Thanks, I did exactly this and after 3 minutes he was at least thinking about what he was doing, and 2 minutes later he was walking like a prince.. 10 minutes later of consistently , gently correcting, he was walking like a king. He is a cocker spaniel.
I'm going to start trying this! We have a 7-month old English Springer Spaniel... he's not really food motivated and doing little leash pops don't phase him. Thank you for this video!
I have a now 9-month old Springer who we got at 5 months old. She had never been on a lead, and boy does she pull hard! If we are in the garden, I can get her to walk to heel perfectly, sometimes even without a lead. But as soon as we leave home she is a different dog. No eye contact, no listening, just nose down sniffing and pulling harder than any Springer I've seen on all the UA-cam videos I've watched. I've tried all sorts of things, from different leads/harnesses to different commands (she is too focused on smells, birds, leaves, anything but me), treats (absolutely not interested), a tennis ball (her favourite thing) but in four months I've achieved very little because I just can't get her to listen to me. I have a head harness on her at the moment because it's the only way I have any sort of control, but she hates it. This video and your approach is something completely new! I'm going to try it on my next walk - fingers crossed I'll get her attention because I'll be right in front of her. Thank you for posting so that I could find it.
Hi Jill, This instinct In these types of working dogs is very strong as you know. 60% of the brain of these types of dogs are just on scent/smell. The younger they are the more patience you need. It can be very repetitive but stick with it. Let me know how you get on. Cheers Stuart.
I've got exactly the same issue with my 6 month old working ESS, absolutely not focused on me whatsoever on a lead outside the house or garden. She doesn't even give you a moment of good behaviour to reward, nose down and pulling like a train the second I'm out the front door. Distracted by tiny stones on the floor, insects you name it. Going to give this a try and hopefully get some improvement!
@@ped05 Unfortunately she still doesn't walk to heel and is quite exited outside but not to the level she used to be. The single biggest thing that reduced the pulling was the head collar. That at least gives you the space to reward good behaviour.
I'll try this. It makes so much sense (stopping the dog, eye contact, etc.). We have an English Springer (6 months), and she pulls a lot. Some days are better than others (she is sweet, but easily distracted), but lately she's going back to pulling more. Yeah, we keep experimenting with leashes/harnesses as if searching for a silver bullet. I notice you don't use treats. I've been using them, and I don't really see the great benefit for training purposes. At least as far as walking goes.
Hi Steve Let me know how you get on. With high energy dogs it takes a few lessons, be patient, she will pick it up. They are a very smart breed. Good luck.
@@stuartbarnesdogbehaviourist Thanks, Stuart. I tried a session this morning (I'm in Virginia), and had some success (though I don't think I was allowing her to relax). I had some trouble getting her to focus on me when I did stop. I did use a treat then, but sparingly, to reestablish focus. Once I had her attention, she followed through. I'm going to show your video to my wife and son so we can all be on the same page. I'll check back in a few weeks to let you know how things are going. Thanks for the video!
@@steveess20 I'm struggling with my 6 month old cocker spaniel who pulls terribly. This is a new idea from what I've been seeing up to now and worth a try. Thank you. How is your dog doing now @Steve Harris?
Excellent tutorial thank you. You say if the dog is in front he thinks he is in charge, what about say when the dog is off the lead on a walk in a field would you say it’s the same? I have a Sealyham terrier and Jack Russell and instinctively they want to run ahead.
Hi Harry. So when dogs are on the lead, their choices are very limited. So they can easily go into their job role, if your dog has taken on a job. Eg guard role. If off the lead they can still go into their job role if triggered but have much more options and if you have good recall you can easily call them back to keep them in a submissive state. I can down load a clip on recall if you want? Cheers Stu
Thank you very much for your reply. A video on recall would be appreciated. My dogs come back most of the time depending on their mood. The Sealyham terrier is very strong minded sometimes very obedient, sometimes not. When he knows I have treats he is excellent.
We have two 6mth old Sprockers and they just go crazy every time we walk them. We have tried everything so far, but this technique is something we will have a go at. They are both female and just can't resist the smell and the sights (we live in the country) and a leaf, a feather, a bird, an animal track, the 100s of stimuli, make it almost impossible right now. I have a bad back, so this is getting very difficult and our 10 yr twins are great at helping out, but it needs to be solved. I can only walk one at a time now because they are so strong and it's only going to get worse as they grow. We haven't gone to puppy classes yet, but none are nearby, and we haven't tried the muzzle/leash, which seems cruel. So you are our last hope!
