Best Lead for puppy ??

Hi I am new here and apologise if this has been covered elsewhere.

We have a beautiful 13 week old puppy. So far things are going well. Pretty much toilet trained, just needing abit more practice on asking to go out! She understands and sits on command. Also goes to her bed on command (most of the time)! Drop and stay are not very good but I wasn't expecting these to come easy! So am really happy with her progress so far!

The problem we have is walking. She is fine on a lead. When you pick her lead up she comes and sits at our feet to allow us to put on her collar. At the moment she has one of the nylon starter collars and leads. As she pulls alot and seems to think she is boss whilst outside we have decided now is the time to buy a "proper" lead. I prefer a harness ... hubby prefers a choker. I think she should be trained to walk on a lead first, then off lead. Hubby prefers to train offlead then use a lead as and when required. As we have both had dogs before we got together, and both been succesful in our training methods we are wondering what the best course of action is! Neither of us have owned a staff before, hence why I am here asking opinions.

Thank you in advance for any advice you might have xxx

She's 13 weeks, please do not use a choker on her, it could damage certain muscles in her neck, she is far too young. I would never use a choker on a dog until it's at least 1 1/2 if ever. Now, to get her to walk properly.

A long line will do this. Now, the "Stop and turn and heel" works beautifully in this case, you may look a tad dappy and get dizzy but it is worth it.

When pup gets to far ahead, stop, and change direction, calling her to heel. Just keep on doing this. Mix this in with stopping when she pulls and calling her back to heel and only moving when she is by your leg will also help out. This gives the impression you will only move when pup is by your legs.
The commands "Heel" and "Watch me" are key and I use them with Junior, and it works beautifully.

It is key to have an obedient staffy, because with the breed comes their "bad rep" and peoples ignorance. A happy calm pup = a lovable, loving, trainable pup.

I'm sure other here will be more than happy to explain this more.
But I beg you, if you want to use a choker, use this: http://www.all-about-english-bulldog-dog-breed.com/images/large/Mrtingale-Dog-Training-Collar-Bulldog-chain_LRG.jpg - they are much kinder but, still, I think she is far too young for something like this...

Totally agree & couldn't have put it better.

The only thing I will add is that a dog should always be trained on lead first, and then off lead in a secure area (starting off in your own garden).

Trying to train a pup without a lead could result in a catastrophe. Also, all dogs in the UK (I take it you're in the UK?) must, by law, be on a lead in public places. I believe the law states 'under control', but the police & dog wardens will always say that a dog is never under proper control unless it's on a lead.

I have been trying the long lead approach and it's not working at all. She just ignores everything i say as she is excited and too interested in everything around her! I have found that if i wrap the lead around my hand a few times so that she is forced to walk by me, she will listen and sit at roads etc. When she pulls i stop and she sits and waits for me to begin again, but within a couple of steps the pulling starts again.
I'm 27 weeks pregnant and have spd so need to be careful that she doesn't have me over as I probably won't get back up!!

Then it seems you have found a solution. The trick is patience, but as I said if you're really struggling, half check will do and long as it is used properly. It has minimum risk...

Agree with everything already stated. Chokers are dangerous and can cause long term health problems. You want your dog to listen out of respect and not out of fear.

We mostly use a harness. You should always train on lead at first. If you allow her off lead when she isn't trained and her recall command doesn't work she could hurt herself. For the pulling just simply turn around in the opposite direction. It takes you awhile to get anywhere but they catch on after some time. Patience and consistnecy from everyone in the house is very important. If you both aren't using the same methods and commands she will become confused.

She is still just a baby and will take some time to learn. You could also use treats to reward good behaviour. Just be patient and consistant and it will pay off in the end.

Thanks guys. Sounds like I'm doing as much as I can at the moment then. I had an akita and her lead training was all but complete in a week. She learnt within a few days not to pull. I'm obviously being a little impatient with our new pup. x

rachelncassie wrote:I have been trying the long lead approach and it's not working at all. She just ignores everything i say as she is excited and too interested in everything around her! I have found that if i wrap the lead around my hand a few times so that she is forced to walk by me, she will listen and sit at roads etc.

A long lead will only work if it's used properly. You need to let it go loose, then when you want her to come back, you call her & real in the lead, so that she has no choice but to come to you - then loads of praise when she gets there.

Wrapping the lead around your hand won't teach her anything & all you'll get is a sore hand! Seriously, the best way is to turn around & walk the other way as soon as she pulls, making sure you give a command (such as 'heel' or 'close') as soon as the lead goes tight. I know it'll make you giddy, and I know it'll take forever to get anywhere, but in the long runs it'll work!.

rachelncassie wrote:Thanks guys. Sounds like I'm doing as much as I can at the moment then. I had an akita and her lead training was all but complete in a week. She learnt within a few days not to pull. I'm obviously being a little impatient with our new pup. x

Akitas don't have the same level of brain power/energy that a staff does. You'll find that staffs are way more inquisitive and responsive than akitas. That's what makes them so unique!

Patience & consistency are the keys.

As a side note, I'm surprised you even got a pup when you're so far gone in pregnancy. It would've been better to wait till after the baby's born. Too late now, I know, but still.

Akitas don't have the same level of brain power/energy that a staff does. You'll find that staffs are way more inquisitive and responsive than akitas.

I'm afraid I have to disagree there. We had our akita for 13 years before she sadly passed away. She was very intelligent and had an even higher energy level than our staff puppy does at the same age.

As a side note, I'm surprised you even got a pup when you're so far gone in pregnancy. It would've been better to wait till after the baby's born. Too late now, I know, but still.

This made me quite cross. I chose this site to ask peoples opinions as it seemed friendlier than some others I was looking at. I asked advice on lead training, not wether I should or should not have a pup whilst pregnant. I am not a new dog owner or an immature child. I am just aware that every dog is different, and what works for one will not work for another and value other peoples experiences and advice.

hmmm i dont think it matters u have a pup while pregnant at all......Pups are hard work, yes, espeacially staffy pups but u seem as though u have your head screwed on and no what your doing!
I actually found the best thing to use was a really short lead, so like u said they have to walk nxt 2 you as well as using treats for walking well and stopping when they pull.
Ps i would love 2 see some pics!!

blaze wrote:hmmm i dont think it matters u have a pup while pregnant at all......Pups are hard work, yes, espeacially staffy pups but u seem as though u have your head screwed on and no what your doing!
I actually found the best thing to use was a really short lead, so like u said they have to walk nxt 2 you as well as using treats for walking well and stopping when they pull.
Ps i would love 2 see some pics!!

Thank you. I shall stick at it. Cassie (my pup) just has a very short attention span... throw her a stick and she's forgotton what she went for before she gets there!
I think dogs are very much like children... and no method works exactly for another child, you have to tweak things to suit their own unique personalities and its helpful to hear others views and experiences as they may have done things you have never imagined!
I shall have a go at uploading some pics

erm.... have no idea how or where to upload pics lol x

If you open a free photobucket account you just have to copy and paste the URL code over in the image option above the post. It's fairly easy. You can also preview your post before you send it to make sure you have everything right.

There is a great harness called "SPORN" - which works with dogs that pull allot while walking.
SPORN NO PULLING HARNESS
http://sporn.com/training/mesh-non-pull-harness/

Most pet stores and vets carry them, I brought mine off ebay.
There are several types, and the better one is the one with the soft leg covers.

Works a treat while training them not to pull while walking...

Hope this helps.