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Using a leash and collar to regain control on the walk

Posted Sun, Mar 16, 2008, 9:54 pm PDT

One of the most common tools used by dog guardians is the simple leash and collar. Used correctly, this basic tool combination can provide you with more control on the walk. Some tips:

Use the leash as a form of communication
Proper use of the leash establishes trust, respect, and leadership and enables you to guide your dog. Without words, you can tell your dog where you want her or him to go. Your energy flows through the leash and is communicated to your dog.

Keep the collar at the very top of the neck
Many dog owners place the collar on the lower part of the neck. By doing so, you are actually facilitating your dog in pulling you around. If you watch an Alaskan sled dog pulling a load, you will notice that the harness fits at the shoulder around the base of the neck. This is because the lower part of the neck is where dogs have the most control and where all their pulling strength is concentrated.

Provide corrections by giving a quick, firm pull sideways on the leash
Since the top of the neck is the most sensitive part, it makes it very easy to communicate, guide, and correct your dog. Always keep your dog's safety in mind when giving corrections!

Keep your dog's head up!
This way your dog's nose will removed from the ground and all the distractions there. This will facilitate your dog's learning experience and create a more natural way for the dog to give you control on the walk.

Please note that a traditional leash and collar may not be appropriate for all dogs, particularly those with neck or trachea issues. Contact your veterinarian if you are uncertain.

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47 Comments

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1. Mary - 4:37AM on 03/17/08

I believe that Cesar says that a choke chain works well, but then another local trainer tells me that a choke collar is unkind. I have a large German shepherd who walks fairly well, except for certain distractions when I then give a quick tug at the chain to redirect on our walks. I don't think that I am causing pain, what do you think?
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2. Lisa B - 6:02AM on 03/17/08

I use choke chains while walking my two malamutes and they work just fine. As long as the corrections are quick and effective and not causing pain which if used correctly shouldn't, especially on a large dog, you should just be doing fine.
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3. Rick & Sherylee D - 6:47AM on 03/17/08

especially when your corrections are aimed at the side of the neck, where they're not directly on the trachea, etc. you will do well to use a choke collar wisely as indicated: quick jerks, to the side, and release will not cause harm.
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4. Doree T - 9:31AM on 03/17/08

I use a pinch (or prong) collar on my two English Bull Terriers when we walk. I find they can still pull and walk at a full choke which can lead to tracheal damage. The pinch collars work great, quick corrections with no damage. http://www.caninecounselors.org/extra.html Has a good description of various collars.
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5. Lonewulf - 11:30AM on 03/17/08

Personally, I would like to see Cesar do a show specifically on leash training sled dogs. I have a 4 yr old Alaskan Malamute (Weylin), and I've had him since he was 7 weeks old. I have never been able to get him to stop pulling completely, even after obedience training. I used to have a 145lb wolf hybrid (Malamute/Wolf cross). He never pulled as hard as Weylin does. Walking Weylin wasn't particularly a problem until we got a second dog. I've tried a choke collar, prong collar, head collar, etc. When I work with him at home he does well, but as soon as I get one or both dogs out away from the house it is a free-for-all. Obviously I'm doing something wrong. Also, I have never seen a sled dog on Cesar's show. Maybe I missed that episode??? I would love to be able to take nice walks again. By the way, my other dog is a Border Collie mix (about 48 lbs).
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6. Helga - 4:51PM on 03/17/08

I rescued a black and tan Mimi Pinscher 2 yesra ago, he is 7 years old now, he goes wild, when people come to visit. His worst behavior is running away, every chance he gets. We love hime and he is very well treated. What can I do??? Desperate in Florida
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7. luv2singalong - 11:25AM on 03/18/08

you need to take your MinPin to a training class, its not to late to teach him, I enrolled my two Beagles who are 5 & 6 yrs in a training class at Petsmart to socialize them and after their second class I already noticed a difference. They only learn what you teach them.
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8. audreyarmstrong@verizon.net - 3:22PM on 03/18/08

i have a pittbull terrier and is very strong he pulls me everywhere.Iam scaerd to use a choke collar i dont want to hurt him.If there is a nother way please help?
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9. - 5:56AM on 03/19/08

I have two dogs one is forever pulling me and the other walks perfect At the end of my leash LOL and not sure my shoulder can take much more
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10. eng5241 - 7:21AM on 03/19/08

