Pulling on walks can be a sign of excitement or just
insufficient training. It is a clear sign that the dog is not paying attention
to its owner. This behavior issue is not one to be ignored. Even if your dog is
small and their pulling isn’t bothering you, it causes the collar to press harder
against your dog’s trachea and can cause serious lasting damage.
Harnesses
Owners of small dogs frequently opt out of training and just
use a harness. Harnesses take the pressure off of the neck and move it to the
chest, where it won’t interfere with the dog’s ability to breathe. This
shortcut may work for smaller dogs, but stronger, larger breeds are going to
take a little more work. Most harnesses clip to the leash in the back, which can
encourage your dog’s pulling. No-pull harnesses can help by clipping in the
front and slightly constricting on the chest to help your dog pay more
attention. For more information about no-pull harnesses, check out the video below featuring the Easy Walk harness.
Video Credit: [Petsafe] (2013, Sept 3) PetSafe Easy Walk harness fitting and use. Retrived from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P3GjsnbBgQ
Chain/Choker Collars
Contrast what people believe, chain/choker collars are not a
solution. They are a training tool and should not be used without some
knowledge. It is important to make sure that the collar is the right size and
can just barely be slipped on over the dog’s head. Too much slack takes away
the collars ability to give instant correction. There are two very common
mistakes that people make when using a choker collar. One is that they have it
placed where the regular collar normally sits. Choker collars are more
effective and less damaging when they sit higher, as close to the jaw line as
possible.
Another common
mistake is not keeping enough tension on the line. The tension on the leash
when using a choker collar should be tight enough to keep it in place, but not
so tight that the collar starts restricting. An easy way to monitor the slack
is to use two hands, the dominant hand holding the handle and the other holding
the leash closer to your dog. The leash should be crossing your body.
These rules also apply to using a prong/pinch collar that
should only be used by experienced dog owners or by the advice of your dog’s
trainer.
Martingale collars
Training your dog is a constant effort. Martingales collars
can help keep your dog from pulling without having to return to the chain
choker collars. They tighten a bit on the neck, but not as severely as
chain/choker collars. These collars should only be used on dogs that have been
trained with a choker collar.
Other options
Sometimes leash training your dog is intimidating and
harnesses are difficult. One other option for inexperienced dog owners is the
Thunderleash. The leash attaches to standard collars, then wraps around the
dogs chest and is re-attached to a clip near the collar. When the dog pulls,
the Thunderleash tightens, and stops the dog without causing damage. This
technique can be done with standard leashes for a temporary solution, as shown
below.
Good info!
ReplyDeleteI love your tips! I have a smaller dog, and I use a leash with her, but my friend has the same sized dog and uses a harness. I'm starting to think the harness is a better idea!
ReplyDeleteSmaller dogs are known for respiratory and tracheal issues. If you hear your dog making gagging noises when she gets excited on walks, it might be time for a harness
DeleteOmg I love this, I used to do it to my dog but now he doesn't like leash anymore
ReplyDeleteI use it with my family and friends' dogs when I take them for walks. Make sure you are keeping the experience positive, lots of treats and trips to places he likes. Brandy gets 2 training treats whenever she is leashed up.
DeleteVery informative article! Small dogs tend to be tricky.
ReplyDelete