Tabasco

My vet gave me a choke leash that tightens as Tabasco pulls. I notice that when I try to take him for brief walks around the cul-de-sac, he pulls so hard that I hear his breathing being restricted. I read somewhere that you should not let the dog pull you, but train him to walk either level with you, or right behind you. Tabasco (12-weeks) is trying to run buck wild, while I'm trying to restrain him from walking/running ahead of me. I don't wanna choke him out so what gives?

Lexxsmom

having a choke chain on a 12 week old puppy is not generally a good idea. If you're having trouble with a pup that young pulling, try a gentle leader or another type of nose halter type collar. I found that it really helped for Lexx and it doesn't put stress on their necks like a choke does. Also, he's only 12 weeks, so don't expect too much too fast. Not to say that you shouldn't be working on his walking manners( its never too early to start) but don't expect a perfect heel either. I had the same troubles and I thought that Lexx was terrible because he wouldn't stay beside me... remember he's a pup!

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Leanne and Lexx


Dragon Slaying Dobermans Incorporated, member #001, President.
" I don't need to sit for the cookie, I hunt dragons all day dammit!"
Lexxington's blog: http://lexxslife.blogspot.com/

jatango

I personally don't like the head halter on a puppy that young because it sits right on the part of the nose where mama would correct them...for the whole walk. Even if they're being good, they're being corrected. It would also mean that you'd need to transition to another tool later because a head halter can be dangerous on a breed with a neck like a dobe. Imagine what would happen if he took after a squirrel and you weren't paying attention. OUCH!

I personally prefer using a harness called an EasyWalk when you have a puppy that pulls because it helps redirect that crazy puppy energy towards you. This will give you more opportunity to teach the puppy where it should be on a walk. All the choke collar is doing is telling your baby, "You're wrong! Nope, still wrong. Definitely wrong." It's not teaching him where the right place is. YOU need to do that with happy praise, treats and other motivation. Give your puppy a YES to look forward to instead of a constant nagging NO from the choke. It's way too much negative motivation at this age. It will take a lot of work, but Tabasco will get it. As always, be consistent! Don't ask for it on one walk and not the next, it'll take you forever that way.

Hey Burns, do you know where the post is about Wonder and his EasyWalk? The long one? I can't find it.

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Kettle Cove Robin Redbreast CGC (1/3 RN!), Wonder

Tabasco

Again, thanks to you that responded. Your input is most helpful. I can really appreciate this puppy forum. Tabasco is a constant challenge

Lexxsmom

I had several trainers recommend the head halter to me and I've never had a problem with it thus far. It just reduces the pulling period, I don't even have to correct him when he's wearing it for the most part. I don't leave the nose strap so tight that its tight on his nose all the time either, i can slip my fingers between the strap and his nose, so I don't really see how a strap that loose can be correcting anything.

As for the squirrel thing, if you are paying that little attention to your dog, you shouldn't be walking it at all. What happens if it takes off after a car? Or another dog? the point is to be paying 100% attention when you're training isn't it?

As for the original problem, no matter what type of collar you are using, the most important thing is you have to TEACH the puppy what you want them to do. Use your voice and treats and toys or whatever you are comfortable with, to teach them that the right place to be is WITH YOU! That when they are with you, good things happen for them!

Also, its hard work walking a puppy, it takes a lot of energy. You have to be more interesting than the dog next door, the cars on the street, the squirrel on the lawn, the garbage pails, your neighbours cat etc...

just keep up the good work, be consistent ( as mentioned above, VERY important) and I'm sure that with time tabasco will be a lovely mannered dobe. Just remember that he's a puppy and things take time.

__________________
Leanne and Lexx


Dragon Slaying Dobermans Incorporated, member #001, President.
" I don't need to sit for the cookie, I hunt dragons all day dammit!"
Lexxington's blog: http://lexxslife.blogspot.com/

tgejr

I would get rid of the choke collar right away. I do not walk my dogs on any collar at this age, i put harnesses on them, some of them pull more then others..at this age i would try and get their focus on you anyway you can with treats, toys etc....when you walk keep lead loose. If you have a real puller as the dog gets older maybe starting at 5 months old...you might want to put a prong collar on him this allows the dog to dictate the level of correction it gets the more he pulls the more it pinches they tend to learn fast not to pull. Choke collars actually choke prongs just pinch even though they look like a meaner collar they are NOT! Choke collars are being used less and less in training all together. Try and keep any corrections to a minimum at this age you dont want to take away alot of your dogs drive, let babies be babies.

Murreydobe

Head halters are a REALLY bad idea for a breed as prone to cervical issues as the doberman is.

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Foxfire N KO Simply Madness WAC, aka Connor

bagsjr

I finally went to a prong collar with Addie because she pulls so hard and it's wonderful. She lines right up. I NEVER pull hard just the slightest tension makes her walk loose leash.

I also run her off leash before going on a leash walk and she seems to be calmer. Her six month birthday is tomorrow and she it's interesting how she's changing. She's either ON or OFF. High strung, go,go,go....then sleeping at my feet. k I'm off topic now

Red Damien

I agree, I don't like the halter collars, either. I, like TG, start out with a harness then on to a prong/pinch/flat (depending on the temperament of the dog) collar when they are old enough.

Kratty

You might want to look at a No-Pull Harnes. We tried this one with our sled puller and it helped. http://www.premier.com/pages.cfm?ID=75 It won't cure it, but using this along with loose leash walking training techniques it does help.

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