Choke (and prong) collars are a thing of the past. If your dog does not respond to corrections you have the wrong collar. Use a double-rung collar and afix the lease to the top rung which is high in the neck. Most collars rest just above the shoulders and corrections are useless. There are other collars/harnesses that can be used if the lease is attached around the head or high neck area.
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11. amysway00 - 7:27AM on 03/19/08

When starting to train your dogs to walk on leash. First make walks very short like, back and forth in your driveway. When he stats to pull give a sharp snap on the leash a firm 'NO!" and turn to go the other direction. Once your dog sees that this is YOUR walk and you are crazy and might chnge direction at any time he will start to hang back a little and watch you more anticipating your turn. I also teach people to give a voice cmmand everytime you have to say NO... follow that by saying something like 'let's walk'. Make sure to give plenty of praise when there is no pulling Eventually the dog will figure out No pullin= praise... pulling= snap on leash, you saying "NO!", and having to go back the other direction. When training dogs I usually practice in the driveway for one week before tackling the roads.
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12. amysway00 - 7:31AM on 03/19/08

I have trained 100's of dogs using both choke and training 'prong' collars. I have never had a dog yelp due to pain from either of these. If your dog is hurt he will let you know, I promise! Be sure to use them correctly though. Using sharp, quick snaps on the leash and a firm "NO!" is a way to get control of a dog, especially one that may be bigger and stonger than you.
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13. oz-n-pawz - 12:54PM on 03/19/08

I like the Gentle Leader head collar best. It doesn't take much strength and works on the same principal as horse halters--where the head goes, the body follows.
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14. gardenthymeherbs - 1:43PM on 03/19/08

I wouldn't be able to walk my Golden Retriever without the gentle leader collar. She doesn't mind it, and it is effective. It came with a DVD that helped teach you how to use it. I picked it up at Menards, it's also available at pet stores. It's made the world of difference in my relationship with my dog. We both really enjoy our walks now.
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15. Lonewulf - 3:02PM on 03/19/08

Can someone please tell me what a double-rung collar is? I have seen Cesar use a different type of collar, but I am not sure what the purpose is nor have I ever seen one in any of my catalogs or on the internet. I even started a weight lifting program, but my Malamute still wears me out. I really would like to get my dogs to walk on the treadmill but haven't had any luck with that. Cesar makes it look so easy on TV. I think if I could exercise them regularyly on the treadmill especially the Mal, it would be easier to work him on the leash.
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16. kd3569 - 11:51AM on 03/20/08

Choke chains work fine as long as you put them on the correct way and attach the leash to the correct ring. Put on the wrong way or attached to the wrong ring will cause the collar to NOT release: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1549&articleid=1117
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17. New dog mom - 11:05AM on 03/28/08

For the people worried about using a choke chain, I have not read anything about correct placement on the dog. There is a right and wrong way to put the collar on the dog. When you put the collar on the dog, hold the collar up with the sliding part of the collar hanging, the loop should be up. if the collar makes the letter P, the way to remember is PERFECT as you slide it on the dog it is on correctly, If the collar makes a 9 it is backwards and will stay tight after the correction. When you release the tension on your dog the collar should loosen right away.
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18. KMcG - 9:47AM on 03/29/08

I am surprised there have not been more comments on the benefits of using a dog harness! (It utilizes the double-rung collar, btw lonewulf, and has been a godsend w/our 7 month old - VERY headstrong, 35# Cocker! From the moment we put it on him he stopped pulling and jumping. Walks are now a pleasure for both the 2 & 4 footed!! I had always used choke chains in the past, but the harness gives one much more control, less constant correcting and his training has been so much more successful!
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19. anciani11 - 10:23AM on 03/29/08

I'm losing all hope of ever "mastering the walk"! I'm developing a good collection of collars and leashes and nothing seems to work. In addition to all the pulling and ignoring my corrections, he likes to come close to my ankles and nip me. Other times he gets a hold of the leash and just bites on it until his teeth almost fall off from his pulling so hard. Needles to say, our walks are very stressful. Any suggestions?
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20. sdgalleran - 1:38PM on 03/29/08

