BelgianPup Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Our belgian puppy is 10 weeks old (she's had her 2nd vacc, early I know but it just worked out that way - vet's suggestion) we take her for little walks down our driveway. She's stopped chewing the lead cos everything in the wide world is so exciting but as she's grown more confident she's started pulling on the lead. We encourage her to walk beside us (verbally and w treats) for some of her 'walk' (lol tis very short and she's not allowed to sniff any really interesting doggy places) and then let her go where she likes (within reason) for some of the walk. Is this something we should be correcting now given that she will be the size of a german shepherd when fully grown? If so, any suggestions? or our we simply expecting to much from her at this stage? We'd likefor her to work on a loose leash sniffing etc as well as walking ('heeling') beside us. Thank you in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaz Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Don't expect her to be perfect for a while yet but I would definately try to get her out of the pulling thing. All my dogs of whatever age get trained pretty much the same way. If they start pulling we stop and wait for however long it takes for the dog to stop pulling. Then we continue. If a dog is older and a puller, I will also change direction without warning and the dog will have to follow after me. It must look funny with me zigzagging all over the place but the dog soon gets the message that it must look to me for direction at all times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelgianPup Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Thank you we'll give that a go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillybean Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 It is important to start training now because otherwise she'll think it's acceptable, and will keep pulling even when she's older. Make sure your leash is nice and short so that she can't pull too much and gets used to staying near you. Even if you have to wrap your leash round your hand several times so that you've got control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 ....... and then let her go where she likes (within reason) for some of the walk. Is she pulling or leading you along during this time? If so, leave out this bit. Let her explore off leash somewhere safe (e.g. backyard). I found it helped to walk quickly/ jog for a short time so that our pup wasn't getting used to a tight leash/ pulling. Obviously, large breed puppies need only very short formal walks- best to take it easy while they're growing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garloch Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Belgianpup - its definatly not too soon to correct this behaviour. It'll only get worse as they get bigger if its not corrected now. And lead training is fast-paced. When they know how to do it, you can amble along at your leisure. My suggestion is to keep them on a short leash. Short meaning - depending on the height of the animal - the leash should go from your hand straight down to the collar. (Imagine a line running from your shoulder straight down your arm, through the lead, and down the front legs of the dog. They need to be standing alongside you, not in front or behind. A longer lead allows them more freedom - not something you should allow for lead training. And you should use a check-chain. There is a right and wrong way to put them on too. The chain when put on correctly loosens immediately when you slacken the chain. If you have it on the wrong way, it could get stuck and be very hard to get loose = dog choking and being frightened of the leash. Suggest putting it on your arm and figuring out which way it loosens. Keep the lead in your left hand, and a tasty treat in your right hand. Keep the treat right in front of their nose, and when they do what you want, give it to them immediately. The food tells them that they must focus on you, do as you command, and they will be rewarded immediately - they get to know whats good and bad in terms of their behaviour. While you are training them, feed them treats only when they do the right thing, and treat them often to begin with. (Just remember that if they have had lots of treats that day to cut back on their food next meal or they will get fat.) Take them to puppy school - its the BEST thing for socialisation, and you usually get notes to take home and read again and again. Cost varies, but in my area, they cost about $85 for 5 x 1 hour classes, and worth every cent. Vets, RSPCA, animal hospitals etc generally run them. They will be able to show you how to put the checkchain on correctly. If I can find it, I'll post a link that appeared in the showring forum, and had links to very short video's that taught the basics in show training which you will be able to apply to leadtraining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garloch Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Here you go - Showring Forums - 14 January - How to Show Videos, link put up by SAS. (Thanks again SAS.) http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/interv...ining-video.htm Either go to showring forum and follow that link (probably easiest), or cut and paste the above. Hope it helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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