Jrt dragging back on lead

[Hebe]

Hello everybody - new here :- )

My problem is my JRT doesn't pull on the lead, I actually have to pull her, she wants to stop and sniff everything and it is just becoming a nightmare to walk her.

Can anybody give me some advice please??

 

[goldenbear2013]

JRT's are working dogs and love to sniff and dig and find things in the ground! They were bred to go down burrows and catch rats after all!

I have a Lab whom I got from a working background and I got launched across the grass and all sorts if he caught a scent so I know how you feel! It took me ages to crack it!

If she is food orientated then take some treats with you on her walk. Let her sniff the treat before you start walking so you have her attention from the outset and she should focus on that and then give her a 'Heel' command. If she walks for a few paces (your paces) then give her praise and the treat. Keep doing this. Doesn't matter how many times you say 'Heel' as she will associate with walking by your side with that word, so once she has picked it up then she will know where she needs to be the next time you give her that command. Keep the treat by your hip to so that's where her head is, as that is the position you want her in.

FYI: this may take a while!!!!

If she is toy orientated, like a squeaky ball or something then take this with you instead of food.

Also talk to her more to get her to keep her focus on you and not her nose on the floor, as you obviously cant keep feeding her treats through the whole walk. Keep your voice in a happy tone and make lots of fuss of her if she does what you want her to do. If she does something you don't want her to do then change the tone of your voice to a deeper and sterner tone so she knows that this voice means she is doing what she should be doing.

JRT's are stubborn little dogs and their will power will out weigh yours ten fold so you need to stick to your guns and be very strict with her. I don't mean in a bad way but keep up the heel work training. You can practice this at home in the garden and up and down the street when you are not actually out and about with her.

Consistency is key with this breed other wise they will take over everything! They are head strong and want to rule the roost!

If you stick to your guns you will end up with a truly awesome dog (no doubt she is already but I hope you know what I mean!)

I hope this helps and good luck!

Sophie x

 

[gypsysmum]

You need to be more interesting than the environment! Use really tasty treats and put them right on her nose. If she follows you for a few steps then release the treat. Repeat until she understands that following your hand is the way to get the treat. You will get chronic back ache at first while you lure her along but in time you will be able to lift you hand, containing the treat, a little higher each time. Make sure you have plenty of treat to keep up the feeding as you go along. As soon as she looks like she is understanding then you can ask her to walk a few more steps to get the treat.

Alongside this I would never allow her to sniff while on lead. She must understand that walks on lead mean she has to walk, not sniff. She can sniff when let off lead or when you give her a release word and a loose lead to go sniffing.

The help of an APDT trainer might be well worth the investment!

 

[2hounds8paws]

Please do not stop your dog from doing this behaviour it can actually cause/trigger other more serious unwanted behaviours such as pooh eating and stubborness. Why go anywere if your owner is all ways dragging you away from the cool stuff?

Dogs smell things because thats how they find their way around and engage with their environment. Its a perfectly natural behaviour and should in fact be encouraged.

Try some clicker training to gain your dogs attention follow Kikopup or Training positive or Pams Dog Academy for for further advice on how you get your dogs attention

It would be worth while teaching a heal and invitting your dog to certain areas you want them to sniff or using a come command reinforced by treats to come when called so she does not drag you.

 

[eingana]

Whilst it is important to get exercise and move around a lot, it's also important for dogs to be able to read the peemails that other dogs leave, so how about teaching your little one a 'leave' or 'heel' command for some parts of the walk when getting up to speed and actually getting some exercise can be done, and a 'go smell' command for when she is allowed to go and read her peemails and send some of her own?

If she's allowed some sessions of indulging her sense of smell then focusing her on proper walking at proper walking time should be a little easier.