Golfer's elbow. Need a better way to walk Darwin.

[OurnewfDarwin]

Just came back from the doctor. I have something called golfer's elbow from Darwin's random jerking/pulling when he sees an squirrel, bird, or other dog. It's the strangest pain, because I can knit with no issue, but things like opening jars, cutting foods with a large kitchen knife, holding the leash, and picking up my kids is excruciating.

The doctor suggested getting a leash that wraps around the waste, so I can use my considerable weight for controlling his puppy bursts until this heals. It could be a couple more months! I've never heard of a leash like this. I'm not comfortable with using a prong color, but think I'll go get a gentle lead today, but an interested in this idea the doctor had.

Any ideas?

 

[Carole Macomber]

So sorry about your arm. I'm a knitter, so I'm happy you are still able to enjoy that pain free.
Here's a link to one version of the waist leash:
http://www.amazon.com/Buddy-System-Hands-Leash-Regular/dp/B0002ZAZLC
You could also thread a belt through the loop handle of a leash you already own and buckle the belt around your waist. That way you could try out the idea and see if it works for you and Darwin. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[charlieinnj]

I have seen the 'waist leashes' used. The only thing that concerned me is when dealing with a strong puller, I'm almost afraid that due to the positioning around my waist that I might end up on the ground real fast. However, maybe something like this leash along with the waist leash might work?

http://www.bungeepupee.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Leash-Black-B...MOV6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314035851&sr=8-1

The reviews are good that is reduced stress on the joints.

 

[OurnewfDarwin]

So sorry about your arm. I'm a knitter, so I'm happy you are still able to enjoy that pain free.
Here's a link to one version of the waist leash:
http://www.amazon.com/Buddy-System-Hands-Leash-Regular/dp/B0002ZAZLC
You could also thread a belt through the loop handle of a leash you already own and buckle the belt around your waist. That way you could try out the idea and see if it works for you and Darwin. Hope you feel better soon.

Knitting uses the muscles on the top/outside of the arm, while the other things use the under/inner muscles. That's our anatomy lesson for today!

I think both the bungee leash and a regular old belt would really help in this situation. This is why I love NN, thanks so much!

 

[Ocean's Edge]

after seeing it recommended in another thread here on NN, I got Buddy a Marine Dog 10in1 8ft leash
http://www.marinedog.com/cart/produ...id=34&osCsid=419f56a48840d21ea1ba5ea647647ec9

Works wonderfully as a waist leash, but is adaptable to so many other functions as well.... nice company to deal with and I was really impressed with the quality of the product

 

[R Taft]

The waist band can lead to a distaster if Darwin does decide to really take off.

Have you tried a harness with the attachment at the chest. Ours here are called "kumalong", but there are many different brands. It makes the front end yield to pressure. The pressure happens when the dog pulls. It is the same as when you tap the dog on the hindquarter, but many people feel uncomfertable doing that.
If you actually get some timing going it really works evn better. It is what I suggest to owners with willfull dogs. And most people love it.

 

[Carlina]

They are called Easy Walk Harness, I use one with Nana when she was going to do Therapy Work in the Nursing Home. They have to be properly fitted bu the dog does not pull. They work really great.

 

[urneighbour]

I don't think it is a very safe option to put a leash around your waist to walk a large dog that has a tendency to pull. In the very least, it could be detrimental to your back and at the worst he could pull you off balance, causing you to fall or stumble into a dangerous situation.

I would strongly advise you to try the no pull harness or the gentle leader as other posters have recommended...they are both made by the same company. I use both of these and I have to say that my Landseer does fantastic on the gentle leader. I can walk him with holding the leash in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other...past squirrels and cats where before he use to be very reactive he is calm and well behaved with the gentle leader. I tried the gentle leader with my other Newf and he continued to pull by tensing his neck and shoulders and pulling so much that the band across his nose irritated his eyes. We switched him to the no pull harness and although he still tries to pull when he is excited the leash helps to discourage it. Just a word of caution, I do not advise giving a child the leash when the dog is wearing the gentle leader unless they understand that you never roughly tug or jerk the dog's head when he is wearing it...just let the collar do the correction.

 

[Thehallk]

I have the easy walk harness and it's pretty good, but gilly still gets in the occasional "jerk" (except it usually knocks her off her feet if she's too fast about it..but it still gets a little pull on my arm from time to time, although she really has minimized her pulling). We use this leash and I love it:
http://www.foundmyanimal.com/shop
It's basically a regular leash, but it has two little rings (and a clasp on each end) that can be twisted to whatever length so you can wrap it around a tree/pole/waist/shoulder or just use it regularly. It's a bit pricey, I suppose, but it's locally (USA) made, partial proceeds go to a rescue and it's extremely sturdy and beautiful!

 

[Erika]

when the 2 pyrs were pups I always put the leash behind me and walked them. I did alot of watch me and if they pulled Id stop or change direstion. Greta was always good Gandolph a typical pyr had a mind of his own,Hes great now but it took a bit to show him I was boss.

 

[OurnewfDarwin]

Darwin wears an easy walk harness anytime he is out of the house. He doesn't seem to be effected by it. It makes him pull less than if he is not wearing it, but he definitely pulls against the leash. I've been stopping, having him come into a heel position (on command), then I take two steps, and he walks ahead, I stop, tell him to heel, he backs up again, two more steps.... He is definitely learning. But this is only really functional when we are on our block. If ww go outside of this small area, he stops listening. It is absolutely a work in progress. He doesn't really seem to give a rat's tush about looking at me, though. So havin him look at me is next to impossible.

 

[NewfieMama]

My dog walker uses a waist leash. She loves it. I worry that she'll get dragged over some day but I've never actually tried it.

 

[blaue_augen]

Our dog trainer says to hold the leash as follows to protect our elbows and shoulders. Slip your thumb through the loop of the leash. Let the leash fall across your palm and then wrap your four fingers around it. Clasp the leash with the other hand just below the first hand. Then hold your hands at your belly button with your elbows in. When the dog pulls, you use your core muscles to keep hold of the leash rather than your elbows and shoulders.

Hopefully that made some sense.

 

[mrsnamsherf]

FWIW, the idea of wrapping a leash around my waist makes me really, really nervous. The sudden jerk of 100+ lbs of dog...right at my waist...can not be good for my back. It just seems so risky, IMO. Perhaps one of the headcollars, properly introduced? I'm not sure which is the best one, but I know that some caution that damage can potentially be caused to a dog's neck in case of a strong pull against it.

Marie

 

[victoria1140]

I use a spare lead wrapped around my waist. All my dogs wear head controllers though so any sudden pulling is limited. I have a reoccuriing elbow injury bit like tennis elbow and yet this way I walk all three of our dogs safely and in a controlled manner.

I do keep my eyes open for any potential problems though so I can nip them in the bud quickly.