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Post by kayers76 on Feb 19, 2008 21:39:51 GMT -5
I have a 3 month old pit bull puppy who has until now walked well on a leash. I use a halter because of his size and have just been interested in establishing an exercise routine, socialization, etc, with him. Now he is beginning to pull, and while it is controllable at 20 lbs, I remember my 80 lb pit taking me for a run! I want to nip this behavior in the bud and need advise on how to accomplish this. I read on a board or in a bully training book to stop, have him sit, and begin again when he has settled. I have been doing this but now he just starts to pull as soon as we start off again. Lastly, am I worrying for nothing - expecting too much too soon. Thanks for helping me out with this! Kaye
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 22, 2008 14:40:11 GMT -5
Hi Kaye, Proper leash walking can be the most difficult thing to teach because it is SO easy to teach the opposite - leash pulling. The reason is because just the act of pulling alone can be reinforcing (rewarding) to a dog. Plus, humans on the end of the leash always follow the dog hence rewarding the pulling behavior. There are several things you can do to help eliminate this pulling: 1) Decide where you want to go and GO there - don't get sidetracked by a pulling dog. If the dog starts veering off path, keep moving forward. Don't let your dog drag you over to a spot to smell or to someone he'd like to greet - get from point A to point B. For instance, if you want to get from the house to the car, walk directly there - do not let the dog pull you to the lawn, etc. No detours! 2) Do lots of directional changes. This keeps the dog tuned into you. 3) If the dog starts pulling, you should STOP. Stand still until there is slack back in the leash and then move foward again. The forward movement is the reward for the slack leash. 4) If you know your dog is trying to get somewhere, let him - BUT only on YOUR terms! If the dog tries to pull you over to the place/thing/etc, do NOT let him approach. Stop, wait for the slack leash and then let him move forward. There is a nice little book called, "My dog pulls, what do I do?" by Turid Rugaas. You can get this book here: www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB844I also recommend the following books: Clicking with your Dog by Peggy Tillman Complete Idiot's Guide to Positive Training by Pam Dennison
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Post by kayers76 on Feb 22, 2008 23:20:39 GMT -5
Thanks Mary, I'll keep plugging away!
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