does your cav pull when walking?

Just wondered if anyones cavalier pulls when out walking?

Bluebell is very strong and she pulls a lot, which means that its not always a fun walk with her, which is a shame. Lottie and Bluebell have a normal Puppia harness, should i try a different type of harness? i can't see that i will be able to get her to stop pulling as she has always done it and she goes mad if something is blowing in the wind, e.g. leaves!!

it would just be nice if we could have a nice slow paced walk sometimes!

emmawright said:

Just wondered if anyones cavalier pulls when out walking?

Bluebell is very strong and she pulls a lot, which means that its not always a fun walk with her, which is a shame. Lottie and Bluebell have a normal Puppia harness, should i try a different type of harness? i can't see that i will be able to get her to stop pulling as she has always done it and she goes mad if something is blowing in the wind, e.g. leaves!!

it would just be nice if we could have a nice slow paced walk sometimes!

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Annie's a strong puller. I definitely think this is a behavior that can be changed through training, but it's not something we've worked on yet. I've heard people recommend a harness where the leash clips on the front, making it almost impossible for the dog to pull against you.

For what it's worth, Annie actually seems to pull less when we're using her Puppia -- unless she sees a squirrel or a bunny, that is

I use front clip harnesses on my boys as they both pull. I think these often work better than the Halti type head harnesses as often cavalier muzzles are too short. I use the Sense-ible harness -- http://www.dogtrainingireland.ie/shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8

Makes walking them very very easy. If you like that one, email Tara via the website, (or PM her on the board; TKC) she can advise you on measurements and you can order from her.

Sasha pulls a lot when we walk. I agree it would be more pleasant if she walked nicely besides me more often; I suppose I could be stricter with training her but I just haven't done so.

Karlin said:

I use front clip harnesses on my boys as they both pull. I think these often work better than the Halti type head harnesses as often cavalier muzzles are too short. I use the Sense-ible harness -- http://www.dogtrainingireland.ie/shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8

Makes walking them very very easy. If you like that one, email Tara via the website, (or PM her on the board; TKC) she can advise you on measurements and you can order from her.

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That looks like a great harness, Karlin. We'll have to try one of those. Here's a link to the company's website for those of us on this side of the pond.

There's a similar harness called the Easy-Walk but I think the Sense-ible fits a bit more comfortably.

Even if you have dogs that walk well alone, often when you put two or more together they go into sled dog mode. I couldn't walk three to a lead without the special harnesses.

Karlin said:

There's a similar harness called the Easy-Walk but I think the Sense-ible fits a bit more comfortably.

Even if you have dogs that walk well alone, often when you put two or more together they go into sled dog mode. I couldn't walk three to a lead without the special harnesses.

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I'm picturing a sled-dog team of Cavaliers. That would be quite a sight.

Mine only pull if they are really fresh and soon settle, if they are walked alone . However, when all three walk and especially when there were four, they vie to be front dog (except for Monty, who isn't bothered, as long as he walks).

Karlin said:

...the Halti type head harnesses as often cavalier muzzles are too short.

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A size 0 is a good fit and Dylan has a nice short muzzle.

Charlie used to pull a lot when he was a little guy.
My problem with him now is he likes to wander a bit when we walk.
He gets a scent and decides he wants me to go in that direction with him.
(I let him do this for a while, since it's his only time to get out and enjoy the smells.)

Lucky uses an Easy Walk and also a bungee leash which makes the pulling less stressful on both of us.

I use the Puppia harnesses for walking and Dottie trots right along at my side without pulling. I think the reason for this is that I am 6' tall, I keep a good pace and my stride is longer than most average sized people. (My friend has to take 3 steps to one of mine when we are walking together!) She is always at a nice little trot and doesn't get ahead of me, so I think my height definately works in my favor here.

Miles pulls like an ox, so we just ordered the "Sense-ation" harness by Softouch. It's just like the one that Karlin recommended, except the woman at Softouch recommended the Sense-ation over the Sense-ible because the straps are slightly wider. Miles was right in between sizes (20" around the girth) and we went with the smaller size (a small I believe?). It hasn't eliminated the pulling but has greatly reduced it. I ordered the Sporn coupler and once I receive it I hope to walk both dogs on a lead. Little T isn't a puller (yet!) so hopefully they'll be able to walk together! I like the Sense-ation harness, it's easier to get on them, and once you fit it to the dog you just clip it on them, and attach the collar to the lead, too- I think it makes it more effective...at least that's what they told me on the phone Good luck!

