How to Stop dog pulling

This is such a common problem, that it's worth reposting about this again.

I was only the other day that I was sitting in a friends house and she'd been out walking the dog that she's looking after for a friend - a spaniel!!

On her return she declared - argh!! did you not hear me screaming? Blasted dog pulled me right over in the mud!

Now does this sound familiar? One of the problems that we trainers and behaviourists face is knowing when to say something and when not to. We don't want to be behaviour bores, and being a "know it all" just doesn't make anyone feel good - so I kept schtum, smiled politely, gave her a hug and said i hoped the bruises wouldn't be too bad.

If you own a spaniel this must sound all too familiar. These dogs seem to have a pulling gene in them - they seem born to pull. It's really a tough nut to crack.

These training notes clearly outline why it's necessary not only to train your dog to walk to heel - and how to do it, but also why it's also necessary to break these bad habits. Practice makes perfect afterall - so every time your dog goes out there and has a pull is just helping him or her to pull even more.

Dog training aids to stop pulling are really the only way to crack the pulling problem.

So have a look here to find out how to stop your dog pulling and save yourself from muddy bruises.

Good luck & look forward to your questions.

Cheers
Anna, dog behaviourist

Came across this whilst looking for various tick removal things. Smidge is an insect repellent that works with all blood sucking insects. It works by evaporating from skin and disguising human scent. Ticks and midges also find people by other means but at it does at least help with the skin scent. So, we can now walk our dogs in midget places without being bitten and be a bit safer with ticks. Brill!! More info here - 

Smidge insect repellent 

Dog and Puppy Training Classes are starting in Ardgay, mid June. For more information, please look here http://www.pawsability.co.uk/pethelp/dogtraining/dogpuppytraining.htm

Puppy House Training

We've just been having a think about the pros and cons of puppy training pads. And so have written up some new help notes on puppy house training and the benefits or otherwise of using puppy training pads.

On the surface, really, the best way to house train your puppy is to make sure they do all their toileting outside, and to reward them for doing so. However, if you don't have a convenient and safe place to take your puppy or you live in a flat and can't get out quickly enough, then they may be a good thing for you.

Read the full notes on puppy training pads here, or have a look at our puppy house training notes and book here