My adopted soi dog pulls hard on the leash and chokes. Any tips?
We adopted a medium soi dog who has never walked on a leash. He pulls hard, coughs on his collar, and is scared of motorbikes. What gear and training would you suggest? Harness or collar? He weighs about 18 kilos and is incredibly strong, so I would love gear and training advice from people who have solved this.
3 answers
Most helpful for the asker
Switch to a well-fitted harness, preferably front-clip, and stop walking when the leash is tight, then continue when it loosens. It takes patience. Reward him at your side. Put a name tag on the harness and a spare lead in your bag in case anything breaks, since soi dogs can be scared and strong.
HelpfulA force-free trainer can show you in a single session. Avoid choke or prong collars. Reward-based training is kinder, and it builds his trust in you, which matters a lot for a dog who has lived on the street, so the effort pays off in the long run.
HelpfulTake short, quiet walks at first and let him sniff. Sniffing calms dogs. Go to a quiet lane to avoid motorbikes, and give treats whenever one passes. With time he will learn that walking calmly beside you is the way to go, and the whole thing will feel like a pleasure.
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