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Post by aries on Apr 17, 2014 14:20:37 GMT
I have a 5 month old border collie, and we have been training her since we got her and she still continues to pull on the lead. Originally it was to chase cars, however we have trained her out of the charging at passing cars. Yet she still strains. It has gotten so bad that she has broken two leads, ends up making some choking sounds (they sound like a throaty cough you have when you are really ill) and now we are resorting to using a half choke chain. Does anyone know why she is pulling and how we can teach her not to?
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Post by scallywag on Apr 17, 2014 15:33:51 GMT
I had to train Beau on a harness ( I have a Car harness that has a ring to attach the lead, between the sholders ) he soon started walking nicely and stopped pulling. Maybe try something like that ?
Good Luck x
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Post by CollieSlave on Apr 17, 2014 16:10:03 GMT
As a preventative measure to stop her pulling, then I would recommend the Dogmatic anti-pull harness. This will not train her not to pull, but it will prevent it. They are not cheap but do work very well. ( www.dogmatic.org.uk/ ). A cheaper option is the Halti and similar harnesses but these can, and often do, ride up into the dog's eyes - the Dogmatic will not do this. As for training your collie not to pull, you might find this of interest - www.yourdog.co.uk/Dog-Training/help-he-pulls-on-the-lead.htmlIt can be quite challenging - and hard, patience trying work, to train her not to pull. I hope you find some of what I have said of some help. (Just a thought - never use an extending lead with any anti-pull harness: if the dog runs the lead out and is then halted by the anti-pull harness her head and neck will be violently twisted). Using a lead attached to a collar (especially any sort of choke collar) can, with a pulling dog, do serious damage to the dog's throat and larynx (the choking sounds that you mention reflect this!!)
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Post by CollieSlave on Apr 17, 2014 16:31:59 GMT
You ask why she is pulling on the lead: going out is exciting and interesting and she wants to Go and Get Somewhere!! You can't really blame her: life is exciting!
Another reason is that you let her pull on the lead (!!).
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Post by caz2golden on Apr 17, 2014 17:09:10 GMT
I would like to back up never use a headcollar and long line/ extendable lead.
I was once taught, about 11 yrs ago now by a very strict dog trainer (and I still respect her even if she scares the hell out of me) that it takes two to pull!! My first dog did pull but with my second dog as from day one I never tolerated any pulling whatsoever she actually walks really well.
I walk both my dogs on head collars regularly (dogmatics), as they have the potential to pull me over (when they see blackbirds or cats for example) and the head collars remove that issue. However both dogs will walk fine without the head collar too (unless going to beach) so the head collar is a tool but you still have to put in the hard work to stop the pulling. In time dog can pull on headcollars (they just build the neck muscles up).
One of my dogs will make chocking sounds even with the slightest pressure on her neck, so she is only walked on head collar or harness.
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Post by alfiemummy on Apr 17, 2014 17:27:28 GMT
My dog used to pull, usually to the side as he wanted to sniff something. I started walking him on the other side from the grass so he couldn't get past me. We also used a Halti for a little while which did the trick, but he didn't like it at all and would walk along looking very dejected so we gave up with that. The best thing I found was just taking him for a long and tiring walk on a regular basis. If he is tired out then even on the next walk he was still well behaved. Obviously this might be difficult if yours is only 5 months as she is still growing. A harness has also helped, I didn't get it because of the pulling, I got it afterwards as he doesn't really pull anymore. I do use it whenever I walk him with other dogs as he gets extremely excited when we go to their house and will choke himself. The harness stops him simply as he doesn't like the sensation of it. Whenever he pulls, I will not allow it and put him back into the right place. If he insists on pulling then we just stop until he has calmed down and he usually gets the message. I also agree with CollieSlave and caz2golden, never ever use a headcollar with anything but a short lead! And ideally if you are using a long line then it should be with a harness
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Post by smilesbetter on Apr 18, 2014 3:43:34 GMT
Firstly I'd recommend getting a harness for a pulling dog. Then I'd work on lead training. I have a 4 month old Icelandic sheepdog border collie cross puppy and she is mostly fantastic on the lead, apart from wanting to meet every dog we go past. That's coz every day, every walk is a training exercise for us. We don't walk anywhere too far and always go to a park so she can get a good run around off the lead (if your puppy isn't getting enough mental and physical exercise then that might contribute towards the pulling).