Wow, you have a hand full. 6 Month old, yep they have endless energy and just want to go go go. So when you try my technique of pressure on and pressure off, make sure it's one at a time and you are not in a rush. 10-15 mins, 100% focus on the job you are doing. With young dogs I will hold them with both hands with verbal pressure till they relax. ( it takes longer with young dogs) so be patience. Then continue. Good luck.
Ah that’s a shame, hopefully catch you sometime. We are taking the dogs up to the lakes next month, that’s how good we feel ! Your book is our bible !! Thanks again 🤩
Hi. Puppies are a bit more of a hand full. First they have to be used to the lead before boundaries are put in place as it can overwelm them. If he's used to the lead then this technique can work well, but more patience and time is required. You have to read your dog and see the signs. If he growls at you, well that could be a few things. Like he's not used to being told boundaries and he is making a stand. Or he is being overwhelmed and reacting in defence. There is no one answer to growling with one line of info. You will need more help with what is happening between you and your puppy. All the Best Stuart
Hope this helps, but if not I'm launching a new website in the next few weeks. Stuart Barnes Dog behaviourists where I will do one on one through the Web, and have courses and lots more. So keep an eye out for that.
Hi. We have a 6-month-old Clumber Spaniel. At the moment, it's getting difficult for her to focus on us whilst out on the lead. It's like she has taken 20 steps back, and all the work we've done with her has disappeared! Going to try this and see if this will help. Thank you 😊
Sorry for the slow reply. Been away. Yes, I do praise, very much so. But there is a time and place. In this training scenario, I was just trying to catch the moment he passed the line. When I don't have the pressure on and with my energy and body language he knew he was doing well. I don't need to continually praise him when he is doing what he should be doing, it doesn’t hurt to say good boy, but if you put to much energy into your dog with praise at the wrong time it can lift them out of calm energy to an over-excited energy which makes it harder to get him to relax and understand what this training session is about. Hope that makes sense. Cheers
Have a 18month Staffordshire Bull terrier , does not like walking in the dark. Walking back in the direction of home.. hes more inclined to pull harder through fear, nervousness and anxiousness. How to combat this?
Hi Anita, Well as you know you have a beautiful but very strong breed of dog. Lots of animals when they turn for home are more comfortable in their own territory, it can be smells or darkness or sudden movements that trigger their behaviour for security, which is home turf. So they need to know you have their back and they need to trust you completely, and when they are with you they are safe. Not just at home. So change your routine. Just do a little walk from the house, then back to the house and away from the house till he is comfortable, then extend the walk. Little by little, so his walk is in an area he knows well and comfortable with. Make sure you are in front as that takes the stress off the lead dog roll. Practice the training technique on my vid, so he knows you have this and can handle anything out there. So then he is happier as a follower than a lead dog. Which can be stressful. Cheers Stuart
Yes they work for some people but it's not training your dog to stop pulling, just masking it. Also it still puts the dog in front of you which can lead to protection role. (Aggressive role towards other dogs/people) cheers Stuart
That's ridiculous. Everytime the dog goes in front you reward him with touch, and a low, submissive posture. Put a choke chain correctly on the dog and correct him.
Thanks, I did exactly this and after 3 minutes he was at least thinking about what he was doing, and 2 minutes later he was walking like a prince..
10 minutes later of consistently , gently correcting, he was walking like a king.
He is a cocker spaniel.
Tried this today on my chronic puller. Staffy x. It worked brilliantly. Thanks.
I was hoping when I saw the dog that he would be comparable to mine but that is the most chill Spaniel ive ever seen
Yeah get a dog that truly pulls on the lead, not one already well trained.
i have a springer i see one thing that dog needs some water, but after that good tips
I'm going to start trying this! We have a 7-month old English Springer Spaniel... he's not really food motivated and doing little leash pops don't phase him. Thank you for this video!
“ Aaaarh “ will keep in mind thanks!
That 8s Lab in Springer coating. Too calm for a springer😅
Compared to my Springer this dog is calm, almost asleep!!
