momofedee

Hi everyone. I have a 3 year old girl named Edee who is a rescue. She isn't the big thick basset, weighing prob under 40lbs. She is a puller when we walk and was wondering if it was a good idea to invest in a dog back pack so she can focus a little better. I am a little concerned of the weight messing up her back, so obviously I wouldn't weigh it down too much, but is the added weight just plain out a bad idea? Any other suggestions for the pulling? Thanks for the input

Kirska

Have you tried a head collar like a gentle leader? Those are what my trainer uses for pullers:

Just make sure you read up and learn how to properly use it.

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Mom to Anabelle and Lila, rescued ladies and Harley, Corgi/Beagle/Basset/?? mutt

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Mikey T

tried making toughy carry his own food on a backpacking trip as soon as the back was on he refused to move.

A back is not going to help a puller . pullers pull for two reasons. One they learn by pulling the get to where they want to go and two it is a dog natural reaction to restraint to push back even harder. so You need to teach the dog to learn to walk on a loose leash for that I would recommend a basic manner class at any dog training facility. you not need to get into the rigors of fromal obedience , akc sport, as for a tool to help and keep in mind it is only a tool and as with any tool it is only as effective as the person using it. With out loose leash training the dog is going to pull.

I'm not a big fan of head halters for loose leash training there is to much room for misues I prefer the Sporn Halter how it works is pretty self explainitory dog pulls rope thighten under the arm pits. Seem to be a much more sensitive area for most dogs than the neck making it more effective than a prong, choke or limited slip collar. It is all safe to use on puppies without woring to have to worry about neck and thoat injuries as well. and it is the most secure device even more secure than a standard harness.

Mikey T

FWIW both sides go the Head halter debate

The Problem with Head Halters

A case for Gl

GL is short for Gentle leader on of the more popular head halter brands.

houndmomma

Hi momofedee and welcome!

It sounds like a training issue and not an equipment issue although I’ll recommend a good collar to go with the training. Until you can find a good training class in your area to get her into every time she pulls. STOP. Make her come back to your side and start again. As long as you allow her to “pull” you – she’ll think that is ok behavior.

There’s a lot more to it – but to just address the pulling – this is a quick fix. The best thing you can do is get her into a good training class and practice, practice, practice.

No-Slip Collar – Love, love, love these – they are comfortable to the pup or dog and they don’t slip out of them. And for training it’s great because it gets their attention fast without hurting them. I’ve used them for years for all my dogs.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751399&lmdn=Dog

Oh, and we love photos here so as soon as you get some, please share

Jen~

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Momma to Lucy age 12 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Rickie age 5 ~ Shi-Poo (don’t tell him though – he thinks he’s a hound dog)
Momma to Mabel age -1 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Flash – RIP 2000 ~ 2011 – Gone in body but with me in spirit ~ You will live on forever in my heart baby ~ Je t'aime

momofedee

Thank you all so far for your comments. I have the gentle leader and was still having issues, but I have to admit, it was probably more my fault than hers. I will watch the video again and give it another whirl and if I find it ineffective, I will try the Sporn Halter. BUT definitely going to look into some classes.

Mikey T

loose leash walking is one of the hardest skills to teach because the criteria of what is accetpable behavior is very fuzzy. I general find it better to start witha short 4FT leash giviing very little leway before moving to a 6 ft or longer leash.

I am no fan of retractable leashes which I thing really hurt any loose leash training because they totally obliterate any semblance of a critera for accetable behavior.

Annie714

Hi and welcome!

Annie has a sporn anti-pull harness, when she wears it she is a brand new no-pull dog on a leash. We don't use it all the time but when we do the pulling doesn't exist anymore!

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Blog about the antics of Annie and I. http://thechickandthehound.blogspot.com

GrismanHound

I used a generic version of the Sporn harness. Grisman showed improvement on the first day. After a month of use Grisman was consistently walking loose/without pulling, so I started him on collar training a few weeks ago. The transition from the sporn to a standard collar has helped so much with 'heel' walking. He is now doing really well in learning that "follow/heel" leads to "go sniff".

jaleely

Hiiii! Welcome!
Hope something works out for you. I've also tried the "go ahead, pull...." and then when they do...squirt them from the side, into the face, with some vinegar water... definitely worth a startle or two that keeps them confused. Pair it with a command, and you've got a golden start!
OH btw, we love pics...show us your pulling little girl!! : )

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