It's an interesting video and I appreciate the information you give. We see a dog very comfortable following you and without constraint, but I would have liked to see the beginning of the exercise when the dog was unstable and disorganized and how you arrived at this excellent result.
What a great video on ENGAGEMENT, so important and something most owner regrettably never get a handle and then wonder why their dogs don't listen. It makes so much sense without engagement it all goes to hell. Cheers and thank you! You are a wonderful inspiration for all us out there that think it would be a better world if all dogs behaved .
Over the past few days I’ve watched many of your videos. My dogs were reaaaaally bad with walking. I hated the task cause I always came back with a sore shoulder from all the pulling and they’re little dogs! But I had nothing to lose. I tried these techniques and by no ways perfect but tonight, just after a few short days, myself and my three dogs went out for a walk and they walked beside me (blind one walked behind) and it’s the best walk they’ve ever been on. Not perfect not by far but the change is dramatic! So thank you for your videos! Now I’ve just got to train my dad on how to walk them 😂
This was filled with great tips and great modeling. Hope you'll share your additional work/training with him...fine tuning his heel as well as how you address and work with his reactivity.
@@name.terrie it's a struggle to be honest. But he'll get there. His reactivity isn't fear based. Coming from over excitement, too much testosterone and adrenaline. He plays fine with dogs off lead. Just struggles with self control on the lead
I love your videos and always recommend them to folks who need a starting point when they say they don't know where to begin with any training. I believe you have a great balance of correction/redirection and positive reinforcement to help folks learn constant discipline will not teach dogs kindness.
Say your dog [and you] have this issue but he also has a very short attention span.... keeping him engaged in me is quite the challenge. 2 yrs old, not fixed. Super timid malamute, but hauls like a horse. I can redirect him fine, keep him to one side easily, stops with me and sits with no command, but as soon as we continue walking its full throttle.
Same with my mini Aussie, 9 months old not fixed yet. But I've taught him to come to my right side when I stop or move backwards. It brings him back, but he still charges forward (just got a prong collar, but haven't put it on him yet).
Are you using a prong collar during training sessions? Dogs with a focus on other things (not the trainer/training) need a solid "communication pathway" like the video states. If your dog wants to take-off from you, simply stop, and when the slack goes out of the lead, go in the opposite direction you had been going. Eventually, that redirection will become meaningful for the dog.
@@pennymcadams7252 Kinda like a trail horse that knows his way back to the barn, eh? The same technique applies: when he pulls stop and then change direction. You might try a shorter walk away from home and then start to head back to start the change direction drill (that way you aren't 2 miles from home or something when you have to stop and begin the correction drill, am I right?).
Love watching your videos and was thinking of getting a slip lead for my 8 month old French Bulldog who pulls on her lead but so glad I looked into it first! These type of leads are incredibly dangerous for brachycephalic dogs which is totally irresponsible! I really think there should be a warning when you are recommending this product.
Great vid! I’ve got an American bully as well and have just introduced the prong collar and it’s been great! Looking forward to the next video for his reactivity!
Hi Will i have been watching you for a few moths. You are so great thanks to your advices I have established a loving leadership with my central Asian shepherd thanks so much. Pls continue and show us how to work with such Indépendant breeds like mine
Wonderful that you have managed to make your dog behave by watching these videos, but what you actually should have done is to learn how to raise a dog at all before getting one. And especially if you're planning to have a breed like that. Don't get a dog based on it's appearance.
Can you please do a I'd on working with Yorkshire terrier puppies (4 months) and losing our mind... Wish you'd come to Edinburgh we could so use some help...
I love your videos Will. Been super helpful. I got a slip lead and am trying tune up drills but my puppy just keeps biting the leash. Could you do a video on how to correct this behavior? I was thinking about using treats to give her mouth something else to do during tune ups but was trying to avoid treats for this stage of the process. She’s a mini goldendoodle. Thanks!
I've been watching your videos and trying to apply them to my staffie. He's 4YO and by far biggest problems are leash pulling and attention being anywhere else, but on me. Unfortunately, I've used a prong collar for a few years as it was the only way I thought of minimizing the pulling, so using it now has literally 0 effect on him, even with quite intensive taps and sudden direction changes. I think he's grown used to the metal. I would be immensely grateful if anyone has any other tips how to possibly fight that behavior. Thank you for the great content!
