Something to stop her pulling.....?

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Something to stop her pulling.....?; miracle needed!!!
Topic Started: Apr 14 2009, 04:23 PM (169 Views)
Laura	Apr 14 2009, 04:23 PM Post #1
One of the regulars Posts: 192 Group: Full Members Member #730 Joined: October 14, 2008	Meg pulls. A LOT! I think she's getting worse. She sounds like she can barely breathe and she coughs regularly if she's in a collar. I've tried 4 different harnesses which all either rubbed her or caused her to choke just as bad as a collar. I went to the petshop to try on headcollar things but the smallest size is still too big (she has a really petite nose!) We've been to training classes with two different obedience trainers with no luck (she can do a beautiful heel with no distractions in a field but as soon as we are actually going somewhere she's off) I know lots and lots of training is the long term answer but we are doing a 20 mile sponsored walk in a few weeks and I don't think I could cope with her for that long as she is!! I need a quick fix for now, can anyone reccommend anything to stop her pulling which isn't going to strangle her (because apparently she doesn't care about that!!) Thanks! Laura and Meg



Tafia	Apr 14 2009, 04:27 PM Post #2
Total Gas Bag! Posts: 5,822 Group: Full Members Member #134 Joined: November 17, 2005	No quick fix as far as I'm aware - you just have to be totally, absolutely, consistent. Oh and if you use one, chuck out the flexi - you'll never get a puller to stop if you use one, even if it's now and again.



zandd	Apr 14 2009, 05:58 PM Post #3
Moderator Posts: 22,629 Group: Moderators Member #48 Joined: February 5, 2005	Yep agree with Tafia,training will stop this one.But this harness is highly recommended by those who use it.



Linda & Fred	Apr 14 2009, 06:06 PM Post #4
Chatterbox Posts: 705 Group: Full Members Member #571 Joined: November 28, 2007	I used a halti harness for Fred when he first came. We used it to walk too and from training where he would walk reasonably well, only to pull like a train on the way home! I don't think it was obedience training classes that stopped Fred pulling, I think it was the clicker training to get him into heel that did it. I did a hell of a lot of it! He got so used to walking steady with me that even when he wasn't made to do close heel work he was much calmer on lead (although still in front with his nose down of course!). It doesn't go near the throat, it's round the chest. They aren't very well made IMHO because one of the sides started 'pulling' in on itself, but it still worked, it was just one strap was sort of on its edge instead of flat. That might rub, but Fred never seemed to mind because the 'pull' was on his chest. My friend is a behavioural trainer and she spends about 30 mins with owners of pulling dogs giving advice and asking how they prepare for walks and things before she even lets them get the dog out! So it's obviously not an easy thing to stop a dog doing.



Tafia	Apr 14 2009, 07:26 PM Post #5
Total Gas Bag! Posts: 5,822 Group: Full Members Member #134 Joined: November 17, 2005	Eco Worrier Apr 14 2009, 06:06 PM My friend is a behavioural trainer and she spends about 30 mins with owners of pulling dogs giving advice and asking how they prepare for walks and things before she even lets them get the dog out! So it's obviously not an easy thing to stop a dog doing. Got to agree with this. I don't even put their collars on unless they are both, well and truely, totally calm. Any signs of excitment at all in the lead up to the walk, I just walk back into the house immediately. They very soon cotton on. Because I've got a spinal injury, my body just can't tolerate being jerked so have to be incredibly strict about pulling - once looked after my friends stream roller JR (8 years of age), everyone said he was a confirmed puller (including his trainer) but within one afternoon he very quickly walked without pulling. Even when he'd gone back home and back to pulling his owner, if she handed the lead to me, he stopped. As far as I'm concerned, it's a matter of will's, the one who give up first, looses. Just have to make sure that's not you. ;)



Sky	Apr 15 2009, 07:04 AM Post #6
Chatterbox Posts: 1,513 Group: Full Members Member #136 Joined: November 23, 2005	zandd Apr 14 2009, 05:58 PM Yep agree with Tafia,training will stop this one.But this harness is highly recommended by those who use it. Love those harnesses Lynne, just not sure whether my two are size 2 or 3????



Laura	Apr 15 2009, 04:29 PM Post #7
One of the regulars Posts: 192 Group: Full Members Member #730 Joined: October 14, 2008	Thank you all! That harness looks great, might order one. I did try the halti harness, stopped her pulling but it rubbed her so I had to stop using it. I know there is no real quick fix, I just need something for the sponsored walk because i'm scared she's going to choke herself otherwise!



Linda & Fred	Apr 15 2009, 06:34 PM Post #8
Chatterbox Posts: 705 Group: Full Members Member #571 Joined: November 28, 2007	Have you tried getting her a little Tshirt and putting the harness over it?



Marean	Apr 15 2009, 06:45 PM Post #9
Total Gas Bag! Posts: 4,412 Group: Full Members Member #172 Joined: January 16, 2006	Eco Worrier Apr 15 2009, 06:34 PM Have you tried getting her a little Tshirt and putting the harness over it? What a great idea, particularly for a sponsored walk :ok:



Laura	Apr 16 2009, 02:36 PM Post #10
One of the regulars Posts: 192 Group: Full Members Member #730 Joined: October 14, 2008	Ooh what a brilliant idea! Off to browse the net for iccle doggy t-shirts! Thanks!



strawboss	Jun 24 2009, 03:08 AM Post #11
Chatterbox Posts: 558 Group: Full Members Member #184 Joined: January 29, 2006	You may consider this Laura, I had the Halti but my trainer recommended this Canny Collar, works like a charm for mine! http://www.cannyco.us/



dawnie	Jun 25 2009, 03:47 PM Post #12
Chatterbox Posts: 866 Group: Full Members Member #13 Joined: December 15, 2004	Instead of getting doggie t-shirts you can also get white kiddies t-shirts from tesco for about �1 - i got one for Dolly when she had her spay wound - they fit really well and she looked really groovy!



strawboss	Jun 26 2009, 02:07 PM Post #13
Chatterbox Posts: 558 Group: Full Members Member #184 Joined: January 29, 2006	Yes, I can't understand why people shell out top dollar for "Dog" shirts when all sizes & styles of toddler tees are available at the Thrift stores!



Laura	Aug 29 2009, 11:08 AM Post #14
One of the regulars Posts: 192 Group: Full Members Member #730 Joined: October 14, 2008	My agility trainer recommends canny collars too, I know they work really well for some friends dogs. I got a halti head collar thing in the end and it's amazing! She doesn't pull, doesn't spin, just walks nicely. I started to walk her in it with an extra lead on her collar, to get her used to having a lead attached to her collar without pulling, now she wears the halti but has her lead on her collar and still doesn't pull! Eventually I think i'll be able to take her headcollar off (doesn't work just yet).



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