Springer Spaniel Pulling on the lead

by Val
(Bolton England)

Hello all
As a new first time puppy owner and after previously asking other questions I am here again looking for some advice.

My ESS is now 20 weeks and and whilst I am quite proud of how his training is developing I am concerned about how hard he pulls when on the lead.

We are trying our utmost to get him to walk to heel but he pulls that much his neck appears to be red by the end of his walk.

We have just started taking his to dog training classes and the staff there tell us that he will eventually stop pulling so much but never the less I am concerned we are hurting him or shall I say he is hurting himself.

Has anyone got any advice and words of reassurance that he will stop pulling so hard.

Thanks

From Anna@love-springer-spaniels.com
Hi Val
Springers are terrible at walking to heel on the lead, in fact its never something I have quite cracked with my springers. They are better walking to heel off the lead than on it.

Its all part of their instinct they, they are desperate to go out hunting with you, its what they live for. Your trainer is right it will come with time, keep perservering.

What I will say though is after his walk try some focused heel work, that way they are tired from the walk and have had the excitement of being out.

Put your springer on your left hand side and take the lead round your back and old it on your left and right hand side so they are right next to you. Walk on, and every time he pulls, stop until they have stopped pulling. Keep doing this until they realise you will not walk until they stop pulling. Keep doing this over and over again, little and often and it will come

Hope that helps and good luck!!!

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Springer Spaniel Pulling on the lead

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Nov 29, 2011
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Pulling NEW
by: Michele

Have you had a chance to check out the Gentle Leader?

http://www.gentleleader.com/

My neighbor had the pulling problem with her Border Collie. She has recently bought the Gentle Leader and is having a lot of success using it. Might be worth a try.

Nov 29, 2011
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Clicker Training NEW
by: Jill

We are taking ours to clicker training (as we did for our labrador). The principal is as suggested and it seems to be working with ours - you need a long lead, wrap the loop round your hand between your thumb and fingers, if long wrap twice, hold this against your left hip and wait. When the dog looks at you click and reward, until he realises you have something interesting to eat, it might take you 15 minutes before you can take off - be patient. Then take a step, if they lurch to the end of the lead, stand still, wait til they slacken on the lead and look at you, click reward. It may be that you only get 10 yards but it does work especially if you have really nice treats (not run of mill biscuits). The other important thing, which we went wrong with was allowing my labrador to pull with my husband because he was stronger, but not with me because I wouldn't tolerate it - you all need to be singing from the same hymn sheet ! Trouble is there's the issue of need to let them run - I often do this for a bit let her off the lead, call her back when she's had a burn then do it again, so the reward is a run in the middle. Good luck, I'm still work in progress but I have seen it working well. If you can get them looking at you it maybe that you want to let them off lead to walk by your side???

Mar 22, 2011
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Pulling
by: Michele

I went back and re-read your post and see that you are going to an obedience class - missed that the first time around! So now, I would tell you practice, practice, practice!

Good luck!

Mar 22, 2011
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Pulling
by: Michele

Have you tried an obedience class or are you training on your own? I have found that attending an obedience class really helps tremendously. You learn so many tips there and you are 'forced' to practice daily to keep up with the rest of the class!

I have two Springers. Both them and I have been obedience trained thru our local dog club. Look around for something like that in your area. It's not expensive and well worth the time and money. Both of my Springers heel quite well. My younger Springer will heel off lead as well as on.

Mar 22, 2011
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pulling on lead
by: lynn

I thin its a spaniel thing.....they don't like leads and want to be free!

I have started to use a halti lead which goes around their mouth and if they pull then their head is turned thus stopping them pulling.

I have not yet used this whilst walking both dogs but it does came them down when walking on their own.

The only downfall I find with it is that they have to wear collars and we have always used slip-leads for our ESS but hopefully the halti will do the trick.

Jan 13, 2011
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Pulling
by: Michele

You might ask your obedience trainer about the 'gentle leader'. It's a collar / leash combination that also fits around their muzzle and does help with pulling.

Jan 13, 2011
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pulling springers
by: Anonymous

the sign of an execellent flushing spanial.

mine are growing out of it slowly i use easy dog cuju leads 1 long for park type walks 1 shorter for town

the leads have a shock absorber which reduces rhe pull and makes the walk more enjoyable

in a perfect world all dogs would not pull however any dog like a spanial are keen to show there talents of flushing out.

dont worry too much it will right itself,

regards

shaun uk

Jan 13, 2011
Rating

walking with lead
by: Anonymous

I have tried and tried. Finally I gave up. Emma walks much better (right by my side) if I do not use a lead. I keep a treat in my left pocket and she knows it is there. I have learned if she stops to smell....I keep walking....she will immediately follow me. It was really hard at first to keep walking, I wanted to turn and wait for her. She is smart enough to know that treat is in my pocket and she will eventually get it, if she behaves. Good luck.

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