Severe Pullers

[Chocolate]

If you have had a dog that is a severe puller can you let me know which type of collar worked best to stop the pulling. Thanks.

[huski]

What will work best really depends on you and the dog - there is no one training tool that works best for everyone/dog.

The other thing to consider is that a tool is no substitute for training - a dog can learn to pull on any tool if you use it as a bandaid for training.

I've used martingale collars in the past with my dogs and they are my preference, but I used them with a training program not just on their own.

[lanabanana]

I started a thread in the training forum called "Chronic Piller - help!" that has heaps of information in it all about this.

Have a read - some fantastic and useful advice.

[huski]

I started a thread in the training forum called "Chronic Piller - help!" that has heaps of information in it all about this.

Have a read - some fantastic and useful advice.

As long as the OP doesn't mind reading a novel :D

[noisymina]

I would say the same thing. It's not the collar per se.

Some breeds, I believe, are more inlined to be pullers than others,

MY present Dobe came here pulling like a steam train.

I've had two others than never pulled an inch. But then, I trained them as pups. Took all of three or four session about 5 mins each and they had it for life.

Full grown steam train .....well two of us with check chain and hours of walking around the property and I can now take her to the vet etc without a hassle. I do wish the previous owner had done the training when she was little. I only take her on check chain now becasue i'm about 55kg and she is 30+kg - and I just want that extra - just in case. Seldom need it these days as she sticks like velcro anyway.

Looking back, we probably could have done it with a flat colar only - but at first she used to back out of that one, which was not a good idea. So we had to use something she could not back out of.

Many walks - stop, change direction, stop, change direction. Stop, proceed, stop, proceed. Priase for a few steps with no pull. The occasional treat for a few metres no pull. Takes pesistence. Thank goodness my son was helping. One can get very dizzy turning around all the time. :D

[lanabanana]

I started a thread in the training forum called "Chronic Piller - help!" that has heaps of information in it all about this.

Have a read - some fantastic and useful advice.

As long as the OP doesn't mind reading a novel ;)

:D so true!

[SpikesPuppy]

I use a Sporn no-pull harness for my evil Border Terrier, doesn't really stop her pulling but certainly eases the pressure on her throat and makes walking more pleasant!

(Yes, I know, it's just a substitute for training blah blah blah but you know what?? Training and Ziva do NOT go hand in paw and this makes life easier for everyone. Believe me, I have tried just about every method under the sun for her from check chain (standard link) to her show chain (she behaves at shows :D ), to all-material and material/chain martingales to flat collars (of various types- thick padded, thin rolled, standard buckle etc), with both long and short leads, have tried the stop and turn the other way method, have tried the treat rewards (she spits them out... even the lamb's fry which is reserved for shows and training ONLY). It's kind of funny as she is a smart girl but independent as Hell when she wants to be and she really is no trouble so if pulling on the lead is her worst habit, then so be it. She only weighs 7 kilos! And isn't pulling to get to other dogs or people etc, just to follow scents... she'd probably love tracking overall, I have spent countless hours trying to 'cure' her pulling, time which I would rather have spent just strolling along with her or playing games at home or teaching tricks etc. No-pull training bored the hell out of both of us).

(BTW it's the figure-8 shaped harness, not the weird one that goes under the armpits!)

[lanabanana]

I use a Sporn no-pull harness for my evil Border Terrier, doesn't really stop her pulling but certainly eases the pressure on her throat and makes walking more pleasant!

(Yes, I know, it's just a substitute for training blah blah blah but you know what?? Training and Ziva do NOT go hand in paw and this makes life easier for everyone. Believe me, I have tried just about every method under the sun for her from check chain (standard link) to her show chain (she behaves at shows :D ), to all-material and material/chain martingales to flat collars (of various types- thick padded, thin rolled, standard buckle etc), with both long and short leads, have tried the stop and turn the other way method, have tried the treat rewards (she spits them out... even the lamb's fry which is reserved for shows and training ONLY). It's kind of funny as she is a smart girl but independent as Hell when she wants to be and she really is no trouble so if pulling on the lead is her worst habit, then so be it. She only weighs 7 kilos! And isn't pulling to get to other dogs or people etc, just to follow scents... she'd probably love tracking overall, I have spent countless hours trying to 'cure' her pulling, time which I would rather have spent just strolling along with her or playing games at home or teaching tricks etc. No-pull training bored the hell out of both of us).

(BTW it's the figure-8 shaped harness, not the weird one that goes under the armpits!)

