Sorry me again with yet another issue. Charlie just will not walk on a lead without pulling so hard its almost impossible now. We have been going with the STOP and wait for a lose lead, WALK IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION, WALK ROUND IN CIRCLES etc. etc. for 1 year and he is no better. He has had during the year a halti, harnis and still pulls, currently using a slip rope twisted over his nose and he still pulls and now has a lovely bald patch on his nose due to this. For very brief moments he can do it but then it's gone. Had to put Hattie on the Halti as she is now misbehaving which is not like her as my 12 year old son could walk her just on a lead. I now put off going for walks which used to be my only "time out" and now totally stressed out which of course doesn't help. Feel like I am losing with him all the time when all I want is the very best for him.
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hi Helen, I have another article on lead walking coming out soon, and also a review will be published on Sunday (on the main site) of Turid Rugaas' book My Dog Pulls which you might find helpful. In the meantime, can you think of any situation in which Charlie can walk nicely on a loose lead. In your kitchen for example? In the garden? This is a common problem and it is fixable. First you need a base or starting point on which to build. Pippa
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hi Helen We had problems with Finnegan, he was scared and being a huge hound was very strong. After making ourselves dizzy by going round in circles we resorted to 'double leading'. This is the normal collar and lead held as usual with another longer lead loose down his chest in a big loop so that it's about at his elbow level, have the left side of the lead in your hand with the usual lead so that it crosses right across his back with the right side in your other hand (assuming Charlie walks on your left, if on the right then reverse). It works a bit like a hobble does for farm animals and stops the dog from striding out too much and for a strong dog allows you to have much more control so that you can then practice the more usual training techniques without as much tugging and pulling. As things get easier you can hold both leads in one hand, I separated the various leads like reins on a horse. For us it was as much about giving us confidence that we had him under control so that we didn't spook him with our fears going down the lead. Once he understood where we wanted him to walk, ie alongside us and not three miles ahead!, we gradually relaxed the lead and finally got rid of it completely. I'm thinking about getting the double lead out again for my 12yo who, now that she's boss dog, has decided the lead is simply so that I know where she is! I think a quick refresher course is in order. good luck Kerryn
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hi Pippa, he will walk on a lead in the house, in our small yard, on the drive, get him outside our property and that's the end of it. Think I give off the wrong message down the lead as I become quite anxious that he is going to pull, having said that he pulls for my husband who is not anxious, so just not sure. To be fare to Charlie when he is complete shattered he does walk nicely. As he is not allowed off lead at the moment our walks are very difficult and those damn Pheasants just don't help matters!! Another work in progress I guess! Thanks Helen
Re: Lead Walking non existent Thank you Kerryn, I do believe we have done that too, but I guess it can't hurt to try again as all else seems to be failing. Helen
Re: Lead Walking non existent I love Turid's books and I probably shouldn't mention another author (sorry, Pippa) but I found Anthea Lawrence's Taking Control made perfect sense. If you've already started on one method don't confuse Charlie with another, stick with what you're doing. Having said that ;D. One trick I was taught nearly thirty years ago was to swish something in front of the dog's nose. I was taught with a flexible willow switch which seems awfully brutal now; however, I do sometimes flick the end of a lead in front of a nose in a quick whoosh which does initiate an instinctive step back, you do have to be especially careful to make sure it never connects with anything, except perhaps your leg when you pull back from the dog but when you're at the end of your tether a black and blue leg seems a small price to pay! It's incredibly frustrating to know the dog just isn't listening. I had the same problems with a lab I inherited from my Dad, I hate to say it but she never really 'got' it. Lots of work later she was no longer a pain but she was never really a joy to walk on the lead, but then I didn't have Pippa, Turid or Anthea's (all women I notice,I wonder if there's something there?) expertise to help out, just my instincts and a few friends with workers. Whatever you try keep at it and in between times simply enjoy having him around. Kerryn
Re: Lead Walking non existent Sorry, me again. Having posted I saw your thread about agility. Has he got worse since the agility classes? I had a friend with a rescued golden retriever who was wonderful until he started agility and more specifically flyball. They had to start again from first principals with new commands and a dedicated 'release' word. Just a thought. Kerryn
Re: Lead Walking non existent You are very welcome to mention anyone that offers proven and useful advice! I don't believe it is possible to read too much. I will try and get my article up tomorrow. But I think maybe Helen you might find it easier to focus on one problem at a time. Perhaps leaving the heelwork until you have made some progress with the recall problem. You have got quite a lot on your plate at the moment Pippa
Re: Lead Walking non existent Thank you everyone. Kerryn to answer your question, no he hasn't got worse since the agility class he has always been extremely tough on a lead, so tough he has pulled me over many times. When we first got him he would virtually crawl along the ground even on a halti dragging me with him, so very little progress has been made. Yes Pippa I feel maybe we have too much on our plate with Charlie, we never take a step forward with him and so the stress levels just increase. I am on exercise 2 now with recall training but it just seems ever such a long way to go having spent the last year getting no where and if we can't walk him on a lead there is just absolutely no joy in "walking" any more. I feel cross with the Fosterer he was with, she has apologised to me many times for homing him with us as she admitted she did the wrong thing also she described him as a completely different dog, he is so difficult. We all really love him as he just such a gorgeous natured boy and doesn't have a mean bone in his body. I am sorry if I sound like I am moaning about him but I feel very worried about the outcome and if he can ever be trained. Lots of family stress at the moment which doesn't help. Sorry again and believe me I do appreciate your help and suggestions. Thanks Helen
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hello Helen, Try not to get down about Charlie, over time I feel he will improve. You have it particularly hard as he is a rescue dog, so the challenges are greater than those faced with a puppy. When my two year old was a pup I used to wonder if we would ever get there and at times it seemed to be one problem after another, but suddenly he seemed to get it. Maybe try and put the last year behind you and look on this as a fesh start, you are getting great advice from people on this forum. In the early days we had a weekly one to one with a dog trainer which the dog loved. We found it helped us too as often it is us that does not quite do the right thing at the right time. I appreciate it is very hard and really hope that you find a way through.
