Iv had Nick about a year and he is my baby. I love him so much but walk time more often than not ends in tears. He has on-lead aggression. He pulls all the time and if he sees another dog at a distance he goes mental barking. lunging, growling etc. When he meets the dog face to face, hes great. He has lived with over 20 dogs with no problem as well. He has met a dog off lead once and he had a scuffle then left the dog alone when i told him to 'leave it'. He's a big Lurcher and is around 35kg so he is pretty strong. He has hauled me over on several occasions and has scarred all my hands when he is trying to get to the other dogs. Although i still walk him daily a lot of the time i wait until midnight-early morning to take him out. I do try and introduce him to as many dogs as possible but owners see him and walk the opposite way, cant blame them!

I have tried giving treats when he sees another dog, didn't work. He wasn't even interested in it as was so fixated on the other dog.

Making him sit and standing in front of him until the dog has passes, works if they are at a good distance but if they are close, not a chance.

Telling him 'leave it' and praising when he looks away, again works at a good distance but if they get close he goes mental.

I hope you guys can give me some advice as walk time is the most dreaded part of the day with him..

Thanks guys!

There's been quite a few threads on here today where people have said they use this technique for approaching dogs and I believe most have agreed it doesn't work... so scrap that for a start.

I know how you feel...take a look at the thread in the behaviorist section. 3 year old dog walking with puppy or something like that...Lots of people have given me advice with the same thing!

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Walter - Whippet
Lola- American cocker x Jack Russell
Ruby-Exotic Long hair
Pepper- Persian

That was a trainer i got that method from and that one works better than the rest. However, have to agree, still doesn't work or i wouldn't be asking for advice lol. Thanks

Thanks il take a look! Its a nightmare huh..

Have you tried a toy to get focus and keep attention on you and reward. Ive seen toys used with lurchers using their pre drive to advantage. Ones that have worked in training and with a lurcher too is Skineeze. They are furry flat (gross description but almost like a skinned squirrel or similar) and have squeakers in them. Skinneeez

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Have you thought about a headcollar or front clip harness to help you gain control of him and save your hands? It also helps you to approach things that your dog reacts to in a relaxed manner, keeping tension out of the lead as much as possible as you know you can hold your dog easily should they react. The advantage of some headcollars is that you can also turn their head gently away from whatever they become fixated on and break their concentration.

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What about a Gencon? They are brilliant and he wouldn't be able to pull you over with one of those on. Whereabouts do you live? Maybe you could arrange to meet up with some other dog lovers from here and get your dog to meet lots of friendly dogs? Just a thought......

He's not all that interested in toys but i will give it a go. If i use a squeaky toy and when the squeak got his attention, praise him. Is that what you mean?


I have tried various Haltis and i currently have a Gencon and i dont like it at all but dont know what one to get as they are expensive. I also use a normal lead with the gencon. I only work part time and live alone so money is pretty tight. There as so many different ones i havent a clue what one to get. He snapped his Halti when he was lunging etc. He also scratches at his mouth to get it off when he sees a dog and splits all his mouth open. I stupidly stick my hands in the way to stop him hurting himself. Another reason my hands are scarred..

Gencons are good, but I would wonder about the ability to gently turn a dog's head in one with a reactive dog; I would be concerned about the noseband tightening increasing the unpleasantness of the experience for the dog whereas something like the Dogmatic works without tightening. The dog can also be walked on either side of you with the type that give control under the chin.

I would think that the Gencon would be good for combatting pulling but not the reactivity aspect.

Not saying you are wrong; just thinking 'out loud' as it were .

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