Dangerous Leash Tugging

[Aika]

Aika is 9 months old and she has been doing really well with her leash training. I've been so proud of her for learning the cue "stay with me" and for the most part she had even stopped pulling. But, Yesterday I went for a walk with Aika and she had what I call a "fit". She's been doing great on her walks! But yesterday a few minutes into her walk she grabbed the leash in her mouth and started pulling, tugging, bucking like a horse. I tried to step on the leash to ignore the behavior but she almost knocked me off my feet. I tried treats, but she ignored me. I'm glad my husband was on the walk with me. He grabbed the leash and kept walking. Aika fought him on every step. She did this for what felt like forever until she got tired and started walking home like the good dog I know she can be. When we got home she went directly to the back yard for a potty break. I don't know if that's what it was all about. All I know is that when she was about 3-5 months she would throw similar fits (and biting) if she did not get her way. Any idea, suggestions, comments? I can't take her for a walk if she has fits like this... Is dangerous for both of us. By the way, I used to have a harness and she "ate" it, so I got it replaced and in two minutes while it was on her she "chewed" it! Now, I'm looking for a new and improved harness; her collar is not going to do when she tantrums.

 

[Alicia]

She is entering that age of being like a bratty teenager. You are right that safety should always come first. I had to use a prong collar for a while when Rocky was younger because he would sometimes have a mind of his own in public and pull me to whatever and where ever he wanted! The prong collar looks intimidating but if used correctly can be a lifesaver with these strong dogs. Rocky hasn't used one in years and is a dream dog to walk but he certainly had to learn to be that way. lol

 

[wrknnwf]

Try an Easy Walk harness or a Gentle Leader. Read the manuals on the website and be sure to read the instructions on how to use and fit either one. Some dogs fight the Gentle Leader at first (my dogs did not), but the key is to keep the dog moving. Do NOT yank the leash on either one.

 

[Aika]

She is entering that age of being like a bratty teenager. You are right that safety should always come first. I had to use a prong collar for a while when Rocky was younger because he would sometimes have a mind of his own in public and pull me to whatever and where ever he wanted!

Thanks for the suggestion. I posted this same question on her Instagram account and everyone is suggesting a prong collar too (at least for a while ) .

 

[Aika]

Try an Easy Walk harness or a Gentle Leader. Read the manuals on the website and be sure to read the instructions on how to use and fit either one. Some dogs fight the Gentle Leader at first (my dogs did not), but the key is to keep the dog moving. Do NOT yank the leash on either one.

Thanks for the suggestions. People have been suggesting a prong collar but I really want to have a harness available too, I'll look into those.

 

[lmfoltyn]

When we were having problems with Jake pulling, the trainer we had told us to keep the leash in our right hand across our body...when they start pulling, immediately turn your body the opposite direction. This makes them turn without any trouble or force and disorients them. When done a couple of times, Jake immediately stops the bad behavior. Maybe try this...it worked for us.

 

[Jeannie]

Prong collar is a life saver. I also like the gentle leader NOT the haltie.

 

[2newfs4now]

I tried the Easy Walk harness on my Lab and, where it buckles, irritated Koda behind his front legs. I've heard that same complaint from a couple other people.
The prong collar was the only thing that worked with Charlie (newf). Before the prong, he dumped me a few times (and I'm no petite flower)!

 

[Jager's Mom]

If you are using a harness, be sure it's the kind of harness that attaches to the leash at the chest, NOT the back. If it attaches at the back, it just makes her stronger.

I used the prong with my first newf. I found that it only took I small "pinch"/"pop" the first time he tried to pull....from then on out, he knew that when it was on, he was to behave.

Thank goodness with my second newf, we have only used the martingale (which I love).

 

[Aika]

Aika is not pulling badly. She's getting the hang of "with me" and stays at arms length from me with a loose leash (unless something really exciting distracts her) Of course there are good and bad days and it will probably be this way until she matures more. The one thing I want to learn how to stop (and it has to stop right now!) is the tugging the leash with her mouth and than bucking like a wild horse refusing to follow any command, refusing to focus on me and even growling if I try to take the leash from her mouth. This has got to stop because is not safe for her or for me. She has not done this for over 4 months!!!! I don't understand why she is doing it again.

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Aika is not pulling badly. She's getting the hang of "with me" and stays at arms length from me with a loose leash (unless something really exciting distracts her) Of course there are good and bad days and it will probably be this way until she matures more. The one thing I want to learn how to stop (and it has to stop right now!) is the tugging the leash with her mouth and than bucking like a wild horse refusing to follow any command, refusing to focus on me and even growling if I try to take the leash from her mouth. This has got to stop because is not safe for her or for me. She has not done this for over 4 months!!!! I don't understand why she is doing it again.

I'm going to guess she's doing it again because she's a bratty teenager, as someone else said and she's testing you. Traveler has a prong collar too, (2 1/2 intact male)when I have him somewhere that I think he might act up. It's like power steering. I'm also doing the turn and go in another direction and he's getting it. Yes, you definitely want to stop it Now before someone gets hurt. How is she able to get the leash in her mouth? Perhaps it's hanging too loosely at her side? I found if his collar was too loose it would slide lower and the leash would end up under his chin. It should be up higher on his neck, near the ears so the leash remains at the back of his head and he can't get at it. I think I'd seek out an experienced trainer who works with prong collars and get some real one on one time and advice on how to fit it properly. Just a couple of sessions may be all you need to change things around. Best of luck. (Anne, who has the bruises to show for it).

