Lottie really is a puller and unfortunately due to being in season we are unable to go out but there are loads of cats that use our fence as a walk way. She actually pulled me over today as she charged for one I hadn't seen so wasn't ready. So I googled and found how to use a slip lead as a halter. Well she hates it. Tried pulling in off her nose, tried to chew it ( its a rounded rope one) and was very unhappy Tried attaching to collar to get her used to it before using as a halter, big mistake. She turned and jumped at it to grab it in her mouth then when she let go she tried to jump at me with teeth showing. I tried a stern No! But nothing She's 9 months and had very little training from previous owner and prior to that her 1st owner allowed her to jump and grab at clothes, arms etc as a game. Most of the time she is lovely and sits on my knee for a love. I really wonder if she has been mistreated with a lead or had a bad experience. Please. Please help. Em x
Re: New lead hell Hi Em, Our doggy trainer recommends a figure 8 slip lead. Most of the dogs don't like it to begin with, spend their time trying to paw it off or rub their muzzles along the grass trying to slip it off We use ours mostly when we need extra good behaviour - maybe in town, or if we are at training and she just wants to play - and find it works like a dream. Almost an instant switch to good behaviour. She knows it means "work" though. We took a couple of days of use and she stopped trying to get it off. Mostly just use it as a simple slip lead now. I reckon you should persevere, give her a little time, everything is going to be new to her. jacqui
Re: New lead hell How frustrating. I got my dog, Obi, at 9 months and he, too, had been allowed to pull, jump up, mouth, grab clothes, and bark at people when he didn't get what he wanted. We sometimes wondered whether we had made a mistake in getting him. But he is a hundred times better now (have had him for 5 months). Some dogs don't like head halters as they apply constant pressure to the muzzle. An alternative is a halter that works like a horse halter - it is loose but stays on the head because of the design, not because it is gripping onto the face. Another option is a harness. With a harness, pulling tends to lift the front feet off the ground a bit, meaning that the dog has less traction. You can get front-attaching or back-attaching ones. With a front-attaching one the dog tends to get turned around a bit towards you when they pull. I use a back attaching harness combined with a thick, rope lead. A thick lead gives you plenty to hang on to and it's kind on your hands. Mine is made out of abseiling rope. The thing that I found helped the most with pulling was not so much the style of harness or lead, but an absolute refusal to let the dog pull me anywhere, even for a step (I did have to be very vigilant, looking for potential distractions so I could brace myself!). If pulling happened, we stopped dead, and often then turned around and went the other way. Changing direction can be effective for the dog that is intent on forging ahead on a set path. Also rewarding with treats for a loose lead while walking and also rewarding for sitting and looking at me instead of charging after distractions (had to teach a strong response to 'watch' (ie. look at me) first).