I agree that size can be what makes up your mind about pulling. I don't like my big dog pulling coz he weighs about 36 kgs and is solid muscle and very stong. But our little dog pulls too and she only weighs 5 kgs so it's not a problem - in fact you can barely tell she is pulling lol. Mind you, you only have to give a very light pressure on the lead and she feels it in her harness and immediately stops pulling

[SpikesPuppy]

I use a Sporn no-pull harness for my evil Border Terrier, doesn't really stop her pulling but certainly eases the pressure on her throat and makes walking more pleasant!

(Yes, I know, it's just a substitute for training blah blah blah but you know what?? Training and Ziva do NOT go hand in paw and this makes life easier for everyone. Believe me, I have tried just about every method under the sun for her from check chain (standard link) to her show chain (she behaves at shows :D ), to all-material and material/chain martingales to flat collars (of various types- thick padded, thin rolled, standard buckle etc), with both long and short leads, have tried the stop and turn the other way method, have tried the treat rewards (she spits them out... even the lamb's fry which is reserved for shows and training ONLY). It's kind of funny as she is a smart girl but independent as Hell when she wants to be and she really is no trouble so if pulling on the lead is her worst habit, then so be it. She only weighs 7 kilos! And isn't pulling to get to other dogs or people etc, just to follow scents... she'd probably love tracking overall, I have spent countless hours trying to 'cure' her pulling, time which I would rather have spent just strolling along with her or playing games at home or teaching tricks etc. No-pull training bored the hell out of both of us).

(BTW it's the figure-8 shaped harness, not the weird one that goes under the armpits!)

I agree that size can be what makes up your mind about pulling. I don't like my big dog pulling coz he weighs about 36 kgs and is solid muscle and very stong. But our little dog pulls too and she only weighs 5 kgs so it's not a problem - in fact you can barely tell she is pulling lol. Mind you, you only have to give a very light pressure on the lead and she feels it in her harness and immediately stops pulling

My little dog is incredibly strong for her size, people here can attest to that fact LOL. She's a quiet, wee thing but when she makes up her mind to go... she goes :D Her mother is exactly the same, mind. As is her sister and half sister. My male, who is her uncle, is the total opposite and has NEVER been a puller, he'll go to the end of the lead when allowed but that's it. Her own daughter pulls when walked with her mum, so I try and walk her with my boy instead

My first dog, a pound Dobe x, was a big puller- not an ideal dog for an 11 year old girl ;) but we got through it. Used a Halti much of the time (no, I wouldn't let my 11 year old daughter walk any dog, let along a dog that size/strength but anyway. Another subject ;) ), but then switched to a martingale (chain/nylon combo) before finally settling ona ROGZ limited slip collar, as she got older, too she mellowed out and eventually never pulled anymore, but honestly, I don't remember or know the exact method that worked, actually, it's more like a lightbulb suddenly went off in her head and she grew up. She was about 6 when she finally stopped digging up the garden and pulling on the lead etc.

I don't like dogs who pull on the leash, I feel it is rude and inappropriate (except when trained to do so such as in weight pull or for muscle building etc), but I have had to adjust with my girl and have come to terms with the fact that she pulls like a steam train and it's who she is ;) it is just fortunate that she is small and otherwise responsive (stops when I tell her to, leaves whatever she is sniffing, even bones or food left on the footpath, doesn't rush people or animals etc).

[poodlefan]

I have seen dogs haul their owners on haltis, no pull harnesses and just about any device you care to mention (never seen a dog on prong collar though).

It's not about the collar.. its about training. A decent trainer could really help with this.

[mumsy]

So poodlefan, if my trainer suggested a halti for my boxer are you saying that I should be taught another method? The stopping and turning seems popular!

[Gayle.]

In between finding a trainer and learning how to teach the dog to stop pulling, the dog still needs to be walked.

I find a no-pull harness to be very effective, especially the ones that clip the lead on the front.

[sas]

If you have had a dog that is a severe puller can you let me know which type of collar worked best to stop the pulling. Thanks.

Collars aren't a substitute for training, also what works for another person might not be the best and most solution for your dog i.e. Front clipping harness / Prong collar / Check chain / Halter / Martingale / Slip collar / Snap around collar / E-collar

Is it possible you can go to your local obedience club or have one on one sessions with a private trainer?

[poodlefan]

So poodlefan, if my trainer suggested a halti for my boxer are you saying that I should be taught another method? The stopping and turning seems popular!

Mumsy a halti isn't a "method", its a tool. All it does is allow you to turn the dog towards you when it pulls (and thereby refocus on you and deny it access to the direction it wants to go)

If you don't use the halti to teach the dog that pulling doesn't profit it and reward the desired behaviour when you get it (that's a training method) , it will learn to set its neck and pull on it (thereby doing itself potential damage to its spine in the longer term).

They have their uses in controlling large dogs but a really determined dog can still give your arms a work out on one.