Have you tried a head collar? Worked great for my staffy. Ideally they need a longer nose tho as opposed to a squished up face/nose. When I tried it with my staffy he was between 1-2 years old and it took him only a few days to get used to it but he hated it at first. It’s a Night and day difference tho once he was used to it. I I have another American staff puppy now that’s 6 months old and she pulls just as much as he did but she is already a bit bigger than he was fully grown but I tried the head collar on her and even with a brand new bigger size she hates it even after nearly a month of wearing it daily. She doesn’t mind just wearing it but it’s when you attach the lead to the actual head collar she won’t stand for as it tightens up when she pulls etc. Spends most the walk pawing at it or with her head down on the ground trying to get it off somehow. It also rubs on her nose a lot too because she pulls on it a lot instead of just walking normally bless her. I’m thinking she’s probably too young for it right now tho as she’s not used to everything outside yet either so is too excited an it’s all new still so the collar is too restrictive for her right now, so maybe she will be better when she’s a bit older like my other staffy was. Hopefully by then tho I can get her to just not pull anyway. She responds well to stuff she just looses concentration and tries to run off up head forgetting she’s attached constantly lol. But even then with her hating it using the head collar makes a massive difference in our walks even with her making a fuss about it most the walk as she doesn’t pull forward as much and if she does it’s nowhere near as much weight behind it an it’s easier to stop/correct her. Defo worth trying if you have not already. Don’t buy the head collar off of Amazon (or eBay) tho. Even the brand named ones like Halti are fakes and really cheap poor quality on Amazon even the “Amazon choice” are fakes. If you must get one from Amazon check the 1-2 star reviews first. Also get one that’s fits properly. Not too small/tight and not too big. Needs to be comfortable etc but too big/loose an they can be slipped off by the dog easily. Too tight annit can be quit uncomfortable and rub their nose etc. I would say to get a Halti but tbh the one I have now she hates more than the previous off brand one I got from my local pet store. The Halti has more plastic bits in places an seems to rub more in places even tho it’s bigger than the old one I have.
MY GOODNESS THAIS IS LIKE LOOKONG AT MY DOG WITH YOU @WILL, I,WAS GIVEN GREAT TIPS FROM SOMGNESS HERE (SHE IS PROBABLY YOUR HELP, LOVE HER @GROB) BUT I FIRST NEED TO GET AVAH-SHEN UNDER COTROL, LEASH WALKING NICE; AND YES HER COLLAR IS FLAT, I HAVE A SLIP LEAD BUT IT SCARES ME SINCE SHE PULLS JUST LIKE THIS GUY. AND I DONT KNOW WHAT IS THE BEST PRONG, I HAVE AN E-COLLAR (TO BE HONEST IM KIND OF '🥺')....I MIGHT JUST SEND HER TO TRAINING (BOTH), BESIDES WORKING ON THISE GREAT TIPS. THANK U @WILL AND @GROB
Wish I could afford your training courses to use with my service dog but recovering after a house fire and having to replace everything including my service dog has left me so short of funds 😞
That’s a beautiful bully. My bully isn’t aggressive but he loves people and other dogs. He wants to go up to everyone and get love. The problem is not everyone sees him as a friendly dog and he gets super excited every time he sees people dogs. I had to teach him early to have manners on the leash and around people not to jump up. Bullies love human interaction.
Are dogs more prone to listen on the leash, to a stranger? Cause I see dogs pulling their owners but not the trainers. Even if you don't change the collar type.
The trainers haven't had any bad habits with the student's dog that the dog can fall into. The trainers go right into how to do whatever exercise correctly. If the students had mastered the exercises before getting the dogs in question, those students would be in charge as quickly as the trainers.
When do you transition from slip lead back to flat collar? Do you use these training leads in other environments other than the home or near by park? Would i do this training as well when going to somewhere else for a casual walk?
Hi Will, I bought your walking to heel course on your website (I have a 1 year old Fox Red Lab named Ruby) and do a lot of left/ right hand turns in the Cul-De-Sac where I live. However, as soon as I move her onto the pavement and walk her, she is still pulling especially for the first 10-15 minutes of the walk and I am constantly having to stop, ask her to come to heel and set off again. She is so excitable when she gets whatever scent whilst we are walking past drives/gardens etc. I feel like I've hit a plateau with her on this. Any tips?
Correct me if im wrong, but the slip and prong collars are supposed to be just a training aid, right? I havent noticed if you specified this anywhere. Because it seems a bit harsh using them in long term on a dog, cant imagine its very healthy for them either. From how i understand it, you use them until the dog understands the heel walk and them you switch to standard collar / body harness.
How long do you leave the prong collar on? I know only while supervised, but is it for the rest of our lives we have to walk and train with the prong collar?
