I used to have the same problem with DIllon - I was using a flat collar and a flexi leash. I had tried a harness called easy leader or something like that that was supposed to keep him from pulling, but his legs were too short ( this was obviously made for longer legged dogs) and kept popping out of the harness. This was not good for him. What worked was - first, I got him a martingale collar (
www.aroundthehounds.com) and a SHORT (4 ft) training flat nylon leash at petco. This is what helped most. The Martingale self corrects in part, then i started correcting him every time he would pull. I would stop dead in my tracks, and he would initially keep on pulling until he realized we were not moving anywhere. The only time i would walk was when he was in a heel position...then i would walk and if he walked nicely for a bit he got a cookie and lots of encouragement. I spent months using this technique and only recently started using the flexi leash for days when I am chosing to give him more freedom. I found that when he is trained on the short leash, when i put on the flexi he is still sticking with me a bit, i will encourage him to run ahead here and there to let him have fun and freedom, but i test him now and again- I call him to me, ask him to set up, sit, heel, etc and as long as he continues to listen to me I allow him to continue having free and fun time, the first time he balks at a command, back into a heel with the flexi leash in a locked position for a while until he is listening again. This is what has worked for me.
Emilie
Emilie