Aussie pup nipping when running and loose leash walking?

Question

My australian shepherd puppy almost 5 months old now is getting to be a pain on walks...

He doesnt pull really hard or anything (my arm is still in tact) but he does a little and harder at times too, just not constantly..

I have tried when he pulls to stop and make him come back to my side every time he pulls.

I have tried a training collar (choke chain) and giveing small tuggs to the side. it didnt work and i dont like the idea of these either.. i got rid of it.

I have tried when he walks in front of me to turn and walk the other direction. he ends up running and then getting to the end of the leash and so i turn again and soon he is running circles around me.... sounds funny and kinda was the first time but is really annoying now.

and i have tried tugging him each time he goes in front of me back beside me and saying walk nice. ("walk nice" is the command i want to say to get him to well walk nice lol..)

i have also tried to keep his attention on me the entire walk with treats but the moment he gets the treat he starts ahead of me again...

None of these have worked so far. He know the "heel" but will only do it for a moment and then seeing i have no treat starts going in front again or once he gets the treat goes in front..

He is 35 pounds now almost and starting to be a pain to walk... every once in a while i will dar to try to run/jog with him again but that is a huge disaster.

either he tries to nipp and grows at my legs and feet or he runs as fast as he can and im stuck being pulled almost... he is not heavy enough to pull me yet but he will and i want to fix this problem before there is touble.

I have a 4 foot and 6 foot leash and one where he has to stay right by my side (a extenable one i lock to make him have to stay right by my side) He pulls the worst on the shorter ones...

How can I get my dog to walk WITH me on our walks? Anyone got a vidoeo or step by step process what to do when he does this or that...

He sits to get his leash on and i go out the door first... but once we are out he fights for the lead...

Answer 1

I have had a black lab since he was a pup. We have trained him to walk at our heal without a leash. Now, I'm not saying he is perfect. We have to take him on regular walks or else he gets too excited and wants to run off.



My fiance started when he was really little. As he got older, he used a choke chain for a while and the dog got the point. We also have a leash that is basically just a handle. We use intimidation and praise. We do not think that treats/food gives adequate results.



I have found that when he gets distracted I make my noise (for when he is in trouble) and say 'heal' and he is right back where he belongs.



Ultimately I would suggest no treats. Lots of praise. Also, be very consistent. Do not be nice just because he is cute (my down fall) When you are on a walk make him work. When you are in the yard let him play



I would also add, do not let his tail go up in the air. That is the dog looking to dominate, so if you see that reestablish that you are in control.



The Dog Whisperer on NatGeo really gives me help when I get discouraged!

Answer 2

I have this same problem. Here's what is going to happen. No matter how well you socialize YOUR dog, you will run into an off-leash dog that is not well socialized and is going to attack her - while I use that word, I don't mean kill her, I mean, tussle. "fight" if you want to use that word - not draw blood, just lots of growling and so on, and what will happen is that your dog will develop on-leash aggression. This has happened with my dog. He has been "attacked" by (and still counting) SEVEN off-leash dogs in our neighborhood. We also have a leash law, however, people seem to think that because their dog is a little sweetheart they don't have to obey it. And now me, the responsible one, has an on-leash aggressive dog. I have been told, that one of the best things that you can do is actually drop the leash. Dogs that are restrained by/on a leash do not act "dog" like. Dogs do not naturally meet one another head to head - that's an aggressive stance. Dogs go for the rear area for smelling. Letting go of the leash allows the dogs to meet the right way. Of course, you never know what will happen when you let go of the leash, which is why I haven't tried it yet. I have used Cesar Millan's techniques. I put my dog behind me, take a calm assertive stance and put my hand up and make a loud noise at the on-coming mack truck of a dog that is usually headed my way. I yell "NO" at the on-coming dog. This has worked with some success. And usually by that point the owner has emerged yelling - it's okay - beefie here is friendly, he wouldn't hurt a fly. What people don't understand is - sometimes dogs are on a leash because THEY would hurt a fly. I hope it doesn't get to the point that your dog gets on-leash aggression. It's embarrassing, a pain, and very difficult to deal with (especially since I walk all 3 of my dogs at the same time - when the one freaks out, 3 are a LOT harder to control than 1). Good luck

Answer 3

Every dog needs some type of training. The first class I ever took a dog to was https://tr.im/SIjnC



It's a very basic kind of class. They will help you with your dog, and show you how to work with your dog at home.



They'll also answer any questions you have about your dog's particular problems and how to handle them. The most important thing in dog training is to be consistent and work with your dog at home on the lessons. The PetSmart class teaches sit, down, come, and the very basics every dog needs to know. They will also help socialize your dog. You are unhappy with an untrained dog, and believe it or not, the dog is actually unhappy to. You need to take your dog now, as the older he gets, the harder it will be to correct your dog's bad habits. Plus the classes are fun for you and your dog. My dog went from that first PetSmart class on to advanced obedience classes. You might also contact your local humane society. The one in my area offers obedience classes with a very good trainer at a reduced price.