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What can help slow a dog down?

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
Kryten is now getting to go on walks outside of the yard. This makes for a super happy excited boy that just wants to GO. I've been trying to slow him down but without a lot of success. I have used a Gentle Leader in the past but his head is now too big for it to fit comfortably and it was the largest I could find. He's not pulling he just wants to go faster than I am comfortable having him go right now. I love that he's feeling better but it is making for some challenges that people outside of this group can't fully comprehend. One answer I got from a different group was to simply pick him up if he won't slow down. Umm...I might be strong but I'm not that strong.
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Interesting question. I hope others will post a reply because I'm curious as well. Glad that Kyrten is feeling so much better!
 

Chris t

Member
The way i have slowed my bullmastiff down is to walk at a slow rate and if she starts to speed up i either make her sit and wait a few seconds a few times in a row after a few steps each time or i stop and place my nearest foot across her front just brushing her again and again untill she comprehends what I want from her, it takes time and patience but mastiffs are intelligent dogs who need to know whos in charge, this approach worked on lola my 7 yr old baby girl, hope this might give you a couple choices
 

Victoria93

Well-Known Member
I havent personally used it but I heard the illusion collar from ceasar works great but I think it might be for corrections. Hope it helps :)
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Can you try and wear him out swimming somewhere, so he's ready to mosey slower when walking?

Might not be a daily option... that contraption Ruth posted the link to looks...ah... complicated. But, maybe effective?

I'd probably follow Chris t's method.
Then work on mind games at home to try and wear him out - maybe train some nose work?

Sure glad he's feeling so GOOD!

"just pick him up"... where were you, the yorkie forum?? :)
 

KristinandCianna

Well-Known Member
Did your dog have an injury? Is that why you need him to slow down? Just curious, so I understand more. My female Cane Corso tore her ACL at 6 month's, she was allowed to go on walks two weeks in, and increase slowly as she improved. I ended up walking her on a prong collar. Naturally, she just pulled less and was more cooperative about not running on our walks. Haha. I did NOT correct her with it, just had it clipped to the leash, but it was clipped to both of the swivels, not just the live link. If you could swim him, thats absolutely best. My next CC puppy, and all of them after that, will be swimming as early as possible. So much better on their orthepedic structure. Anyway, that just worked for me. You could also try tiring his brain out a little before you take him out walking, doing some light obedience
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
He has elbow dysplasia and is recovering from the first of 2 surgeries to repair his elbows. The first was done on June 3 and then was diagnosed with an open osteotomy on July 3. I wish I could take him swimming but the only location near by is at the off lead and it would be too long a walk and ends with a steep hill so it's not a good idea. I've tried wearing him out mentally but the second he realizes we're going out of the yard he perks back up.
 

CeeCee

Well-Known Member
Two things you might want to try...

1) Don't walk in a straight line and don't walk at a consistent pace i.e., zig zag, make sudden turns, walk in big and tight circles. Also change your pace so that you go really fast (as fast as you can do safely during his recovery) then slow it down, the speed it up, etc. All of this will force him to pay attention to what you're doing. He'll figure out that it's easier to adjust to you when he's by your side.

2) Whenever he gets ahead of you and starts to pull. Stop moving. Just stand there until he comes back to you and releases the tension on the leash. (In all honesty, I tried to do this with Lila, but man I could easily wait there for 20 minutes for her to move back to me. This is when I moved to the "drunk walk.") Not only was it easier, but some days I damn near peed myself with the "WHAT is your problem?!?!?!" looks I got from Lila.)

Another thought... use a really high value treat (string cheese and hot dogs work great because they're long and last a long time) and hold it in your and by your side as you walk. Now his by your side eating and you're setting the pace.
 

Lukasdad

Well-Known Member
Hope kryten is getting better ??when I got my pup I noticed this you will like the dog they work with type in silky leash ahimsa dog training maybe he's too old but def helped my boy when I first got him I've stopped with the clicker now but he doesn't pull anymore I use a harness on him now
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
Hope kryten is getting better ??when I got my pup I noticed this you will like the dog they work with type in silky leash ahimsa dog training maybe he's too old but def helped my boy when I first got him I've stopped with the clicker now but he doesn't pull anymore I use a harness on him now

That's basically what I used to teach him loose leash walking.

I think a few people have gotten a mistaken impression of the problem. It's not that he is pulling on the leash. If the leash tightens he stops and returns to my side but as soon as we start again he wants to go at what was a normal pace pre-surgery. Anytime he goes a distance at that pace however he limps significantly. When I can get him to slow his pace he only has a hitch in his gait. He is slowly getting the idea but very slowly we still only get about 10 steps before he reaches the end of his leash.
 

Sadies Mom

Well-Known Member
Teach him how to walk slow....We had to do that when we took a therapy dog class. You walk almost as slow as a sloth:p. We can be walking at a normal pace and I tell Sadie "Slow", and she will walk as if she is stalking something.
 

Robtouw

Well-Known Member
Are you using an Easy Walk Harness? I did not have luck with the gentle leader, but Cruiser learned to walk slowly with the Easy Walk. Also, when he gets going I make him walk in circles. We do this with horses that have lead line issues, it kind of confuses them and makes them take a moment to focus.
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
I'm hesitant to use any harness for walking. He was starting to learn carting just before his diagnosis and if his vet thinks its alright after he is fully healed I would like to continue because he loved it. So I would prefer not to have to train him to pull after teaching him not to pull while wearing a harness.
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Titan pulls if he has just his harness on but with the flat collar and harness, he does not pull. I've also worked a few months on teaching him to not pull.
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
Most of the pulling is now gone. I think one of the major factors was his excitement at getting to go on walks again. Now that he realizes that he will get to go the excitement level has dropped back down to normal.