What I do is simple. I have a pouch of treats, and every so often (I wait longer each time) I give her a treat for walking with a loose lead. When we first started doing this I had to walk stooped over with the treat in front of her nose, saying the word command and praising her. Eventually I was able to stand fully straight and hold the treat in front of my stomach and walk for a bit before giving it. Now she doesn't need to see the treat (although if I wait too long to give her one she gets bored and starts sniffing around instead if walking correctly).
Another thing I do, is that if she is tugging (for example if my man is walking ahead or she sees a dog she knows), and ignores my voice command, I turn round and walk the other way until she starts walking nice with me, before continuing on our original journey. I will quite happily walk back and forward up and down the street till she gets it. Border collies are fast learners though so it doesn't take long!
You must always encourage her (or him? Can't remember now sorry!) to walk naturally with a loose lead. You won't get far at first but it is super important. Currently she has learned, or is learning, that being half choked is how you're meant to be on a lead. She needs to learn that being beside you is better (and tastier, treat wise). Don't get frustrated, never rug the lead at that will make the dog learn to fear and/or ignore you, and remember that this may take months (as it is with my puppy!), but it will be worth it if you put the effort in. Plus she's only a puppy still and can't concentrate on one thing very long. Training periods should always be short and fun followed by a good play. If you find yourself getting frustrated, or if the puppy is getting bored, stop. Play for a bit and carry on or leave it till later, but don't continue or you'll risk making matters worse.
Good luck! Training border collies is so rewarding, they're absolutely fantastic dogs with the right training.
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candy
Settling in well!
Posts: 62
Animals I love: ALL ANIMALS...
Pets I own: CANDY ....MY FLATCOAT RETRIEVER....MY BABY.... x x
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Post by candy on Dec 16, 2014 11:52:23 GMT
HI.... talking of harness... a family member has a husky/ she looking at a ruffwear harness and wants to know if anyone uses one and what they think of them... or anyone who has a big dog what harness they like... she just looking for a good fit...not to stop pulling problem.... .... thanks.... X
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Post by bectil on Dec 16, 2014 12:53:01 GMT
I didn't realise how old this thread was until I got to smilesbetter's post and thought, ''I thought Rosa was older than 4 months!'' Hi candy! How are you and your pup doing? Not seen you about here for a while! For the best fitting harness, your relative is better off getting a Perfect Fit Harness by Dog Games. I have nothing bad to say about the product and company! They're not cheap, but worth every penny I think!
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Post by caz2golden on Dec 16, 2014 13:22:59 GMT
I second the perfect fit harnesses by dog games, mine are walked on them when they are away from roads and not at the beach.
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Post by CollieSlave on Dec 16, 2014 19:43:19 GMT
Certainly the Dog Games harnesses are excellent. We do not have the Perfect Fit version for Bryn, just the ordinary one, and he has used and abused the harness for at least three years - and it is still as good as new as far as its basic structure is concerned, but it does look a bit tatty having been subjected to rolling in mud and muck and been soaked on numerous occasions in rain, lake and river. High quality products that do not cost the earth and will last very well (and they clean up very well with washing after getting filthy). dog-games-shop.co.uk/harnesses-fleece-lined
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Post by charlottte on Dec 16, 2014 20:08:37 GMT
I like the perfect fit but I did find that the fleece that goes under the front legs isn't seen to the webbing all the way to the edge of the fleece (there's about 2inches of fleece flapping about). This slips to one side and the webbing rubs under jaspers front legs.
I like the mekuti balance harness for pullers and the Ttouch harness is nice but I'm not sure how sturdy it would be on a bigger dog.
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Post by orpheous87 on Dec 16, 2014 21:45:20 GMT
I like the Perfect Fit harnesses too, but I also have a Ruffwear Front Range harness for Pepper (she's allergic to her Perfect Fit one!). It fits nicely and doesn't rub under her legs.
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candy
Settling in well!
Posts: 62
Animals I love: ALL ANIMALS...
Pets I own: CANDY ....MY FLATCOAT RETRIEVER....MY BABY.... x x
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Post by candy on Dec 18, 2014 4:43:07 GMT
Thanks for replys guys... i like the perfect fit ones too....i will pass all the harness info on to her ... nice to know the ruffwear doesnt rub Orpheous... thats one problem she had with other harness... ... HI Bectil... ... no not come on here as much as did with old fourm.... but do like to pop back now n then to read how you are all getting on.. ... so many posts on here now dont get to read them all.... ... take care guys.... thanks again for the great info... X
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