Please help...my 7 month old puppy has lost his mind

I can't offer much in way of recall as I've never really had too much of a problem, but I have suffered with the pulling.......she was and still is occasionally horrendous. Because I have spinal injuries I can't have her pull me as it could do a lot of damage. I ended up buying a K9 bridle head collar. I started using it to walk up and down my cul-de-sac, once she could do this we went a bit further and so on. After a few weeks we made it to the local shops and back (10 mins walk each way). I then slowly introduced the harness and started the process with this. After a few weeks we again managed to the shops and back. I still use the head collar when we go to new places and she needs to be on lead as I can't hold her. For me it really worked as I needed to get her attention and praise her before we could move forward. I don't often suggest this method as I really wish I trained her when she was little, but due to your pregnancy it may be safer at this stage to at least do on lead walks to help exercise her.
I hope you manage to move forward x

 

I agree that your safety has to be paramount. I would definitely keep up the training and try training around distractions, even if they are very far away at first. Going to more isolated places or even to the dog park where you don't have to worry about a leash is fine too. But in other situations you have to make sure that your pooch won't pull you over or otherwise cause you difficulties. So the use of some kind of anti-pulling device such as a Halti or other head collar as Naya has suggested, is a good stop-gap method to ensure both of you are safe when you are out and about.

 

I don't have much to add, But i will say this, we rescued Poppy at 9 months and she was a terror. ( thats why she had been given up). She is now 15 months and we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. she is turning out to be a little cracker. So It will get better. Train , train and train again even if its for short 10 min sessions.
Good Luck

 

Thanks so much for everyones kind words and encouragement. I tried one more walk at the park with a normal collar and lead, loaded with treats, and it was just a nightmare. He pulled me the entire time so hard that I had to use both hands on the lead, and I felt physically exhausted after 25 minutes. I tried redirecting his attention, jogging with him a little, offering him treats for moments of calm, getting him to sit (unsuccesful, deafness had taken over) and nothing worked. He pulled so hard on the lead he was gagging himself frequently but showed no signs of stopping. He also charged in multiple different directions whilst pulling. tomorrow morning I am going to our vets and will have to invest in some sort of lead which prevents him from being able to do this while we retrain him, I feel really guilty, but I simply cant be pulled over at 6.5 months pregnant and nor do I want to end what should be a lovely park outing feeling exhausted, frustrated, and near tears.
I did consider just taking him to the dog park and letting him off lead so he could have a good run (it is fully enclosed and he cant escape) but reading through some of the links you have sent me it seems that even doing this is rewarding him for the nightmare pull on the end of the lead that it takes to get to the actual dog park. So back to square one we go, and lets hope I can get this sorted before baby comes as I long to take them both out strolling together.

 

Sorry that you had a challenging walk today... They really are pretty strong dogs and I'm sure it was no fun for you at all. You are right that you shouldn't risk being pulled to the ground.

I'm not a fan of head halters, but they can help quite a lot.... Dogs generally don't like them, and some dogs become kind of subdued in them (though I'm sure that sounds appealing!! ). Given your situation, though, a head halter might be worth considering.... After all, someone is going to have to walk the dog and it needs to be a safe activity (for you and the bub).

 

Hi just wanted to add my sympathy. And let you know I've guiltily resorted to a Halti head harness for our 7 month old lab as I've had shoulder surgery and just cannot have her pull my left arm- but even using my right she's become too strong for me.
I see it as a temporary (though possibly few months) thing and I'll continue to work on not lunging.
She doesn't like it but the alternative is no walk at present!

 

Whoops teenager!

Back on a lead a long line would be good as you can reinforce his recall command, be consistent and keep going it will click one day!

 

I am in the same boat. Jessie is off to my mother's in 5 weeks time, so I am on a mission to make her less nuts on the lead, especially towards other dogs. As I can manage her I am going to try for a week with just collar and if all else fails will go down a halti/harness route. Don't feel guilty, it is just a means to an end. Keep us posted how you get on!

 

@First timer there is no reason why you should feel guilty about using a Halti, it's what works for you and your dog and enables you to walk your dog safely. If some people don't like them and wouldn't use them, fine, that's their opinion and their choice.