Pulling on Leash when passing other dogs

[Simba]

Need some help.
My Simba is now almost a year old and around 95lbs. He walks beautifully with only a flat collar until we come to another dog. Then he starts to pull towards the dog. I try correcting him and have tried enticing him with treats to get him to ignore the other dog but to no avail. I have even tried making him sit while they walk by and he will pull while sitting. He just wants to play with the other dog, but some people get worried when a Rott is pulling towards them and their dog. He never gets to them as I am strong enough to hold him back ( I weigh 200lbs) Other than this I can walk him with very few corrections needed. He is even fine walking by other people. It is just other dogs. Is it time to try a prong or choke?
Thanks
Simba's dad.

[Judi W]

Is there some reason you do not use a training collar of some sort? A flat collar offers no ability to correct which is why you can only try to correct him.

[Simba]

Judi
Until recently I have not needed to use a training collar. A quick snap of his leash would be sufficient to correct him when needed. It is only within the last month or so that a correction with the flat collar is not working. And as I said it is only when we come up to other dogs, otherwise he almost never pulls. That is why I asked if it is time for a training collar. The trainers at the class we took him to for 12 weeks were totally against prong and choke collars, that is why he doesn't use one at the moment. Their way to correct pulling was to stop walking forward and go backwards. Hard to do that now that he is getting so strong and focussed on the other dog.
I assume a prong would be best?
Thanks

[Carolina]

Simba, try the prong collar.. it is really great in this kind of situations.. I used it when my girl Iby was around that age, and also became very interested in other dogs and cats.. and after a couple of months I changed back to her flat collar, and she is great.. so use it, train your dog not tu pull, firm corrections and patience will do.. good luck


Carolina :)

[Trinitii]

I do use a choke collar but it may be all in the treat. I use a hot dog when walking and as soon as I notice we may walk past a dog I tell her to heel which she does then I place the hot dog over her nose and raise it so she stays by my side as we pass. We she pulls I say athena heel and pull her back and get her attention on me or the hot dog. I also try to stay on the other side of the street or had been. We are now at the point I can taker her closer and still keep her attention. In fact now when she sees a dog or person she looks at me and heels for a treat. We are far enough along that you make them walk farther for a taste and will wean them off.

Good luck and hang in there!

Trinitii

[Judi W]

Originally posted by Simba
Their way to correct pulling was to stop walking forward and go backwards. Hard to do that now that he is getting so strong and focussed on the other dog.

When I run into instructor's like this, I always suggest handing them the leash and saying "show me" :D

[Simba]

Thanks for the advice, I will look into a prong collar for our walks

[Storm]

Originally posted by Judi W


When I run into instructor's like this, I always suggest handing them the leash and saying "show me" :D

Yeah.............while running away making lots of distraction, romping with the other dogs.

Many times that what you have to offer the dog is not as enticing as the distraction elsewhere. It's plain and simple, have the correct equipment on the dog, one command and make it worth while! My biggest issue with people is the constant nagging when it comes to their dogs, one command and that's it. If you give the dog three, four or five commands he learns he has a chance to respond after the fourth command for example. The fact that any dog does not respond to his handler means that the dog is showing you the finger and has no regard for your "authority". But sure good behavior must always be rewarded, making it a clear picture in the dog's head.;)