of control or stupid…it means there is a lot out there that dogs face (in the excite mental side) that we just do not see or think about. Once we are aware of these it is easier to show a bit more grace/boundaries needed. If your dog has to go potty do not let him any more than his body length away from you. That way you are out of “shot” but he is not too far so you do not lose control. What I usually do to help them learn to meet and greet properly is have someone I know walk by several times. I teach them to sit then teach them to “shhhhh” no barking, no loud whining…look quietly, it’s time to observe sort of behavior. This comes by you keeping a firm hand as well as a firm tone, not overly dramatic in any way. Just kind of with this mind set…”this is what you need to do, this is how you will learn it, I will not give in, you will learn what I am teaching because it is for your own good”. Sometimes that helps to just keep an even keel inside of us. Dogs pick up on the slightest things so it is our job to only give them what they really need to learn. If your dog seems to just not be able to do the “sit” in a close situation just direct them further away before the sit position is taken. For instance I do highly aggressive dogs – so I start with taking them 2 labs length away from the sidewalk and put in a sit position. They are not allowed to stand or bark. Barking can be a sign of aggression to another dog coming by so you want to make sure that your dog is not misunderstood. If you continue to do this 3 days in a row for an hour walk or more…you dog will be getting the jest of it. It takes time…but just remember that learning does take time pure and simple. You can do this, so just keep your mind set in the direction you want to go and go. I wish you all the luck love.