Leash pulling

    • Gold Top Dog

    Leash pulling

    my Cockapoo, Lucy, doesn't do it all the time, but frequently when I take her for a walk she'll pull on the leash reaaaaally hard to the point she's on her two hind feet gagging herself.  It doesn't matter how fast or slow I walk, she'll just pull to no end!  Half the time she is gasping for air and it doesn't seem to bother her.  How in the world do I get her to stop doing this?  If I yank on the chain to get her attention and tell her to stop pulling so hard she'll listen for about ten yards and then it is back to her self-hanging!  Any help would be great.
    • Gold Top Dog
    How often do you walk her?  Lucy (our Lucy) used to do this... but no matter what we did she would do this to the point of throwing up... but we hardly ever took her, so as much of a pain as it was we started more often and she calmed down 100%.  Maybe just excitement and not knowing what to do.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I would try have a baggie of treats with me and when starting to walk make her stay near your leg then take a few steps keep her next to your leg then give her a treat as long as she is with you. If she starts pulling I would stop bring her back to your leg and then step and treat.  She should start getting the hang of it that as long as she is near you that she is doing good. Once she is getting good with that and your able to walk a good distance with no pulling I would start lessing the treats down until you are just praising her with words.
     
     
    Keep making her come back to your leg and don't walk any futher until she listens to you. It may take a while, but you'll be happy when you don't have to hear her choke her self and your arm will feel much better.
     
    I would try Glenda's liver treat recipe dogs really love them and will do almost anything for those treats.
     
    You might want to use something else then the choke chain it's some kind of harness to keep them pulling. I don't know the name of it, but someone should be around shortly to give you more tips.
    • Gold Top Dog
    ah the choke chain... I just wanted to clarify that my Lucy did do this until she threw up but she had a harness on... I have never used a choke chain before.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Thanks all-- but I want to clarify I don't use a choke chain either-- it is just a regular nylon collar.  Only, she TURNS it into a choke chain.  I've seen many dogs in pain due to choke chains so I won't use it on my pup.  She wouldn't understand why I was choking her!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Every time I read what you cock a poo pup is up to, I am convinced, that our cock a poo, Spike, who died in March of 2005, was reincarnated as your pup. 

    Spike was murder on a leash and it took alot of training to get her to heel, but we did.  Now, I know alot of people here don't agree with the teachings of Ceaser Milan, the Dog Whisperer, but I am a fan of  his instructions on how to get a dog to walk properly on a leash (it was the only thing that worked for Spike).  (Those of you who don't like his methods, I know you're out there, but please don't feel compelled to jump in and tell us how wrong it all is. It's all our differing opinions that make the world go round.) 

    It all has to do with leading, not following, and with how you carry your own body and attitude and the vibes you send down the leash.  It has worked for me and alot of people I know in rehabilitating unwalkable dogs.  Either watch the show, Friday nights, 8:00 p.m., National Geographic Channel, or borrow one of his books or cd's from the library. 

    Also remember a cock a poo is a very energetic mutt and they need alot of walking, and when old and mature enough, running.