[nagdu] Pulling

[The Pawpower Pack]

Hi Lisa,
I think many guide dogs start pulling on lead after a while because they become so used to pulling against resistence.  Like in the harness, but now on the lead.  
I have tried the Be a Tree method and found that for my lab, it did not work so well.  Sure, she wanted to continue forward, but if I won't do that, she'll sniff, or get up to other behaviors I'd prefer she'd not do.  And the whole thing just seemed to be a big time suck with little improvement.  Instead, I use something I call penalty yards.  
I start forward, dog starts to pull, and I stop and without saying anything, do a 180 turn.  Dog is unhappy, so walks slowly in perfect position next to me and I click that instant right when she's in the correct position, and give her a treat.  Then I turn back around and continue.  So not only is she getting a treat, which for a lab is like a bonus, but she gets to go forward again, too.  
I also use this method in guidework when I can tell she's distracted by something— other dog, cat, etc.  
Good luck!  

 Rox and the kitchen Bitches: 
Mill'E, Laveau, Soleil
Pawpower4me at gmail.com
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 5, 2015, at 9:43 AM, Lisa via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> Taylor has developed a very unpleasant habbit of pulling. But only while he's not not in harness but on a short leash. Apart from that, I appreciate his pace very much. But when we're going for walks or just anytime he is supposed to stay next to me, the problem occurs. And it's neither because of major distraction, nor because of having to relieve very urgently.
> He's actually always in front of me. I did some research and tried several things, e.g. the "Be a tree"-method: Everytime the dog starts to pull, you'll stand still. When the dog comes back to you, you praise him a lot. It seems to work for a lot of people. The disadvantage of this method is apparently the lack of info the dog gets. So, why his owner suddenly freezes. So, when I tried this, Taylor would come back, get praised and then just walk calmly in front of me again. Maybe I'm too impatient and should try this again but I also wanted to hear your experiences.
> 
> My school only taught me to give him a leash correction anytime he started to pull but I'm not convinced this is the right thing to do...
> So, as always, I'm curious what you all say.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> Lisa
> 
> 
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