Hello, I am hoping for some advice!

I am currently trying to retrain both of my springer spaniels, while I have a lot of issues here is my current problem!

One pulls badly on the lead, we are currently trying to stopping and changing direction approach although progress is slow!! We use the halti harness although I have also ordered a mekuti harness. Things are improving but I am also trying to improve her recall, being a springer she loves to run around but I worry when it gets too far. I have bought a long lead and this is working well with the whistle but she does pull on it when over excited and I worry I am actually encuraging her to pull?

What does everyone think? Has anyone any experience of long leads?

My other dog has developed some agression problems so I am keeping her on the long lead too while we work with a behaviourlist but I don't want to worsen the pulling esp as we are doing walks individually and I would like to walk them together again at some point soon!

Thanks

I don't generally train my dogs when I walk them, I do this separately, as I think if you're on a walk to go from A to B, it's harder to focus on your handling skills. So I set aside 5-15 mins for training, about four or five times a week for training.

I have a cocker here, not exactly the same as a springer, but from the same roots. I've been doing as little as possible with him, many people who train working spaniels leave lead training until the last, focussing on recall and the stop whistle, and then when they introduce lead training, working more and more on that stop. The other main bit of training they do, is once they start getting a spaniel out is they train it to turn on the whistle, ie to quarter the ground in front of the handler as they walk forward. This is a great way to make sure your spaniel doesn't roam too far. My OH has recently started Miggin's (cocker) one to one training, and he's coming on leaps and bounds, he's now 8 months of age and the basics are in there to build from.

If you can find a good gundog trainer near you (google the gundog club) then they may be able to help you harness your dogs' natural ability. I'm sure others will post about the actual pulling and long line, it is just consistency to get heel work in place, and there are a few ways to train it. It helps if you actually enjoy the heelwork training, which I never did for a long time.

Hi,

Where in Lancashire are you? I may be able to help with some recall training sessions.

I'm a behaviorist too so may be able to help with aggression issues.

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Dog Trainer And Walker in Bolton and Bury