Dog Community

What Anti Pull Device Should I Use?

Posted : 8/19/2006 10:34:33 PM

Well as many of you know I am going to be moving into a new house soon, with a very nice, big yard. Well I dont want that yard to be pooped filled (though if they do i'll pick it up) so I have made it my mission to walk my mom Golden and Lizzie twice a day so they can see new things and relieve themselves elsewhere.

Laika (golden) is a big puller, she is easily excited and just wants to GO, and get wherever first. What would be the best training tool? I dont think she'd do good with a gentle leader, shes way too sensitive and I dont think she'd like a 'thing' strapped on her muzzle.

That leaves us with a Prong and an Anti Pull Harness. I'd rather use the prong because I can add/remove links if it doesnt fit (im ordering online or bringing it back from Florida), but I would also use the harness if I can figure out how to properly size her.

So in reality, I have 3 questions:
1.) What training tool would best suit Laika, to prevent pulling?
2.) How would I properly size her?
3.) Anyone have any good articles on the correct use of the harness, prong or gentle leader?

Thanks!

Jeff Cornella

Posted : 8/20/2006 8:50:30 AM

o in reality, I have 3 questions:
1.) What training tool would best suit Laika, to prevent pulling?
2.) How would I properly size her?
3.) Anyone have any good articles on the correct use of the harness, prong or gentle leader

1.) A clicker
2.) Don't "size" her...train her instead
3.) check out [linkhttp://www.clickersolutions.com]www.clickersolutions.com[/link]

Julitza

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:06:48 AM

I have a clicker for Lizzie but Laika is not my dog, she is my mothers dog. I would need an immediate solution to deterr her pulling or I wont be able to take her for a walk.

Thanks anyway!

Jeff Cornella

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:41:28 AM

An hour solid of any type training is as good as any walk. Mental stimulation is the name of the game.

Otherwise, I would start with an "Easy Walk Harness" by Premier.

Jeff Cornella

Posted : 8/20/2006 9:43:59 AM

Here's the link...they tell you how to fit it...how to use it...ect...

[linkhttp://www.premier.com/pages.cfm?id=74]http://www.premier.com/pages.cfm?id=74[/link]

Just keep in mind there is no substitution for proper obedience training.

pumaward

Posted : 8/20/2006 10:27:41 AM

You can also use the Easy walk to help you train.

I had to do that with a plain old GL because the "stand like a tree" and even the "My Dog Is Pulling My Arm Off" article at clicker solutions wasn't going to work . It doesn't help that I have to put a leash on her all the time to go to the bathroom and exercise... so I couldn't avoid situations where she'd pull. Instead, I started out with the GL and "tree" way. While we were walking, if she pulled on the GL, I would stop and wait. As soon as the leash slacked, I clicked and rewarded her by moving forward.

jones

Posted : 8/20/2006 10:40:11 AM

No pull harnesses are great, but as k9therapist said, they can't replace training. Laika will probably stop pulling at first as she adjusts to the sensations of the harness, but after a while she'll likely become desensitized to the harness and just start pulling again. They're just a tool to help training, not a solution in themselves.

spiritdogs

Posted : 8/20/2006 4:28:36 PM

While I certainly agree that you should be training your dog, most trainingneeds to take place first in a non-distracting environment - to give the dog a chance to learn the "vocabulary" so to speak. While you are doing that, you still need to be able to take your dog places without having your arm pulled out of the socket, so I think your best bet might be the Easy Walk Harness - most Goldens wear size large.

Xeph

Posted : 8/20/2006 6:40:52 PM

I don't know how many people missed it, but she's not inquiring for tools for Lizzie, but her mom's Golden. The puller dog doesn't belong to her.

My personal preference is the pinch collar, simply because they're less cumbersome, easier to fit, and easier to put on/handle. Strauss is also trained to pull on a harness (tracking and conditioning), so we use a pinch every now and then.

It all comes down to preference and the individual dog

Julitza

Posted : 8/21/2006 9:35:12 AM

The prong, or 'pinch' collar was actually my first choice because I know with a harness she will pull right through, and a halti would be too much for her to bear. But I would be open to trying anything.

Anyone have any good articles on using the prong properly? When I take her out for walks I will definately praise he and give her treats when she stops pulling, so hopefully we can actually lose all types of anti pull devices and she can walk on a regular collar or harness.

Xeph

Posted : 8/21/2006 11:51:44 AM

If you go to leerburg.com it shows how to properly fit a pinch collar

jones

Posted : 8/21/2006 12:01:06 PM

Suzanne Clothier also has an article on the use of prong collars. If you read through it you'll see at the bottom are specific instructions on the fitting and use of prong collars.
[linkhttp://www.flyingdogpress.com/artlibreg.htm]http://www.flyingdogpress.com/[/link]

sillysally

Posted : 8/21/2006 12:03:52 PM

Just a word about the Easy Walks--they're different than normal harnesses. Sally would pull through a normal harness and does not pull with an Easy Walk. I will say that an Easy Walk is hard to fit, at least for us. The medium is too small and with the large the plastic buckle goes right in Sally's "armpit" and although she will walk with it I can tell she is uncomfortable.

My personal preference is that the prong sits in the middle of the dog's neck. It should sit there on it's own, otherwise it is too big. I know that people say to put it right under the head, but I have used one on Sally The Superpuller and she has not needed that, so I doubt a Golden will--JMHO.

Michael H

Posted : 8/21/2006 12:17:03 PM

These won't work with a retractable leash will they? I'm thinking of giving up on the retractable leash altogether. It's impossible to get my dog to not pull the whole time. I don't mind him running in front of me, but not for him to use the entire lenght of the cord.

Xeph

Posted : 8/21/2006 12:21:31 PM

The only thing retractable leashes are good for is teaching a dog to be out in front with tension on the line. They are not for and should not be used for training! Especially when using devices like a pinch collar or halti!

If a pinch collar is sitting on the miuddle of the neck, it's not properly fitted, no way around it. The pinch collar should sit high on the neck directly behind the ears with minimal sliding.

Also, keep in mind that pinch collars are not sold be length, but by the weight of the prongs. A small or medium pinch should work just fine for a Golden. I actually use a small link prong on my Shepherd and it works just fine and is a better fit than the medium one. It sits nice and high on his neck, doesn't slide at all