The title states it all.
My foster canine Lana is a strong leash puller. I’d like to train her not to pull, however what she needs much more than anything is great deals of exercise. (Update: Lana has been adopted.)
I’m wondering if any type of of you have some guidance on exactly how to balance the two (leash training + offering sufficient exercise).
A bit much more information on us:
Lana is around 10 months old, as well as I’ve been fostering her for two weeks. She is a medium-sized dog, about 40 pounds, as well as her breed mix is anyone’s guess.
We do not have a lawn or an off-leash area I can safely take her for exercise. She can’t go to a canine park yet. So, all her exercise is with walking as well as running on a leash with me, as well as she’s typically pulling.
We go out for a minimum of an hour a day for integrated walking as well as running. typically 30 to 45 minutes in the morning as well as one more 30 to 45 in the evening. around 4 miles total, which truly isn’t enough.
I’ve been walking/running with her utilizing a gentle Leader (that fits around her face). I essentially force her to stay at a heel position. Whenever we’re walking, she pulls. When we’re running, she trots well at my side.
A typical tip: stop moving ahead if your canine pulls
When mentor a canine to stop pulling on the leash, a prominent tip is to stop moving whenever the canine pulls. (Here’s a excellent publish about this technique from Lola the Pitty.)
The goal is to instruct the canine you’re not going anywhere unless the leash is loose. It’s effective, however it needs a great deal of time as well as patience.
While complying with this method, if the canine pulls, you stop as well as wait on a loose leash, which can take awhile. Then you take a few steps forward. If the canine pulls, you stop once again as well as wait on a loose leash … repeat, repeat …
This is great, however what do you do if your young, somewhat psycho dog, really needs to run, run, run?
How do I train my canine not to pull while likewise offering sufficient exercise?
I don’t know, but here’s what I’m believing I’ll try:
I’ll continue utilizing the gentle Leader when we’re not focused on training. This at least minimizes the pulling. A no-pull harness would be one more great option.
Then, when we’re particularly working on leash training, I’ll clip the leash to a collar around her neck like a martingale collar or a prong collar. These training sessions will be short, just 5 to 10 minutes at first.
Most of our leash training may requirement to be in my house at first, as well as then in “boring” areas like a auto parking lot.
I tried searching for any type of blog messages or articles addressing this problem of exercise + leash training, as well as nobody seemed to address the two together. The closest thing I might discover was Patricia McConnell’s fantastic publish on making leash manners fun. She suggests utilizing whatever tool you requirement to at least handle the pulling for the time being.
What do the rest of you think? We might utilize some help!
What are your concepts for training a canine not to pull while likewise offering exercise?
Related blog posts:
Gentle Leader vs. prong collar
Should I instruct my canine to heel?
Tips for mentor your canine to heel
*Lana has been adopted!