Pulling Weimaraner!

[vimto92]

Hi, I have an eight year old Weimaraner, and he would be an absoloute pleasure to take for walks if he just didn't pull so much! :eek:

I currently walk him in a choker chain, which works sometimes and then othertimes its like he doesn't know what I mean when I use it!

I check and release with the choker chain as I have heard you should. By this I mean when he pulls he gets a short sharp tug to grab his attention and then as soon as he comes to my side the chain is released and slackens.

Do you have any techniques that I can use when taking him out to help stop him pulling. I have tried the stopping and sitting technique, but he just continues to pull as soon as we set off again! Another problem is he only has to walk past a piece of grass and he tries to drag you onto it with him so he can do his business! I don't mind him doing his business but I obviousley do when it is on every piece of grass and when he is physcially straining himself! LOL

Pics of the sexy lad;

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/Vimto92/vixandmax125.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/Vimto92/Maxmodelling.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/Vimto92/easterhols255-1.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/Vimto92/easterhols337.jpg

[abbiegirl]

What a stunning lad you have :)

I have a Rottwieler and i use a halti when taking her for walks ( she also used to pull like mad!)- It really works, is cheep to buy and well worth the money ( About £8.00 from petshops)

[vimto92]

Thank you :)

Oooh! Interesting, have seen them before but are a tad sceptical whether it will work for Max though because once I tried looping the lead around his nose (loosely) in the house to see how he reacted and he absoloutely hated it. I know the pressure doesn't increase untill he pulls and the lead is pulled but even if it was released I think it would drive him crazy. I think it would go the opposite way, and it would be me pulling and him having to follow!:p

[jazzybear]

How about a harness/ It worked well for an out of control lab I was fostering!

[vimto92]

Yeah, I've been thinking about a harness actually but I read somewhere that they encourage pulling in some cases - anyone else tried harnesses?

I think it is more a respect and manners thing that he needs to improve on.

[Hippyhorse]

My sisters collies have halti's and they work really well, they did dislike them the first few times but after a week they we're changed dogs and could be walked together calmly on a jointed lead again without you feeling like you ought to be wearing rollerskates for them to pull you along!

[abbiegirl]

Thank you :)

Oooh! Interesting, have seen them before but are a tad sceptical whether it will work for Max though because once I tried looping the lead around his nose (loosely) in the house to see how he reacted and he absoloutely hated it. I know the pressure doesn't increase untill he pulls and the lead is pulled but even if it was released I think it would drive him crazy. I think it would go the opposite way, and it would be me pulling and him having to follow!:p

Bonnie was a little aprehensive about wearing a halti to start off with ( tried to get it off with her paws refusing to move etc:rolleyes: ) it didn-t take long for her to get used to it - you just need to persivere. :)

[lachlanandmarcu]

My Doberman hated all harnesses and Halti style halters and face halters, he would make his face bleed and throw himself in the road to try and rub it off on the tarmac :-(((

Much much more successful esp with Dobie/Weim strong pulling types was the Mikki training harness. It has loops under the front legs and attaches from these stretchy loops to the bottom of the collar (each side) and at the other end behind the front legs then goes up through a loop in the collar (provided) to a lead joiner.

Basically it converts the forward pull into something which can be controlled upwards by you, and the control is something you can do without pulling like crazy.

for me and a couple of other peeps I know with rescue dogs like mine (mine had 3 weeks residential training and the trainers couldnt do much with him either!) it was the difference between me being able to walk him and only my OH being able to do it with a scaffolders belt on with lead attached to it!:eek:

My dog loved it and was way happier than any of the body or halti types. :):)

You can see it here, I really cant recommend it enough it changed our lives and not exaggerating! And its pretty cheap too..:)
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/pets-and-animals/mikki-walkrite-training-harness/

[twigs]

easy leader or gentle leader are like haltis only better (I have read) like a halter, a halti/easy leader controls the head, when its pulled, the head turns and the body has to follow!
have you ever watched DOG BORSTAL they have a great method which i use - walk dog on a long lead,(6-8 ft)in your left hand,holding it at 4 ft with your right hand - when the dog pulls, immediatley slacken the lead and change direction...keep doing this, he will then start to look at you, not knowing when your going to turn around...works everytime, but sometimes takes awhile. Best practised in a open space first instead of a busy street or park where there are directions!! Good luck:D

