Strong Big Dogs, how to control them?

[Angel Siders]

I am working with a 1.5 year old great dane, who cannot walk on a leash. Does anyone have any advise? The owner is using a harness and also a regular collar. I am tossing around the idea of having the owner use a different kind of collar, but I am hesitatant to do so. Any advise would be helpful. Thanks!!!

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Angel~

I hope you don't mind but I moved your post b/c Philosophy is not a "how to" train forum. Can you explain what you mean by "cannot walk on leash"?

Thanks

I am working with a 1.5 year old great dane, who cannot walk on a leash. Does anyone have any advise? The owner is using a harness and also a regular collar. I am tossing around the idea of having the owner use a different kind of collar, but I am hesitatant to do so. Any advise would be helpful. Thanks!!!

[Dave Kersh]

If the dog is pulling or lunging to the point of choking, a Gentle Leader or Halti may be the answer. He won't like it at first, but it's much more humane and efficient than the alternative choke chain or pinch collar.

This page describes both:
http://www.geocities.com/jetflair/halti.html

[babyblue]

I use a halti on my Malamute (Chloe I adopted and is great on leash lucky for me ;) ) who use to be a BIG pulller and I had trouble controlling him. It really helps me keep in control and not get dragged along. When he has it on it helps him not pull on walks, but you have to remember it isn' going to train him. Once he gets into his regular harness he is at the pulling again, so I would suggest the person only get a Halti/gentle leader if they are having trouble keeping control or if the dog's pulling is causing them pain, like pulling at their shoulders.

I found this website that has a few video's on how to traiin your dog. I found them really helpful and thought you could use it.
http://www.nerdbook.com/sophia/movies.html
Just go down to the area that talks about "walking nicely". It's gonna take time and patience, but it does pay off.
Tell the person good luck. :)

[Mario Niepel]

Angel, just do add to Melissa's question... what is the specific problem with walking on leash. Does the dog pull too hard? Does the dog get jumpy, aggressive, excited, ... ? All of these are behaviors that can certainly be managed.

As a temporary fix for pulling on the leash, I would suggest to use the sense-ible or sense-ation harness (http://www.softouchconcepts .com/). The have worked extremely well for me with two different dogs. They are easy and fast to put on and the dogs do not seem to be bothered by them.