quickcluck Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Hi Guys, Am feeling like a very bad doggy mummy...... My lovely Finley who's now just over the year is still a nightmare with pulling on the lead. So yesterday I walked him with a Halti. After going backwards and rolling about we did do a long walk, but man was he humpy! Wouldn't take a treat for being good, wouldn't look at me and walked the whole way with his tail like a carpet sweeper!!!! What's to do? Continue or get a 1 -1 trainer for a couple of hours??? K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 (edited) I would suggest some 1-1 training to start off then some group sessions - Better all-round training. I've seen a lot of strained neck muscles from Halti's and other head collars being used which can cause other problems like crabbing. Edited July 9, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I'd carry on for a bit and see how he goes. I had one when Ruby was younger as it stopped her from scabbing every s"Ooops, word censored!" of rubbish from the ground as we walked. Some dogs find the Halti a bit irritating on their snout; the Gencon all-in-one or the K9 bridle are both softer. Whilst this type of halter encourages them to walk properly, it doesn't teach them if you get my drift, so persevere and use lots of very high value treats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 He can get out of the gencon one! Have tried in a couple of times, so am not confident with that. My halti looks like the K9 one but is still connected at the side, I see that one is at the top. Maybe I should try.... We've recently stopped classes as he's doing what I'd like him to do and we were progressing to stuff that wasn't really for us. I have toyed with the idea of contacting one of the trainer there and seeing is she would come to me. He pulls so hard, a half choke/full choke make no difference as he continues to pull like a husky! This is the only difficulty we have with him..... Funnily enough he did do the sideways walking thing tho.... with the halti on.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Yes, i always have to release dogs necks that have been in halti collars. Have you tried changing direction on a normal or rope slip lead when he starts to creep forward of your legs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 I think that's my problems as he's never by my side unless he's knackered on his way back, he pulls so much he frothes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Does he know heal work but just gets head strong when it's walkies? I alway look to Turidd for help on problems, try this. http://www.canis.no/rugaas/oneqanda.php?id=478 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I would go for some 1 to 1 training. He is reaching the age when they can become a little challenging anyway so it would take that into account as well as his pulling. If you can sort it with training now he will be sorted for life. Just a matter of finding the right trainer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I have two springers who pull. Candy tried a couple of pulls on the halti, but soon gave in and walks quite nicely by my side (although she knows the instant I change it for a plain lead!) Ruby on the other hand leans into either a halti or gencon so badly that it cause her to snore as she walks! We have to keep doing the change of direction with her, and it needs reinforcing every walk! I would say it depends on the dog - some will be OK with it, but if you have a confirmed puller you would be better looking at training for the long term (although the halti will save your sanity in the short term! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Thats a Springer thing - OH has to do that with his oldest Springer every time she comes out of the kennel. I love to walk by him with the labs happily trotting at my side just to a salt to the wound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 Bit of an up date. We went to a brilliant pet warehouse whilst away last week in Soham and got one of these as recommended by Lilly and the dogmother... http://www.cannyco.co.uk/home.html they were great and fitted it for us and showed me how to use it. We've tried it and he trys to s"Ooops, word censored!" it off his nose but we can manage a walk! I think i'll even be able to use it for an off the lead walk by clipping it together... so fingers crossed... Thanks guys.. PS if your ever in Soham try it out, fantastic place massive stock of natural products! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 As a comment to add; I was training with Ruby on Saturday with a T Touch practitioner who I know. Ruby is quite nervous at times and T Touch has really helped to ground her and with her reaction to loud noises. We did some groundwork and Toni used a special harness which worked with my double-ended lead to allow one end to be attached to the front (chest) of the harness and t'other at the top. She's always pulled into a harness (as mentioned before) but this really worked to steady her and make her concentrate on her body and where her feet were going. I was really impressed with Ruby's progress, she seemed far more secure and less reactive to new things, which is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
