I got my golden retriever at a fairly young age and have had him for about 9 years now, he has always been a good dog. He obeys me when I order him to without treats, He NEVER barks only recently when I have taught him to do it on queue, never barks at dogs or people going past.

The only problem I have with him is walking him, its so bad that I can't walk him everyday like I want. He just pulls and pulls and pulls. I have tried EVERYTHING I have come across over the past few years (now hes older and alot stronger and bigger its more of a problem).

1: I have tried holding him close next to me and holding the lead a certain way (like on a show called dog whisperer I seen) which is meant to trigger something in their brain and you walk infront to show your the leader, but that doesnt work, I can't get infront of him, I hold him close and he just pulls infront, I try catching up by walking faster but I get close and he goes faster.

2:I tried running at the speed he moves (yes running to keep up) and when he wants to stop and sniff I keep moving but that doesn't do anything, he just runs with me having a blast and stops to sniff but I don't let him and he doesn't care and keeps running, I get tired and stop and then it resumes with the normal pulling.

3:I normally pull him back in a fit of anger and yell at him but I know that doesn't do anything.

4: Also Stopping when the dog pulls and/or turning around the other way to distract him. Feeding him treats is useless because he doesn't want them, he doesnt even sniff them.

He smells something meters away and wants to be there pissing on it right that second and he pulls towards it, my Dad always holds the lead and lets it go so his force pushes him into the tree but I think thats cruel and won't do anything.

5: I forgot to mention, every morning I would get the leash and he sits like a good boy, 2 seconds later I try putting the leash on him (hook it to his collar) and he runs out the garage and to the gate which is at least 15 meters away before I have hooked it on, anyway I hook it onto him and take him out, as soon as he pulls I will take him back into the backyard, and repeat this about 5 times before I take him back and go back inside thinking I will change his perspective, instead of thinking pulling gets him to the tree that pulling will get him nowhere. This goes for weeks and weeks and weeks before I give up because he just doesn't get it...

Some people have told me its because he doesn't get out enough which could be it but I have tried doing it once and twice a day and he still pulls. I just want to have a nice relaxing walk with my dog and not be embarrassed in public. sorry for the longggg post!.

[beks]

I Have the same problem!
I own an almost 2 year old Labrador/Retreiver mix, and he is too strong!
I have tryed many different things, we tryed a choker collar ( not a mean one, one that has cloth around it) but he didnt care he would just keep pulling and choking himself.
I have tryed harnesses
and right now we have a Gentle lead, witch does help a bit but he still pulls and as his neck has gotten stronger i find it very hard to walk him.
We take him 2 times a day and play out side with him but it doesnt matter.
The only time you can walk him any sence is when he knows he is on his way home, he seems to calm down a bit then.
we try to tighten his lead, but he has some way of loosing it!

I cant walk holding him to my side because i find he pulls even harder then...

Also our dog will not poop in the yard, he will go pee but he wil not poop so we have to take him for a walk, and if he has to go bad he pulls even more!

i dont know how to make him not pull, or make him poop in the yard, but if you have any sucess with improving your dogs walk, let me know!
sorry i don't have any advice