Lovley dog:)
I like that breed, one of my dogs is terrified of them -silly nit:p

[chunky monkey]

Back the Gentle Leader that twigs recommends. I have one and it has been fab. My collie pulls use to pull on a lead inspite the dog training classes I was taking her to, and in the end I had to stop taking her to classes as they said they couldn't help me(not because of here pulling issues though). I opted for a one to one session with someone and she suggested that if I couldn't control her on the collar to get a halti. I went to the pet shop and they had the halti and the gentle leader. They are slightly different and the shop explained that the halti had a tendancy for some dogs to get it off there noses. The gentle leader has a clip under the chin which helps to prevent this.

As twigs says the head turns and the body has to follow.

I noticed an instant difference and the pulling stopped straight away.

If you get one they recommend that you put it on a take the dog for a walk straight away. Don't let them paw it with there feet. Floss did try to drag her nose along the ground but i recomend a few tasty treats in your pocket.

If you are walking on the lead you could take some treats and if the dog looks up at you, reward. Don't get in the habit of dog pulling, you get back at your side and treat though. Cos dog will learn that pulling is rewarding.

[IrishDQ]

a harness worked for my puller and didn't encourage him to pull. another lazy way of having a more peaceful walk is using a flexi lead, i.e. let him walk ahead to his hearts content! not a very good training technique though :p

[zoe-lvs-horses]

Wow! He is stunning!!:D
Harnesses and special pulling leads are great. But go back to basics first and tech him how to walk properly on the lead so when he pulls give him a sharp tug at the bottom of the lead near his collar and add a command. Make sure you have his attention when you are doing this so that he will pay attention to it. Try to keep him next to you so on a short lead.:D
Sorry, once you get me going about dogs there is no stopping me!!!:rolleyes:
Hope i helped.
xxxxx

[annareeves0]

Ill vote for the halti - years ago we got to the point of considering selling our dog as with two young kids the only time we could walk him was with the kids in the buggy - he nearly had us in the road a few times and definately had me in tears out of frustration!
He hated the halti initially but after 6 months wearing that, he got the idea and since then he has been fabulous - dont even need a lead most of the time.
I have heard of dogs who rubbed themselves sore etc but as long as you check the fit and introduce it gradually you should be fine.

P.S. gorgeous doggie :D

[*Sez*]

I use harnesses on my dogs. I like the Ezydog ones, as they're crash tested and can be safely used as a car harness as well (no room in the boot for a crate when we take the wheelchair out), but they can be quite rough on their skin, so I've put a fleecy "girth sleeve" on them :D.

Personally, I dislike leads on collars, particularly choke chains. We often care so much and pay a good deal of money to sort out our horses' backs, but a dog pulling on a lead, or being pulled by the lead (which tends to be the style of walking we see around here :rolleyes: ) can do so much damage to a dog's neck and back, which can then go on to trigger behavioural issues.

Halti headcollars can work well for pulling dogs as well - the biggest issue I had using one was people often thought my dog (a young Border Collie) was muzzled and therefore dangerous :confused:

[evilgiraffe]

have you ever watched DOG BORSTAL they have a great method which i use - walk dog on a long lead,(6-8 ft)in your left hand,holding it at 4 ft with your right hand - when the dog pulls, immediatley slacken the lead and change direction...keep doing this, he will then start to look at you, not knowing when your going to turn around...works everytime, but sometimes takes awhile. Best practised in a open space first instead of a busy street or park where there are directions!! Good luck:D

I was going to suggest the same thing - every time they use it the dog has got the idea within 24 hours so long as the handler is consistent. Seems like a very easy method as well (as well as being free), so might be worth a try even if you do go for a halter or suchlike as well?

[Aussi horses]

I use a halti on Blackie a neighbour's dog and it doesn't help she still pulls and she hates it when you put it on her as well. She is a Border Collie x Kelpie

[Method_Acting]

I'd get a dogmatic head collar for him : http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/

I have a labrador who used to pull SO MUCH on walks. I tried a body collar thing which didnt work because it was his head which was dragging me everywhere to sniff things!

