Any advice for a nervous puller?

[HazeyJ]

I'm posting a lot here as my hound is so new and I'm a first timer! 

Jack will walk beautifully on the lead a lot of the time, which is great. He's most comfortable in the morning and likes to go to the park and is as good as gold next to me. However, sometimes when we're out walking he pulls really hard. At first I thought I needed to train it out of him, and I was trying the 'stand still and make them come back to you' trick. However, I've realised over the last few days that he's not pulling because he's confident and wants to sniff things, he's pulling because he's scared and he wants to go home. 

I've only had him for 8 days so I feel that I should listen when he's had enough and wants to go home. He's not going to absorb any training when he's really scared, right? When he tugs his tail is generally between his legs and he loses interest even in fresh chicken pieces. His foster dad said he pulled at first and then when he was comfortable he walked much better. I guess I'm nervous because I don't want to reinforce 'bad' behaviours. 

What do you think - shall I let him drag me home (I try not to be dragged too much) when he's nervous so he can settle in at his own pace? 

 

[BatterseaBrindl]

You're probably right.

Things are so new to him...he's never been out walking 'in public' before.

I'd make the walks short for now...let him do his business and then turn for home before he gets anxious. 

Praise him/treat him a lot, but don't push him for now.

[HeyRunDog]

6 hours ago, BatterseaBrindl said:

You're probably right.

Things are so new to him...he's never been out walking 'in public' before.

I'd make the walks short for now...let him do his business and then turn for home before he gets anxious. 

Praise him/treat him a lot, but don't push him for now.

I agree.

It took several months before Grace would walk wherever I wanted to walk with her, and even now over two years, later she'll occasionally decide that a short walk is enough and turn back home.

[MerseyGrey]

I also agree. Let Jack dictate the pace while he’s settling in and until he works out that you are his protector. When he is confident with you things will change

[GreyhndHomecare]

I use a Gentle Leader, instead of a collar.   It looks like a little pony harness, and works by putting the pressure on the back of the dog's neck, if he pulls.  There's no choking, and it doesn't hurt; they just dislike the feeling.  I wrote an article about training and pet greyhounds, which has helpful info for new owners: 

https://greyhoundhomecare.com/are-greyhounds-easy-to-train-the-truth-about-training-your-greyhound/

 

Between this, and the wealth of advice on this forum, you two will be skimming along before you know it

 

Gail

Edited October 9, 2020 by GreyhndHomecare
had to make a correction