Dog Community

Pulling Beagle help...

Posted : 2/21/2008 6:55:44 PM

What do you all recommend to get a Beagle puppy to stop pulling, particularly when there are bunnies/bunny scents around? We live in a highly bunny populated area (in our apartment complex and adjoining neighborhood & park). I love that she gets to “track” everyday, it’s her favorite thing, but the pulling to try to get into the bushes once its hopped away is frustrating. I don’t mind her sniffing the trail in the grass, but I don’t want her going in the bushes. It’s just amazing how much strength a 17 lb dog can have. LOL I realize she’s a nose and her brain turns off to me in her pursuit, but I also can’t stand there for an hour while she sniffs the same 10x10 patch of grass. A lot of the time we have to pick her up and take her away. (note, I do give her leashed "free time" to sniff & wander in the grass as she likes since we don't have a yard.) I won’t walk her in a regular collar anymore, in fear she will pull and hurt her neck, so she wears a harness, which she hates. I’ve tried bringing treats but they mean nothing when she’s sniffing. She walks pretty well otherwise (she knows heel) as long as there is no sight or scent of bunny. I don’t want to remove this activity from her, because she enjoys it so and I really like the mental stimulation she gets tracking, but how can I manage to get a better control over the situation?

(please no harsh comments or attacking, just suggestions)

rwbeagles

Posted : 2/21/2008 7:09:57 PM

is it a no-pull harness, if it's not...why? Do you bring food tidbits on your walk to help her look to you?

jenn52

Posted : 2/21/2008 9:46:00 PM

What's a no-pull harness???? whats the difference? I have brought food before, I don't everytime.

Infiniti

Posted : 2/27/2008 11:12:22 PM

There are a few different brands of no-pull harnesses. A good thread for that is: http://forum.dog.com/forums/t/74410.aspx. Personally, Honor and I use the Easy Walk. What makes a no-pull harness different is that its structure redirects the dog's movement when he/she is pulling. With the Easy Walk, the clip is in the front over the chest, so it's almost impossible for her to pull as her energy is being redirected away from her shoulders. With normal harnesses, they usually clip over the back, so they still give the dog full use of their shoulders and chest to pull. But props to you for putting your pup into a harness, so save trauma to the throat from a collar.

I would invest in a good no-pull harness, and bring lots of treats for attention. If you're constantly finding ways to incorporate sits, stays, and comes into your walk (with treats involved), your pup should learn that you're way more exciting than the rabbits.