Weaving

[OliveOil]

We've been trying to work on Olive's leash skills and I think that it's about time that we try a different collar.
She "weaves" back and forth in front of us when we walk her if I give her any room to. I've resorted to holding the leash very close, right up to the collar on my left side to keep her in heel but I hate doing that because it's a tug of war game and it's not really heeling. I've tried using a treat to get her attention and doing clicker training but she seems to be more interested in scouting everything out nstead of paying attention to me. We've also tried stopping, and going into a sit, but she immediately starts back into it.
It's only now starting to become a problem because she's about 50lbs now and has decided she wants to start pulling. I haven't let her get away from me and I have nightmares about her getting to be like my neighbor's rottie who pulled her over the other day... he's got horrible leash skills and even my husband can't keep him under control he pulls so hard when he wants to.
She's not horrible yet but I don't want it to get that way if you know what I mean...any suggestions?

[Big Dogs]

Oliveoil there are several ways to deal with what you are describing it sounds as if olive might be in what we like to call the track mode, A couple of questions does she have her nose on the ground or is she looking around and I bet when she stops her body position in the sit is almost side ways looking at you. If she is doing those things she is not paying any attention to you here is an exercise to try and do not let her set the pace of it you set the pace. After having her sit and attaching the leash to her tell her to heal and move forward with your left foot as you are starting off make a left turn and keep making a left turn in a circle this will cause her to bump into your left leg if she starts to get to far out in front of you . She will get tired of you bumping into her and once she falls into position for a little while start to go straight if she wanders out in front of you correct her back into position and start making left turns again and just keep repeating she will pick up on what you want fairly quick and will most likely look up at you to see what your problem is which is what you want because now you have her attention. Oh most importantly I forgot to ask what type of collar you are using. We use prong and choke collars for training again every trainer has there preference that's just what we use. If you are not sure how to use them check with a local trainer on there proper use. The other thing to remember is if you are getting frustrated with her take a break because you will also cause her to become frustrated and confused. Seek out a professional trainer or look for a obedience class if you feel you are not making any head way books and video's are fine for information but the one thing to remember is every dog and situation is different. Keep us informed and good luck!

[OliveOil]

BigDogs,
You're absolutely right. She's looking around side to side and when she sits, she does indeed sit infront of me but sideways.
We tried what you suggested this morning, and it worked like a charm...she didn't know what hit her :) I also did some quick directional changes and after a few yanks she's started to pay MUCH more attention to me. Now she looks up at me every few paces to see what I'm doing where she used to ignore me.
I've got her on just a regular nylon collar, but I have been looking into getting a prong collar now that she's bigger. She's just now 7 months and I didn't want to start too early. I can feel confident in giving her a brisk tug and not causing her to go flying, haha.

That was certainly a quick fix! We'll keep working on it--thanks again for your help!

[Big Dogs]

Great glad it worked for you just as a little side note you may have to do this before each training session for a while until she remembers to do it automatically another thing to remember is a prong collar is like a choke collar with power steering it doesn't take much pressure to achieve results so if you go with a prong use it with care and remember to use a relaxed leash. Good luck!

[SnuzerDog]

This method (that Big Dogs suggested) worked for me when I first got Deano- he was a real challenge to walk and was showing much the same behavior. It has been an ongoing process over the months, but he really is a pleasure to walk with now, and only occasionally needs a quiet audible reminder to drop back to my side. A far cry from the tractor pull we started out with... :D

[RKCM]

Sounds like you have some ideas. We have always found that teaching a dobe anything is more about teaching me first. We had a simular situation and just turned in the opposite direction. We ignored what they were doing but I can say that changing directions forced the dog to key off you more. We have never used prong collars but I'm sure they are great when the dog can't be corrected with less. We use a martingale and it works fine. I said corrected but it might be more helping the dog understand what you want. Best on your training.

[DieselDog]

Diesel weaves, also. I will try that heeling method. I've been using a prong collar with the rubber tips on the prongs and keeping him at my left side. He is better, but still pulls.
I was wondering if anyone uses a prong collar without the tips on?
Hubby thinks it is cruel to use. (We even put the collar on our own necks and the rubber tips don't hurt at all) Don't laugh.:o

[Big Dogs]

DieselDog I won't laugh I wish I had a dollar for every time I put that type of collar around a customers arm so they could feel what it is like. Just remember if he is pulling he isn't paying attention to you! I'f you try making left hand turns every time he gets out in front with his head he will get his head bumped into and they don't like that. I'f you do that for 2-3 min watch his head he will start looking up at you and when he isn't he will be watching out the corner of his eye for you .