Heeling is a problem all of a sudden...

[musicdeb]

Titan, 2 1/2 yr old Dogue de Bordeaux, who have had for about a month. He used to belong to my son. We are currently staying with my son in Ft Hood. About 2 days ago, Titan starting dragging me as we walk to return to my son's apartment. He walks appropriately when we leave to go on the walk but as soon as he does his business, he wants to return and tries to drag me. He pulls so hard that his collar chokes him.

I stop and make him sit. When I say ok, he starts out with appropriate heeling and when I say good boy, he takes off again.

How do I remedy this problem? I do not want to continue choking him but I refuse to let him take control of the walk back to the apartment.

I like to walk him at least a mile a day but he wants to return to the apartment as soon as he does his business. At my place, he walks the miles everyday unless it's really hot. We haven't experienced this inappropriate behavior when walking.

HELP!

 

[Ghostsword]

Why not get one of these colars what go on his muzzle? Dont know the name but they are effective with dogs that pull.

Also when he pulls change direction, keep doing it, that will tire him out.


___________________________

 

[allformyk9s]

You can try one of these: http://compare.ebay.com/like/310369955437?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

I had one of these I used when I had our boxer, she would literally pull so much that her front legs didnt touch the ground, put one of these on her & bam what a difference. It makes it very difficult, if not impossible for them to pull you.


If you dont want to go this route - having him sit is good .. but what I do w/ my dogs when they pull me or take off ahead I keep the handle of the leash in my hand but drop the slack & do a 180 & give a snap on the leash going the opposite direction, once they catch up I'll turn back the direction we were going, take a couple of steps then stop, have the sit AND THEN we try again. If they go to take off or pull me I repeat, drop leash *hanging onto the handle of it of course* do a 180 & walk, snapping the leash, making that correction - once they catch up, turn back around take a step or 2 & stop, sit & try again. One of my dogs it literally took 20 mins to get out of our front yard BUT he finally got it. Sounds like Titan is assuming that after going potty he's going back home.....how about trying instead of immediately going home, perhaps walk past the apartment for half a block or what have you. He should be walking with you or just slightly behind you, he should be following you not leading the way.

If praising him is a cue/trigger for him acting that way I would stop praising - maybe try giving a 'treat' as praise, for example if he has a box of the HUGE milkbones - break one up into smaller pieces (they have super small ones now, 5 cal each) and during the difficult time after he's gone potty & you're headed back, try offering a treat w/out speaking, if he's behaving appropriately. If that triggers him to take off too then Id not worry.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[musicdeb]

Thanks Ghostword and allformyk9s for the great advice. Allformyk9s, I did exactly what you said. I'd turn around and walk him a few feet and then head back. It took about 10 mins and he finally walked appropriately until we got close to the door and he darted to the door. I'll try the treat method without words.

I will not give up on Titan. We will train, train, train until he finally gets it.

Thanks again!

 

[allformyk9s]

He's a smart boy & with you not giving up on him, he'll get there GOOD LUCK!!!


~Nise