It's certainly not a cure for pulling without training.

[KumaAkita]

In between finding a trainer and learning how to teach the dog to stop pulling, the dog still needs to be walked.

I find a no-pull harness to be very effective, especially the ones that clip the lead on the front.

I agree GayleK. Kuma is 40Kg at 7 months old and is a chronic puller. It's really hard to settle in and enjoy a walk if he's charging off at a mile a minute. However - he still needs to be walked.

We settled on a Black Dog Infin8 Collar - it's a cross between a martingale and a gentle leader - and the difference is like night and day. He can still pull, and does try to, but when he does that, we stop-heel-wait before we go any further.

It is well known that any "tool" is only a substitute, but if it makes exercising the dog more enjoyable and enables the owner to train it not to pull, then I don't really see a problem in using them. (IMO)

[poodlefan]

In between finding a trainer and learning how to teach the dog to stop pulling, the dog still needs to be walked.

I find a no-pull harness to be very effective, especially the ones that clip the lead on the front.

I agree GayleK. Kuma is 40Kg at 7 months old and is a chronic puller. It's really hard to settle in and enjoy a walk if he's charging off at a mile a minute. However - he still needs to be walked.

We settled on a Black Dog Infin8 Collar - it's a cross between a martingale and a gentle leader - and the difference is like night and day. He can still pull, and does try to, but when he does that, we stop-heel-wait before we go any further.

It is well known that any "tool" is only a substitute, but if it makes exercising the dog more enjoyable and enables the owner to train it not to pull, then I don't really see a problem in using them. (IMO)

The "problem" is that the original behaviour is often not dealt with and that long term use of equipment like the Infin8 could see a dog develop serious chiropratic health issues, ESPECIALLY if he leans or lunges on it.

[KumaAkita]

In between finding a trainer and learning how to teach the dog to stop pulling, the dog still needs to be walked.

I find a no-pull harness to be very effective, especially the ones that clip the lead on the front.

I agree GayleK. Kuma is 40Kg at 7 months old and is a chronic puller. It's really hard to settle in and enjoy a walk if he's charging off at a mile a minute. However - he still needs to be walked.

We settled on a Black Dog Infin8 Collar - it's a cross between a martingale and a gentle leader - and the difference is like night and day. He can still pull, and does try to, but when he does that, we stop-heel-wait before we go any further.

It is well known that any "tool" is only a substitute, but if it makes exercising the dog more enjoyable and enables the owner to train it not to pull, then I don't really see a problem in using them. (IMO)

The "problem" is that the original behaviour is often not dealt with and that long term use of equipment like the Infin8 could see a dog develop serious chiropratic health issues, ESPECIALLY if he leans or lunges on it.

Agree that if you don't deal with the problem, it's just a bandaid (and think that that's what I said...). I still don't see that if used correctly they can't be of benefit to both human and dog.

As I said, in our situation Kuma is not allowed to lunge or pull and when he tries he is corrected appropriately. It would be the same if using a flat collar, just this way I have more control (I'm 60Kg - he's 40kg, power to weight ratio shows that he is going to win). We now have the situation that he's walking loosely at my side for 90% of the time - and this is increasing as we're learning the right way to walk. Over a half hour walk, I think we're doing pretty good for a 7 month old stubbourn Akita.

The tool itself will not stop the pulling, it is a catalyst for change.

[poodlefan]

The tool itself will not stop the pulling, it is a catalyst for change.

Sadly for many dogs, once fitted with a halti, they will wear it for life. I can't recall the last time I saw a dog walking with a halti, a flat collar and a double lead outside of a training environment.

Around here, its more likely I'll see one with a halti being walked on an extender lead.

[corvus]

Sadly for many dogs, once fitted with a halti, they will wear it for life.

Why is that so sad? Provided the dog doesn't pull and is still enjoying their walks and doesn't compete in anything where a halti is not allowed, why do they need to be trained not to pull? Why can't they just be managed? I know people that have a Halti permanently attatched to the dog's leash. There is never a reason for those people not to use it. Their dogs don't lean into the head collar. They walk on a loose leash, bright-eyed and tail wagging. Good for them. Management works fine for a lot of people as a permanent fix.

[cointreau]

I made a big mistatke with my girl and walked her in a harness used for the car at the time I beliveved it was suitable to walk her in too (my previous dog was easy to walk n a harness). Never trust the label, so she was a puller and looking back I think the harness made her worse. I eventually walked her with a Blackdog infin8 which I used for about 4 months then went to a martingdale collar. Yes she can still pull but with persistance she is much better to walk and I no longer think my arms are going to be taken off. Now I look forwrd to walking rather than looking at it as a chore.