How can I control my dog when walking?

Our question this week was:

Dr. Debra – Our young dog (lab mix, about 18 mo. & 55 lb., from local Humane Society 6 mo. ago) walks nicely on a leash and EasyWalk harness– until she spots something "interesting" which might be a squirrel, a bird in a tree, a rabbit nearby, or another person approaching while out walking. Then, she tries to "bolt" in that direction and came become difficult to handle. We don't want to fall or lose the handle on the leash. How to get her to stay calmer?

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Don Treffinger

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. You wrote asking how to control your young lab mix dog when walking. You are using an EasyWalk harness now.

Some dogs are difficult to walk with. One product that works pretty well is the Promise Halter or Head Halter.

Don – I think we have an article on just what you are looking for. "A head halter is the only training collar that gives the owner exquisite control over a dog, helps a dog instinctively understand that the owner is the leader, and causes NO PAIN! Head halters offer an alternative to traditional training collars and often are a ray of sunshine to owners who can start having pleasant walks with their dog again."

An article that might be helpful to you is Using Head Halters In Dog Training.

Best of luck!

Dr. Debra

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