There are many benefits associated with walking the family dog; social time for you and your canine friend, aerobic exercise for you both, & a chance to get out doors. However that may not be the case with some dogs and their owners, Walks can become a very uneasy experience when the dog pulls in all directions, lunges at passersby (people, cars, other animals) or pulls ahead with force. Rewards, training, and repetition can be great tools in helping achieve a good walking experience; some owners may resort to choke collars, prong collars, or even shock collars to help resolve walking issues. Walks should be an enjoyable event for both the dog and their owner, the use of corrective equipment that cause discomfort or pain for the animal may be counterproductive. In some cases these products do work to suppress the “bad behavior” but they work in a way which causes discomfort and pain. These experiences can lead to negative associations with any person or pet that incites pulling thus in turn causing the dog to become more fearful and or aggressive. It is recommended to avoid using these products with any dog that shows anxiety or aggression during a walk as it will only add to their fear. There are also health concerns with these tools as there are vulnerable body parts under the collar area, including the trachea, larynx, veins, arteries, lymph nodes, thyroid, and cervical spine. A study by Hallgren (Animal Behavior Consultations Newsletter 1992) found a correlation in 91 % of dogs between neck injuries and leash “jerking and Pulling”, while Pauli (JAAHA 2006) identified an association between neck pressure and intraocular pressure.
Head halters & body harnesses (with front attachments) are great tools and can be used in a positive way to gently and easily direct the dog into a desirable behavior. A head halter puts pressure at the back of the neck and around the muzzle instead pressure around the neck. “Much like a halter on a horse, where the head goes the body follows, a person of almost any strength can gently lead a dog of almost any size or strength on a calm walk, or focus the dog away from potential problems and onto the owner”. (Quote from the article in the Canadian vet journal written by Dr. Gary Landsberg and Dr. Colleen Wilson Walking the dog: tools for success November/December 2012). When desired behavior is acquired treats and praise positively reinforce the behavior making the walk a good experience as opposed to a negative one. Body harnesses with the front attachment do not provide muzzle control but can be used to stop pulling without punishment to effectively guide the dog away from problematic situations. Traditional harnesses attach from the back and can cause the dog to pull in the opposite direction in turn creating an undesired behavior and unhappy owner.
www.abrionline.org is a great resource for training.
