Everyone tries roughly the same four things and one of them eventually sticks. Curious which one, and how long it actually took, because the timeline is the part most advice leaves out. Harness, a specific training method, a trainer, or did they just grow out of it?
Want a licensed vet to look at this too? We will put it in front of the vets who answer here, and post their reply on this thread.
Hi, while I'm not a Veterinarian, I am a RVT and I'd love to share my experience and offer what has worked for me over the years! Leash pulling is very common, especially in young dogs and I know just how frustrating that can be. Walking your dog becomes more of a hassle, when it definitely should be enjoyable for the both of you! Some methods may work better in certain breeds compared to others, and it will also depend on how responsive your dog is to correction. First off, set yourself and your dog up for success- use a regular short nylon or leather leash. Steer clear of retractable and bungee leashes, as they give you less control. You may find that a regular chain training collar will do the trick. You wil loop the collar to make a "P" shape and place it over the head. This will allow the collar to tighten down correctly when your dog pulls. When walking, make sure the placement is high on the neck, as to keep their head up from the ground and distractions. If this method works, then great! But when all else fails my absolute go- to is the Gentle Leader collar. The Gentle Leader fits over the nose and clips behind the ears. It may look like a muzzle, but it definitely is not! Your dog can still open it's mouth, pant & drink when needed, so don't let the look throw you off. This collar gives you COMPLETE control of the head, and when you have control of the head, you can control the whole dog. The only downside is that almost every dog will dislike this collar for the first 3-4 days. Don't get discouraged! Most dogs don't like the feel of the small piece over the nose at first, but I promise you that if you push through, you'll never look back! It is not ideal for breeds that have a short nose though, like a bulldog- because it simply won't fit. Start off with short 5 minute walks and a lot of praise when your dog walks beside you, instead of pulling and lunging. An ideal timeline of training with this collar would be 2 weeks or less. Wishing you all of best & enjoyable walks in the future!
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