Leash training at Petco

[amazincc]

So... I went to Petco the other day, for the first time ever... and it was an eye-opener.
And not just because of the prices they charge for a "good" kibble... holy cow.

There was a young man there w/his 4-months old puppy... a bulldog/pit mix. Apparently his puppy pulls on the leash when they go for walks, to the point of chafing his neck raw w/the collar.
He brought the puppy to Petco to get help w/leash training.

Anywho... the "trainer" (a really mean-looking older lady) proceeded to slap a choke chain on the puppy, and started walking up and down the aisle w/him.
When I say "walk" I mean she dragged the poor thing behind her, jerking him to her side every so often... w/the puppy actually becoming air-borne a few times from the force of her yanking him by the leash.
The "trainer" also told the owner that he must never, ever walk the puppy on his right side - ALWAYS on the left side only.

Since the woman scared the bejebus out of me I didn't ask her why... anybody have any insight?
Or is it just that particular womans preference?

[katiek0417]

In order to get an effective correction out of a choke chain, it must be put on in a certain way depending on which side the dog walks on...that would be my only guess....

[amazincc]

Oh... duh.

That would make sense then.

[katiek0417]

Oh... duh.

That would make sense then.

Personally, I don't like choke chains...well, you know that...but basically, if the dog is sitting in front of you, you put the choke chain on so that the long end is hanging down like a "p"...then you're ready to heel on the left side....

For right side heeling, the dog sits in front of you and you put it on like a "q"

[amazincc]

Yes, I know that... someone here pointed out that Micks chain was on "wrong" when I joined.

I didn't even think of it at Petco... and the owner of the puppy was too afraid to ask as well, I think.

[katiek0417]

Yes, I know that... someone here pointed out that Micks chain was on "wrong" when I joined.

I didn't even think of it at Petco... and the owner of the puppy was too afraid to ask as well, I think.

Poor puppy....how old was it? I mean, could you tell?

[amazincc]

There was a young man there w/his 4-months old puppy... a bulldog/pit mix.

Such a cute and fat little thing too...

I saw the owner cringe several times, and I hope he discontinued that particular "training" method when he left the store.

[katiek0417]

Oops...sorry...read it too fast...I just saw puppy...

That's awful...I would never put a puppy that young in a correction collar

[airwalk]

A couple of weeks ago at an event, we had a lady come up to talk with us about training a 6 month old Siberian that her daughter left her. She said they'd been kicked out of puppy class because the Sib was too distracting. Then she proceeded to tell us how the instructor had put a training collar on the pup - she said "you know the kind with the pointy thingies". We both cringed - she then went on to tell us how every time the instructor would correct the pup would scream (gee go figure) so they got kicked out.

We told her she needed a new instructor. There was nothing wrong with the pup, the instructor was an idiot (I think I actually used that word) and told her that anytime an instructor kicks a puppy out of class for being distracting, it means the instructor doesn't want to bother actually training.

So I applaud the fact that you kept quiet while this lady was doing that, I'm not sure I could have.

[amazincc]

So I applaud the fact that you kept quiet while this lady was doing that, I'm not sure I could have.

Oh, don't applaud... I felt horrible when I got home, and I wish I would've said something.

[TheRedQueen]

At our Fidos event (a walk-a-thon) this past weekend, I saw no less than two puppies in choke or prong collars. And when I say puppy, I mean 6 months and under. Being dragged or on a tight leash the entire time.



*Sigh*

[airwalk]

So I applaud the fact that you kept quiet while this lady was doing that, I'm not sure I could have.

Oh, don't applaud... I felt horrible when I got home, and I wish I would've said something.

Yeah, I understand, but sometimes saying something only makes the situation worse. Hopefully the owner understood that was inappropriate and finds a different way to leash train.

[Malli]

so, on this topic, what is the appropriate solution to the pulling puppy? Ignore it? Leash corrections on a flat collar?
I've forgotten the finer points of my puppy edicate and training

[katiek0417]

There are several methods you can use on a puppy that don't involve "corrections." Harnesses can reduce pulling, as can halti collars (like the gentle leader), and they do have no pull harnesses, now....

However, some of the most effective methods is just to use food to bait the dog to be near you...this way you are effectively teaching the dog to heel, and that staying next to you gets it something good. I've also seen a lot done with clicker training...first, using the clicker to teach the dog that being near you is good...then adding in the leash, etc....

[maberi]

This is what I have been doing with Kayden (puppy brain when it comes to training)

I hate new owners having choke chains slapped onto their puppies. Usually these people have zero training experience so they do not know any better.

However, some of the most effective methods is just to use food to bait the dog to be near you...this way you are effectively teaching the dog to heel, and that staying next to you gets it something good. I've also seen a lot done with clicker training...first, using the clicker to teach the dog that being near you is good...then adding in the leash, etc....

[airwalk]

With dogs at the shelter I use high value treats as bait to walk right beside me. When Scooter was a pup, I started him on a harness and then worked up to a flat collar.

[katiek0417]

Oh...and I forgot to mention...for real young (i.e., short) puppies, go to Home Depot and get those wooden paint sticks...or metal yard sticks (but shorter than a yard stick - like half)...put something yummy on it (like peanut butter - well, I wouldn't use that b/c I don't want to die) or canned food, or baby food, or cream cheese (you get the point)...and put the end with the food in a baggie...then freeze it...you can use that so you don't have to bend down...

[TheRedQueen]

I use the clicker to reinforce staying with me...along with never allowing the puppy to pull me...even from day one....not even a little step to go sniff something. I stand my ground, so they learn that pulling doesn't get them anywhere...paying attention to me, and a slack lead get them somewhere.

[airwalk]

Oh...and I forgot to mention...for real young (i.e., short) puppies, go to Home Depot and get those wooden paint sticks...or metal yard sticks (but shorter than a yard stick - like half)...put something yummy on it (like peanut butter - well, I wouldn't use that b/c I don't want to die) or canned food, or baby food, or cream cheese (you get the point)...and put the end with the food in a baggie...then freeze it...you can use that so you don't have to bend down...

that's a great idea..it will save me from walking like a really big, out of shape duck

[TheRedQueen]

Oh...and I forgot to mention...for real young (i.e., short) puppies, go to Home Depot and get those wooden paint sticks...or metal yard sticks (but shorter than a yard stick - like half)...put something yummy on it (like peanut butter - well, I wouldn't use that b/c I don't want to die) or canned food, or baby food, or cream cheese (you get the point)...and put the end with the food in a baggie...then freeze it...you can use that so you don't have to bend down...

Yup, we have dowel rods in class...just for the puppies. I cover the ends in painter's tape, so the food can go on that, rather than the stick...peel it off when you're done. It also gives a nice color coded target to the end.