Slip Lead Or Anti-Pull Harness?

[shootinforfood 18]

I am in the process of retraining my nearly 5 year old black lab x as a gundog retriever. I wont be taking him on group hunts, just taking him out with me when I go out for a few birds for the farmer, so he doesn't need to be perfect, just obedient and able to resist distractions.

 

I am looking into either a GSP or Lab puppy soon to train properly from scratch to eliminate bad habits.

 

I have been using an anti pull harness for the last 2 years on every walk, as he is extremely strong, and without the harness, my missus cant hold him, and I have struggled on occasion. the harness works well, but doesn't always stop him pulling.

 

is it worth using a slip lead instead of the harness, as in my mind, this would introduce a new method of restraint to go along with the new training. he has never had a slip lead so it should work as a deterrent to pulling and misbehaviour during the training process, and they are a lot easier to put on and remove when out in the field, as he never really runs his best when the harness is on.

 

any thoughts, or any suggestions on a better product to use?

 

 

[gnipper 6,467]

Just teach it to heel?

[shootinforfood 18]

am in the process of heel at the moment, but he is still getting distracted by other dogs, mainly if they bark, or are running round uncontrollably with their owners shouting at the top of their voice to try and control them. he has always been allowed to become very excited by previous owner and my missus up until now, so will take a bit of time I think to get him to the standard where I am confident of having him off the lead and still walking to heel avoiding distractions

 

I try my best to avoid being around others during the early stages but it isn't always that easy and if the other dog is persistent I either have to move on up the field or leave and find another.

[beast 1,884]

slip leads are a great tool for teaching a dog to walk nicely beside you, but they are not a magic wand and in themselves will do nothing. get a slip lead on the dog and teach it to walk sensibly on it. there is loads of info on the net and elsewhere about this but its really not too hard just lots of repetition and a good technique.

[shootinforfood 18]

thanks beast. he walks well beside me the majority of the time. he will walk past dogs in close proximity and not even look at them, unless the bark. then he goes mental and starts pulling towards them. the anti slip harness works ok, but sometimes he fights it and keeps pulling.

 

think I will give the lead a try. at least that way if he starts pulling I can pull him back and his head shold come around too. the chain point on the harness is on his back so he just comes up on his hind legs

 

he is getting better slowly, but I think a good slip lead will help him learn that he is not to lunge at other dogs for any reason, even if they are going mental he has to ignore them unless he is allowed to play

[beast 1,884]

keep the noose high up on the dogs neck, just behind the ears, and keep a couple of inches of slack in your hand. any effort to pull, and release the slack and immediately snap your hand sideways away from the dog, so you are not jerking against the windpipe but instead snapping against the outside of the neck. the aim is to throw the dogs head out of its intended direction, not to hurt the dog. you can even do sudden right-angle turns away from the dog to keep its attention on you, but dont do this when the lead is taut as you are simply towing the dog and it is learning nothing. good luck

[BIGLURKS 874]

Walking stick quick tap on the nose does the trick and keep a slip lead as far up its neck when your taking it for walks don't avoid the things that he is pulling for use the walks as a training lesson u would be surprised what a few days constant training can do and mind to pull up the way not too the side but do it quick and sharp just my 2 p worth

[Its_grim_up_norf 577]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8cPkTh7Y3k

[skycat 6,173]

That's a really good video, unfortunately, not many people have the patience to follow this type of programme, even though it does work ... eventually!

[Its_grim_up_norf 577]

That's a really good video, unfortunately, not many people have the patience to follow this type of programme, even though it does work ... eventually!

 

im going to spend to much time on my dog...im doing all i can now, reading, watching videos etc. the advice that keeps coming up, book or online is 'a dog will do anything for food'

 

i think having kids has made me even more patient as well. a dog is a lot like a kid too imo, get away with as much as they can, and you get out what you put into them. its up to you to decide, good well behaved, or a little sod.

[shootinforfood 18]

well, slip lead arrived in the post this morning, not the colour or length I ordered, but it is long enough and colour doesn't matter.

 

works a treat. walked him to the vets, 2.5 miles each way, he tried walking on a few times at first, but after pulling him back and 'no' he soon got the message, stayed at heel the entire time then on. had him sat while other dogs went past, no pulling towards them.

 

he impressed me on the walk. bit of bad news off the vet though, but nothing bad enough to stop him being exercised