Statement or question?
@@stuartbarnesdogbehaviourist Just a statement Stuart. The eldest of my 2 boys is pretty spirited /driven in comparison.
I have a now 9-month old Springer who we got at 5 months old. She had never been on a lead, and boy does she pull hard! If we are in the garden, I can get her to walk to heel perfectly, sometimes even without a lead. But as soon as we leave home she is a different dog. No eye contact, no listening, just nose down sniffing and pulling harder than any Springer I've seen on all the UA-cam videos I've watched. I've tried all sorts of things, from different leads/harnesses to different commands (she is too focused on smells, birds, leaves, anything but me), treats (absolutely not interested), a tennis ball (her favourite thing) but in four months I've achieved very little because I just can't get her to listen to me. I have a head harness on her at the moment because it's the only way I have any sort of control, but she hates it. This video and your approach is something completely new! I'm going to try it on my next walk - fingers crossed I'll get her attention because I'll be right in front of her. Thank you for posting so that I could find it.
Hi Jill,
This instinct In these types of working dogs is very strong as you know. 60% of the brain of these types of dogs are just on scent/smell. The younger they are the more patience you need. It can be very repetitive but stick with it. Let me know how you get on. Cheers Stuart.
I've got exactly the same issue with my 6 month old working ESS, absolutely not focused on me whatsoever on a lead outside the house or garden.
She doesn't even give you a moment of good behaviour to reward, nose down and pulling like a train the second I'm out the front door. Distracted by tiny stones on the floor, insects you name it.
Going to give this a try and hopefully get some improvement!
How did you get on?
@@aston3079we are currently in the same situation, how did you fair a year later?
@@ped05 Unfortunately she still doesn't walk to heel and is quite exited outside but not to the level she used to be. The single biggest thing that reduced the pulling was the head collar. That at least gives you the space to reward good behaviour.
I'll try this. It makes so much sense (stopping the dog, eye contact, etc.). We have an English Springer (6 months), and she pulls a lot. Some days are better than others (she is sweet, but easily distracted), but lately she's going back to pulling more. Yeah, we keep experimenting with leashes/harnesses as if searching for a silver bullet. I notice you don't use treats. I've been using them, and I don't really see the great benefit for training purposes. At least as far as walking goes.
Hi Steve
Let me know how you get on. With high energy dogs it takes a few lessons, be patient, she will pick it up. They are a very smart breed. Good luck.
@@stuartbarnesdogbehaviourist Thanks, Stuart. I tried a session this morning (I'm in Virginia), and had some success (though I don't think I was allowing her to relax). I had some trouble getting her to focus on me when I did stop. I did use a treat then, but sparingly, to reestablish focus. Once I had her attention, she followed through. I'm going to show your video to my wife and son so we can all be on the same page. I'll check back in a few weeks to let you know how things are going. Thanks for the video!
@@steveess20 I'm struggling with my 6 month old cocker spaniel who pulls terribly. This is a new idea from what I've been seeing up to now and worth a try. Thank you. How is your dog doing now @Steve Harris?
How did it go? We have a 7-month old ESS and he is a puller. Going to start trying this method!
Excellent tutorial thank you. You say if the dog is in front he thinks he is in charge, what about say when the dog is off the lead on a walk in a field would you say it’s the same? I have a Sealyham terrier and Jack Russell and instinctively they want to run ahead.
Hi Harry. So when dogs are on the lead, their choices are very limited. So they can easily go into their job role, if your dog has taken on a job. Eg guard role. If off the lead they can still go into their job role if triggered but have much more options and if you have good recall you can easily call them back to keep them in a submissive state. I can down load a clip on recall if you want?
Cheers Stu
Thank you very much for your reply. A video on recall would be appreciated. My dogs come back most of the time depending on their mood. The Sealyham terrier is very strong minded sometimes very obedient, sometimes not. When he knows I have treats he is excellent.
We have two 6mth old Sprockers and they just go crazy every time we walk them. We have tried everything so far, but this technique is something we will have a go at. They are both female and just can't resist the smell and the sights (we live in the country) and a leaf, a feather, a bird, an animal track, the 100s of stimuli, make it almost impossible right now. I have a bad back, so this is getting very difficult and our 10 yr twins are great at helping out, but it needs to be solved. I can only walk one at a time now because they are so strong and it's only going to get worse as they grow. We haven't gone to puppy classes yet, but none are nearby, and we haven't tried the muzzle/leash, which seems cruel. So you are our last hope!
