Ugggg...heeling!

sterlingsmom · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:58 pm Post subject: Ugggg...heeling!

I know there are so many of us with this problem, but I was hoping someone has tried something that actually works!

Sterling is still pulling. She has learned to totally ignore her prong collar. She doesn't pull as bad with it, but it's definitely not turning out to be a tool anymore, since I can hardly EVER get her to walk on a loose leash. I didn't realize how bad it was until we got Colt last week. He pulled like a freight train when I met Amy to pick him up, and Sunday when we worked him in the prong collar, that pup pulled gently one time on it and now heels PERFECTLY every single time. He's a JOY to walk.
Now to what we have tried. I have been walking her on lead since she was nine weeks old. I have stopped, stood still when she pulls, changed directions so many times I felt like I just got off an amusement ride and was going to throw up! I've been VERY consistent with everything that I try. I do NOT give up easily, but it's like she just doesn't care. She's a horse with a LOT of power. She could care less if we take up our whole walk time going around in circles. She's gotten so used to turning around with me, she expects it but goes right back to pulling as soon as I switch direction. She HAS managed to learn when I completely stop to sit down...don't ask me why she "gets" that one. She knows when we go for her free runs on the beach as soon as I stop to sit and be still until I say "Okay." She's so freaking smart, but why, why, why is she NOT getting this???
Oh, I taught her to ring the bell on the door to go potty in about, oh....two minutes! What the....??

Koman · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:55 pm Post subject: why the prong?

why do you use a prong collar? Is this what your trainer has told you to use? My trainer has us using a correction collar, and Newman does great with it, I was just wondering different people use different methods. My trainer doesnt use treats, for example.

Koman

sterlingsmom · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject:

what do you mean by a correction collar? The pinch/prong collar is a correction collar. I know every trainer uses something different...I'm a big believer in the pinch collar, but Sterling is 80 pounds of puppy, and if I didn't use treats with her, she'd NEVER do anything I asked her to do Laughing

I don't overuse them at all, but when I'm first teaching her, yes. I use them.
I've heard people refer to an E-collar as a correction collar, which I personally won't use on a weim

weimdawgs · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject:

This is probably a silly question since you said you tried everything,but have you tried just a harness with her?

sterlingsmom · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject:

yeah. I tried the harness. I flew down the beach like a little flag on the end of her leash Rolling Eyes

The prong collar helps me gain some control, but I am constantly having to correct her, which I HATE to do, and she's making it impossible for me to achieve a good snatch/release, which is simply getting her used to the pressure of the collar, which I don't want. Colt just happily follows at my heels. I think I could even put the lead in my pocket at this point, and he'd just follow along. He's very dependent so far. If I leave the room and he's sound asleep, he will FIND me...Sterling will go off into another room (usually where the bed is.) She's pretty independent (uh, stubborn), which is funny to me, given that she's a weim Wink

anne · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject:

Are you saying she pulls thru the prong collar, and you have been popping the collar? (yikes!)
Also when you do the turning thing are you going in a desireable to less desireable location?

I am a bit pressed for time right now but let me know a bit more and I"ll post back next week.
Also have some good articles to share.

Bethany0016 · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:49 pm Post subject:

http://www.premier.com/pages.cfm?id=77

This is what our trainer suggested for Jake. He is half my weight and can easily pull my arm out of the socket...but with this "contraption" he just looks like a dolphin on a string and I don't move an inch. Actually he doesn't look much like that these days because he figured out he can't pull anyone around now. The leash connects at the front of the chest, not the back, which takes the power away from him.

Koman · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 11:02 pm Post subject:

Well I guess I shouldnt put down the prong collar because I dont know anything about it , we use the correction collar (its what I used to call a "choke" collar but it doesnt choke them when you use it right , believe me I have to put it on my arm a million times just to put it on newman) it seems to work really good. The thing about the treats, some people do and some people dont , my trainer says obedience is just having a set of rules just as any other member of the family. She said she didnt get a cookie everytime she made her bed or cleaned her room when she was at home so why should the dogs be any different, if there a part of the family then they have to follow the rules. Anyway what ever method choose I hope it works well for you.

Koman

GailB · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:23 am Post subject:

Bethany0016 · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:42 pm Post subject:

If it doesn't work, may i be struck by lightning. Worried

I had never heard or seen a contraption like this but without it i would never be able to walk with my own dog! Nothing is going to give that magic touch where all the sudden your pup walks like a show dog, you know...that plastic, stick up the rump, eyes bulging out yet gliding walk? But this DID give me the control I didn't have before!

GailB · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject:

I'm going to see if I can one sent to Canada. Laughing

Bethany0016 · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject:

GailB · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:29 am Post subject:

$35.00 to canada plus shipping.I think I'll measure Hunter up for size and order one up Laughing

Bethany0016 · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject:

WOW!! I think I spend $40 on Jake's at PetSmart! Well, $80 if you count the one he ate because someone "forgot" to take it off him before he left the house....