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I was wondering if a halti collar would work good for a beagle? I have seen many people using them on their dogs but they all have one thing in common-they're large dogs. He's only about 30 pounds, but he pulls as if he's a sled dog, and I've read up and tried using chokes and harness but he responds to nothing. And just for the record I'm not to keen on retractable leads [bad memories]. So I finally got him a twenty foot lead for when we're in the field, but when we're out on the town I would like to keep him from pulling-any suggestions?
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Roscoe the Racehound™
on Dec 22nd 2007
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in Behavior & Training
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Training him to walk on lead is the only true solution. There are Haltis and Gentle Leaders for dogs 30 pounds and under, and they do work just as well for smaller dogs as large dogs. They can be a wonderful tool, but they are only a tool. If you don't do any actual training, at the very least you will have a dog who can't walk on lead without one. It's also likely that over time your dog will learn to pull despite the Halti, which would put a terrible strain on his neck.
Belle
answered on 12/22/07.
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This is such a common problem. Does Roscoe respond well to treats? If so, try keeping a pocketful of really yummy, small, soft treats (there's a brand called Zukes that make great treats for training.) The reason they should be small and soft is that the softness is really more valuable as a treat for dogs, they like it more and the smallness means they can quickly eat it which is key for training.
When you walk him, use the "heel" command when he starts to go away from your leg. AFTER he doesn't respond, gently pull him back on a tight leash to the side of your leg. He'll get the idea that what you want is for him to walk closely to you. Each time you pull him back, give him a quick treat. Pretty soon, he'll be hanging around your leg more than he's pulling. Be consistent and you'll see measureable results in a week or so.
Haltis are great, but what you want is Roscoe to heel no matter what he's tethered to!
Good luck, this is frustrating but it can be fixed!
Jack
answered on 12/22/07.
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ugh! beagles! so great and so amazingly strong! Our beagle is THE WORST on a lead...even at age 11 (the good news is he tires quickly now!) When he was a pup my husband (who was also a "pup") would laugh and say "look!look! hes hunting...how CUTE!" ....and it all went downhill from there....
we did the retractables (awful) and the prong (awful) and finally the Gentle leader....success finally! the gentle leader let me comfortably walk my dog for the first time ever...the downside is that it seemed to break his spirit. he didnt want to sniff everything. he didnt want to pee on everything. he just...walked. I dont think it was CRUEL.but i felt bad. i used it when my human child was in a stroller for walks, and eventually he DID stop pulling, and he could walk on a lead like a TRAINED dog! but soon he started to pull w/o it
some other ideas...there is a bungee leash out there that is supposed to be great for pullers. also, gentle leader (or halti) makes a harness -i hear it w
Kerouac
answered on 12/22/07.
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I highly recommend any head collar. It does not hurt the dog at all and teaches the dog a new behavior. I bought my 15-pound dog a head collar (Gentle Leader) and she literally stopped pulling on her lead within 10 minutes. Dogs can still eat, drink, bark, etc. when wearing a head collar, so it doesn't interfere with anything.
Bubbles
answered on 12/23/07.
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When a dog is pulling, it is his way of saying "I am in charge! We are going my way!" If you try to pull him into place, it becomes a battle of will and might. Head harnesses just give you more power in this battle. I am a fan of the turning and treating method of training. When Roscoe is by your side, treat. When he is pulling ahead, pivot around and walk the other way. Give a command to the action of going your way. "Let's go" works. Then when he moves in your direction, give a short, high-pitched "Yes" and if he is near enough, treat. You probably won't get out of your yard for a while but that is ok. You can do this exercise on the long-lead as well. Do it inside also. Use it when you want him to follow you from one room to another. Use it when you are walking to his bowl to feed him. He'll pick up on it very quickly. Just don't let this become a battle of strength. Everyone loses then. Good luck!
Member 550493
answered on 12/26/07.
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my dogs had the same problem mostly my husky and what works on ALL dogs (i am a dog trainer and all the cases of pulling the leash this has worked) is a choke chain its just where you put it have you ever seen a dog show? they put the collar ont the top of the neck where the head starts this controlls the nose and the nose controlls 80% of the brain so if you have control of the nose you have control of the dog and you also have to make him fallow you this shows him that you are the pack leader see when a dog is ion front even if hes not pulling he thinks of himself as pack leader and you have to have a calm asertive energy because if you feel fusterated it goes right thru the leash to the dog you should also let the dog sniff when you want him to not when he wants you to this will also show him that hes following you your not following him if you give this a try let me know how he does!
Member 551132
answered on 12/29/07.
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