 

[dreamchaser456]

Another possibility is using both a harness (if you're really set on using one) along with a prong collar or slip collar. It gives you a back up for control if needed. My goal in training is to get to voice control only but I will use whatever tool for training I need for safety. I'm currently training an almost 3 yo that I've had 10 months (he came completely untrained) and while he's great on just a flat collar 75% of the time I am still using a slip lead along with that flat collar. I don't need the slip lead for control often but at nearly 150 lbs he's able to move me without it. Whatever tool you do decide to use, learn to use it correctly and safely. Kota no longer needs that prong collar as we have trained enough to move away from it and closer to just voice and flat collar.

 

[R Taft]

Part of it is a bit of the "age" factor, but i refuse to use that as an excuse. I like the fron attaching harnesses and I use them for training all sort of differnt dogs. Currently i am using them on some HUGE Great Danes that I am re-training. I am now trialling these and so far have found them great

http://walkyourdogwithlove.com/wholesale/

But you need to make you the most important thing to your dogs and I use focus training for that......and I reward heavily when my dogs are young and i will always have treats along even for the older dogs as they are forever hopeful and that keeps the focus.

I need this as i walk my newfs in multiples when i to and fro for water training and I have to take them back as a Team of up to four

A good way to teach a dog to stop grabbing the leash is to play tug withe pup and teach it "off", this means that you teach your pup to let go and also to tug on command and you can use this when it grabs hold of the leash. Same as barking, to stop it you teach them to bark on command...To stop tugging, you teach to tug and stop on command, which initially is done in a quiet environment with lots special treats and a hungry dog.

 

[Puppypeoplenj]

Orca did this when he was little and we're starting to see some naughty leash behavior again. What helps for us is,like others have said, ALWAYS having treats. When he's walking where I want him to (I prefer on my right side, right next to me) I treat him randomly, so he's always hopeful, as R Taft said. When I see something nearby that might distract him, I try to get his attention first and keep it. He gets big treats for staying focused on me when a dog or child is walking by. Last, if I can't pre-empt the distraction, we turn in a few small circles. It's hard to get him to turn the first time or two, but it gets him focused right back on me, kind of like "huh? What is this crazy lady doing now?" And then as soon as he's focused on me again, treats big time!!!

I'm not a dog trainer by any means and Orca is my first dog, but this is what works for us, and it's made a BIG difference as he grows. Now he is too big for me to physically control him without his assistance, so I need him to WANT to do what I want him to do. I wish I could get him to learn "focus" (pay attention to me right this instant!) but I just have never gotten the hang of teaching it to him.

 

[Aika]

I wish I could get him to learn "focus" (pay attention to me right this instant!) but I just have never gotten the hang of teaching it to him.

Thanks everyone for the great info.
As Puppypeoplenj says, I agree. Aika has been getting positive training since she was very, very young and she has come a long way. I use high quality treats when we're on walks and most of the time she listens and stays focus but it's hard to get her focus once I loose her attention. It's almost impossible. I wonder how much of her having a great focus has to do with maturity and not just training.

 

[Aika]

But you need to make you the most important thing to your dogs and I use focus training for that......

Do you have any good reading online on focus training. We do lots of training here in the house and she is well focus... also in the training classes, her focus is amazing... but when a darn put it in the blank walks near us during our walks focus is GONE!

 

[Aika]

A good way to teach a dog to stop grabbing the leash is to play tug withe pup and teach it "off", this means that you teach your pup to let go and also to tug on command and you can use this when it grabs hold of the leash. Same as barking, to stop it you teach them to bark on command...To stop tugging, you teach to tug and stop on command, which initially is done in a quiet environment with lots special treats and a hungry dog.

This is a great idea. I'm going to try this with Aika.
BTW, I watch the video on the harness and used to have one almost identical to it. The company that makes them is now called Two Hounds. She still pulled with it and because it's nylon she chew it twice in a few seconds. Her teeth are like a hot knife cutting thru butter.

 

[R Taft]

I also attach the leash to the collar and the front ring at the same time, I cannot figure how she can chew it when it is on, but that said I have seen some incredible things done by some dogs. So collar on, front attaching harness on and the collar ring and frontend harness ring are both attached to the one leash clip. Gives more control and less slipping.works for me everytime and i deal with some real nutters. usually aged between 7months and 2 years
I also work dogs for rescues, so I am used to dealing with the out of control/untrained.

As to focus training, you need to proof this maybe a little slower. you start in a quiet place and slowly upgrade to more distractions.....i only feed my dogs from the hand during this time, no food bowls.

Also for great training videos, try Kikkopup (maybe single K) on youtube. I always tell people about her, she is awesome and has great videos, too many to mention and FREE

 

[shellyk]

Our "walkyourdogwithlove" harness arrived this weekend. Our Newf didn't want to try it on at first but as soon as we got it fit - she went to the door. She knew what it was right away. She didn't pull at all. I have to admit it was evening and she does her worst in the morning when she is raring to go. I have to test it in the morning!

 

[Aika]

If you are using a harness, be sure it's the kind of harness that attaches to the leash at the chest, NOT the back. If it attaches at the back, it just makes her stronger.

I used the prong with my first newf. I found that it only took I small "pinch"/"pop" the first time he tried to pull....from then on out, he knew that when it was on, he was to behave.

Thank goodness with my second newf, we have only used the martingale (which I love).

Yes, each puppy is so different. Aika is a wonderful girl but she has a mind of her own and needs some help with her self-control :clown: I'm so glad to hear not every Newf has to use a prong collar.