[BOXERBOYS]

What leash do you recommend for Baxter, he is 10 weeks?
He is starting to get stronger and starting to pull pretty hard. I want to him to learn to walk beside me and not be a PITA.
So I was thing about getting a harness but not sure what to get, or maybe a harness is not the answer. But what to get is the question???
 I would love some insight as to what worked good for you guys.

 

[Britneysdad]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

I wouldn't suggest a harness becasue they will allow him to pull even more and it is quite hard to give him any correction. I just used a regular collar.

Have you ever walked with Baxer before? If not, I would suggest putting on the leash and letting him drag it around and get use to it in the house. Then walk in small circles and when he is next to your side give him a treat.  Keep repeating this. If he runs forward just pretend your a tree and stay planted. Eventually, they learn to sit and wait for you..... I started Britney at 10 weeks or maybe a bit earlier it's a good time. Just wait until he is 16 weeks! Now is the time to lay the important foundation as they call it.  If possible, I would practice with him a few times a day only for a short periods.

Let us know how its going.....

 

[southerngirls]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

We got Reese when she was 12 wks old. She didnt have any training so far on leash and hadnt worn a collar before either. We started out with a regular nylon collar with a 4 ft leash. we found out (the hard way) that she was very creative in ways to get out of the collar. Also she would continue to try and lead me on the walk instead of being by my side as she is supposed to. I finally went and got a Gentle Leader...not the harnes but the one that goes over the face. If used correctly then it will help you dog to understand that they should walk by you not pull you. How this works is the GL is fitted over the head (similar to a muzzle though it is NOT a muzzle) when you are out walking if your pup trys to run ahead of you then he will force his head to turn and look at you. It isnt harmful in anyway...it has helped Reese out tremendously and we still switch between her collar and the GL during walks just to reinforce good walking skills. some people dont like the GL, some people will state that a harness is best...other will say keep the nylon collar. It honestly all depends on your pup. All i can say is the GL worked best for us.

 

[Bryan-Melissa]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

We are in the middle of this as well.  Berkely is almost 16 weeks, and getting stronger everyday.  We started with the regular collar and all she does is pull, she pulls till she coughs, then pulls some more.  Then we bought the martingale collar, hoping that would help with the training.  It has not made a difference.  It was rec'd by the trainer at out puppy class, cuz they get a physical and audible correction, by the tightening of the collar, and the sound of the chain tightening.  It has not helped, she just pulls the collar tight, and never lets up.  So, tonight, we bought a gentle leader head collar, again after talking to the trainer, she seemed to think the head collar would be better for her than the harness.  I mentioned the prong collars, and she said they can and do work, but it depends on the dog, however they do not allow them for training, so we could not use it there.  I'll let you know how the gentle leader head collar works for us.

 

[Haileesmom]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

i use the gentel leader head piece on Haliee as well it works great. She pulled and slipped out of her collar all the time and i couldnt handel it. The first few times i put hailee in he GL she was like a bucking rino trying to figure out what was on her face ( it was actually quite comedic) but she doesnt pull at all anymore i cant live without it hope this helps

 

[Britneysdad]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

[quote="Bryan-Melissa\";p=\"76176":m2e81xts]

 

[nano]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

No gentle leaders or prong collars or shock collars allowed with my dogs or my dog training clients dogs.

 

[HannaBanana]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

Ok, IMO a harness and other apperatus are only band-aids to the issue of getting your dog to walk the way you want to.  I know some swear by it, and I was one of those people esp for Hanna.  Could never go anywhere without the harness.   However we are harness free, after lots of practice and training, and now can walk both dogs on flat lead and collar.  I mean lots of practice!!

Couple of things.   When the dog is pulling you are letting them be in control.   You need to be in control.   So first thing you know they want to go forward.  IF they pull stop in your tracks.   Only move forward until there is slack in the lead.   If it take your 10 minutes to walk 4 feet, then so be it, but its the only way they are going to learn.   Another was is if they are pulling you, then quickly change direction and go the other way, now they are behind you.  If they then go ahead of you and pull, switch direction again.  Here you are constantly switching directions to avoid the pull yet only walking forward if there is slack.   I think the first approach is easier.

Second you need to get their attention on you - and trying to get the perfect heel is important if you are ever going to be able to walk on regular lead.   Once their attention is on you, you are able to control the dog, and they are not going to be giving their attention to everyone else.  I do an exercise.   If off lead and lets say playing with a group of dogs.  Every time my dog looks at me or comes to me, I click and treat (I clickers train).   If you do not use clicker, use praise and treat.   If you are going on an outing to Petsmart or something.  Bring a pocket of treats.  Everytime you dog gives you eye contact, click or praise and treat.  Even at home.   Get them to pay attention to you!   I use a command "LOOK"   So everytime I tell one of my dogs to "LOOK" they look at me, and I reward.  

Third - frustration.  Dogs will feed off the vibes you are giving.  If you are frustrated they are going to be even more stubborn and get frustrated too.  Best to be calm and when you are you release that ora too.  

Fourth - Patients -  if you want it bad, then you have to put in the time and practice and you will get it.

**I will try to post some videos of Hanna in heeling postion and some exercise that can be done if anyone finds it helpful -

In the meantime - here is a video of a friend - she has her boxer in a great heal, and this is my goal to get my dogs to behave like this - from this video you can see the constant praise, as well as the dogs focus 100% on the handler.

 http://www.workingboxer.com/files/AnjeHeeling20071024.wmv

 

[HannaBanana]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

Ok just posted and then realized he is 10 weeks.   8)

at such a younge age I would just stick with collar and lead, and dont get him used to a harness at a young age because IMO he may never break out of it.  Its fine if you are content with using the harness all the time, but if your ultimate goal is to walk on loose lead and flat collar, then I would start immediately with training with that equiptment.

Good Luck

 

[sully]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

I agree with Heather, he's so young....just make him get used to a regular one.  It takes time and patience but will save you headaches in the future.

 

[FREDOSMOM]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

We have tried the gentle leader head collar and harness. The head collar worked well but kept giving Fredo a rash. We now use the GL harness and I have to say, since the moment we put it on, it's worked wonderfully. We are both now so much more relaxed on the walk and we can enjoy the time together more.

 

[BOXERBOYS]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

Ok just posted and then realized he is 10 weeks.   8)

at such a younge age I would just stick with collar and lead, and dont get him used to a harness at a young age because IMO he may never break out of it.  Its fine if you are content with using the harness all the time, but if your ultimate goal is to walk on loose lead and flat collar, then I would start immediately with training with that equiptment.

Good Luck

NO I do not WANT to use a harness. I will stick with the reg collar and leash for a while and just do a lot of practice. If all else fails I can always try something different.
Thank you for you advice every one. I'll keep reading on how to train him...........LOL and your right to go some where without him pulling it probably will take 10 minuets to do 4 feet lOL

 

[nano]

Re: What leash harness do you recommend for Baxter he is 10

a good reference book for you would be Mother Knows Best by Carole Benjamin.  I like it alot and it is entertaining.

Nano