Sam is now nearly 3 months old and is doing really well with the small amount of training we have been doing.

He sits on command, sits and waits for his food at meal times which is great but one major problem I am having is pulling when on his lead, I attach his lead to a harness rather than a collar, he is ok when in the fields but on the way back from his walk across the fields and field side paths when we reach the footpath by the road he starts to pull like crazy and is virtually on his back legs for about 200yds till we get home . I have tried to vary the route but it doesn't seem to make much difference. Any advice would be great.

Hi! My hubby and I had a good giggle when we saw your post. His immediate response was to put on some roller skates! We have never yet seen a springer that does not pull on the lead. Ours pulls me off my feet!

Have you tried allowing a little extra time on your return trip home and when he pulls you down the footpath turn and go the other way, if he then pulls ahead, turn and go the other way after a few attempts he may begin to realise that you are the leader and not him. It helps if the lead is about double the length of a normal walking lead so maybe attach two together.

Hope this helps it's the start of a technique that has worked for us. Let us know how you get on

Steve

Oh right, I didn't realise, what springers, pull on a lead ?? Ha ha ha

You can always spot a springer owner by the length of their arms !

We have always used a good quality "gentle leader" since our youngest was 6 months. Even now if she is not on the leader she will get her head down and power out with her legs but the leader makes her a dream to walk. We did try harnesses and all manner of training methods before we accepted that its part of her character and thats it.

It may work for you , it may not.

Hi

I find the drop lead and turn works well for my dog (though don't get me wrong he still has his moments ) but he has improved greatly. I also throw in the 'sit' command at random moments just to catch him out. When we get to a crossing in the road I tell him to 'wait' and he stands still till I tell him to cross.

My walk does sometimes take a bit longer due to turning a few times but it works so I'll keep at it.

Hope it helps

I laughed too!, but my friends frown at the way Moxie pulls, so I have been trying to teach her better manners.
It isn't helped by the fact that we live next to a farm and I have acres I can walk her on without a lead. I usually try putting her on a lead for a little way after she has run off loads of energy. To be honest, if I hold her "steady" she will walk by my side without a lead.
My dog walking friends are not impressed, though.

At this moment in time i am struggling with Elly on her lead, to the point her neck is starting to get sore from her pulling so much.
Yet at training classes she walks like a dream,shes at at my side, head up looking and listening even with all the other dogs around her.
I am lucky if i get 5 minutes of that when we are outside, i am at a loss, i just dont know what to do.

Spaniel heelwork is not a precise art and they are supposed to walk a 'little' in front - but as already posted, you can tell a Springer owner by the length of their arms! Two of mine are good heel walkers off lead in particular and not bad on, two a complete 'mare' on lead and one (Sprocker) taught from scratch to walk to heel beautifully on or off by clicker training - everytime he was in the correct position click & treat. Takes a long while before you can get a reasonable distance and is still reinforced regularly but he has beautiful loose lead walking and even volunteers to go on lead for the chance of a treat! Will 'heel' forward,backwards, sideways - on and off - sideways is not much use but fun! Having said that - if he sees/hears/smells a motorbike if walking on road and that all goes out of the window!! Good Luck!

Thanks for all your suggestions, I have tried the turn and walk in opposite direction and he seems to be improving slightly i guess only time will tell.

I know I am probably being stupid whats what's a 'gentle leader', is it a type of harness that fits over his nose? I saw something similar in Pets at Home but am not sure if thats what's meant.

I actually managed to tire him out today after a two hours walk across fields and footpaths, though being tired only lasted about 1 hour before he was up to mischief again. Aren't springers great

Thanks for all your help and I will persist.

I know I am probably being stupid whats what's a 'gentle leader',

is it a type of harness that fits over his nose? I saw something similar in Pets at Home but am not sure if thats what's meant.


Its a head coller which gives you more control, like leading a horse!

However, try a 'Gencon' I find it friendlier than a 'gentel leader'. you can only get them on the internet but they are great. They don't ride up into the dogs eyes like other head collers but remember if you order one to stipulate which side you work your dog on as they are 'side sensative'

You musn't jerk the line, but they really do work. Anything that stops me having 'long arms' is welcomingly received!