He gets very excited when he sees other dogs. He started pulling really hard on the leash and barking and yelping when he couldn't get near them. People actually thought that my dog was aggressive because of the pulling. My dog isn't aggressive, but he does have problems with self control on the leash. I know that it's all my fault because I haven't been consistent with the leash training, and I'm the one to blame :(. I just get so frustrated because he pulls so hard that hes actually choking himself. I've recently bought the gentle leader, but I want to train him self control and leash manners, but I just don't know what to do? It was very embarrassing going to the vet because all the other dogs there were very calm. He doesn't bite, jump, or have any other problem...it's just the pulling! I would like to be able to walk my dog without him turning my hand purple from all the pulling.
By the way, I was wondering if you guys can give me any ideas on some games that can help my dog let out all his energy. I walk him for an hour , but it doesn't seem to be enough. Any ideas?
Thank you !
Traditional Dog Training Versus Positive Reinforcement Dog Training - A Comparison
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Return that useless gentle leader that you got and get a REAL piece of training equipment.
For this dog I suggest a pinch collar.
A few corrective turns while wearing the pinch will cure him of pulling.
For exercise I suggest you bike him.
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- its called a gentle lead. they have them at petsmart. does your dog like to swim.. and try to find agility classes that help my pup out alot.
- Sometimes clicker training works best with hunting breeds, so when he pulls you might try the clicker to snap him out of his agenda. When my puppies are first little, I practice with the leash. In the house, I drape the leash on them and try to call them to me. Outside, I practice in my fenced back yard for about a month before the puppy graduates to the street. I might drape the leash on the puppy and get him to follow me, or drag the leash on the ground and see if he will follow me and try to catch the leash. There are many things in my back yard that scare a puppy, so it is so much easier to address, or correct issues when I am in my back yard and not in the street. We just walk laps in the yard and deal with drama as it comes up. Maybe around 3-months-old I might try to clip the leash to the collar, but if there is too much protesting, I drop the leash. They just get better with the leash around 4 to 5-months-old. So anyway, I use the commands "go" when I want to "go" and if the puppy tugs on the leash, I stop and say "wait". It is my walk and we go as fast as I can walk and no faster. If I want to "wait" and look at a flower, change the batteries in my walkman, count to ten, then I do it, it is my walk. When I am ready I say "go" and we "go" again. When the puppy pulls on the leash, I stop and say "wait" and we stop again, even if we just went two steps. I praise the puppy when he is doing good and talk soothing to him and encourage him when he is doing good, so he keeps doing it. It takes several laps of "go" and "wait" until he settles down, and when the walk is over, I make a big fuss and clap and then they get some play time. They don't like the walk at first, but they like the fuss at the end. I have to address "go" and "wait" again the next day, but it won't take me as long to get him to understand what I want from him. I also house sat a dog, and the owner thought he had leash issues, and that dog just didn't like being in front. He walked just fine with my dogs as long as he could be part of the group, but he didn't want to be in the front. If you have a family member, or a neighbor that has a dog that walks well, see if you can practice with them. I also had one dog that didn't like the maroon leash, or the pink one, but did just fine with the blue leash. Sometimes puppies are just puppies.
- You have a high energy dog! Check out local dog groups flyball, agility, disc dogs, he's part lab maybe dock diving. There are about 30 dog sports out there, check out what is available in your area and get your dog involved. Once you've had the basic training in a sport the dog does not have to compete, just practice to release energy.
Labs and Beagles are both highly intelligent active dogs, both breed as hunting dogs, Labs (Labrador Retriever) to retrieve beagles to tree the pray ( the howl).
The dog will be very bored if you do not find something to interest him. Does he have the chance to play with other dogs? Perhaps a basic obedience class would be useful for the leash training.
At one year old he just wants to play, you need to find something he likes and let him burn off the energy.
Good luck - For the leash pulling take him for walks and anytime he puls you stop or go the opposite direction. Give him treats and praise when he does walk with the leash slack. Consistency is key.
As for the energy, take him to a large fence in area and pall bay or tag. Also he may just need mental stimulation, dogs get bored. Sometimes when dogs get bored a lot, they over react when they see something exciting like other dogs or people. Look into a kong (http://kongcompany.com/) or busy buddy has a nice variety of toys (www.busybuddytoys.com) We use both at the shelter, different dogs like different things. - I had a similar problem with my dog, and apparently, it is their way of showing who is in charge when you take them out on a walk.
I was told that i should buy a collar with a choke-chain where the lead is attached, this way you can quickly pull the dog closer to you when he steps in front of you or starts pulling. Another thing is to shorten the lead when you feel as though he may pull, so that he cannot run ahead of you. It is called checking, and is similar to the concept of "heal". Once the dog has reached the park or his favorite spot, lengthen the lead, so he has the freedom to sniff about :)
I found that my dog caught on quickly and now i have no problems! Just as long as you are firm and rewarding, the dog should understand and hopefully will stop yanking at your arm!
Don't use leads that can be extended, or harnesses, and the extendable leads can cause your arm damage or for you to fall over if the dog see's something and runs for it. Harnesses are mainly used for working dogs, and so will only encourage the dog to pull more.
Games such as fetch should wear the dog out, so you should take longer walks and perhaps allow the dog to run along side you, whilst you cycle? I have seen many owners with big dogs doing this and it benefits both of them as they are given healthy exercise.
As for the vet business, perhaps you should pay your dog more attention to distract him from whatever else is going on, I'm not sure if it will work but give it a try! Also, shorten the lead, so your not constantly pulling him back.
Your dog just sounds excited to meet new friends, but if it's causing an annoyance then, being the master, you should tell him who's boss!
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