I always walk henry with tilly now because if i dont he refuses to go out! lol, anyway hes starting to pull alot more now and ive tried pretty much everything but hes getting stronger and stronger! any advice please lol would a harness be better ? ive tried using treats and stopping now and again if he pulls really bad but im unsure tilly was the same but sort of fixed herself as she grew up
I've just used the stop-start method with my two. Each and every time the lead goes tight, I stop dead. Wait for the tension to go and then set off again. They learn that they only get to move forwards when there's a loose lead. If you're after a stronger "heel" position, then clicker training it is a good idea.
I'm with Fiona, if you just want a relaxing walk not getting pulled about stop/start or plenty of direction changes. If you want heelwork you will need to work on it separately with some serious motivation for rewards - think chicken, sausages etc
Ah, yes, direction changes, changes of pace, lots of chirpy talking - "This way! Now this way!" - to keep it exciting for them
I have no idea how you would accomplish that walking two at a time. But FWIW stopping did absolutely nothing for us. Changing direction, smartly, quickly, BEFORE he pulled kept him guessing where we were going. Yes, changing pace too. I cannot see how it would work with two dogs, not what I did, but I was working to keep him at heel. I had to work on heeling as if he wasn't at heel one of the other of us would get tangled in the leash with the snappy direction changes.
I walk two at a time. One is a pretty chilled lab without too much desire to pull. The odd scent takes him away but mostly he's good. He's not walking to heel but he will orient himself to me on my left hand side and come to heel if I ask him to, very light tension on his lead will bring him back towards me. I have to be prepared to put leads in different hands as sometimes I'll have one each side (once they've settled down) but if I chop and change then Obi particularly can end up on the left too. I don't find it a drama though. I just have to pop the lead in the other hand. My leads are a nice length for doing this though, long enough to pass across my body but not so long the dog can be miles from me.
You might also find the Turid Rugass book helpful to stop the pulling and start enjoying your walks. I successfully used her method for loose lead walking with no problems https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Dog-Pul...8&qid=1463069055&sr=1-1&keywords=turid+rugaas
I can only walk one at a time, but the stop/start definitely shows results for us. Occasionally I will turn 180 if he's really struggling. One day it will be "start....carry on" !
When I trained my 2 I tugged them back on a short lead and when I stop and give a little tug on the lead to make them sit. Once they could walk to heal on the leas I rapped the the lead round their neck and let go so they thought the lead was still on . Then I could stop and they would both sit. Takes time but I now walk everywhere without leads where is safe to do so.
Hi Andy, most of us here prefer to use positive reinforcement methods of training (or sometimes negative punishment) rather than the positive punishment method you described with the little tugs on their lead. I know you're not doing it hard enough to hurt your dogs, but most of us here try to avoid aversives of any kind. Here is an article on what is meant by the term "punishment" as far as dog training is concerned: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/punishment-in-dog-training/
Stop start method here too, changing direction and pace helps. It might take a little longer but it's worth it for the dogs especially when good treats are involved
When I had my husky, I would use a martingale (half-check) collar to stop him from pulling. It worked really well, you just have to be careful it fits properly & you use the right technique. I only used one because other methods didn't work for him. I've heard good things about the Walk Your Dog With Love harness, though I've never tried it myself.
I employed the stop/start/change direction method too , even walking backwards with Sam following me facing me , drew some odd looks from neighbours but hey ho, it worked
I I have that harness. I use it when we are going somewhere Sam can't be off lead ( which isn't very often), very handy , comfortable and fully adjustable. Definitely makes a huge difference in the pulling , but still do work on normal collar & lead too