Re: Lead Walking non existent Not much in the way of constructive help to add, just wanted to add a word of support and to encourage you to keep at it. It must be really difficult for you...
Re: Lead Walking non existent Thank you so much Karen and Sharon I really appreciate your encouragement. Maybe I am doing too much and his brain and mine are frazzled. Maybe the agility isn't such a good idea while he is trying to walk on a lead, recall, sleep in his bed etc. The one to one trainer might be the way to go?? Thank you, thank you all of you that have posted such wonderful supportive and helpful messages. Charlie would thank you if he could!! Helen x
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hello Helen, You're welcome, I real feel for you. Pippa would be best to advise on continuing with agility. I personally feel that if you can manage it continue to go as it sounds like you both enjoyed it and Charlie will love the mental stimulation which will keep him happy. As for the recall take it one day at a time and don't think ahead as it can seem daunting if you do. The exercises look fun and achievable so I am looking forward to progressing with my pup. I find having a plan to follow is fantastic as it stops you panicking about what you should do when, keeps you focused and you feel satisfied as you progress at your dogs pace. Good luck, Sharon
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hi Helen Don't despair, you are making progress! It doesn't actually matter how fast you get there, if you are on the right track! My instinct is to stick with agility as long as you are enjoying it, as it's one day when you can be confident that Charlie is getting his exercise without you needing to fight him over the heel or recall! Sam.
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hi Helen, sorry this has taken so long. It is a bit of a marathon - but there is a lot to say! Hope you find it helpful: My Labrador still won't stop pulling And I agree with Sam, any exercise that is carried out in a controlled environment, such as agility, should help you with Charlie and do him good. Pippa
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hi Helen Sounds like you got a bit of a handful there but you're doing all the right things. If Charlie's no worse after his agility I'd stick with it, if only to tire him out and make him use his brain a little, it might help him to focus on you too. Without spoiling your enjoyment of him is there any chance whilst he's tired after the agility you could exploit the reduced energy level and try some heel work? Easier said than done but I would try to work really hard on one aspect of training whilst not totally ignoring the rest. Keep going, you'll get there one day, and sooner than you think. Kerryn
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hi Kerryn, you have no idea what a handfull he is!! I walk him before agility as I didn't want him too hyper. He was pretty tired when I got back so will try some leadwork then - thanks. I am working hard on Pippas recall . I am working on the leadwork but may have to relook at that since reading Pippa's article - thank you yet again Pippa for your brilliant advice. Seems like another mountain to climb! I really hope we get there soon. I am not sure Charlie thinks he is lucky to have us making him work for his supper!! Thank you all again you are certainly keeping me going.
Re: Lead Walking non existent Pippa, thank you so very much for the article its very interesting and very much appreciated. Should I carry out this training aswell as the recall and should I walk Charlie without Hattie in order to achieve results? Many thanks Helen
Re: Lead Walking non existent Hi Helen, If I were you I would probably pick one skill and focus on that for the time being. Taking on a rescue dog with many problems is a huge task, and I am sure you will do a grand job. But you need to be a bit kind to yourself and take it just one step at a time. Recall is probably the biggest priority from a safety point of view. You will need to walk Charlie on his own when you start the heelwork training. I appreciate that when you have two dogs, training separately is a big deal. It isn't easy. Hang on in there! Pippa
