Having a problem with Jax - our older GSD

[ducks4you]

Quote:
A long time ago we had a basset-mix--only about 25-30 pounds who was very hard to walk because she pulled. Against my better judgement that told me that the prong collar was cruel, I got one, anyway. VERY glad that I did, because you couldn't walk her without it. DD's DID take her out with a regular leash when they wanted to go "Skiing" on their rollar blades! CAUTION: ONLY use these collars on a walk, NOT to tie you dog up. Tieing is better on a regular collar OR on a harness. JUSt and FYI!

 

[ChickenToes]

I don't know if someone has suggested this already, so I apologize if I'm repeating it. This is what worked for me.

Bloodhounds are constantly sniffing, and they want to track every scent they come across. My hound is about 70 pounds, and she would pull me all over creation. What I did was buy a 20 foot lead. We would start walking, and she would walk out ahead as usual. As soon as she hit the end of the leash, I would turn around and walk in the other direction. I wouldn't say a word, or give any inclination that I was about to switch direction. She would catch up to me, start walking out ahead, and I would turn around again as soon as she hit the end of the leash. Don't just go back and forth, as the dog will catch on. Walk in completely random directions as soon as they start to pull.

It works because the dog generally does want to be with you and walk next to you, so they will follow when you turn around. After a few times of having their necks yanked by the leash, they begin looking around for you and will start following before they hit the end of the leash.

My dog now walks perfectly on a leash, whether it's 20 feet or 3 feet.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
A long time ago we had a basset-mix--only about 25-30 pounds who was very hard to walk because she pulled. Against my better judgement that told me that the prong collar was cruel, I got one, anyway. VERY glad that I did, because you couldn't walk her without it. DD's DID take her out with a regular leash when they wanted to go "Skiing" on their rollar blades! CAUTION: ONLY use these collars on a walk, NOT to tie you dog up. Tieing is better on a regular collar OR on a harness. JUSt and FYI!

Yes, we don't tie the dogs at all. I'm looking at getting Jax a prong collar called a Herm Sprenger prong collar.

 

[lorieMN]

I havent read all the posts but here goes,,the problem isnt that the dog wont listen to the collar or leash,the problem is the dog isnt paying attention to you,,he behaves in the house and yard because you have all his attention,when outside with distractions he isnt focused on you,so what you need to do is take him out on the leash and I prefer a choke chain,one that fits properly,,a GSD you should be using something around the 24 inch,just start walking,dont say a word to him,when he goes one way you go the other and pop him as you turn direction,keep doing this making many changes in direction NEVER say a word to him before the change,but praise him after he makes the change,this may take several sessions,you may have to pop him a little harder than you like,I see many owners are way to soft with the dogs worried they may hurt them,I am not saying rip them off their feet,but give enough force so they know,"hey,mom means business today"..HE needs to learn to pay attention to YOU,and to follow you and not rely on the leash for guidance.I dont have a problem with prong collars,I believe they have a place and when fitted correctly and used correctly they are helpful,but dont use them just because you dont have his attention on a regular collar,

 

[Bantimna]

We have the same problem with our boxer.
Jax might smell and hear all kinds of interesting things that he "must" go and check out.
All I can say is, many have posted on this thread with great ideas, and links so try them and don't give up.
Yeah, my hands are really sore after Yael's pulling strength

 

[Slinkytoys]

If you are going to use a prong collar be sure you know how to fit it. The collar MUST be snug NOT loose. So many people think it's cruel to use a prong collar, it's only cruel if you don't know how to use it properly. When you give a correction with a loose collar it really digs in. A snug collar gives a more focused, controlled correction.
Frankly if the dog won't walk properly without wearing a prong collar, it is NOT trained. A properly trained dog will obey commands off leash as well as on leash. You are on the right path Gritsar!!
GSDs are very different from your Charley Girl. My Irish Wolfhounds take a different touch when I train them. My Chessies on the other hand, well....they can be stubborn at times. I just figure out what each individual dog needs to understand what I am asking of them. Kinda like kids. I use my child and dog psychology interchangeably.
Slinky

 

[redhen]

I use a prong collar..OR a head lead halter... (it goes around their nose..kind of... )
the head halter/leads really work for getting control of the dog...

 

[Amyable]

We had these issues with our GSD too, until we learned proper placement of his choke collar. Down on his neck was the wrong place, he pulled all over. But when we snugged it up high on his neck, right behind his ears, boy was that a world of difference. And don't have much slack in the leash, he should walk right by your knee. Our boy walks great on leash now. Picked up that tip from Cesar.

 

[Cara]

Quote:
I see many dogs with collapsed tracheas caused by choke collars.

If a prong collar shouldn't be used as a quick fix, why use a choke chain instead of a normal collar?

Plain and simple the dog just needs more training in a way that he understands. It's like changing to increasingly more severe bits in a horse, the bit (or in this case the collar) is not the problem. The issue is teaching the animal to give to the pressure not pull against it.

 

[lorieMN]

Quote:
I see many dogs with collapsed tracheas caused by choke collars.

If a prong collar shouldn't be used as a quick fix, why use a choke chain instead of a normal collar?

Plain and simple the dog just needs more training in a way that he understands. It's like changing to increasingly more severe bits in a horse, the bit (or in this case the collar) is not the problem. The issue is teaching the animal to give to the pressure not pull against it.

and once again you only see what you want to see in my post...I didnt say to choke the life out of him did I,,I said to pop him with enough force to get his attention,properly used chokes are very effective,,if your worried about useing to much force use a buckle,works the same if you know WTH your doing.I also said he needs to learn to focus on the handler,not the collar or leash,Prongs work,and by all means go ahead and use one if one wants to,but I said to make sure they are fitted properly and used correctly JUST LIKE ANY OTHER COLLAR,where in this post did I ever tell gritstar to use a "quick fix"? I dont think a prong is called for in this case,,it is a LACK OF FOCUS ON HANDLER AND LACK OF TRAINING that is the problem,,and any idiot that read my post should be able to figure out that is what I said..I have been training dogs,showing in OB,agility,herding,conformation,and giving lesson in all of the above for over 10 years and have NEVER SEEN A COLLPASED TRACHEA! so you must be surrounded by very aggresive or flat out abusive people if you have seen many of them.