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Thread: The Pulling

  1. #1
    Senior Dog MontananDakota's Avatar
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    The Pulling

    I know I know--how dare I even complain about this after all this time?? well Dakota has a major pulling problem. She is going to be 12 in June and here I am trying to sole this now. SHe went to training when she was a puppy but lets face it-she's very birdy and field-ish and just never wanted to be a good walking dog. I let it slide for so long and then I found this harness type leash but she still pulls and I cannot stand the sound of her panting so heavy because she's pulling so hard. What can I do to stop this?? I was thinking to bring treats along on walks but I totally forget how to train good walking skills?? Honestly -because she is getting older I want now more than ever for her to feel relaxed when walking and enjoy it as much as she can.

  2. #2
    Real Retriever
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    Sorry, this made me laugh! Girl, she's 12! At this point, I don't know that I'd worry about it. Maybe try a prong but she's old....I don't know if she's going to want to play your game I will wish you good luck!

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    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    You could try using a prong but how about a refresher obedience/manners class for the 2 of you?! I do not like dogs that are not polite and mannered on leash so it would be important to me that I did anything possible to get this skill under control. I don't think dogs are ever too old to learn. I hope you are able to fix this so you can have more enjoyable walks!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maxx&Emma View Post
    You could try using a prong but how about a refresher obedience/manners class for the 2 of you?! I do not like dogs that are not polite and mannered on leash so it would be important to me that I did anything possible to get this skill under control. I don't think dogs are ever too old to learn. I hope you are able to fix this so you can have more enjoyable walks!
    I agree 100%.

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    MontananDakota (05-27-2016)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog MontananDakota's Avatar
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    lol I know its hysterical. Like she really cares at all about trying to listen to me at this stage but I just feel like she could enjoy her walks much more without this anxiety stuff...then again, maybe its my anxiety she's trying to "pull" away from lol.
    Oh and-for the past 11 years I used a prong. But she still pulled. Can you imagine? Although not hard but still. I always thought maybe it had something to do with wanting to be in front of Montana. So I got the harness. I know it's my fault completely for letting it go on. No excuse.

  9. #6
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    When I adopted my young senior dog last year, I'd go on walks with a third of his meal kibble in my left pocket. I'd hold one and drop my hand down naturally at my left. Eventually he realized he only got kibble when he walked in that spot. It got to a point where he'd trot on my left on a loose leash while looking up at me with apparent adoration. Even after being free to sniff, he'd bound back to my left side to continue walking. At that point, I started to space the kibble farther apart and randomized rewards. Now, as long as I have kibble in my left pocket, he walks beautifully. Plus people passing by comment on how much he loves me.

    I've no idea if it's a good or bad training technique, but it worked for Boomer. The main problem with it is I have to have kibble in my pocket and reward him periodically to keep it up. It made a difference to the pulling but not to the impulse control (i.e. see a cat, lunge for the cat). Also, it's weird to have him so fixated on my pocket during walks - although that seems to be getting less so now.

    We're now enrolled in obedience classes to learn how to do all this stuff properly.

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  11. #7
    Senior Dog MontananDakota's Avatar
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    You know that is exactly what the trainer had us do when I took both Montana & Dakota to puppy classes when they were puppies. I took them each through a few times. Dakota was at one time a fairly decent walker never as good as Montana ( at walking) but good enough. Slowly it vanished lol
    I think its time to try this again. I love her to pieces and just want her to be able to relax a bit more. She probably thinks the same exact thing about me LOL

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  13. #8
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    I was guessing about what to do so it's funny you say that. Maybe I read about it somewhere and forgot. The trainer in Boomer's obedience class suggests a non-treat technique (a quick sideways snap of the martingale collar) plus praise. It seems to work. After three walks, Boomer's surprisingly good about heeling without any kibble or treats at all. He only needs a light correction as a reminder now and then. But I like to think the kibble method made this new method more effective.

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  15. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Java View Post
    I was guessing about what to do so it's funny you say that. Maybe I read about it somewhere and forgot. The trainer in Boomer's obedience class suggests a non-treat technique (a quick sideways snap of the martingale collar) plus praise. It seems to work. After three walks, Boomer's surprisingly good about heeling without any kibble or treats at all. He only needs a light correction as a reminder now and then. But I like to think the kibble method made this new method more effective.
    Yes, it most likely did. We teach our puppies to walk on a loose lead without treats (mostly by not allowing pulling in the first place, even when they are babies), but when we teach them formal competition heeling, we do it pretty much by first luring with food, and then a collar pop correction once they know what they are doing.
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  17. #10
    Senior Dog MontananDakota's Avatar
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    that is exactly how we trained in the beginning-treating along the way and a quick pop to redirect them. This doesn't work with her now and I feel horrible even considering a pop because she puts her ears back and KEEPS pulling. The ears going back is her being upset like she got in trouble. I think I am going to try treats and if I have to keep treating her for the rest of her days I guess that's what I will do.

 



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