Collars?

[sarahfryberg]

Hi. Its me again! Sarah. I have just a regular nylon collar for my 12 week old black lab/golden retriever? Im feeling like during training walking sessions she should have something else? She drags me around the yard as it is now! And i dont want her choking herself and i dont want her being MY boss? Any thoughts on that issue? Thank u again!

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hello,

Welcome back!

You have the right tool, all your puppy needs at this point is training and better impulse control. She's a very young puppy so this is something that will come with guidance, training and maturity.

 

No worries, she's not planning on being your boss and taking over. Dogs who pull don't do so because they are secretly plotting to be in control (you can read more about this here:https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/archive/dominance/), but just simply because pulling is reinforcing (it gets them closer to what they would like to explore-sort of like excited children in a toy store rushing up to toys here and there).

 

Dogs who pull just haven't been taught that they should walk closely besides you. On top of that, dogs have a reflex known as the opposition reflex which makes them pull forward stronger when they are pulled back. Hence, the importance of training loose-leash walking.

 

If she pulls to the point of choking, you can switch to a no-pull harness (Easy Walk harness, Sensible harness, Walk Your Dog with Love harness etc) for puppies. A no-pull harness should have a front clip in the middle of the chest that allows you to attach the leash to it. If you visit a pet store, ask the clerks to help you out and find the right fit. The harness along with training, should help tackle this issue. Start training good walking manners also by asking your puppy to sit when you attach the leash and sit politely at the door before opening.

 

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/obedience-101/heeling-attention-heeling/

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/college/open-sesame/

 

Please note: although open sesame is in the college section of brain games it's there because it can be particularly difficult to train with dogs who have a history of dashing out the door, and if on leash, pulling owners outside. Puppies offer more of a blank slate and therefore the ideal groundwork for starting off well. I have successfully taught this to young puppies, although it can take a bit of time to get them to hold a perfect stay with the door open, but it's a good starting point on teaching better impulse control.

 

Hope this helps!

Best,

Adrienne

Edited February 27, 2019 by Adrienne Farricelli