Best way to leash train?

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I have a new rescue dog who is TERRIBLE on the leash.

He's a 1 year old Jack Russell mix named Rudy. I also have another dog -- so when we walk, it's two dogs.

Rudy pulls like a plow horse, flips from side to side at random, goes behind me, twists up the leashes, stops every 10 feet to "mark".

He's a great little boy in every other respect, but I'm getting fed up with the leash struggle.

Here he is, with his sly face on.

[2theleft]

1. gentle leader...

http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/gentleleader/description

Not trying to advertise a product specifically, there are similar head collars... you will be amazed at the change once your dog gets used to having it on. My boxer, who thinks she is really a sled dog, pulls so much with any other type of leash/harness/whatever on. Put this on, and she's great to walk with.

It will take a few times for them to get used to it...her first time, she pawed at it, tossed her head a bit, etc., but then calmed down. We are MUCH happier on our walks now.

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5. Thanks for that information. It might be helpful.

I have Rudy on a harness now -- if I had the leash attached to his collar, he'd choke himself to death in nothing flat.

[OnyxCollie]

2. It sounds like he's the leader.

I would suggest taking the lead, either by walking faster or jogging.

You make the decisions, not him.

I walk four dogs at the same time. (Granted, they're herding dogs, and conform more to patterns and order, but they still understand who is the leader.)

The only times we have trouble is when we step outside of our regimes, like when we move from the sidewalk to an open field. Without clear direction from the alpha/hegemon (me), conflict occurs between two of the closest powers over what action to take.

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6. Onyx -- I'm already almost running!

He is soooo eager to get out to the park that we almost run all the way!!

He definitely does need to learn that I'm the boss -- not him.

[Walk away]

9. You have to start by taking him out by himself...

And changing directions a lot and rapidly. The trick is to do it without dragging him around. You can lean down and pat your leg to show him to come to you leg. Make kissy sounds and call his name. When he gets to your leg say "good", stand turn and walk a few feet and do the same thing. Soon he will be following with his nose to your leg. He he needs more encouragement you can intermittently give him a little high value food reward when he gets to your leg and looks up at you (that it the behavior you always want).

After that it's follow through every day for 10 or 15 mins of leash walking at the heel and changing directions. Keep surprising him with changes and reward him with a good when he heels.

That is how it's done in the real world. No kidding...it works.

[Myrina]

3. I have the same problem with my new kiddo.

All of my kids were PITA's when they first joined the family (except Bubba Ray, he always followed because he really just wanted to be home asleep LOL) & the more they got used to the routine, they settled in & got much better on the leash.

I hope, hope, hope the same will happen with Coco (nut) because even though she's only 25 lbs, my elbow & wrist hurts like hell from her pretending we're in the Iditarod. I think it becomes a case of "who's the boss" and also of the dog trusting you to lead, rather than trusting their own nose/instincts. Hopefully also she'll pick that up from my 13-year-old statesman, Hank.

But what do I know, I keep taking in crazy-ass dogs LOL.

[wildeyed]

4. I walked my problem child alone and everyday until he got the hang of it.

Two things helped. First, I brought small treats and would feed him a little bit at a time if he kept his attention on me and walked nicely. The other thing, I would flat out stop if he pulled on the leash and refuse to move until he settled down. That way he learned there was no payoff for trying to yank me faster. Pulling = all forward progress stopped and me ignoring him. Walking nicely = treats and praise. Took a huge amount of patience on my part, and some days we only made it two blocks. But he did eventually get the idea.

I also tired him out before we walked by throwing a ball for him for 15 or so minutes. That way the crazy energy was mostly dissipated and he could focus on me better. It also really, really helped to do it at least once a day until he got the idea firmly in his head. I noticed that if we missed a couple of days, he lost his progress.

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7. Wildeyed -- this approach could work also.

Rudy is VERY food oriented -- maybe because he was originally found starving by the side of the road.

[wildeyed]

8. Mine too.

He was very thin when he got picked up by animal control. But it does make training easier. He will work for kibble, carrot bits or unsalted popcorn.