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How can i stop barking and tugging on leads with my Cavaliers

Lesley1

New member
I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. One is 6yrs old, and the other one is 2yrs old.They are such lovely dogs and i love them to bits, but when i take them for their walks, as soon as we pass other owners with their dogs, mine go mad start barking and really tugging to get to the other dog. I have tried everything to stop this but it hasn't worked. They also bark at anyone who goes past without a dog. Also my Cavaliers really tug on the lead to get to the grass, as they are constantly eating it.
I would appreciate any help or ideas
Thank you
 
Welcome Lesley. My two were the same with pulling and still sometimes do but they are only 15 and 16 months old. They are just so excited to see other dogs and people. I fine a short but firm tug on the lead and a loud NO works quite well. Jasper hates bikes and scooters. He wants to chase them. If I see one coming I have to stop make him sit and say NO to him. He's still trying to chase them though.
 
I amnot an advocate of leash corrections myself. if you have pullers I highly recommend getting either the SENSE-ible or the EasyWalk front clip harness. I have three pullers I walk on a triple lead with all using these harnesses, and this totally eliminates the problem.my partner's very strong GSD also no longer can pull on a Sense-ible.

Loose lead walking is generally something you tackle in a rewards-based obedience class (if choke chains are involved or the instructor requires you to use a collar rather than harness -- which means they will want you to jerk them around to 'correct' them -- don't enroll).

But you can find directions here:

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/pulling-leash

http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/leash-walking-qa

You will need to work with each dog alone on separate walks. The same goes for getting dogs to stop barking at other dogs -- you need to desensitise over time using food rewards and this takes time and effort. Try searching for the topic as Iknow it has been discussed many times -- just don;t have the time to explain the whole process and it is really best done working with a trainer. :)
 
I have moved this into the training section as it was posted into the section for questions about how the board functions. (y)
 
I amnot an advocate of leash corrections myself. if you have pullers I highly recommend getting either the SENSE-ible or the EasyWalk front clip harness. :)

I use something like this for Gracie and it does help. The Sporn Mesh Non-Pulling Harness, which is available through Amazon.com or Petsmart, has worked so well. I added some fleece around the areas that irritated her the most so it is really soft. I will try to post a picture of it.

I am still working on the barking at other dogs, birds, etc. myself. I think it will take alot of time to get to that point, but getting better slowly.
 
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You didn't mention whether you take your dogs out together or not. If they are together, then they will be worse as they will egg each other on.

Have you tried taking them out one at a time, together with lots of small titbits, which you give every few steps when they aren't pulling, this way you can begin to build up your dog's concentration on you.

It will take a while, as cavaliers can be a bit demented, and single minded when they want!

All the cavaiers I have had loved eating grass and had favorite patches of it on a walk, and mine will pull to get there even quicker.
 
Karlins post is the right way to go about this,corrections dont really work and can cause more problems,and this can be fixed far quicker the good ol way with food rather than them getting punished.

try this excercise when your at home.

put them on leash

1.throw some food(chicken,hot dog ,cheese) infront of them
2.they ll lunge forward to try and get it
3.just stop and dont let them move forward towards the food when the lead is tight and thier pulling.
4.wait until the lead loosens praise them and walk forward and let them get the food(stop again if they pull).

if your having problems best to go see a trainer!

theyll get the idea after a couple of goes that pulling wont get the food and the loose lead will.
 
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