Walking Problems

[Belinda88]

We have been taking our amstaff pup (approx 20 weeks) for walks recently and we are having the problem that she pulls on the lead ALOT.

We just have a normal collar on her and attach the lead to that, although our breeder suggested one of those leads that "chokes" them if they pull.

The problem is that she pulls so much that nearly every walk results in her pulling so hard she starts choking herself, making gagging noises and then finally vomits up a huge amount of whatever she has eaten.

Any tips? Should we be looking at a choker lead - I thought this might make it worse?

[poodlefan]

I think you need to get some training help with your pup.. she's only going to get stronger and now is the time to fix it.

I'd recommend you join a decent training club or get a good professional to come to your home.

[persephone]

If your pup is pulling that hard... and causing vomiting- it is cruel and unfair .

I suggest booking a trainer to come to your home, and work with you all , so that walking her is a pleasure for you, and not dangerous for your pup.

The chain collars are NOT meant to CHOKE THE DOG.

When you are trained in their use, they are merely meant to provide a very short sharp "pinch" to the dog's neck, associated with a COMMAND from the owner/trainer.

Used incorrectly, and therefore called "chokers' they also can be dangerous, and help teach bad habits

[Belinda88]

Thank-you for your replies

I completely understand what you mean about the chain collars - sorry I have only ever heard them refereed to as 'chokers' so that is what I thought they were called. Because she can already pull so hard I didn't want to use one of these as I thought it would only make things worse

We are booked in for puppy preschool/obedience type thing so hopefully they will help with the lead training. I have had dogs that pull on the lead before but never this bad, or more so they have never been this strong.

I wasn't sure if there was something I could do in the mean time that would help. I have tried a firm NO. I have tried just stopping. But for some reason she just wants to keep pulling

[Dogsfevr]

You can use an anti pull harness or head halti to start the educating process but training is obviously needed asap

[Erny]

Check chains do come with the unfortunate label of "choker" and it does send the wrong message to people who purchase them as they tend to think as you have that "the dog pulls, the chain will tighten, so the dog will back off". Unfortunately, this is not the case and a bit of good tuition from a trainer knowledgeable and familiar with check chains will show you how to best use them minimally for maximum effect.

Head halters have their place for some and whilst I have recommended them to some people in certain circumstances, I am not a fan of them. Regardless, if you chose a head halter, you need to know that these are not necessarily the 'kind' restraint they first appear nor even as you might be lead to believe. The head halter offers you much leaverage over the dog's head, which is what gives you so much instant control. But it is also open to skeletal damage occurring to the dog's neck as a result .... damage that you won't or can't necessarily see happening at the time. The muzzle strap has the real potential of causing abrasion to the sensitive skin across the top of the dog's muzzle as well. With a 20 week old pup, the world is his/her oyster and it doesn't take much for his/her attention to be drawn to lurching out to a leaf blowing in the breeze or whatever. I am very cautious in any approach and with any advice in the handling of a dog wearing a head halter and personally would be inclined to not recommend one at all for a dog so young - mentally and physically speaking.

There are other tools that are available for use but in my opinion each carries with it risk of harm especially if you are unaware of how to 'work' the tool properly. For pups/young dogs, I tend to favour the martingale but it would still stand you in good stead to receive some tuition in what to do and when and how to best handle the lead. I often point out to people that the lead itself is a training tool, or at least an extension of the training tool to which it is attached, so it is important people know how to work it for the best effect.

You should also be aware that it is not the tool that does the training - it merely assists in it. Use of a training tool needs to be coupled with a training method to achieve the best possible results.

Where are you located Belinda? Perhaps we can make a trainer or dog school recommendation to you?

Edited November 13, 2008 by Erny

[Dame Aussie]

In the mean time before you start your training I would just switch to a harness, they can still pull but at least she won't choke herself.

[poodlefan]

In the mean time before you start your training I would just switch to a harness, they can still pull but at least she won't choke herself.

Better make it a 'no pull' one like a Sporn or you'll probably end up grass skiing.

[WreckitWhippet]

A harness on an Amstaff would just enable the dog to pull harder and further reduce the amount of control. The drive in an Amstaff is what makes them some of the best weight pullers in the world, be buggered if I'd put a harness on one.

20 weeks is old enough for formal obedience, skip the puppy pre school a 20 week old Amstaff pup will be too over the top for a bunch of little tackers. Or better still call in a professional trainer now.

[Belinda88]

Thanks again for all your help.

Well DH took her walking again last night and she didnt vomit, he said she still pulled a bit but not as much - he cant get over the strength of her. She is a pup and she can pull him forward and he is an 85kg man!

After alot of recommendations we have cancelled puppy preschool and spoke to a professional trainer who is going to come out and help us out We are already feeling much better!

[Jed]

That's great news. If you can't get the trainer in the short term, perhaps the breeder will help? Or are they too far away?

[wire]

Had the same situation with my boy. Totally unfocused on our walks and just pulled to get somewhere fast. At 20kg, walking him was not much fun.

Tried the 'gentle halti' and my dog reacted so badly I was terrified he would break his neck. I made the mistake (apart from trying it on him) to not clip on his normal collar as well so I could have just taken the GL off him straight away but we had to make our way back home. Luckily we were only up the street.

Then moved on to the harness. The only good thing was that he was no longer chocking but his walking behaviour was still bad.

Spoke to our training group leader but as they do not advise on any form of correcting a dog I found them of no great use. The only thing they could come up with was to have him desexed :p I was doing this alot :p

Then I found a dog behaviourist/trainer who came and spent 3 hours with us. Very smart man.

My dog isn't 100% yet but we are getting there. The most valid point I learned is that I cannot take my boy out for a walk if he is excited. This excitement makes him pull like he is late for a very important date

For example, today we were all ready to go walkies, house locked up and we were in the back yard, he was so excited and barking for joy. I just sat down and asked him to sit beside me calmly. It took half an hour before he complied. I then picked up his lead and went to the first side gate where he had to sit calmly whilst I opened it and we headed to the front gate where again he sat and waited for the ok to enter the footpath. This whole process took over half an hour. My only responses to him were sit, stay, good boy, in a very quiet calm voice. (Plus a lot of silence)

Our walk was good, he didn't bolt and was more focused than the past. He is learning that we only go for walks when he is calm. If he starts to get a little ahead of me I just stop. But he is nothing at all like he use to be.

Get a professional in to train you. They are worth their weight in gold.