Prong collar should only be on the dog during walks or training. Once you have a strong enough engagement with your dog and it understands what heel is then you can swap to a slip lead or flat collar. This may take time depending on your dog, handling skills and leash pressure skills.
Will, I am a student on your Will Atherton Canine Academy, and I have sent an email to your team regarding some questions about the Academy, It's been days since I haven't been answered, I'd appreciate a response.
My golden retriever is the worst he is a couple months old and constantly pulls. I tried this and he just runs to what ever direction I’m going til the leash tightens on him can’t get him to slow down.
Great video as always, but please chill on the tik tok style editing. I don’t think having random bits of dialog appearing written on screen, super fast cuts and little pictures of tanks are helping, if anything they’re quite distracting. Thanks as always for the tips though.
I have a 10 mth old puppy she knows all commands.she pulls when she sniffs.I trained her since she was 11wks.she is stubborn and does not always listens.will she get better as she gets older.
Question: I have used a prong before with my dog (now 3 year old 60 lb borderdoodle) when he was younger and I was not properly understanding HOW to use this tool. My dog became very fearful of this tool and it was not effective. He yelped and reacted more. Now, after learning, myself, how to engage him and train him with a positive focus I am wondering something. I do have a "heel" with him, however if he is excited or at the beginning of walks, he pulls. Would this be an instance for me to try this tool again to see if I can gain better results right away without him "practicing" a poor heel? Any suggestions?
Best place to buy prong collars uk? Also is there a size chart so I know? 6 month American bully very strong and just pulls like mad and reactive to other dogs but just wants to play. ? Need help badly. Thank you
Amazon ? Buy an HS prong collar 2.25, most dog don't need bigger than that! Also, the wall between wanting to play and agression from frustration is thin. I'm living the same nightmare
The best way to find the size for a prong collar is to measure around their neck and add 2 inches or about 50mm to that measurement. The links on the collar come off so you can shorten it or lengthen it based on their growth, adding 50mm allows for your dog to grow if they aren't fully grown. So if it is a little big pop off a prong or two and you are good to go
Hey Will I just found your channel and it is so amazing! If you have time I need your help. I’m a 23 female that works a 9 to 5 job! I had dogs around me ever since I was a baby. I am moderately active. By that I mean there are times where I am a total couch potato. Other times I love to go on walks that ranges from 10 minutes to 2 hours. I live in town with a small backyard. But my parents on a farm that I visit at least 3 times a week and my furry friend would join. I grow up with pugs, blue healer mix, Rottweiler and a German wire hair! I’m planning to working with a great trainers in my area. The breeds I’m interested in no particular order are the Boxer, Dalmatian, Bernese Mountain dog, Great Dane, Sher Pei! Once again I love your channel. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Awesome training knowledge, thanks for sharing Will! However, the words and emojis popping up is highly distracting and I can't watch it without needing to look away.
Do not use a prong collar. Prong collars should be made illegal. They are cruel and the reason your dog becomes obedient is out of pain, no other reason. Look up clicker training or positive reward training. You have small gentle dogs who you will just make petrified using such a barbaric method.
When you walk a dog on a long leash he thinks he's alpha and will explore pull and generally do his own thing. He may even be over protective. When you walk a dog by your side and become alpha he will walk next to you and behave without the pulling and searching. Some rewards for walking next to you will help
Prong collars should be made illegal. RSPCA want them to be. They are cruel. As for these type if dogs. Interbreeding/ over breeding and full of generic health problems. Very very sad. As for the poor dogs cropped ears. You are just promoting everything wrong in the dog world. Just sad.
Brandon mcmillan is the most gentle, thorough and effective dog i've ever encountered. My friend and i love the dog show and never miss it. So many times we've shed a tear of happiness just seeing a dog's life changed forever when proper training is applied and they go on to live their lives the way they should. I have brandon's book ru-vid.comUgkxK8-VQWpYThx4IC6MiIvb6VS1ebTzzdxq in two formats. Not only the paperback version but also the kindle version to refer to when i don't have the paperback along with me. I have used his methods with my cavalier kc spaniel and turned a non-disciplined furbaby into a companion who has traveled thousands of miles with us across the country. He is a near perfect dog thanks to brandon's methods. I don't get one cent of kickback for recommending brandon but i do it because i love dogs. They deserve to be given a chance. Brandon's mission in life - to rescue dogs and place them in a forever, happy home - is very dear to my heart. I recommend his methods to anyone who has a dog - young or old. I've seen him take even old dogs and teach them. Brandon was an animal trainer before his current mission. His parents were animal trainers. His methods are the best i've ever found. Your furbaby will thank you for spending the money on this book. Don't hesitate - it is worth every cent.
