Why does my dog pull?
- Written by Jan Cobley
WHY DOES MY DOG PULL? This is a question I get asked again and again. The ‘million dollar question’----- bit like "why does my dog bark?". I will get to that another week.
Why do some dogs always pull but others learn the lessons. They are all different it has to be said, just like people. Obviously to get a dog as a pup it is infinitely easier to get the pulling habit stopped before it begins.
So, why do they pull?
The dog pulls for a reason that is for sure. Maybe in the dog’s eyes it sees that it has got a reward for pulling. For instance, getting to an interesting smell, getting to the park to play, greeting another dog or greeting a human friend --- in his eyes by pulling he has got what he wanted, a reward. Equally he may just think that is what happens, he pulls you, you pull him back, he pulls you and so it goes on. It makes perfect sense to a dog, by doing that we have taught them, inadvertently, to pull on a lead.
So the aim then, we have to teach them to walk on a loose lead -- -I can hear you all --- yes that is the answer BUT it’s so difficult. You are correct. On a loose lead the dog is not rewarded for pulling but for walking on a loose lead. Try not to resort to the many now outdated methods, choke chains, water squirters, spike or electric collars. Hopefully these methods should not be necessary and will ultimately cause even more problems than they solve. So, walking on a loose lead a few tips from a novice.
• Start the training in a quiet area---I use our long drive as a first point with dog in training out and playmates in.
• If your dog gets excited when seeing the lead, put it on, leave it for a few moments than take off having gone nowhere. Better not to ‘wind’ them up with ‘walkies’ or ‘car’ as it just makes matters worse. All barking and jumping about.
• Try and teach your dog to sit and wait for the lead to go on --- with no hype.
• Teach the dog to wait at door or gate quietly once on the lead.
• If dog starts to pull, halt, only move forward when lead is slack—thus eventually teaching that the slack lead as the reward.
• Try turning your dog to you and away from you during training as this teaches him to pay attention to what you are instructing.
I am not kidding anyone, it takes time, much time BUT the results are worth the time to be honest. My Bearded Collie, Lennie was fabulous, he learnt fast and never forgot, he learnt without training aids, just classes and he came out top of the class. Love him.
However, I learnt the hard way with one of my Old English Sheepdogs, big dog who loved to pull. I was attending training classes with her as a pup and 2 weeks in they took me aside and recommended the HALTI for her, for me and all subsequent dogs that has been the complete answer. I use the Halti for all my dogs and start them on it from about 10 weeks of age. They remain on them as part of ‘life’!
The Halti has become the world's favorite doggy headcollar because it has been designed to combine maximum steering efficiency with unequalled comfort for the dog. There are no metal parts in contact with the dog's skin and the point of steering is well down the nose and away from the eyes.
The HALTI makes training and behaviour modification of dogs practical and safe. The astounding difference with Sandy, way back all those years ago, was absolutely amazing, within a week she was calm and remained so. The Halti also rests on the aqua puncture points so relaxes the dog, this was proved to me with Cleo as a pup.
Another useful help is a harness. I have personally not used one but have friends and clients that have with great success. The Halti Harness has a unique patented front attachment system that controls the dog from his chest and shoulders - an effective point of control. The Halti Harness stops pulling, calms over-boisterous dogs and simplifies training and behavioral therapy. The benefit of a properly used Halti Harness is that it gives total control over the dog's shoulders and thus sets the direction in which he can move. Halti harness is best used in conjunction with the double-ended Halti Training Lead, linked to both the chest and shoulder rings of the harness. The specially padded design is extremely comfortable for the dog to wear and is suitable for all breeds......I personally just use my own leads -- it is recommended however that you do not use the extendable lead with the Halti HeadCollar --- reason being that if dog was running, a sudden pull as he got to the end of the lead would hurt the neck.
I have no formal training and can only offer advice by my own experience over the many years, advice I have been given that has worked.
For any further help please email me at janc@paws4pets.net or ring me, Jan Cobley on 916 273 376.
