Need Help from Dog Owners

[BCV513]

I need some help regarding walking my dog. Lucy is a six month old sheltie and a total sweetheart. The problem is trying to walk her. We got her at ten weeks old and started out in a regular harness. She freaked out at having something put over her head and eventually chewed through the leash. We switched to a velcro wrap harness. That lasted for about a month until she lunged for a passing car and ripped the velcro. Thankfully I was able to catch her and carry her home. Then we switched to the Easy-walk harness. We didn't even make it out the front door before she got out of it. Then we got a step-in harness that went around her middle, paws and neck. On Saturday, we were in a training class working on loose-leash walking. She somehow did a dive/twist move and came completely out of the harness without it unbuckling. I don't know how it happened. The trainer was able to catch her this time. Now we have a greyhound collar that's part chain and part fabric. It's loose when she's standing and then tightens when she pulls. She hates it and tries to drop and roll out of it. I haven't taken her out in it yet because I don't think it will hold. I'm at the point where I am afraid to take her for a walk. I am terrified of losing her or of her being hit by a car. There has to be a way to fix this.

 

[loco4dis]

My dog's a big-time runner. We use a linked choke-chain and a regular old leash.

 

[c4a]

Geez. I feel for you. Even though our dogs have full run of the farm, they all have been taught manners & to walk on a leash.

I used a harness that has the pull-up cord & sheep skin fleece around their shoulder & hip jts. It was the training harness that they recommended at feeder supply. The two older dogs-no problem. The youngest...I know we had to have went through 3 or 4 before we got him broke.

hang in there.

 

[All American]

I highly recommend the Gentle Leader. It goes on the dog's muzzle and neck and works like a horse's bridle.

I have a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, a drafting breed that is exceptionally strong. The bigger she got, the tougher the walks. The Gentle Leader was my last ditch effort, and I LOVE it. Our walks are enjoyable and people don't get as nervous when they see me coming down the road. Daisy's a big girl and I think people feel better when they see such a big dog under control and something around the mouth (it is NOT a muzzle). Anyways, this is a great tool; my four-year-old can walk her with no problem.

I am sure others enjoy this little gem, and they do make them for smaller dogs. It cost about $19.00 and comes with an instructional DVD.

 

[Tuffcookie]

It sounds to me like you don't have the harness adjusted tight enough. Try making it tighter. If you can get 2 fingers under the harness it is too loose!

I use the Gentle Leader on my Lab. It keeps him in line by using head control.

TC

 

[kristilew]

just a warning on the gentle leader: determined dogs can get out of it! My cairn hated it and would spend half the walk rubbng his face on the ground trying to get it off. Until he perfected a twist-and-duck move that removed it in two seconds flat.

We finally resorted to a choke chain and a harness, and a lot of training time - short walks, lots of positive reinforcement (treats) and directly into the crate if a walk had to be cut short due to bad canine behavior.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Kristilew,

My Hunter would do the same so I just made it a little tighter. You think you're being inhumane but they are fine. It may be snug but their safety and keeping them under control has to be the most important thing!

TC

 

[BCV513]

Tuffcookie, I think you're right and I have been putting it on too loose! I thought two fingers was the tightest it could be.

 

[nataliela]

Work with her in the house without the lease. Put on the harness, praise her, treat, take it off. Next time put it on a little longer repeat praise and treat. When she is used to the harness or collar, then try walking her with it on with plenty of praises.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just a word about choke collars. They've examined deceased dogs' tracheas and found damage - from choke collars. The problem is, that it's a "training collar" and meant to be used with a "pop" just to get the dog's attention, not as something the dog pulls against constantly. There is also a danger if you leave it on, they can choke themselves to death if they get caught on something. I use one from time to time but I take it off when we're done walking, and I don't allow the dog to pull against it. It's for corrections only.

Same thing with a prong collar. But believe it or not, the prong collar can be less harmful to the trachea than the choke collar because the pressure is even around the neck. But again, it's not meant to be pulled against, just used for corrections if need be.

I hate seeing either of these collars used incorrectly. I also hate seeing any dog pulling their owner down the street. Dogs can be taught to walk nicely even using just a regular leather collar, you just have to know how.

Some people feel these are inhumane and I understand that. I think if they're used correctly, they're not. Especially if you have a big, strong dog (or in this case, one who could be killed dashing into the street) that needs to be safely handled. Harnesses and other such leads are great for those dogs that they work on. If they aren't working, you may need to look into an alternative.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'll chime in on the Gentle Leader. Even if little Houdini manages to get it off her snout, it will stay on her neck like a regular collar until you can get it back on her.

Our dog fought it and fought it at first, but we gave her a lot of positive reinforcement with it so that she associated it with good things. Put the collar on, you get a treat. Put the collar on, you get praised. Put the collar on, you get to go outside. You could use the same strategy with any collar you choose.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Leather collar, leather leash. Make sure the collar is fitted properly.
Train in your backyard, inside the house, outside the house, on walks, etc...
You have to start small, with corrections and rewards and work your way up.

It starts before you even take them out. You will have to actually train the dog to get properly leashed. He must be calm while you leash him.

Then he needs to learn to be calm prior to leaving the house. You always go FIRST out the door. If you don't do that, you have just told the dog he is the boss of the walk.

Go in and out the door as many times as you need to. Do it daily. Repetition is the key here.

Once the dog has learned he has to behave getting leashed and leaving for a walk then you can begin to train him with walking.

Teach the heel walk. Very important to do for a dog that is fighting you.

It is not something that is ever "done" Training is a daily thing.