Type of collar to us

[maxview]

My Zolton does some pulling and it is a chore keeping his attention to stay on my left side when out walking.
I try the treats but he is not really food motivated outside when he has the chance to look around so much, which he LOVES to do.
In the house he takes to treats and I find our lessons much easier.
At puppy class it is a joke as he hardly notices I am there half the time. He is so interested in the other puppies.

When we are outside and he starts to pull I just stop and he realizes that he better walk closer to me to avoid the leash getting tight.

He was weighed yesterday....50 lbs. and will be 13 weeks on Sunday. I was wondering if I should be using something other than a nylon buckle collar for a little more control or is he too young for that?

Any advice appreciated.
BARB

[SirMuttleyCooper]

What kind of treats do you use? I know if I use just a dog biscuit my two look at me like I'm nuts! Try cheese (string cheese works best), hot dogs or dried liver. Also, has your instructor told you not to feed a meal before coming to class? A hungry pup is easier to train. In your puppy class, do you have a play session in the beginning? Pups that young can't focus for an hour straight and in our classes we play for a few, work for maybe 15 minutes, and repeat so it makes the class exciting for them as well.

If you are treating the puppy class as a joke, so is he. Make yourself so incredibly interesting - get all excited, talk in a goofy high pitched voice, etc. I would wait a bit on getting a training collar for now - try a martingale collar first. And if he is getting that when you stop the walk stops and he comes back to you keep doing it! You don't have to use treats - you can use life rewards (such as he stops pulling, the walk continues). Good luck with your pup!

[maxview]

Believe me I do EVERYTHING in my power to get his attention. My teacher said he is just a real laid back puppy and not to worry.

I will try the string cheese stuff that sounds like a good idea. Right now I am trying little chunks of hard cheese cut up but that dosen't seem to do the trick.

Our puppy class teacher says not to feed any supper so the puppies are supposed to be good and hungry.
Although my guy is just so interested in all the other things around him. I have a feeling that an hour of class is just a bit too much for my guy. I like your idea of maybe breaking up the lessons with some play time inbetween..will try that.

I will keep working on it....I am determined!! LOL

BARB

[Meatos]

I had the EXACT same problem with Scarlett...if my puppy class allowed prong collars, life would have been so much easier.

For teaching loose leash walking, using a martingale (nylon collar with the chain loop for the noise) and tethering the leash to your waist is best. Do lots of reverse direction, etc.

[Greenmagick]

You have to slowly work up the level of distraction. A tip I heard recently that I really liked was when starting to go on walks outside, just go back and forth in front of your house. Do lots of turn and stops etc to make it so the pup has no clue which way you are going and had to start paying attention to you to keep up....also, they dont know which way they are going so dont pull to get there.

Oh, and personally for a young puppy, I dont do heel....I just make sure they have a loose lead.

Also, peanut butter on a spoon or in a squeeze tube works really well if you hold it at your hip. most dogs go pretty crazy for it and it will keep them in position longer, helping reinforce it.

Any collar is management....they are no substitute for training:)

[maxview]

I had the EXACT same problem with Scarlett...if my puppy class allowed prong collars, life would have been so much easier.

For teaching loose leash walking, using a martingale (nylon collar with the chain loop for the noise) and tethering the leash to your waist is best. Do lots of reverse direction, etc.

Glad to hear my guy is not the only one with a low attention span LOL....since his ears are up and posted how exactly do I measure for the martingale collar?
I know what type of collar you are talking about but since it has no buckle or snap to fit around the neck I would have to put it over his head and ears correct?
I would like to get one of these collars but wonder how to correctly fit it to the proper size I need?

BARB

[SirMuttleyCooper]

No, you aren't the only one with a low attention span pup, lol.

My pup has cropped ears too and I've used the martingale too. To put it on I have it loosened enough to fit it over his head, then I tighten it once it's on.

[maxview]

No, you aren't the only one with a low attention span pup, lol.

My pup has cropped ears too and I've used the martingale too. To put it on I have it loosened enough to fit it over his head, then I tighten it once it's on.

Just curious do you have a martingale that has the side release buckle? I am wanting to go and purchase one today....rainy miserable day so I don't want to haul my puppy out with me so I am wondering how to take the measurement??
I am thinking a soft tape measure and encircle the dogs neck where the collar would sit...then a few fingers inside the collar to fit right.....would that be the measurement???

Thanks
BARB

[SirMuttleyCooper]

Just curious do you have a martingale that has the side release buckle? I am wanting to go and purchase one today....rainy miserable day so I don't want to haul my puppy out with me so I am wondering how to take the measurement??
I am thinking a soft tape measure and encircle the dogs neck where the collar would sit...then a few fingers inside the collar to fit right.....would that be the measurement???

Thanks
BARB

Sorry I didn't see this when you posted! But no, I just have the slide of the head type. They usually go buy sizes b/c they're adjustable (I use the 12" - 18" for the puppy as well as my full grown dane, but he's on the smaller side). When I fit the martingale I go by what size his regular collar is and go from there. I then adjust accordingly when it's on him and I usually fit it so I can put a finger under it. This way it's not too tight but is still effective.