Zoe is a puller & jumper!

[BeckyNC]

I took Tae to Petsmart for beginning obedience within a month of adopting her (she was 14 mos when we started) and she learned a lot. I think it depends on the trainer. Provided you get a competent trainer, Zoe should learn a lot. Tae did catch on quickly, but provided there were treats involved, she'd do anything I asked!

Oh, be sure to use high value doggie treats--something Zoe isnt' accustomed to getting at home. The higher value the treat, the better chance she'll cooperate and learn like a champ!

 

[Arfur's Mum]

Halti

All you may need is a halti collar. it acts like a bridle taking the direction of the pull away from their control harmlessly - they cannot not go forward to the thing of their desire if they have to look at you! When they have to turn their head away they loose control of the situation and you gain it!.
I have a two and a half year old Great Dane and a 1 year old Boxer who I walk together both on halti leads and they both walk to heal brilliantly.
If I can walk an 11 stone dane and a Boxer juvenile at the same time, you can beat this problem!!!

 

[CondoPup]

- when you anticipate your dog jumping up on someone, step on the leash

- another option is to simply turn away from your dog so that they are no longer receiving attention

These are great techniques that we used with great success, especially the second one. I had to train myself to always have treats with me, every single time we went outside - and if Guinness tried jumping on a neighbor or passer-by, we all turned our backs/ignored him until he sat, then we treated and praised like crazy (but not TOO crazy to get him all riled up).

As for leash pulling our trainer taught us a game that could be useful. I think she called it the "walkabout," and what you do is hold the leash loosely in both hands, low on your abdomen and close to your body. Then, at a steady pace, walk in one direction, and at unexpected intervals change directions - maybe ten steps forward, then turn left for three, then right suddenly for five or six, etc. Just keep walking at a regular, steady pace. What it is meant to do is teach the dog to keep its attention on you, pay attention to your cues and try to determine your next move. It was really helpful with us for Guinness - only part of the solution, but I definitely saw direct improvement after doing this a few times. It's easy enough to practice in a driveway, back yard, park, etc. though looks a little weird to others, I suppose!

The other thing I still do -
If Guinness pulls on his leash, I simply stop and refuse to walk until he stops pulling. He's old enough now that I expect him to walk nicely on leash, though, not still a young puppy, so this might be too much to expect of yours. Building up to this, though, we would do little "pops" on the leash when he would pull, just a quick tug and then keep the leash loose between tugs so he didn't get accustomed to having a tight lead. That sounds impossible but once our trainer taught us the technique, it actually can work (thank heavens for training classes though!).

 

[WV*Boxer]

I highly recommend the Easy Walk Harness. Not sure if it is available in pet stores. I had to order mine online. No matter what we tried to do with Tessa, she is a puller! We have had a leash on her since we got her, just to get her used to it. She still pulled as she got older. NOTHING worked for us to correct the problem, until this harness. I even had her at the vet this weekend for shots, and her vet loved it. He was going to start recommending it to people. It works because it fastens to the leash in front of her chest, instead of at her back. Do some research on it. I swear by it!

 

[mmichaelson]

My easywalk harness just arrived through ups! I'm going home to try it out on Sam right now!!!

 

[Zoe's Family]

New harness helped ALOT!

I got a new harness/collar at PetSmart for Zoe a few nights ago when I went on a food run...it has helped considerably with the pulling & jumping habit. If she pulls ahead of me, I just can "snap" the leash back towards me & it lifts her front feet off the ground a couple of inches, then she calms down. After a few times of this, she has all but stopped pulling me UNLESS another dog is passing or across the way from her. Then, the excitement is too much & I have to repeat above steps with the leash.
As far as jumping goes, I got a longer leash, so that when the urge to jump hits her, I can step down on the leash slack & stop her before it starts.
I also changed her food to the Nutro Ultra formula to give her more meat proteins & whole grains (to help her immune system get stronger). Hope it works, she likes the taste & seems to be doing well so far.
The Demodex is being treated & she was spayed on Friday (asked if waiting was possible until Demodex breakout cleared up, they said NO, because she was too close to going into her first heat & that would cause even more stress than the spaying).
Also, all in all, I have spoke to almost every trainer in our area. Not only compared their vastly different fees, but actually TALKED to them about their methods, their successes & failures, their "homework" for the pet owners, whether or not children were allowed to come in for a class or two to learn how to deliver some commands, etc, etc, etc. I've asked ALOT more questions than I ever would have before this forum was found. So, THANKS A BUNCH!
With that, I will end this thread. I will be sure and post her successes & any tips I learn along the way when we choose our trainer & go through our class together.

 

[hustl3r]

pulling and jumping

I can't believe people charge that kind of money to solve problems for other people dog's. Sounds like a good profession to get into!

I have just read on the internet and in the forums for every question or problem I had with Sydney Mae. I use gentle flicks with the leash on her nylon collar....just like a horse and the reins.

If she continues to pull, I will just make her sit and we will try again and if sh e pulls we will sit again, if she continues, we will just turn around and walk away from whatever is making her pull. Now I kinda look like a fool on the walking path sometimes, with all this stop and go and turning, .

I also spend every waking minute with my dog, I have just used consisitency with my pup...just like a child, when they do something you don't like, you stop and tell them no, then show them the correct way for them to behave.

Now with the jumping...a lady told me shortly after i brought Sydney home, you will never tame that jumping up on people. Well I said ya? watch me!

What I have done myself and for others that come to visit, is tell them if she jumps up, turn your back towards her, or just don't show any affection at all to her until she sits. She gets affection when the correct behaviour is displayed.

My dog sydney Mae is 6 mos. now and I am totally happy with all her progress...I can off-leash heel with her and the jumping up has stopped almost completely...sometimes she's just happy but I tell her off and sit and then she gets her love.

It does get frustrating sometimes but I believe consistency and a gentle tone and lotsa love when they behave properly has worked fine for me.

Just remember as cute as they are you just can't give in to their every whim...You are still the adult/owner and they rely on you to show them what is right and wrong!