Hi- I just read about using a harness with back and chest attachments. Do you use both at same time? my 5 month old male black lab is pretty strong already-but good thing he does follow me around in backyard well and comes when called. I’ve just started training in front yard and close to house to expand his world. Shots just finished. He gets distracted and is harder to control. A bag of treats under his nose generally works. I know he will be well behaved and better in a few years-for now I’m just trying to be patient and persistent and keep him safe! He plays well with my chihuahua and chocolate lab. Any tips on training with harness outside my yard? This is first male lab for me. Thanks! Julie
Hi Julie, welcome to the forum! When a harness has back and chest attachments you can use either attachment on its own, or get an adjustable 2-end leash and attach it to both points at once. This article has a summary of the technique for teaching a dog to walk politely on a loose leash, once the harness is on. The chest attachment is the one which specifically discourages pulling - the idea is that if your puppy strains against it, they just end up walking themselves round in a circle, so the action isn't rewarded or reinforced. This is useful if you're worried about controlling him whilst you build up his loose leash walking skills. Once your loose leash training is well under way, you'll be able to just use the back attachment I hope that helps!
We got a harness for our 6 month lab. He does okay with it but my husband says he has trouble with head when he goes after sticks (we have many trees on walk) or other things. Other than they awful choke collars, how do you train beyond "drop it" which sometimes doesn't work?
Hi Deb. Please, please, please DON'T go near a choke collar. They are cruel, dangerous (could damage your dog's throat) and won't fix the problem. The are just a 'band aid' solution. It all comes down to training and patience. Do you have a copy of Pippa's book The Labrador Handbook? She has a wealth of helpful advice and solid training solutions. Your little man is only 6 months old and has a lot of learning to do. It just takes consistency and patience and positive reinforcement (and TREATS). Do you reinforce the drop it command with a tasty treat? And immediately walk away from the stick or whatever? I am certainly no expert on dog training, but believe me there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I do treat, my husband used them very rarely with old dogs he had (husky/collie) but this dog is very treat motivated. He worries about weight gain even if you give a little one. When you watch Zak or other trainers on youtube etc. they treat a LOT and he'd joke, "how is the dog not waddling yet" or how do you wean them off?" I will keep doing it my way and knows Gabe is too young to say "he's too stubborn" I just wondered if there was something to have more control of head if your dog suddenly got something bad you missed for instance and "drop it" was not working because they really wanted it. I agree, I think choke chains aren't good and vet only recommends if all else fails and then gently using but likes harness much more or "nose" one which seems uncomfortable but maybe not. I try to keep him close so if I need to use handle on back of harness to hold him I can.
Are you feeding your boy kibble? Use some of his 'meal allowance' (in other words, if you take a handful of kibble on your walk, reduce his next meal by one handful), that effectively solves the potential weight gain. I know of several lab owners who use this method to the point where the meals are reduced to a snack and the dogs are thriving and loving all those 'treats'. I haven't personally used the nose halter, but a friend has and their dog doesn't seem to have any issues with it.
