My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a great indoor dog, but when it comes to anything that is outdoors she goes mad. She pulls constantly, and if she sees another dog, squirrel, or rabbit, she goes insane. She barks really loud, jumps, and pulls hard. She is not an agressive dog. Weird thing is that she will not do anything if we have another dog inside the house, she is very friendly as long as it's indoors, it's just outside where it turns bad. Our neighborhood has a walking trail, so reasonably there are a lot of people that walk with their dogs around the area. I wish I could walk mine, but it's hopeless. Has anyone had this situation and done something that works? I'm a big fan of the show "It's Me or The Dog" but I have tried a lot of their techniques without any results. She seems desperately to want to go for walks, she gears me into the kitchen right in front of her doggy chain and she stares out the window all day. Any suggestions?
Again -- gentle leader. Also, get a regular leash -- not one of those that coils up the leash kind of like a tape measure does. Make sense? A regular, piece of nylon or leather leash that you hold and control. The other kind only encourages the type of behavior you're complaining about. You might consider a few home sessions with a dog trainer to help you through this. Ask your vet for recommendations.
Hi C.,
Your post could not describe one of my Cavaliers any better! I have two females, and one walks well except for when approached by other dogs, but the other one is wild and crazy! Its like taking her on 3 walks in 1 because she runs around so wildly. I actually just this morning looked up dog training recommendations on this site and contacted one to see if this behavior can be corrected. I am hoping to schedule a few sessions in our home within the next week or two because her behavior makes taking her for a walk a nightmare and we can't leave her home by herself while the rest of us go. I will let you know what we learn! Good luck!
I KNOW!!! I have a beagle that is the same way. I have finally given up on her and refuse to walk her. Luckily we have a decent sized back yard where she can roam. We even did puppy training with her. I have no answer for you but am excited to see your answers. I watch cesar milan and have tried following his methods but so far they dont work for us.
Try a Gentle Leader. That's what I still have to use to walk my 6 year old Golden and German Shepherd. They are huge and still pull! The Gentle Leader can be bought at Petsmart and it's like a harness for their head...It makes them push backwards instead of pulling forward. So, it keeps them from pulling.
Some people say a pinch collar works really well, but I haven't tried it. I don't agree with choke chains!
I second the Gentle Leader.
I just spent $500 learning to train my dutch shepherd who is 90lbs and used to take me for a walk. When i'm walking him I make sure he stays at my side if he starts to get ahead I pull back on the leash to were he is supposed to be and tell him "BACK". It took a little bit for him to get it but he did. I did alot of practicing in my front yard before I took him on a real walk.
Well, we tried the Gentle Leader on our hound mix and it didn't work so well. She couldn't get used to the feel of it on her head- always tried to pull it off. We tried again and bought a non-pulling harness (cinches up under her front legs)- it works much better, so I would suggest a harness. I believe there are more than one type out there. If you just go to Petsmart or Petco, I'm sure you'll see plenty of options for "no-pulling".
