Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Puppy
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Upstate South Carolina
    Posts
    3
    Thanked: 0

    Question Leash training a rescued 2 yr old Black Lab

    Buddy came into our lives about 6 months ago. He's 2 yrs old the vet thinks. He is the smartest dog I have ever owned (I have had a Dachshund and a Blue Healer). He is also so loving and willing to please. My wife, whom has never had an inside dog, said to me last week that she can't imagine not having Buddy in her life.

    He is very well behaved having already learned 18 words and if we "catch him in the act" of doing something wrong, he hasn't done that again.... as long as he knows its wrong, he doesn't do the behavior again. The only problem we have with him is with the leash. It's a big problem b/c he is so well behaved, we want to be able to take him out with us. I have used a choke collar in the past with the Healer and it worked well but I was leery of it then and even more so now. A flat collar won't work with him b/c he pulls out of it. I am currently trying a harness that buckles on top. I can control him but he isn't learning that pulling is bad. I stop. I change direction. I want to reward just walking along with me but can not get to that point. It's funny b/c when he is off the leash (we live in the country) we heals perfectly.

    It was obvious to us he had never received training before he came into our lives. He did not know sit, stay, come ... ect. He learned all that within 2 weeks (I train by praise and reward and do not physically punish when he gets caught). If we could get this leash bit straight (especially b/c he's too strong for my wife), we would all have a much more enriching time together.

    Any ideas??? Help.....
    Last edited by jon; 09-15-2016 at 05:22 PM.

  2. #2
    Puppy
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Upstate South Carolina
    Posts
    3
    Thanked: 0
    Sorry... Leash not Lease...

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Abulafia's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    1,111
    Thanked: 685
    Welcome—

    Labs are very strong dogs (as you know), and it's crucial to teach them not to pull at the leash. The earlier you do this, the better.

    We used / use this:

    Pet Supplies : Pet Pinch Collars : StarMark Training Collar, Large, Black : Amazon.com

    It's a plastic prong collar—so not a choke chain or metal prong. Frankly, our dog doesn't really need this any long—she's long since stopped pulling and only pulled a bit as a pup—but when the collar goes on, she's all business. We'll probably go to a flat collar alone in the future (she's 15 months old now), but for now, it's just handy. I have to say I don't think we really need it, but when we take her on walks in the neighborhood (rather than woods or beach), I like the extra control in case she meets a reactive dog.

    Most importantly, however, I suggest training classes for you both. And lots and lots of practice, daily practice w/ positive reinforcement, as you do leash work.

    I would not do a harness, as that teaches a dog to pull with the most powerful part of its body. Considering a Lab's strength, I don't think this is a great plan.
    Hidden Content Hokule'a ("Hoku") / b. 06.08.15

  4. #4
    Moderator
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Greenwood, Delaware
    Posts
    7,348
    Thanked: 7148
    First, welcome and thank you for rescuing this guy!! It sounds to be like you are off to a good start. The collar Abulafia showed is a good collar and will work well for you, as would a properly fitted prong collar. These types of collars will basically self correct the dog when they pull. I'm currently training a 4 month old ball of Labrador energy, and started using a prong on him 4 weeks ago. He does a good job walking on a loose leash as he knows what happens when he hits the end. It's also good for making corrections when training other things. Properly fitted, both of these types of collars are very safe and will not hurt the dog.

    From the sound of it once he understands what you want he will be fine. Good luck and let us know how you make out! There are a lot of very knowledgeable people here that I have learned a lot from being here. Once you get your post count up post some pics!!!

  5. #5
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Ellicott City, MD
    Posts
    6,626
    Thanked: 3641
    Welcome! If you don't want to use a prong collar, I'd recommend a Martingale. It's like a choke collar but it only reduces its size to the actual size of your dog's neck...he won't be able to pull out but the pressure on his neck will be no more than with a regular collar. I've used this kind for years with multiple dogs.

    Martingales have an "extra" bit of collar that expands/contracts the size of what's around the dog's neck...that extra bit on some collars is the fabric of the collar part itself, on others, it's chain. I find the chain to react better to pulling and release. Most of ours are by RC Pet (sold in lots of places): Training Collar

    Good luck with your training for this. Our first Lab came to us at the age of 3 and was a horrid puller. I ran him through training with the same one-on-one trainer I'd used for our Akitas....nope. Tried all the tricks....nope. I couldn't handle him and my husband didn't appreciate being yanked around...and then we found the Martingale. (I'd refused to use a prong or regular choke chain.) Brutus started getting more walks (I'm the walker in the family). The Martingale gave me more leverage than a plain collar or harness (which had seemed to encourage even more pulling) and Bru responded to that. He probably would have responded well to a choke or prong but back then I had no one talking to me about safe use, etc...and I'd heard bad stories.

  6. #6
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Eastern Ontario Canada
    Posts
    3,336
    Thanked: 2070
    welcome

    I recommend a basic obedience class - or a loose leash walking class if that's really all you want Read up on the school and the trainer (qualifications, education, type of training) as well.

    Prongs are a great tool but you'll have to ensure it's really properly fitted (I see so many people using prongs that are fitted complete incorrectly) and do the training part - start in quieter environments with fewer distractions and bring treats to reward when the dog IS doing what you want. Keep the training walks shorter and training only for now until things improve. Keep in tune with the dog during the walk, talk to them, give them feedback on what is good and what isn't (not just the collar correction). Oh and make sure to tire out the dog beforehand so they can think

    There are other good tools such as the Easy-Walk Harness and other no-pull harnesses. Or head halters. These tools help you gain control of the dog (and not put out your back) while you work on the training part

  7. #7
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    SE, PA
    Posts
    4,406
    Thanked: 1992
    I would also recommend a Martingale collar.
    Hidden Content

    Tammy
    Maxx and Emma Jean

    Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.

  8. #8
    Best Friend Retriever silverfz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Land of Holes
    Posts
    618
    Thanked: 182
    Easy walk or head halter. Our friend adopted a coon hound which was returned 5 times. He took a simple class at PetSmart for 99$. After 2 set of classes each of 6 weeks he is a different dog. I think he had anxiety from all the returns and did not know what to do.
    My buddy and me picked up a rottie off cragislist for 300 . He is year and half never been to a vet and kept in a outside kennel. He is a brother of the female he paid 1600 for and is so sweet . He is off to training too.

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •