Dog Owners/Runners

I honestly can't believe I am reading that people on here are using prong collars (banned in several countries) choke collars and gentle leaders or haltis while running their dogs let along walking them

Why don't the next time you go for a walk/run try them on yourself and I mean like how they are meant to be used i.e prongs tight round your neck and gentle leaders pulling up on your arm pits, bet it's not fun and the reason your dog doesn't pull wearing these things is cause it's scared of the pain

Why not just use good old fashioned training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, oh wise canine guardian? How do you propose TRAINING an unruly 100 lb dog without them? Treats? Because I can promise you, a great dane that wants to chase a cat is NOT going to choose not to because I wave a little hot dog under his nose. The harnesses and such are far more gentle than even a regular collar is. A regular collar on a dog that pulls can collapse a thrachea. I have spent many years training dogs for service industry, home purposes and even K-9 law enforcement training. You know what else isnt fun? Having your dog pull so hard you hit the pavement, or they get away from you and hit by a car. THAT is not fun.

Amen!

Hi Yall!

I am currently training for my first half marathon. I have a spot that I love to run outdoors, but the area can be sketchy at certain times of the day. Very early, and late at night. I love this trail becasue I ran a couple 5k races there before, and I know the exact distance I am running.

I have a 2 1/2 year old Pit bull/bull dog mix that I would love to take running with me when I go to my fave running spot. HOWEVER he is a maniac on a normal leash when I try to run with him. LOL it is NOT SAFE at all.

Are there any certain harnesses, gentle leaders, etc. that will keep him by my side at my pace?

Tosco & I thank you

Your dog is gorgeous

I honestly can't believe I am reading that people on here are using prong collars (banned in several countries) choke collars and gentle leaders or haltis while running their dogs let along walking them

Why don't the next time you go for a walk/run try them on yourself and I mean like how they are meant to be used i.e prongs tight round your neck and gentle leaders pulling up on your arm pits, bet it's not fun and the reason your dog doesn't pull wearing these things is cause it's scared of the pain

Why not just use good old fashioned training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, oh wise canine guardian? How do you propose TRAINING an unruly 100 lb dog without them? Treats? Because I can promise you, a great dane that wants to chase a cat is NOT going to choose not to because I wave a little hot dog under his nose. The harnesses and such are far more gentle than even a regular collar is. A regular collar on a dog that pulls can collapse a thrachea. I have spent many years training dogs for service industry, home purposes and even K-9 law enforcement training. You know what else isnt fun? Having your dog pull so hard you hit the pavement, or they get away from you and hit by a car. THAT is not fun.

Simple. It starts when they're a puppy.

I honestly can't believe I am reading that people on here are using prong collars (banned in several countries) choke collars and gentle leaders or haltis while running their dogs let along walking them

Why don't the next time you go for a walk/run try them on yourself and I mean like how they are meant to be used i.e prongs tight round your neck and gentle leaders pulling up on your arm pits, bet it's not fun and the reason your dog doesn't pull wearing these things is cause it's scared of the pain

Why not just use good old fashioned training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

excellent!!!

Okay, oh wise canine guardian? How do you propose TRAINING an unruly 100 lb dog without them? Treats? Because I can promise you, a great dane that wants to chase a cat is NOT going to choose not to because I wave a little hot dog under his nose. The harnesses and such are far more gentle than even a regular collar is. A regular collar on a dog that pulls can collapse a thrachea. I have spent many years training dogs for service industry, home purposes and even K-9 law enforcement training. You know what else isnt fun? Having your dog pull so hard you hit the pavement, or they get away from you and hit by a car. THAT is not fun.

Simple. It starts when they're a puppy.

Simple. It starts when they're a puppy.

And those of us who rescue animals from unruly and abusive homes? what then?

bump!!!

[/quote]

Simple. It starts when they're a puppy.
[/quote]

Like others have said, what about rescues?!

Also, on another note, let's dial back the judgement a bit. Obviously, everyone on here loves their dogs and wants to do whatever is best for their pup. I'd certainly rather have any one of these folks (who go to the actual effort to discuss their dogs...even on an exercise website!) taking care of a dog than have any dog roaming the streets or in a shelter (like where I found my guy). If you have helpful tips, let's hear them, but don't get all up in arms because people do things different than you. All dogs are different and may have different needs (e.g. my dog literally does not respond to treats...he responds to tennis balls, frisbees, and petting...that has made training on some things pretty difficult)....let's respect that.

*steps off soapbox*

Most dogs deal well with running. They don't have time to get too focused on distractions like they do on walks. Chances are you will be fine.

Prong collars aren't the end of the world, however they are often not fitted correctly and used wrong.