Have you tried the illusion collar? I have seen it and it seems as if it would in fact keep your dogs collar high on the neck, where you will have more control. Also if your dog is able to bite the leash and nip on your ankles his collar is not in the right place, and the leash has too much slack.. keep your leash short enough that he can't put his head down to your feet, but allow enough room so it doesn't have to be tight all the time. Maybe two or three inches of head movement. The collar should be just behind the ears and centered between them on the top of the neck. When you correct your dog a little snap and release of the leash to the SIDE, not straight up. If he will not stop pulling, stop walking and make him sit. When he is calm continue. Or do a U-turn into your dog almost pushing NOT kicking into the turn. Don't start the walk until he is calm. Try not to stress before you start walking, he will pick up on it. If you do get stressed take a deep breath. It will work.
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21. anciani11 - 6:24PM on 03/29/08

sdgalleran: I thought about the illusion collar, but he is just 5+ pounds. I'm also certain that you are correct about the placement of his collar not being right. I have a very hard time trying to set the collar at the position you describe, not from lack of knowledge, but because his size makes it very hard for me to gauge. I will follow through on the advice since I know he gets too much slack on the leash and I'm pretty sure he is as stressed as I am. Thank you.
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22. dahmom2 - 3:58PM on 03/30/08

We now have a westie, but before her we owned large yellow lab. When walking her we always used a choke collar. When placed on the dog properly, the results are great and no harm to the dog
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23. sdgalleran - 7:41PM on 03/30/08

anciani11...Five pounds..Carry him..KIDDING. How cute I love little dogs. You are right the illusion collar will not work... Keep up the good work and it will happen. You might try a walking to get him tired before you get him not to pull. let him pull all he wants for 10 or 15 minutes before any corrections to see if that helps. YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Good luck.
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24. SMFLADY - 11:06PM on 03/31/08

Have a 6.5 lb Chihuahua with trachea collapse issues. She will walk but has to smell everything and if she spots a person will pull me with all her might to get to them and is so happy to see them. No person is a stranger. Currently use a harness. Vet said she is one of two dogs so happy to see him. Would like her to walk not pull or have to smell every blade of grass. Pulling to the side for correction does no good as she is very determined. Any ideas? Overall she is a meek ears back, timid, hyper dog on the walk, who loves people, never bites, and sleeps under the covers to keep warm. She eagerly watches Cesar on TV, but I have not properly learned the lessons. She is a year old.
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25. swimmerqt23 - 4:45PM on 04/01/08

I have a 1 yr old rescue that as soon as I put a leash on him...he goes down to the ground. No, he will not walk on a leash at all. I would welcome the pulling and so forth at this point. I had to carry him into his first Vet visit after the adoption. HELP ME, please
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26. SMFLADY - 7:41PM on 04/01/08

I saw on the Dog Whisperer the other day, Cesar shaking a bag of something the dog wanted in front of him (such as treats) and as he went after it he just started walking with the dog. Worked great! Give it a try.
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27. Jamie B - 6:05AM on 04/03/08

I have 2 Borzoi which compete in Lure Coursing events. They both are very prey driven but know the difference between a normal walking collar and a lure coursing collar. I allow pulling only on the collars used for lure coursing but only when the lure is in sight. I use a pronge collar for normal walks which is quite effective and does not harm them one bit, nor is it cruel. They know who is in charge durning the walks and while their prey drive is still there they look to me to see if it is okay to chase or if we are to just continue our walk. They could easily pull me down but I am am always in control and I am able I walk both together without a problem.
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28. susan - 6:59AM on 04/03/08

I have a 125 pound bullmastiff and have been using a Halti to walk him. The Halti fits over the head and is similar to the gentle leader. I am not strong enough to handle this dog if he is pulling, the the Halti prevents any pulling. It has given us the freedom to walk safely. It also has a safety leash that attaches to the collar. so that if the halti does come off his head, the leash and collar are still attached. The only problem with the halti is that it resembles a muzzle for those who don't know what it is and some people think it makes the dog look scary.
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29. laindongeezersbird - 5:00AM on 04/05/08

i have a labrodor that is 8mths old he pulls very bad and l cant controll him at all l now have tried the choke chain but still does not stop him pulling,can any one give me any suggestions as the walking is no fun at all.
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30. TK - 9:13PM on 04/06/08

Hi there. I have a 2 year old dog that pretty much dragged me everywhere, including down a few times. I didn't want to use a choke although i hear many of you have had great luck with them. I did however get her a harness that attaches the leash to the front of her chest. Instinctually when they feel a tug on their neck, they pull back...but the harness leads her from the chest and a tiny change of direction on my part is felt. It's as though she is a brand new dog. I am amazed!!! I highly recommend the harness that goes around her back, under her arms and around her chest with the leash hooking on to the front of the chest. Best of luck and many dog kisses!~!
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