Strong Puller

[TriciaK]

Hi All,

I've been using the halti on Razor for nearly 5 years. It's worked fine (although he still does pull), however he's developed an eye problem over the past several months which I believe may have been aggravated by the halti. He may need surgery (I'll find out this week) and even if he does not, I no longer want to use a halti. I haven't used his halti in about 2 weeks and the walks we take are no longer very pleasant. He'll listen for short periods when I say "slow" and then stop, but within a few seconds, he's pulling again. I've read alot on the prong collar, but having never used one, I'm concerned about my inexperience. I'm also wondering if he'll respond to collar being that he's 5 and more accustomed to the halti. ALL advice will be very much appreciated.

Tricia

[Denise L.]

I don't have this issue with Cyrus in general but when we did training classes it was addressed. Have you been to classes?

The trainer we went to used a prong and he showed us the proper fit and how to use it. Richard (Rottie I cared for) had a prong but he had never been to classes and neither the owner nor I really knew the proper use of a prong. Consequently both of us had been pulled off our feet a couple of times.

Cyrus will only attempt to pull me if he sees somebody he especially loves. Thanks to training and proper prong use I have never lost control.

[TriciaK]

I'm afraid we never attended formal training classes. I'm not going to lay blame (since I'm a grown woman), but my husband wasn't too keen on going to classes. And I certainly wasn't forceful enough to bring him to classes--our mistake. Instead, we did alot of reading and research ourselves. I really do like the halti, but like I said, I've chosen not to use it anymore and with that being said, I need help!

Tricia

[Denise L.]

Originally Posted by TriciaK

I'm afraid we never attended formal training classes. I'm not going to lay blame (since I'm a grown woman), but my husband wasn't too keen on going to classes. And I certainly wasn't forceful enough to bring him to classes--our mistake. Instead, we did alot of reading and research ourselves. I really do like the halti, but like I said, I've chosen not to use it anymore and with that being said, I need help!

Tricia

Hey. You can't change the past but you can work on this now. Find a good trainer in your area. Cyrus will be 3 years old in a couple of weeks and we will be training again soon. It is never too late.

When I first got my Fluffernutter I was a member here for 4 months, plus I read books, articles etc. I learned a lot and am still learning, but nothing takes the place of a good class. The feeling of teamwork and bonding with your dog is wonderful. It really is fun too.

[laurlitt]

The dog should respond to the pinch/prong... hopefully you can find someone to help you out...

I'm personally not to fond of the halti b/c it seems to only prevent the dog from pulling when wearing but doesn't actually teach them NOT to pull in all situations.

Good luck with his eye surgery...

[jbach]

You and Razor will be fine with a prong collar, they are excellent training tools. Find someone in your area to show you how to fit it properly(This is very important). Razor will get used to it very quickly and you'll be amazed with the results. It's been described as looking like some type of pre-historic torture device, but it's nothing of the sort. You also won't need the little rubber caps they try to sell you at Petsmart. Good luck with your boy, and I hope the eyes turn out OK.

[spidey]

I'm personally not to fond of the halti b/c it seems to only prevent the dog from pulling when wearing but doesn't actually teach them NOT to pull in all situations.

Just as with any other training device, the device itself doesn't do the training, the person on the other end of the leash does! The fact that many people don't treat a halti as a true training tool, but rather as a quick fix, should not imply that it's not possible to use it as a training tool, any more than the fact that many people don't treat a prong collar or choke chain as a training tool should imply that these collars are useless as training tools. A properly-fitted halti shouldn't get anywhere near the eyes.

[StephanieandToby]

I can't speak for anyone else, but I can tell you how I got my dog to stop pulling....I got a 6 foot leather leash...(nylon burns the hands if the dog pulls)...Toby was allowed to be "free on leash" for the 6 feet surrounding me...as soon as he got to the "end of his tether"..so to speak..in any direction....I gave him a quick "NO!" and corrected him...when he walked within his perimeters I gave TONS of praise.....when he scooted forward I called out "NO!" again and corrected.VERY soon the dog learns his boundaries....as soon as he nears the end of his leash, he slows down.....he didn't learn to heel until after he learned not to pull me around...This method worked very well for me...took about two 20 min. sessions....just putting forward another idea...

[MontanaRott]

We used the prong on our boy Stevie, with the rubber tips, since he has scars from an embedded collar on his neck. He graduated to the prong, when the slip chain was just not doing the job. The prong taught him quickly and with less of a struggle how to walk nicely. And without a major correction on it, I might add.
He now walks like a gentleman and if he decides to pull, a little pop on the slip chain and he continues without the pulling.
Also, carrying an airkong helped tremendously. He concentrates on that and not rushing ahead to see what might be up there.
Good luck with your dog.

[JJsRiley]

I used the pinch/prong collar on my 2 rotties..worked WONDERS it does take them a little to get use to it...they started to behave on the leash for walks and just out in general great in a few short weeks.
my 6 yr old(Isis) doesn't need it anymore.
you can teach'em,just be patient and LOTS of love and treats to help enforce the positive action.
Good luck

[TriciaK]

Excellent responses and advice--thanks very much to all! I'm looking forward to "relearning" how to walk nicely again.

Tricia

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by TriciaK

Hi All,

I've been using the halti on Razor for nearly 5 years. It's worked fine (although he still does pull), however he's developed an eye problem over the past several months which I believe may have been aggravated by the halti. He may need surgery (I'll find out this week) and even if he does not, I no longer want to use a halti. I haven't used his halti in about 2 weeks and the walks we take are no longer very pleasant. He'll listen for short periods when I say "slow" and then stop, but within a few seconds, he's pulling again. I've read alot on the prong collar, but having never used one, I'm concerned about my inexperience. I'm also wondering if he'll respond to collar being that he's 5 and more accustomed to the halti. ALL advice will be very much appreciated.

Tricia

The prong is another tool and very useful, especially for strong dogs that are strong pullers although small dogs can wear them too. If you are not used to this type of collar, do a search on how to properly fit a prong collar. You will find it is like having power steering. You don't have to be married to one collar either. Our dog has several and wears them all comfortably.

Also, it sounds like HE CAN walk nicely for short periods. When the forging begins, turn abruptly and walk in the opposite direction. Once the dog has caught up and is back in position, praise. Sure you'll look "weird" changing directions every 5 seconds....but who cares!

Build on small success with consistency.

[keller27]

Is your dog motivated with food or toys? Can you keep him interested in either a KONG or a favorite toy? This is how the military dogs are handled in the heeling department. My dogs are on my left side. You can show them the KONG that has kibble or treats in it. or a toy and hold it up to your shoulder or armpits. Get them excited to see the toy, and tell them to Heel, they will be focusing on the toy, etc, and walk for 5 steps, they shouldn't be pulling if you are motivating enough. After the 5 step, tell them YES, and throw the toy for the reward. You need to be very motivating to keep their attention to you and you need to reward alot at the beginning. You can tuck the toy under you arm, so that you can have your hand free and then you can raise your arm up and release it. It's nice to see that the military dogs aren't wearing the prong collars.

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by keller27

It's nice to see that the military dogs aren't wearing the prong collars.

There is absolutly nothing wrong with using a prong collar. They are great tools when used properly. They should not take the place of training, but there is nothing wrong with using them when training. They are just another tool. We used it to help our 8 year old who had zero leash manners.

[Ilovemypuppy]

As MontanaRott said, prongs are an excellent training tool and only those who have not educated themselves in their proper use would ever say otherwise. Go to www.flyingdogpress.com and read.