Dan73 Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 Hi All - I have a 14 week old yellow lab bitch - 'Barley' who for all intents and purposes appears very intelligent and willing to learn for most things - already I have 'sit', 'come' and 'down' commands taught as well as a rudimentary retrieve (house training and crate training went very well too) But, when taking her out for a walk she will pull on the lead until it chokes her. I have her enrolled on a 6 week training course, which we have just completed week 2. I have been told that the key is to make myself or whatever I am holding far more important to her than what she is pulling/sniffing at, but for love nor money, when we are out for a walk she doesn't find anything other than grass, trees, other dogs **** etc more important. I do realise she is still very young - and will be young for quite a while yet, but I can't see how she is enjoying a walk when she is gasping for breath! In the house, there is a large garden which she goes in to several times per day to tear around like a lunatic. Its literally when we are out for a walk that I become invisible to her. Any ideas to help stop her pulling? I've tried various treats, tennis balls, sticks (not for beating her, just to keep her attention) - I've even tried high pitched praise - which for any onlookers is hilarious...... Cheers Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 (edited) The only way we found to get around this with our lab was to make her stop, walk back, sit and start again whenever she got more than 1ft in front of our leg. we tried toys, treats, fuss etc but none of it worked. It takes AGES, a walk which is normally 20 minutes could take around an hour - but it has worked for us and she is much better. usually only takes 4-5 times of getting her back to make her walk properly on the rest of the walk. Edited March 15, 2010 by J@mes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 The only way we found to get around this with our lab was to make her stop, walk back, sit and start again whenever she got more than 1ft in front of our leg. we tried toys, treats, fuss etc but none of it worked. It takes AGES, a walk which is normally 20 minutes could take around an hour - but it has worked for us and she is much better. usually only takes 4-5 times of getting her back to make her walk properly on the rest of the walk. Again try this. Also EVERYTIME she pulls stop and make her sit. Refuse to move from the spot until she sits and waits. You must always move off first aswell Mine whos now 9 months used to pull a few weeks ago and taking advice and doing this has sorted it completely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albertan_J Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 Take her out on a short lead as soon as she pulls stop put her in heal wait till she's calm then continue on. As soon as she pulls again repeat then if she pulls again after this turn around take him home walk over funtime over. He'll learn quickly that if she wants to be out and make it to the field or wherever you take her for a run round she needs to be in heal. Once she starts to understand this you need to start and change directions randomly change your walks up to keep him sharp and teach her that until you let her off to play she needs to be paying attention to you. If only I could practice what I preach with my terrier lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 Keep going with training,whatever you do make sure you are consistant and keep calm with her. DONT leave the house unless you go out the door first. If/when she pulls on the lead TURN right or back from where you just came,so she cant lead,better still do it BEFORE she pulls. Have lead in left hand and walk her so you on curb side Keep a slack lead Praise her every time she in heal,and only when,and at no other time or she will get confused More praise Do not tell her off,just change direction Reward Let her sniff in the area you want her to use loo,otherwise,NO sniffing,your the boss not her,its your walk Forget she is on lead and just go on your walk,dont speak to her,turn and change direction so she not second quessing you Rub some gravy on your left lower leg Put something tasty/toy on rope and offer when at heal Swift (NOT HARD)tap on the butt when she THINKS about pulling Dont be embarressed,dont let her get away with anything,or your storing up trouble And just be thankful you aint got a big german sheperd male,that was allowed to pull when a pup and is now 5 yrs old and just coming good,other than that and barking in the car,the wife can do anything with him,sit,wait,stay,down,retreive to heal,walk to heal off lead etc etc.Dog training two years £10 a week £1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyR Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 I will be the first to admit I am an absolute novice with gundogs - my cocker was 3 yrs old this week and only now is she starting to come on, but isn't 14 weeks a bit young for lead work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeksofdoom Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 I will be the first to admit I am an absolute novice with gundogs - my cocker was 3 yrs old this week and only now is she starting to come on, but isn't 14 weeks a bit young for lead work? Your dead right its way too young to be doing any sort of training. its still a pup and will be for the next year and half or so. As for walking the pup she doesn't need walks she's too young for walking, its bones aren't properly developed yet, besides has it had all its vaccinations. There's nothing wrong with your pup, its doing what comes naturally to it, let it be a pup and stop the training. Wait until its 12 months before you start doing any training with it. As for your 6 week course anyone who would enrol such a young dog in a training course is having a laugh, your being robbed! Just enjoy the dog while its a pup and don't ruin it by training it too young. Let it develop a character before you destroy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan73 Posted March 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Thanks for all the useful info - the sit/walk option is what I'll try next. As for not training/walking - If you read the post, I do say that I realise that she is only young - the intention is not to get her to gundog level for a very long time, just to a place where she enjoys a walk. Seriously, this is a pet who the kids love and goes for a 5 minute walk and learns some basic commands. Not training anything for a year will inevitably 'destroy the dog'. They need to enjoy where they are and learn a few basics, even at a young age. Vaccinations are up to date and we are taking exercising advice from a qualified Vet (who actually works dogs on a shoot too) Thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidan Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Same from me as everyone else, just turn around and walk back, wait and carry on, the pup should get the idea All The Best Aidan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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