Johnweezy

I was going to post this in the training section but it would not let me add new threads to the topic. My question is a purchased a metal "training" collar from my local petco.i am unsure if it is for my actual problem.it is sort of like a noose and chokes him when he pulls to hard while I walk him. Am I doing the right thing and if not now would I get him to walk correctly with me he is still a 5 month puppy.also I am looking to buy a new collar or harness but I am leading towards a stillwater collar because most pictures I see ofdogs at shows or being walked are with high quality collars instead of harnesses

Cain's Mom

One thing I do to teach my dogs how to correctly walk on a leash is I have Training Reward treats to use and I walk him around by my side saying heel and hold the treat to have him stay by my. The treats work good because I can stick them on my pocket and they're easy to access. For me, Cain gets excited and knows what's coming when I get them out so it makes it easy to train him. What kind of leash do you use? A shorter leash can also help with walking. We have 2. One for walking and one for running outside and potty times. And he knows if it's the retractable he can wander around and not stick near me.

Wingman

Purchase yourself a prong collar. They are great for training a dog to walk on leash. Choker collars are useless in my opinion, as most dogs just keep choking themselves until they'll pass out, where as a prong collar will pinch their neck and they'll stop. It works great for thick headed dogs. :P They look barbaric, but I assure you it will get the job done!

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JoKealoha

yes. prong collar is a good training tool if you have a dog that's a handful. but make sure you educate yourself on proper usage first. they are not intended to inflict the pain they are capable of.
once he is trained properly. then you can move to a different collar and he should still be responsive to direction. you may have to revisit training, like i do every month or so just to keep it fresh.

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aus_staffy

Nothing wrong with check chains ("choke collars"). If the dog is choking itself out you're not using it right. The basic principle is the same as a prong collar in that a little "check" on the leash serves as a correction. The chain has the added benefit of a noise to accompany it. I leash trained both my dogs with check chains (the right way) to the point that I have to use different collars or harnesses when I actually want them to pull. They won't do it with the check chain on.

If the dog is pulling right now then a harness will only make it worse.

Whichever way you go, I would get some lessons with a good trainer to help with some "dos and don'ts" with walk training.

Actually, if you look closely at my avatar, you'll see a check chain under Nitro's custom collar. I would have been doing some obedience training that day.

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william williamson

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Cain's Mom

I agree with making it worse. But there is a harness that you hook the leash in the front. So when they pull it turns them around. My in laws used it with their mastiffs. It worked well in teaching them.

Johnweezy

So I'm hearing use the check chain until he is better at heeling and then use the harness? I just heard harness' can help excersive a dog

aus_staffy

If you're using the check chain to get him to heel, use it properly. Otherwise they can become "neck deaf" and won't pay it any attention. Make sure it's on the right way (yes, there is a right and a wrong way to put them on) and keep it up around the back of the dog's ears at the very top of his neck. The only time it should have any tension on it is when you're giving a correction. The rest of the time it should be slack.

Like I said, it's best to use a trainer for whatever method you're using because if you're on your own you won't know if you're doing something wrong.

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"My dogs have NEVER failed me, I owe them no less."

william williamson

"He's a Mexican driver from Mexico."

Bobby Unser 1994

Wallies_momma

If you are training your dog not to pull, do not put them in a harness. Harness's are what we use to TRAIN our dogs to pull
We used a check chain and it worked great for one of our pitties, she walks perfectly on a leash, but again you have to use it correctly.
I'm not sure how using a harness to walk him helps exercise him more unless the point is for him to pull you. But from what you are saying you are trying to keep him from pulling so stay away from the harness.

this type of harness however sounds kinda neat...

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Saint Francis

Pulling is exercise for you and your pup...I couldn't deal with at least a little pulling, but then again I'm a type A person LOL!

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PerfectPit

I don't believe in prong collars (IMO), ppl rave about them though. I use a leather harness from Stillwater with a handle so I can lift him up in case of an emergency. Beautifully made, if I do say so myself. Anyways, I carry high value treats. When he starts to pull, I turn in another direction, say come, once next to me say "good boy" treat. Every time he moved away I repeated the same process. You go in circles until he gets used to what you want. It took me about 2 weeks and he was loose leash walking. Whatever you use, prong, choke, harness, freedom harness, halte etc. Be patient consistent and praise. Good luck.

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Taana n Beastley

Cain's Mom

When they start to pull and you go to stop them it turns them around to face you. I want to get one for Cain just haven't found any yet.

Doglover101

I would suggest a gentle leader. Or gentle harness. The leader goes over the nose and if they pull it forces them to turn harness does same thing. I used it on all my dogs when I was training them proper leash manners and they all walk perfectly by my side when walking with the leader now!

PerfectPit

You are referring to a halte.

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Taana n Beastley

redog

Harnesses can work if can lift the dog up, otherwise stick to a prong. They look brutal but I'm not in this to encourage pulling, especially from an obnoxiously drivey dog like my bob.
Haltis or head harnesses are a silly waiste of time used to make humans feel like they are not being cruel to their dog. Bob is like a tornado on a head harness and will back right out of it no matter how it fits or how tight it is. He fights it.
A prong, fitted right and worn high on the neck, bob will heal and act like a
Gentleman on a leash. It puts ME in full control of an otherwise out of control beast.

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Dave