walking the dog- not the dog walking me!

**freedee** · 23-08-2007 11:49

We have a Weimaraner who is about 18 months old and while she has outgrown most of her puppy behaviour, the only trouble we still have is walking her. We try to take her for a 5km walk most nights, but no matter how fast we walk, jog or run, she always pulls. I know that as a hunting dog it is probably in her nature to lead and to always be in front, but it doesn't make it a very pleasant outing for any of us.We use a head collar and that helped but we would love it if we didn't have to use it as she doesn't like it and we want her to enjoy her walk too. It isn't that she doesn't like going for a walk, I just think instinct takes over and we are clueless as to what to try next. So any advice would be much appreciated!!!

**Areca** · 23-08-2007 11:52

Go and get yourself a Halti. It takes a lot of time and patience to train a dog to walk on a lead properly with just a collar. If you aren't planning on showing your dog a halti will be just fine!
We used a halti on our staffy for about 18 months and now she walks by our side, with just the lead and her collar but we got to enjoy walks for those 18 months while she was learning. My dog was 3 years old when we got her. She didn't like the halti at first but she did learn that halti = walk and she got over it.

**Chickadee** · 23-08-2007 11:56

We also use a Halti (or Gentle Leader is another brand we've used), for both our german shorthaired pointer and our deerhound cross. They both want to lead, the pointer especially comes from a hunting birdy line.

The head collars help, but as you say, the dogs still tend to pull. All I can suggest is to find an obedience training course near you and enroll for some training. It can make a huge difference.

Another note on your dog not liking the head collar - our GSP has been wearing hers for approximately 5 years. And she still hates it. But she has gotten more tolerant of it and only paws at it now if we stop and she thinks she should be let off lead for a run.

Weimeramers are beautiful dogs, but you can probably expect the puppy-like excitement to last for a good few years yet. Our GSP is nearly 7 I think and still acts like a pup, as does our deerhound (6 years old)

**PunkyDiva** · 23-08-2007 12:02

I always used a full harness with my dogs and for some reason they just don't pull with it on.
It is the same harness we use for travelling in the car and cost about $20 each from memory.

**RoarsomeMum** · 23-08-2007 12:05

The halti did not work for our rotti's.. we needed to buy a Sporn Training Halter Harness. (advertised to stop pulling INSTANTLY) Never looked back!!

Australian Pet suppliers Online sell it, but if you google Sporn Training collar you can get a good idea of how it works and what it looks like.

The gentle leader/Halti might work for you, but found our dogs never took to it..

**Mum2Tyla** · 23-08-2007 12:17

Hi,
weimeraners are great dogs but are known for being puppies for a long time, she is 18 months old so it is going to take time to teach her to walk by your side one way is to have some treats in your hand and if she stays by your side give her one every now and then and give her praise for walking by your side over time you can stop the treats, I would continue with the halti most dogs do learn to tolerate them. Good luck
Kelly

**trinitylee** · 23-08-2007 12:43

I have to say im a HUGE fan of the Gentle Leader/Halti too... We have a huge 18mth old Boxer and she was the same, impossible to walk. But now she is awesome and we have no more problems. We did have to use treats and rewards aswell like Kelly said. So give that a go too.

I just finished reading a book called 'the dog whisperer' by John Richardson and that helped alot too, Great book!!!

GOODLUCK i know how frustrating it can be when your trying to do the right thing by them but they make it impossible