Then i tried a halti which he didn't like, it didn't fit the shape of his face and would slide in his eyes and make them watery (it wasn't too big, just bad design)

So i got him a dogmatic head collar. they're more expensive but a much better desgn. my dog doesn't mind wearing it at all and it's stopped the pulling.

[stormy's mum]

try the no pull harness made by premier the leash clips on on the front ring to discourage pulling

[noodle]

Dont a harness they only encourage the dog to pull because there is no preasure put anywhere nto stop him pulling.
Not that keen on halti's because they only pull the head to the side without the correct preasure and can be easily slipped.
The best thing is a slip lead, but the lead needs to be brought right up under the ears and under the chin, some slip leads can a keeper than then slides down the lead and keeps it in place behind the ears.
Gencon leads also work well with gundogs http://www.gencon-allin1.co.uk/ they combine the slip lead,keeper and halta style all in one.
But there r only temperary fixes, the dog is pulling because he is taking control, he needs to remember that YOU are leader, he is pulling you because he is leading you!
DO NOT give in, do not worry if you dont get outside the front door, the walk starts before the lead goes on, if he gets all exchited and jumps out then do not put the lead on until he is calm, any probs please pm, I am a dog walker/behavoiurist

[Asima]

Had exactly the same problem as you

http://www.arabianlines.com/forum1/topic_new.asp?TOPIC_ID=30939&SearchTerms=husky

and the result and pic :)
http://www.arabianlines.com/forum1/topic_new.asp?TOPIC_ID=31139&SearchTerms=husky

Didn't actually buy a halti in the end gentle leader or something but I can honestly say things improved 100%. Couldn't recommend it enough. Wouldn't buy a harness made no difference, complete waste of money.

[veilside Angel]

I second the dogmatic leather halters, I have one on my Great dane and it's brilliant. Doesn't cut into her nose or ride up in to her eyes like a halti did to her.

She happily wears it when walking, altho the first time I put it on her she did wipe her face( and drool) all down my leg-nice! lol I only make her wear it now if there is another dog we have to walk past as she can be a little unpredictable towards them ( she's been attacked a few times so she tends to be overly defensive if they bark at her)

Once I had that on her I was much more confident holding her as in just a normal lead( even a check/slip lead) she could pull me straight over( she weighs around 10st I weigh about 8-less when i first got her)


Then I started to walk her on her lead and halter just in the garden and up and down my drive reinforcing her to heal. I had the fact she's a greedy madam on my side.lol so used treats to reinforce her good behaviour

Then I introduced a few distractions, my friends overly excited dog ( again still in the garden) or the kids next door playing with her squeaky toy,and taught her to stay to heal with those going on. If she pulled she got a sharp downwards and inwards pull on the halter( so her head came downwards and in towards her chest-you need a short lead, or even hold the halter strap)

You can then progress to a quite street, then a busy field etc

Really I was just teaching her some manners and to accept me as the leader I guess.

Not sure if it'll work for you as my dog only lunged forward at other dogs rather than constantly pulled?

Good luck :-)

[Shadowlark]

It depends.. do you want a quick fix or do you want to solve the problem?

I train all my dogs to walk on a lead - without one. All the way to top level obedience competition. Heck my national dog only wears a leash when in an on lead competition. I don't believe in correcting them - simply being the best thing going and therefore the centre of attention to them. Rather than a boring nag or dead weight.

If you just want to fix it quick, a head collar or a standard 2 pt harness with the leash clipped to the centre ring in front will do the job for you.

[vimto92]

Thanks everyone.

I don't want a quick fix, because I know that is all it will be. He will fight against whatever lead/harness I throw at him, and thats not pleasant for either of us.

With a harness, I know it will still be me battling against him, he will throw his weight into it and be dead set on trying to crawl! I know with a halti, or nose pressure device he will go insane trying to get it off!

I definately need a method that is going to show him I am boss, and he is going to walk by my side. I'd take treats and reward him when he walks by my side, but when going for a walk he is just too hyped up to be interested in treats - it is something I've tried before! :eek:

He has unbelievable strength!

[Shadowlark]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v559F522jV8

(posting as Susan has posted it to be used for training purposes)

Can you see that for Feature this is a game? and that game is FAR more fun than anything else going on. This has nothing at all to do with showing the dog who is boss. But simply being enjoyable to be with.

