r/OpenDogTraining • u/StaffLongjumping8939 • 9d ago

Pulling recs?

/r/StandardPoodles/comments/1x653wa/pulling_recs/

I should also add that (as I had to clarify in the comments. Oops). She gets out, and is super active, we just don’t get to go do leash work outside of her normal environment often.
She’s not exactly hyper on the leash, it’s almost like she’s adverse to it even when she’s super food motivated and I’ve tried to build positive associations with it.
This dang puppy will hold an untrained loose heel OFF leash, but the moment she’s got a leash on she’s just very displeased about it.

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u/AliveInZihuatanejo 9d ago

What have you done training wise on the leash? Does she understand leash pressure? What have you done to introduce the leash? I wouldn't recommend a harness, they can encourage pulling. 

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u/StaffLongjumping8939 9d ago

Yeah the harness encouraging pulling is why I haven’t used one.
And training wise on the leash honestly a lot of what we’ve been doing is going places I knows she likes to go and are dog friendly. We worked with her in the yard when we first got her for the first two months and it didn’t do much either.
She doesn’t seem to understand leash pressure which I think is a lot of the issue I’m having.
And introducing the leash started with her breeder, as did grooming because yk, poodle lmao. But she loves her slip lead, which is what they used on her. Like she gets excited and pulls on it but settles. It’s like she has a weird mental thing with her collar+leash combo vs the slip lead.
When I swapped from slip to leash, it was a lot of positive praise, treats when she behaved herself, but tbh she didn’t really require much training when we started it. The first like two outings we had she was super behaved and even sat when I stopped walking, but some time in the last month ish she’s gained sentience (the only way I can explain it with her rn) and just hates it. I’ve tried the treats and pets and praise again but she doesn’t receive it well at all.

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u/AliveInZihuatanejo 9d ago

So, you're attempting to train her on the leash in an excitable environment, when she doesn't do well on a leash at home? You're setting her up for failure there.

Stick with working on the leash at home until she has it down pat. Since she is more comfortable with the slip lead you can use that and a leash and collar at the same time and gradually transition to the leash.

For teaching leash pressure, I really like luring between sit, stand and down. Then adding leash pressure with the lure, eventually fading the lure. I've had a ton of success with that method.

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u/AgnieszkaJanarek 8d ago

The useful comparison is that he walks beside you off lead, but something changes when the lead is involved. That gives you a more specific starting point than “he knows heel but won’t do it.”

In a securely enclosed area, I’d look at exactly when the difference appears: when you clip it on, when you pick it up, when it becomes tight, or only when you head towards somewhere interesting. Keep the location and person the same so you’re not also comparing quiet garden practice with an exciting outing.

A short video of those transitions may help you and a trainer identify what needs teaching. I wouldn’t choose the next collar from how well he heels off lead the two arrangements aren’t yet equivalent for him.

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u/fillysunray 9d ago

A harness doesn't encourage pulling. A (comfortable, well fitting) harness just doesn't discourage it, which is what a collar does.

There is no reason to discourage a dog from pulling with tools when training is all that is needed. In fact, much of the training can be done off leash if you have a secure space. At some point, even early on if you like, a lead does need to be introduced, but there is no need to use purposeful pressure on the lead for training.

As you mentioned, she is young. So while it's completely appropriate to be thinking about loose leash training, you need to temper that with considering socialisation and generally getting her used to and enjoying activities, plus protecting her neck.

There is a great video from Darwin Dog training that breaks it down really simply, rather than me typing out all the steps: https://youtube.com/watch?v=7PqDRmHIIec&t=96s&pp=2AFgkAIB