If your dog is horrible running with you, I would suggest shelling out $100 bucks or so to have a one time session with a trainer to learn good tips.

My dog trainer at Petsmart (not known for having the best trainers, but I love mine) was able take different merchandise from the store and let me see multiple options. I use a gentle leader on my puppy and a normal harness (not anti-pull) on my 5 year old pit bull.

Be careful, because a lot of harness will say anti pull, but actually help the dog pull harder.

My parents Trained both their Dorgs - Rodesian ridgeback & Vizsla, witch shock collars. I can take both of them on runs with me and they do not DARE stray. They have both been shocked only once for trying to take off. Now, I just put the collars on them and they do not leave my side no matter where we are...walks, dog park, pets mart. They are saints!

I am PRO shock collar. To me, it is like getting a spanking when you were little. I never did that again. I would like to try the shock collar method my parents used, but my BF is too much of a softy, and probably would leave me if I did

Thank you to everyone who provided POSOTIVE feedback and their experience with different training methods. I will try them out untill I find a good fit

Jenna

Just get a collar for him, you and I both know you only have to do the "shock" one time... and he will listen, just do it when your BF is not around...and then show him how well he listens just from the "beep" bahahaha..... since he does not use one, he will not know the difference...
this is your dog, your arms, your back and your running..... BF can either train the dog himself to run properly or you can use a shock collar....simple as that....

He is "Our dog". I dont want to go behind his back, but I will try talking to him. I know stronger dogs need mroe forceful means of training/tough love than the smaller ones. Or at least I think they do! thanks for the input!!!!

I'm not a shock collar person either, but there's a good alternative. It's a remote "spray collar" that does the beeps like a shock collar but the "enforcement" is just a quick spray of citronella, which breaks their focus and annoys the dog. I only use collar when we're off leash and only use the spray in emergencies (e.g. if he locks in on something and essentially can't hear me)...the rest of the time, he responds to beeps. The beeps have been a great tool for teaching "leave it" and for reinforcing our non-emergency "come" command. It's also very humane (in my opinion).

Research the bred of dog you want and if you know you can't handle it go for something a little smaller, I also know someone who owns great danes and she is tiny and controls two at a time without any no pull aids

can't you use a normal walking harness??

As I said I walk 3 huskies, who were bred not only for pulling sleds in the winter but hunted reindeer in the winter and have an incredible hunting instinct, so anything from squirrel to a deer is fair game as far as they are concerned, the dog(s) need to obey what you say not what they think they should do. While out running a simple "on by" command and my huskies will just keep running past what ever has caught their eye whether its a patch of smelly grass or a cat

The ones that I got as puppies, I had the ability to train with a regular harness. Sam, my biggest, at 197 lbs, I walked him on a cat leash when I took him to the nursing homes, petsmart, schools, short outings, because he was trained well enough and it was what was always in the car. I am more than capable of handling Great Danes. Once I had them trained I walked all of them together. I did, however, have one that I got as an adult because the owners could NOT handle him. I had to train him as an adult. I could give point commands to them all when I got them where they needed to be. And no, when you have a 165 lb dog who has never been taught how to behave on a leash, you cant just use a walking harness.

ok sorry I was thinking of another one but like a halti anything round the head and pulled back will cause whip lash - any of you ever had it??????

Actually no, if you use it properly it will not cause whiplash. And it does not pull the head back at all. It redirects it down or to the side, usually just breaking their concentration on the undesirable behavior and allow the chance to correct it. Perhaps a bit MORE education is needed.

I second this ^^

I use the HALTI with my german shepherd that likes to pull. He will not pull now because the strap that goes around his muzzle will close his mouth and if he tries to pull through it, it takes control of his head and his head turns and he turns himself around. He jogs beside me at my pace. If he doesn't he would have to run sideways. Love it.

It does not cause whip lash unless used improperly. If you yank and pull on it forcefully and very quickly you might be able to do that, but if you use the dogs motion to cause the consequence, they will not give themselves whiplash.

Just get a collar for him, you and I both know you only have to do the "shock" one time... and he will listen, just do it when your BF is not around...and then show him how well he listens just from the "beep" bahahaha..... since he does not use one, he will not know the difference...
this is your dog, your arms, your back and your running..... BF can either train the dog himself to run properly or you can use a shock collar....simple as that....

Animal abuse and lying to a partner in one fell swoop! Do you get bonus points?

Animal abuse ?????????? Girl get educated and read up on it, my 8yr old son had the collar on the other day and was zapping himself to see what it felt like.... give me a break...

Lying to partner? I was joking around, half heartedly, talk about over reacting and making me out to be such a BAD person.... *rolls eyes*

Honey, *I* didn't make you out to be a bad person.