Your dog pulls because A it works. He CAN drag you to whatever he wants with no consequence and why not? Where he is going is more fun than the person who is either yelling at or correcting him or simply "along for the ride"

Everytime I take a dog out alone it is a training process. With a problem puller I may not even leave the front of my house - every time they go one way without me I go the other - until they learn they need to watch me. At this time I would normaly go to the 2pt harness as I don't like to correct dogs at the neck I would simply rather they had no choice but to follow me and not correct them but instead reward what I like. I then mark the behaviour I like and either treat or play. Many dogs don't like treats when they are excited. So what DO they like... ball.. stick a special game tug perhaps?

I could actually take video of me working a problem dog if it might actually help you and you are willing to put the time in. I am babysitting a border who is bad on the leash and this is among her "boot camp" items. I realize "Features" vid is more the finished piece and not the progress.

[vimto92]

Thank you:)

[Shadowlark]

Well we had to keep THAT short and sweet. It's -10 now that the sun is down BRRR!

We tricked her into pulling, as in the week she has been here with us she has learned she isn't allowed. She was a steam roller when she got here - exuberant walk you down the street kind of dog. She is 2, and has lacked boundaries in her life.

I switch her over to the front ring on her harness as she really cannot pull with the leash there or she ends up flipped around to face me. IT doesn't matter how big OR strong the dog is, I have used it with great success on everything, without the risk of damaging the trachea. (I like this methoed much better than head halters now, as the dogs don't fight it which saves fuss and bother)
I mark her naughties with AH AH so she knows what I don't want and her goods with Yes! and then get it as she knows we are going to play with her wholly roller.

Her default "safe" position is down her owners forgive all naughtyness if she lies down - so you can see she keeps doing it.. a lot. But just the same I hope you get the idea. She ignores me - "AH AH" and I go the other way she stays with me - we play together FUN! Playing with human WAY better than silly harness turning us around... hmm stay with human!

With a longer session, she can walk the whole block in position which is about what I expect before she plays - but this was a bit of a mad dash for you :)

It's all about engagement, on your part and your dogs. Pulling is total disengagement with one another.. by making it fun and motivating you engage your dog, you tell your dog that he and the act of walking by side you are important enough to you to give it your full attention - which is going to make him a whole lot more likely to reciprocate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BByRi9PSoB4

[pink-pony101]

dont generally have a lead on mine she heels and stays at heel until you release here with an 'ok' but whilst training a couple of other peoples i used the haltis.:)

a harness is great on little dogs as you can literally just pull them back with no fear of hurting there necks or anything but with big dogs it just allows them to exert all there strength against you and you end uo being towed along which is great fun on rollerblades with a dog who stops on command :p(yes ive tried it and no i didnt end up in a+e:p) but isnt if your heading off after a squirrel or something:p

i normally just train dogs to heel and sit stay ect with clickers which when you hsve a food motivated dog works brilliantly but to start off or with a really bad puller use presure and release with a halti but make sure you release the second they stop pulling or it doesnt work:) click, and reward with something (toy, food whatever works for you)

if you dont like the haltis then dont use one. just put on a noral lead (dont use the chocker chains unless you are absolutley sure you have it in the right place an dknow how to use it. i've seen what damage they can do:mad:) and just click and treat whever he stays by your heel or slightly infront. he will soon learn it is way more fun to stay with mummy than charge off:D

[em n stormy]

hi i own 2 rhodesian ridgebacks who weigh over nine stone each! I can absolutely recommend the dogmatic headcollar which is designed on a horses headcollar. he may not like it to start with but will get the idea.
i use these if i am handling them both in a busy area (i am only 5 ft tall and weigh around 8 stone!!) but otherwise you cant beat a half check collar and leather lead with a ring on the handle end. if he tries to pull make a loop of the lead and flip it in front of his shoulders keeping your hand low. does that make sense??:confused::confused: this means that he cant set his neck against you to pull. personally dont like harnessess as i think they encourage pulling and you are too far away from the head to be in control!!
also i was told when training my boys to never settle for anything you are not happy with. he may not realise that it is not acceptable to drag you everywhere!!

[FayeObs]

Hi,

I had a terrible time when i got Obi ( American Bulldog) They are used in pulling sports and he was horrible to walk. He'd pull until he nearly passed out.