Hi Carrie, I was pleased to read that you had bought the Sensation harness as I'm just about to order one for Phoebe (I've not measured her yet so I'm not sure about sizes at the mo,she's 9 1/2 months old and fairly petite) I notice that you said the harness has reduced Miles pulling but not prevented it completely. I would be very interested to know if things keep improving with continued use, would you mind posting again over the next few days? Phoebe pulls like an ox as well! At the moment, I'm using something very similar to a Puppia harness and she hauls me around when I take her out. She took off recently at full pelt after a bird and my left shoulder is still really sore!!

I too would be interested in hearing how the Sense-ation Harness works out for those who use it. I was getting ready to purchase a Puppia, but now maybe I will get one of these for Jato. He pulls a lot too, but he is just 5 months old, and everything is exciting to him on his walks. I would love to correct this behavior sooner rather than later.

I purchased the Sense-ible harness (from recommendations here) for my 2 1/2 yr. old "puller", and, without exaggeration, it stopped the pulling completely! I honestly didn't expect it to make such a dramatic difference. I'm so glad I tried it.

(For my other two guys who don't pull, I love the puppias.)

This was brought up in the training forum. I use this harness
http://www.petco.com/product/4031/Four-Paws-No-Pull-Trainers.aspx

My Cav used to pull like crazy because no one took him for walks while I was away at college. This harness helps a lot. He does try to pull sometimes, but now he comes back to me when I call him or when the harness tightens up. It doesn't hurt him at all, it's just uncomfortable for him if he pulls. You still have to train them not to pull, but with this harness he no longer pulls and pulls until he nearly chokes himself or is out of breath. That was the problem when trying to train him, even if I stopped or change direction - he would still pull and never stopped. He would start gasping for air and making choking noises, but he still kept pulling. He didn't even care if I was offering a treat. Well, after a couple of weeks with using the harness he's like a new dog now and I love it. The weather's been great and we've been going for longer walks and going to the park for 1-2 hours. I think cavs are very curious. He doesn't pull wildly anymore, but he's always investigating things on our walks. I walk him with my pom, and the pom really doesn't care about anything other than people and other dogs.

My two older dogs are perfect on a leash, but Ollie is another story! I have the harness that "tank" linked, but I'm going to order the one Karlin recommended. He seems to be getting slightly better as he gets older, but walking him and taking him out in public is a challenge. He is very distractable, and when all three are walking together, he insists on being in front. I walk him on a 4' lead so he can't get too far in front, and the others on a 5 & 6' lead as one walks to the side and Casey (my other Cav) likes to walk slightly behind us. She's deaf, so she needs my in her sight at all times.

I have this problem with Pippin and Dj almost killing themselves to be first,Gus walks beside me just fine now he used to pull but got out of the habit as he got older.

We are not allowed to use harnesses at doggy training as their philosophy is that a harness does not really teach a dog how to walk on a loose lead. However, we do have a nice little trick that breaks the pulling habit.

First, you arm youself with some highly desired treats. You take a small piece in your fingers & as you set off for you walk, to keep drawing the dog's attention towards the treat. We usually hold the treat up near our chin to teach the dog to look at our faces. It is funny how in love they get with you when you have a treat. For most dogs this is just about all that is needed to stop the pulling, because the dog is always looking towards you to get that treat.

However, if that doesn't work on its own, the other strategy is that every time the dog starts to pull, you either just stop walking & refuse to move until the dog comes back to you looking as if to say "well why have we stopped". You move off again & as soon as the dog starts to pull, once again you stop.

The other technique that works extremely well is the "surprise" approach. You start off walking & without any warning at all you do an about turn & walk the other way. You might only take 2 or 3 steps before you walk in the opposite direction. You also turn left & right without warning. This was one of the first exercises we did on day one at training. This teaches the dog to keep his attention on you and what you are doing & what you are about to do. You can actually do this exercise in your lounge room because the aim of the exercise is to only walk in one direction for a very short time.

These techniques really do work. I've been taking Beau to our dog club now for over 12 months and have seen lots of people & their dogs come & go. Even the most hardened puller is tamed by this technique.