My Little Mr Jekyll and Hyde

[Aztec]

I will tell you what my trainer did with me. As I also had these issues with my sheltie. He would just stop, buck, and would absolutely not do it.

What she had me try is to leave the pressure on the lead, so it is taunt. Most of the time we would think not to do this, because the stress that is going through the lead. BUT Aztec, being smart, would stop because then the pressure would leave when I would go to him and try to coax him to behave.

So hold the leash taunt, and let them sit or be wild for a second or two. Then ask him to "come". If he does listen and comes to you, treat him and praise. At the time I was having to do this probably 5-7 times each time I tried to do something with him, but eventually it clicked and he is lovely on lead now. When the trainer first brought it up, I thought it was a little odd, but it actually worked in Aztec's case.

 

[Silaria]

I was thinking about this a little and maybe some baby steps are in order. I'd use a martingale for this but that's just my preference in collars.

Use a martingale collar (not a lead) that fits him properly. Sit on the floor with him, pull on the collar to tighten it SLIGHTLY around his neck, release it immediately and reward with a click/treat or a verbal yes/treat and make a huge fuss over how good he was. Repeat this about 6 times and stop.

Later in the day or the next day, repeat the process but try to go to 8 times.

Slowly build up to where you can hold it for a few seconds without a tantrum and keep building on prior successes. Eventually add a lead and let it drag on the floor and start again from quick pull/release and work up to him walking.

*shrug* Just a thought because sometimes baby steps help.

 

[BarbV]

I agree that a well fitted martingale is the way to go.

I don't have the issues that you describe, but I do have pups that tug on their leash when I'm walking them.

The martingale fits loose on on their necks except when they pull or yank. I find I am better able to haul back the pups then when I had regular collars on them.

I invested in custom collars for them. I love them. With standard collar, I found it difficult to grab because in order to have it fit tight enough to not slip, I had to riffle through the fur to get a handle on the collar. Usually the pup would slip away before I got a hold.

Here is a thumbnail of the collars I got from Leashes by Design. Well worth the invest in my book>

 

[Elenbah]

Thanks everyone for you reply's....

Although I have already tried some of these things, it has given me some food for thought....
Will go back to the beginning and start from scratch.. Got me wondering too, weather I have given him too much freedom. eg. He has no restrictions at home, my yard is secure and I am home most of the time and have the doggy door, so he is quite used to comming and going whenever it suits, though they all tend to stay inside a fair amount of time..racing out when something outside catches their attention...Because showing him has been my main concern I may be guilty of neglecting normal puppy training and manners???

Tend to think also that so far in his young life most things have been on his terms. I admit I am "a softie" and most of my shelties respond to this, but Tristen seems to have a mind of his own and I need to set some boundries with him.

I will let you know how we get on, once again, thanks!

 

[sable]

Yes, many shelties do like to slip the flat buckles.
A harness may be an option until he learns to walk properly then. It won't tighten on him like a choke chain, and he can't slip it like a flat buckle.

My shelties hated leashes on the collars, and would slip off of them. I bought the harnesses that look like a figure eight from Petsmart. We go walking and they love the harness.

 

[Elenbah]

Seems that the harness is the go for sheltie "walkies". Pity that it is not an option for the show ring!

Had a bit of success this morning with a "wide" martingale collar. (collar about an inch wide). He walked easier and not as upset if the collar tightened. Did not have a long lesson, but we finished on a positive note...

 

[BarbV]

Seems that the harness is the go for sheltie "walkies". Pity that it is not an option for the show ring!

Had a bit of success this morning with a "wide" martingale collar. (collar about an inch wide). He walked easier and not as upset if the collar tightened. Did not have a long lesson, but we finished on a positive note...

Despite my extravagance with the custom, you can get thinner at various standard pet shops. The ones I bought for Indy and Bacca while waiting for my new ones were about 1/2" wide. I still found them abit heavy as the nylon was fairly thick. But it did the trick nicely - better than a standard buckle collar.