pulling on lead

Hi all, we have picked up our new addition to the family just this morning. He is 2 years old, the owners could no longer keep him due to change in housing. He has a normal collar and lead, but is very pulley. The owner gave us a choke chain that she uses to choke him til he stops pulling   I haven't used it yet but would use as a quick correction only. However I was wondering if there was a better way, such a certain type of harness?
It also came out that due to lack of time he has only been walked once a week lately!
Any advice welcome.

Hi and welcome, do come and say say when you get chance  

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

My advise would be throw the choker away and invest in a harness and work on training him to walk properly on the lead, have a read through this  

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/training_a_puppy_to_walk_on_a_lead

I have an ezydog harness which is very good

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EzyDog-Ezy-Dog-Chest-Plate-Harness-Small-Car-Safety-/270755883919

Oh have a look in here for other harness suggestions  

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f17-staffordshire-bull-terrier-tried-tested

I made good use of a canny collar to solve my pulling issues but left unattended ( daughter and wife walking ) they do come back

http://www.cannyco.com/en

I find a halti very good for pulling  

Oh dear, one walk a week is certainly not enough, no wonder he was pulling on the lead. I'm sure once you get into a good routine and with more walks he will no longer be pulling on the lead.

Ps: I would recommend 2 x 1 hour walks per day, one in the morning then another later on in the afternoon or evening, this has worked wonders for Rocky.

Thanks very much for the replies and info links. Will try and get one today.

After his first night, he was quiet but there was poo and he had a big wee up the toy box's
The owner had said he did this when they moved a year ago and lasted about a month. They promised he wasn't currently doing it. So hope he will soon stop once he is a bit more relaxed here. Just hope they were being honest.

He is so gorgeous  

Dogs will often mess when they are in a new environment. I would think it would stop once he is settled. It can take a couple of weeks  

Ozzy pulls but is getting better but takes a lot if time and patience. I also use a dogmatic head collar and a short lead when my hands and arms have had enough but go back to the ezy dog harness on the next walk .  Its hard work but keep going with it

Hello and welcome! Congrats on your rescue, would love to see a bigger picture - they look like a cutie in your avatar!

To stop my boy pulling I use a Halti and a double ended training lead, you clip on end to the Halti and the other to a collar high up on his neck behind the ears for maximum control. Use the lead with both hands so you can get the desired way of walking, when he walks how you want him to give him a treat! If he pulls make him sit down and wait for a while, start walking again and if he's calm treat him, the better he behaves and the less he pulls you should hold him more on the side of the lead where the collar is instead of the Halti which gradually gets him use to walking by you controlling him by his collar and not the Halti, once he's got the hang of listening to your commands on collar keep his halti on but unhook it from the lead remember to always keep treating him when he walks in the desired way! Eventually you and remove the Halti you can get the Collar, Halti, double ended lead and even some coaching treats which are low in calaries and are great for training all from Pets At Home

With messing in the house he should eventually stop, sometimes dogs will mess just to mark their territory but as long as you praise him for doing his business outside he should adjust to being with you in no time as well as learning doing his stuff out side means he's a good boy always look out for signs of him wanting to go out e.g pacing, restlessness and whining

Good luck!

Got him fitted for a harness in our local pet store and he walked out wearing it. Such a difference! He will still pull at times but on his collar he would just pull like a train constantly. It was easier to hold him and feels much better for his poor neck.

As for giving him treats CodlingKid, although he loves them at home, he sniffed at it and then ignored it when out. Thought about taking a toy but he goes a bit doolally with them and that's not good for walking nicely either! Its a shame. He got praise though as soon as he wasn't pulling.

Great news   

That is very good to hear.

That's brilliant to hear! Glad you've had such quick results hope things continue to get better for you both