My Doberman Pulls Me When I Try to Walk Her

Heel Position

• Walking a Doberman in the heel position is essential to letting it know that you are in control. Demonstrate that you are the pack leader by never letting the Doberman walk in front of you. Start with the dog on your right side and the leash in your right hand. The Doberman should start in the sitting position, close to your body. Keep the leash short but with some slack. Say, "Heel," and begin walking, starting with your right foot. The dog's paws should never pass in front of your back heel. If it does move in front of you, stop and tell the dog to sit. When the dog regains focus, say, "Heel," again and start moving forward with your right foot. Praise the dog verbally if it maintains the heel position. If it does not, continue stopping and starting. Eventually the dog will begin to understand. Be patient, as proper heel training may take months to master.

Stop the Chasing

• People, cars, other animals or scents easily distract Dobermans while taking walks. They often take off running, pulling their owner behind them. Keep your Doberman focused before you begin walking by gently pulling the leash and making eye contact with the dog. Do not take a step forward until the dog focuses on you. Begin moving forward, starting with your right foot, and holding the leash so the dog is close to your body. If it gets distracted, stop, pull on the leash again and make eye contact. Do not move forward until you have regained the Doberman's focus. Repeat until the dog is able to walk with you without chasing after other objects. This may take anywhere from a week to a few months.

Using a Pinch Collar

• Some Dobermans might have a lot of difficulty with obedience and many owners use metal pinch collars to help with the training. Unlike a regular collar, a pinch collar simulates the feeling of when a mother or pack leader grabs the dog by the neck when it is out of line. It does not hurt the dog. The collar rests flat when the leash has slack and it tightens when the owner pulls the leash taut. Start in the heel position, with the dog sitting on the right side and the leash in your right hand. Every time the Doberman loses focus, walks in front of you, or tries to chase something, pull the leash so the collar tightens, release quickly and stop walking. Do not begin walking until the dog regains focus and sits. Maintain slack in the leash while walking to ensure the collar is not tight at all times.

Changing Direction

• Changing direction when walking often causes dogs to lose focus or try to pull in the opposite direction. As you turn, hold the leash short and pull on it gently so the dog focuses on you and makes eye contact. Turn or change direction, pulling the collar every time the dog loses focus. If the dog is in your way, gently push him with your legs and continue walking. Praise the dog when it follows directions correctly.

Increasing Pace

• Some owners might want to increase the pace into a run or jog with their dogs. Do not try running with a Doberman until it has mastered the heel position when walking. Start slowly in the heel position, making sure the Doberman does not move past your back heel. If the dog begins running past you, stop and pull the collar so the dog regains focus on you by making eye contact. Then begin to jog and slowly increase the speed. Keep the leash loose, but short.