Pulling On The Lead And Barking At Other Dogs But £160 Lighter!

Jacques is now a fit and healthy almost 3 (in Sept) but is still dreadful on the lead. From the outset he would go round in circles when we took him out, and weave across your path as we tried to walk him. Having Sam helped a bit, as although he too was a "puller" he would steady down after a short while and Jacques would fall in line.

Since Sam has been gone, Jacques is doing all sorts of horrible things when we go walking - pulling and barking at other dogs en route. I got so fed up with this, I contacted a guy in Bedford who talked me through alot of what we were dealing with. He offered to come out to the house for 3 hours and give "hands on" help with Jacques - both inside and outside the house for jumping up and general misbehaviour.

We were all geared up this morning, and for the first hour and half all was well. Jacques didn't jump up and he showed nice manners when it came to having his "new" collar fitted. By the time we were out in the street, Jacques knew something was up! He started his pulling lark but the "behaviour expert" was ready with the cure. I must say his technique of holding the lead and "jerking" it when Jacques moved too far forward was very effective but after 10 very wearying minutes, Jacques got the message and walked by the side of the "expert" like a trouper! I haven't seen him do that ever!

I attempted to copy what was done, but Jacques reverted to type and wound himself around my legs as well as pulling my arm out of its socket. Another 10 minutes went by and I was in tears. Jacques was whining and struggling to get out of his collar, and generally fretting to get home.

We cancelled the last 1/2 hour of the visit where Jacques would have "associated" with 2 of his own dogs. My nerves wouldn't stand the strain!!

So we went over everything he had to teach us once again, and said goodbye to him, £160 lighter!

I know! But desperate measures and all that! :sweating:

Has anyone had first hand experience of their whippet pulling and barking but successfully extracted a calm and friendly dog out of it??

The guy said Jacques was bad mannered and stubborn, spoiled and babied and needed to be taught respect. I agreed he could be a bit stubborn but then most whips are!

I would really value some help here, as walking has become a dangerous hobby for me with arthritis and barking at other dogs worries me too.

Thanks!

Sadie x

Hi

You do need to be in control.

Use a very short lead (no more than 24" intill your dog learns to walk properly. Izzy was weaving and pulling when I got her a few weeks ago. She was totally unused to lead control. Keep the lead short. You will be pulled less and your dog will learn what you want.

If pulling is a serious problem ,I bought a Premier' easy walk' harness on eBay for a friend.

It was recommended to her by a dog specalist. She says it is fantastic and her spaniel is no longer able to pull her arms out of their sockets.

Do not buy one that is claimed to be 'as good as', go for the genuine article.

They can be found on eBay

It is kind but offers control. Here is the link for their own website, Measure your dog carefully, you may need a medium size.

www.premier.com

Try a short lead first. It usually works after a few days when the dog learns who is in control.

Hi Eve. Thanks for your advice. I did purchase a dog harness recently, but found that it didn't go anywhere near the whippet shape of Jacques! It would seem that hounds have such a deep chest and narrow front that a harness just doesn't work.

Jacques has always pulled and done circles etc but once off the lead up the lane or across fields, he is a good boy. This "expert" left me feeling a total failure. I should have tried K9 first!!

Sadie x

I use a figure of 8 head collar that closes at the back of the neck, this stops them pulling to

hard i can then take all mine out on my own. I also have some 8's that close at the left and

right sides of the heads but i use these when i just take 2 dogs out as they dont stop them

pulling as much

i,ve got a cani collar for my whippet cross and a halti for the lurchers lot of people don't like them but i find them easy to control when cats are about

be steren with the dog when your out with him/her if they no they can get away with it they will do it all the more it will take time

and a short lead if a dogs is in front it means its the boss ....

I have always found a Gentle Leader helpful - the fittings on them move to suit all dogs heads and give good kind control. Also, why not consider joining a dog training club where you can encourage your dog to be mannerly in the presence of people and dogs under control who are working towards the same end?

Nothing round here I'm afraid. I would have to travel 3/4 to 1 hour and I'm not physically up to that plus the training involved. My husband it OK walking but doesn't drive and would fine the training hard. (He has memory problems). Plus Jacques hates the car so he would arrive exhausted before we started!

I've just had the report back from the trainer's visit....he recommends re homing or euthanasia within the next 2 years!!!!!

I will look up Gentle Leader. Thank you.

Sadie x

well i no what i like to tell the trainer :rant: silly man

I don't know you or your dog but It sounds like your dog is suffering from lack of condidence/socialisation skills. Get yourself a Gentle Leader (about £15), put it on him (he will not like it at first) and take him out to face the world. You may need to be quite firm with him (and yourselves) at first. March on with purpose when you are out for a walk and ignore any daft neurotic behaviour (the Gentle Leader will make this easy to do) and reward him with a pat/kind word when he is good, ignore stupid behaviour. Treat him like a dog at home as well, not a spoilt baby and he may become a bit more mannerly and respectful. I appreciate you and your husband may not be as strong these days but be firm where manners are concerned, otherwise the problem will escalate.

Thank you TTT. We are all watching our attitude towards Jacques more carefully since the dog trainer visited, and we parted with £160!!!

Jacques is a loving, honest boy but inclined to nervousness. He has been this way since we had him at 5 months old. He has never like the lead or walks without Sam. In the home he is obedient, and a real pleasure to own. He sits, gives his paw and knows when to use the crate and his bed. He was easy to house train too. With Sam he never challenged him, and even at the end when Sam was obviously frail, Jacques would "mother" him and be very gentle when trying to coax him out to play. He does follow me around the house alot which as times can be frustrating but I am trying to distance myself from him more now. The dog trainer said give up on all affection and only show interest once he's being more obedient. How can you "disown" your dog? And Jacques is nervous and shy not aggressive or disobedient. I'm amazed he couldn't tell the difference.

I have kept whippets for 40 years and know their little ways well. We know we baby Jacques a bit but at retirement age we enjoy cuddles and kisses!! But we can be firm and want a happy healthy hound on the end of the lead, not a nervous wreck!!

I suggested to my husband we take Jacques around the block together at 9pm each evening. Then it's quiet and calm and Jacques should become more confident. Over the fields he never runs too far away and always comes back to recall, whereas Sam would do his own thing, often heading for badger sets or the horse field even though he knew this was out of bounds!!

I will take another look at the Gentle Leader. Thank you for your advice and time.

Sadie x

Another quick update. Took Jacques out today, and it couldn't have been much worse! First 2 dogs yapping in their front garden, then someone started a chain saw up, then the dust cart came round the corner hissing brakes and being filled with noisy rubbish. Poor Jacques did his best to climb into my arms twice he was so scared.

We didn't realise to what extent his security and confidence lay in old Sam. Now we are sticking to the country lane and fields for his exercise, until he regains some confidence.

Once the children are back at school, the streets will be quieter so we can try again. He whined his head off when we go back but we ignored it all. Hard when you want to cuddle and reassure him though!

Sadie x

Another update. Jacques is definitely going thru a spell of depression and anxiety since Sam's passing. He visibly shakes now when someone strange comes to the door, and almost hides if a visitor comes into the house. He was never this bad when Sam was around.

We are having Rachel Hopton in on Tuesday evening for 2 hours. She is of the opinion that teaching/restoring confidence should be done with kindness/treats/patience; not bullying like Phil Weston. I am mentioning his name because I wouldn't want another whippet owner using HIS expertise on their hounds!! (I intend emailing to tell him so too!)

I will keep you posted. Rachel has advised keeping Jacques in the garden until she has seen him outside. And possibly use a muzzle for a short while if his nerves are bordering snapping.

Sade x