Teaching Him to Walk Without Pulling
Goldens are the ultimate sled dogs. They are energetic dogs with places to go and things to do, and they will pull on a leash to go where they want to go. To prevent pulling, it's essential to use a head collar. The head collar is a training device similar to a halter on a horse, and it allows you to prevent pulling by controlling the dog's head. We have had great success with these collars if they are introduced slowly and the dog is taught how to wear it. See Chapter 9 for more details on introducing a head halter. Keep in mind that any training device, be it a training collar, pinch collar, or head halter, is just that — a training device — and in and of itself does not teach your dog how to walk without pulling.
If you want to teach your dog not to pull, don't give him the opportunity. Eliminate his on-leash walks until you are getting somewhere with his leash manners.
The shaping steps for teaching your Golden how to walk without pulling are as follows:
With your dog on a leash, walk briskly.
Change direction every time your dog gets in front of you.
Click your dog when he catches up with you, and stop to give the treat.
Repeat this over and over again until he is trotting next to you; click and treat.
Gradually increase the distractions, clicking and treating him for being with you and changing directions when he is not.
If your dog puts on the brakes and stops, keep the leash tight but don't drag him; wait it out.
As soon as your dog steps forward, even if it's a fraction of an inch, click and treat.
Gradually lengthen the time your dog is with you before you click and treat.
Teaching your dog to walk without pulling is time-consuming and, frankly, kind of boring, but well worth the effort. Being able to go for a walk without being dragged down the street is essential to your enjoyment of being outdoors with your companion. You may want to start this exercise indoors in a hallway or basement and then gradually work up to an empty parking lot or driveway.
When you begin to introduce the outdoors, keep your goals low. Maybe for the first session out in front of the house, you go as far as the first house to your left, and the next session you go the length of a house on each side of yours.
If this seems like a long and time-consuming process, it is. You may find that using a head halter (the brand Canine University® sells and recommends is the Gentle Leader Headcollar) helps you prevent pulling while you are training your puppy to walk nicely on a leash.
A 1½-year-old male, an 8½-year-old male, a 10½-year-old female, and a 5½-year-old male.
Golden Retrievers are big, active, friendly dogs that love to be with people. If they are untrained and unruly, they can be a challenge to control. Sixty to eighty pounds of dog trying to cuddle up to someone he meets on the street can be a scary experience for a non-dog person. The more training your Golden has, the more his gregarious qualities will be appreciated and the less apt he is to injure someone when he tries to “love” them. It's no fun to be greeted if it involves being knocked over by a large, exuberant dog with no manners. Giving your Golden some basic good manners will ensure that he is welcome wherever you go.
