Pulling On The Lead

[Ramesses]

How can I stop my Border Collie pulling on his lead when he goes out,any advice would be most grateful ....?

[bhg481]

You need a choke chain and a sharp yank when he pulls. My wife was trained by Barbara Woodhouse many years ago and that was her recommendation. It worked.

[frugalfred]

..and walk in the opposite direction..

[2sp_]

I second getting a choke chain. The name sounds barbaric, but it really isn't!

[woofgang]

do not do not do not use a chain collar. Dogs pull for many reasons and especially with borders who tend to be sensitive it might be overstimulation. How old is the dog and how long have you had him/her?

[paddywak]

I agree don't use a choker,try a Halti instead.

[AlwaysConfused]

Collies are extremely clever and will learn very quickly. My collie took to clicker training very quickly, as he was motivated by rewards.

[Gizmonster]

//// My wife was trained by Barbara Woodhouse many years ago and that was her recommendation. It worked. ////

So did the training stop your wife pulling on the lead lol ??

[bhg481]

Yes Giz, she's never pulled on the lead since she went to Barbara.

[Dizmo]

You don't need to use a choke chain however I understand why people do - they aren't barbaric but given the breed, may not work.

I'd suggest stopping and being patient, let your BC know that you only move when you want to - not the other way around. The Halti face harness as Paddywak suggest is, in my opinion, a safer and quicker way of training. Using clickers (similar to what AlwaysConfused suggest re training) is also a good idea since Border Collies are very smart - as AC has said.

Every single one of our dogs used to pull on lead and I've adopted all suggest above to work successfully.

[lankeela]

Check chains (the correct name they only choke if used incorrectly) are good for strong dogs if the handler knows how to use one. In a novice hands I would much prefer a half check (also called a combi collar) which has a triangle of chain on either a leather or nylon collar. They give you a bit of leverage without tightening on the dog but again you have to know how to fit them and use them. When the slightest pressure is put on the chain should form a triangle, so the collar cannot tighten more than the correct amount. Walking with the dog on the half check collar give a gentle but firm tug towards you telling the dog to heel, and turn and walk the other way. Best done when you are not in a hurry to get anywhere - set aside a time for training. Keep giving a gentle jerk every time the dog moves too far forward and praise when its in the right place, i.e. back beside you. Titbits can help at this stage if you reward the dog for not pulling. It might take a while for the message to sink in but it should do with an intelligent breed like a Border Collie. Also practice making him sit and lie down during the walk.

[lankeela]

This is a combi collar at the correct fitting - making an equal triangle of chain when its on the dog. http://www.petscorner.co.uk/dogs/collars-leads-harnesses/training-aids/great-and-small-combi-collar-black. Although a Halti will stop a dog pulling while its wearing it, it doesn't teach them not to pull it only prevents them pulling. Far better to train the dog so he doesn't need to wear one. And please don't bother with a harness - they only allow a dog to pull even more!

[Peter Pedant]

// Yes Giz, she's never pulled on the lead since she went to Barbara. //

but she still puts her tongue down your throat if you sleep with your mouth open ?

the dog I mean....