My uncle walks him on a halti, - which is fine but i dont like them and never have. however he now walks perfect for me.. and this is how...

I walk him on a choke chain, and i put it RIGHT at the top of his neck (this is where the nerves are). When he used to pull, which he doesnt anymore, i just used to do a gentle tug and he was right back by my side again. It worked straight away and now 99% of the time he walks with lots of give on the lead its not even tense. It may sound harsh to begin with but i now have control over my dog (it was on sky one ceasar milan).

I promise you it works wonders. He learnt within the first week...

I think the hati is fine but it doesnt discipline your dog. If you do it this way, your dog knows what it can and cannot do.

This is MY personal opinion and im only speaking through the sucess off my dog.

[x-jenni-x]

ahh, we have a dog who pulls LOADS, we tried so much, regular body harnesses, nope just chocked him, a halti, worked okay, but rubbed his nose till it bled after just 15 minutes of walking, a bungee lead, worked but was scared it'd do too much damage so stopped using it, now we use whats called a "lupi" and he walks nicely, still pulls occasionally, but doesnt have much to pull agaisnt, only problem is if it gets wet, it does rub the skin.

http://www.petdealz.co.uk/lupi-dog-harness-medium-p1619.html thats the one we have now :)

[Kerpug]

Hiya i have a 7 yo weimaraner and he used to pull really badly. Previous owner had a nose halti and he hated it, he would launch himself to the floor trying to rub it off and his nose was sore from it. When we got him it came off straight away and we went to a chain choker.

It involved alot of consistant training with him, everytime he pulled i changed direction quickly. Stoping and starting, walking in circles, in squares, you name it we did it. He would also stop at every opp to wee again which we stopped to certain areas and it worked. We now get comments that he is the best behaved weimaraner in the area :D as everyother one i see is pulling his owner all over the place! I can now walk him and push my little girl in buggy. If he goes to pull then a little shake on chain which makes a noise but doesnt come into contact with him is enough to gain his attention again. This can be done with other types of leads just need to be consistant. Good luck he's gorgeous by the way :D

[buffytariqxx]

a halti is the best way to stop him pulling. it puts pressure on the nose. It worked fantastically on or dog who pulled a lot

[.denz]

I'm sorry to say I don't have much advise but I have to say GORGEOUS dog. My friend has one and they are such fabulous dogs. Full of personalitity!

[vimto92]

Thanks for all the advice and "gorgeous" dog comments!:D He is a babe. I recently found his favourite itching spot and he reacted in a way he has never before, I scratch his ribs really fast and he lifts his back leg up and starts shaking it, whilst pulling the most hilarious face.:D

I, personally, can't take him out for weeks and weeks due to my appendectomy but when I do next I will try some of the suggested things (hopefully it will be lighter too!:))

Sorry but, I refuse to make him wear a halti or a harness - it is moreso manners I want to establish. A harness wouldn't do much for him, probably just lift his front end off the ground while he furiousley tries to crawl:rolleyes: And he would absoloutely hate a halti, it would be a case of ME pulling him along.

[ravenstorrough1]

He's lovely - we just got a weim puppy :)

This post really strikes me as similar to horses - personally, I wouldn't touch the 'training aids' like haltis/harnesses etc as it only masks a problem. I have never had a problem with pulling and never had to use any haltis etc. I would NEVER use a harness unless it was with a pulling breed like the husky and then it would not be used to walk them to heel, it would be to encourage the pulling instinct.

Very good suggestion earlier re. Dog Borstal. This technique works really well but you have to be good with your timing. Another option to try if you find it difficult is, as soon as they get infront of you, walk or even run swiftly backwards for about 6 steps, stop and carry on with loose lead. If you repeat this over and over, your dog will soon realise that getting infront of you means they will be dragged backwards. This really works with perseverance.

I would also suggest making sure that you always walk in doorways etc infront of your dog and that you walk tall and as fast as you can when you are walking him as we all walk slower than our big dogs naturally do.

I would highly recommend the Dog Whisperer or TV - he is excellent. He actually has a very good collar which is designed to stay in place - it doesn't have any pressure or control points just a better design for big dogs necks. Good luck and let us know how you get on! :)