Wow, you have a hand full. 6 Month old, yep they have endless energy and just want to go go go. So when you try my technique of pressure on and pressure off, make sure it's one at a time and you are not in a rush. 10-15 mins, 100% focus on the job you are doing. With young dogs I will hold them with both hands with verbal pressure till they relax. ( it takes longer with young dogs) so be patience. Then continue. Good luck.
@@stuartbarnesdogbehaviourist thank you! One day in so far and they are beginning to understand what we want (I think). Will update how it goes.
Stuart wanted to say you have changed our lives, are you going to be at the Yorkshire show this year ?
Hi Sara,
Glad to hear I've helped. I personally won't be there this yr, hopefully next year, fingers crossed. Cheers Stuart
Ah that’s a shame, hopefully catch you sometime. We are taking the dogs up to the lakes next month, that’s how good we feel ! Your book is our bible !! Thanks again 🤩
Had no effect on our rescue Retriever who hasn't ever been walked on a lead before and pulls like mad.
Would you train a 12 week old puppy the same way? And what if they start to growl at you?
Hi. Puppies are a bit more of a hand full. First they have to be used to the lead before boundaries are put in place as it can overwelm them. If he's used to the lead then this technique can work well, but more patience and time is required. You have to read your dog and see the signs. If he growls at you, well that could be a few things. Like he's not used to being told boundaries and he is making a stand. Or he is being overwhelmed and reacting in defence. There is no one answer to growling with one line of info. You will need more help with what is happening between you and your puppy. All the Best Stuart
HI All, my springer is 22 months old and I have tried allsorts and he still pulls the lead so I will try this video
Hope this helps, but if not I'm launching a new website in the next few weeks. Stuart Barnes Dog behaviourists where I will do one on one through the Web, and have courses and lots more. So keep an eye out for that.
Hi. We have a 6-month-old Clumber Spaniel. At the moment, it's getting difficult for her to focus on us whilst out on the lead. It's like she has taken 20 steps back, and all the work we've done with her has disappeared! Going to try this and see if this will help. Thank you 😊
Why do you not praise/ mark the good position ?
Sorry for the slow reply. Been away.
Yes, I do praise, very much so.
But there is a time and place. In this training scenario, I was just trying to catch the moment he passed the line. When I don't have the pressure on and with my energy and body language he knew he was doing well. I don't need to continually praise him when he is doing what he should be doing, it doesn’t hurt to say good boy, but if you put to much energy into your dog with praise at the wrong time it can lift them out of calm energy to an over-excited energy which makes it harder to get him to relax and understand what this training session is about. Hope that makes sense. Cheers
Have a 18month Staffordshire Bull terrier , does not like walking in the dark. Walking back in the direction of home.. hes more inclined to pull harder through fear, nervousness and anxiousness. How to combat this?
Hi Anita, Well as you know you have a beautiful but very strong breed of dog.
Lots of animals when they turn for home are more comfortable in their own territory, it can be smells or darkness or sudden movements that trigger their behaviour for security, which is home turf.
So they need to know you have their back and they need to trust you completely, and when they are with you they are safe. Not just at home. So change your routine. Just do a little walk from the house, then back to the house and away from the house till he is comfortable, then extend the walk. Little by little, so his walk is in an area he knows well and comfortable with. Make sure you are in front as that takes the stress off the lead dog roll. Practice the training technique on my vid, so he knows you have this and can handle anything out there. So then he is happier as a follower than a lead dog. Which can be stressful. Cheers Stuart
Harness
Yes they work for some people but it's not training your dog to stop pulling, just masking it. Also it still puts the dog in front of you which can lead to protection role. (Aggressive role towards other dogs/people) cheers Stuart
That's ridiculous. Everytime the dog goes in front you reward him with touch, and a low, submissive posture. Put a choke chain correctly on the dog and correct him.
Choke leads are forbidden in europe (EU) for a good reason.
@@LionofSmaland Hahahahaahahaaha!! Good reason??! Hahahahahaha
@@randystern7870 are you for real?