LOVE IS A GREAT DANE!
Lead Training your dog
There are 101 different methods out there for teaching a dog to
walk on a lead without pulling. The following are some different
techniques that you may like to try.
Dogs only pull because it is rewardingit gets them to where
they want to go.
Be a Tree!
This method involves stopping dead and standing still 'like a tree' the very moment your
dog's feet pass your feet or shoulder passes your feet/pant seam line (whichever boundary
line you will be enforcing). You will keep your hands firmly on your stomach or hip holding
the lead so you do not give the dog any more lead when the dog pulls.
The reason you hold your hands to your stomach or hip is that sometimes when we hold the
lead by our sides and the dog pulls, our arm extends giving the dog more lead length so the
dog gets reinforced for pulling. Encourage the dog back to your side and start again.
Reward with easy to swallow treats whenever your dog is in the correct position.
It may take you an hour to get around the block and you may go through a lot of treats,
however patience and high level rewards makes this technique successful.
Do not start saying "Heel" until your dog is staying in the heel position and understands that
position is where it should be. Only pair a cue word with an action when the dog actually
understands the action, otherwise you'll just be confusing your dog and teaching it to ignore
your commands.
Always start new commands/activities in low distraction environments and then build up the
distractions, e.g. backyard > front yard > path out the front of your house > further up the
street > around the corner > around the block.
The biggest obstacle is distractions e.g. cats, other dogs and people. Don't expect a puppy
or an untrained dog not to notice distractions. Cross the road if you have to, create distance
between you and the distraction, do your best to get the dogs attention. You may need to
use a treat or a toy.
If by 8-9 months of age you are not having success, please contact your local
Trainer/Behaviourist for assistance.
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LOVE IS A GREAT DANE!
Lead Training your dog
Method #2
Walk backwards & gain attention. (Positive method)
With this method you will stand in front of the puppy and walk backwards as the puppy walks
towards you.
Reward the puppy for walking towards you and not looking at anything else. When the
puppy is doing well walking towards you, let the puppy catch up to you and turn so that you
are now facing the same way as the puppy and the puppy is in the heel position.
Reward the puppy constantly for being in the heel position. When the puppy pulls out of the
heel position you then revert to walking backwards with the puppy walking towards you and
repeat the process.
Again, patience and consistency will have this method being successful.
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LOVE IS A GREAT DANE!
Lead Training your dog
Method #3
Quick turns to gain attention. (Aversive method).
With this method you will abruptly turn every
time your dog walks out in-front of you. As
you turn, give a swift but not harsh
correction to encourage the dog around. As
soon as the dog is in the heel position you
will reward and continue to do so, then
repeat the process each time the dog steps
out in front of you.
The dog starts to stay by your side and
watch you so they don't get a correction.
To allow the dog an opportunity to comply before getting a correction you would say "heel" a
second before you turn.
Give command > Give dog an opportunity to comply > Give correction if dog does not
comply.
Given the aversive type of this training, it is better suited to older dogs.
How long does it take for a puppy to learn to walk without pulling?
It's very dependent on:
A) The Puppy's personality and mental capabilities at that time.
B) The Handlers ability to correctly and adequately reward the puppy at the right time.
Typically by 6 months of age with daily 'fun' training sessions your puppy should be walking
to heel in low-medium distraction environments.
Once your puppy is performing well in one environment you need to go to different
environments as dogs do not generalise well and you'll need to teach your puppy to heel in
all different environments.
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LOVE IS A GREAT DANE!
Head Halters & other Training Aids
When to use / Seek guidance.
When people struggle to train a dog
using methods as mentioned in the
previous pages they may turn to training
aids such as Head Halters and the like.
All training aids have their place
HOWEVER require you to be trained on
how to use it and how to fit it correctly.
Head Halters can be extremely
dangerous to Great Danes if not used
correctly. A dog that is allowed to lunge
and pull on a halter can end up with
muscular and skeletal damage.
If you are having challenges with walking your dog please contact your local
Trainer/Behaviourist. Your problems could be solved in as little as 1 session for some dogs.
If you would like to try a head halter, the Canny Collar is recommended. The lead clips
behind the head rather than underneath the chin, which means less potential damage. In
addition, the nose strap cannot ride up into the dogs eyes. www.canncyco.com.au
Black Dog is an Australian company that have 2 different designs of head halters and can
custom alter a halter for you as well. (Some Danes need the bridge under the chin extended
so the halter does not ride up into the eyes). www.blackdog.net.au
If your dog acts aggressively on lead, it is your responsibility to contact a Behaviourist asap
to help you work through this problem. A Great Dane behaving in this manner that isn't
being controlled effectively is a dangerous dog.
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