[LizandRiley]

Hi Everyone,

I am having a little trouble with walking Riley (2yr old lab) with a large group of people!
My husband and i often go walking with other family members and our 3 young children but the problem is we can't take Riley with us because he gets too excited and pulls us around as soon as he gets out of the car!!!
We have had problems walking him since we bought him home as a pup but we have managed to get him to walk (semi) nicely on a lead using a gentle leader head collar. I walk him everyday on my own and he is getting on very well, when he starts to pull i stop and he comes back to my side (i often use the 'back' command) but i want to be able to take him on long good walks with the rest of the family!!
Has anyone got any tips that might help us tackle his behaviour when we all go out??

[Lunareclipse]

Make him the last one out of the car. When he gets out of the car, if he pulls, put him back in the car. He doesn't get out until he settles. When he settles, bring him out. If he gets riled up again, put him back in the car. Leave early so you can do this with him. It could take a while for him to get the point.

[LizandRiley]

thanks for replying!!!

i will try that this sunday when we go out for a walk! shall i let the children and my husband go on ahead?
what shall i do when he pulls when we are on the walk? he is good and standing and waiting till we move but as soon as i put my forward he is off again pulling my arm off and hurting me!!

[Lunareclipse]

This is what I do, I hold the leash halfway down so the dog doesn't have the whole leash to run all over with. I hold the other end (handle) in my other hand. When my dogs go past my leg, I flip the other end of the leash over and swat them on the nose with it. My dogs have all learned that the safest place for them to be is behind me. I have also discovered that the safest place for them to be is behind me. I resorted to doing it that way after Buster (my male saint bernard) drug me across the road (seriously, I had roadrash where my face met the pavement) to meet another dog and I almost got hit by a car. It has worked well for me. Also have treats ready and when your dog isn't pulling, give him a treat.

Go ahead and send the others ahead of you. You're going to be training for a while.

[LizandRiley]

You have been very helpful! thank you very much for helping me with this!
i am going to take the children to school and the practice this on my own during this mornings walk and hopefully by sunday we will see some impprovements!!

xx