Need help on dog walking
 

Hi
Just wondering if there is such thing as a tendonitis friendly dog leash. Or is it more about taking extra care not to strain yourself the way you handle the leash...? I have tried to modify the way I keep control my dog via the leash but I still find myself in a weird position when I need to pull on it from time to time.. ow later.
Currently I have a regular retractable leash.

Hi i my self have two small dogs but they like to pull and some times they take me by surprise just how strong they are but i just use two really long leashes then loop up some of it in my hand and i just keep changing my hands because i can't hold for very long and some times i will just put the handle on my wrists. If i am having really bad day then we just go for a few short walks though out the day in to the evening so they get there exercise and get to to do there nature call and we are all happy because we got our fresh air and a bit of walk like i have had days where i can only take them for a 5 to 10 mins but we go then try and go back each time at lest one hour or some time two hours between until we go to bed there happy and fit so i am happy. But if you have a large dog and you need to hold on tight i really don't no what to say like my chico he is 5bls and tigger is 7bls but he is tall and lean so you can see that in my case its not to hard. But try just a regular leash but a long one that you can loop up if you are walking on the road i would think it would be better then hang on to the other kind do to them being hard plastic handle that you have to keep your fingers griped around. Good luck i hope you find something better.

Don't think that I am a meanie here, I tried it on myself and it doesn't hurt, it just gets your attention. What I use is not a different type of leash, but a different type of collar. I use what they call a pinch collar. You can find them at pet stores like PetSmart and they are adjustable. When the dog pulls a simple jerk back and command to heel and the poke of the collar and the dog understands that who is in charge...."You". I call it my "Power steering" or "Her Good Girl Collar". Like I said...I tried it on me first! When I put it on her we have a very pleasant walk and saves my shoulder. Check it out!:D

got to get help
 

Hi,
I suggest you go to your local dog educator to learn a new leash style. I have no strength in my right arm at all so at first my puppy was a puller and he pulled like hell for me!!!!!!

I went to puppy school which is awesome if you have not been. They understood my issues and showed me a way to harness the dog with a long leash so that I had total control with my left arm and he could not pull on me.

It is so difficult for me to describe what i did to the dogs leash:eek:
It was a hard time for me to remember.....but (don't go by these instructions get proper help!!) you loop the leash around the collar so that you have a loop on the left side of you and a straight bit on the right. It stops the dog from pulling because the strap goes over his/her chest and keeps him at pace with you so no pulling or sore wrists or arms. I can now walk him loose leash with the command of heel and he soooo gets it.

I don't know if this helps but if you try emailing the girl I learned it from it may help.
her email is friends4life@shaw.ca her name is Tina Sarantis. Ask her in the email to let you know the leash technique if she can that she taught Marc Victoria and Charlie last spring. We took her class at positively pooched in Calgary.
anyhow she is an amazing woman and i'm sure would be glad to help you out if she can. Remind her that I had right arm pain and could not hold the leash well to walk Charlie because of his pulling I think she'd remember us.
We are going back in the fall to her and she knows that.

I hope some of this helps you
take care,
Victoria

ps I have emailed her to let her know that you may email her so she has the heads up and is not left wondering what's going on! good luck. Vic

I was answering this earlier but had to leave.

See if your library has dog training videos { it's easier to see how the pro does it on the video and copy it}
they have been the most helpful for me..
ie:train the dog to not pull :)

Uncle Matty's woof videos are real simple - watch it over a few times and then practice, then watch the video again then practice etc - and you'll understand more of it each time.
I've tried his techniques on ours & other family members' dogs and it worked, but family didn't get the tape to fully understand it so it didn't last. You have to maintain the training and not let things slide backwards.

you have to be the alpha dog, not in a mean way but mentally & with confidence.

here's the video titles -be sure to check your library for them-
http://www.unclematty.com/store/thumbnail.asp?cid=7

hi there

best thing to do is to train the dog not to pull, then there is no ouch. To get around I use either two crutches or a walker, and the dogs walk one each side of me (golden retriever and a doberman). Fortunately I have access to a large off leash exercise area so that takes care of their larger exercise needs.

If you have trouble with your dog pulling on the leash then you may find that using a gentle leader (specialised head collar) on your dog while you reinforce not pulling buys you some time. This will stop your dog pulling. It's a bit like putting a bridle on a horse, a dog just can't pull through it's head the same way it can pull with it's neck/shoulders.

My dogs have to behave themselves otherwise they wouldn't get a walk - if they pull I fall over, it's as simple as that. So they don't pull.

I have tendon problems with my lupus so I know about the ouch of sore tendons, although obviously this is not why I walk with aids.

I am currently working with a trainer to help with other stuff with my dogs - I think it is really important to see training as an on-going thing, especially with disability. As my disability progresses, my dogs have to learn how to accomodate it and by and large they do.

hth, and happy dog walking

raglet

I got the info from my dog trainer! She would also be happy to help you should you require it after you have read the attachement....hope I can attach it.

good luck with itl.....it is amazing to use!!

love and hugs,
Victoria and my dog Charlie..:hug:

I can't upload the file for some reason if you want it pm me and I can email it to you. It really saved my relationship with my dog!!

I make a loop with the leash and put it around my waist. This keeps my hands totally free. I have two puppies, they are labradoodles and weigh between 40-60lbs. It also gives the benefit of not giving them much leash room, so they are "forced" to walk at my side.

All of my dogs are off-leash trained. Seriously, there is nothing better than walking a dog on leash that has been off-leash trained. When I'm hurting I can put the leashes in my pocket, and I never have to grab them. They just walk along, right beside me... :) Find a good trainer! :D

no pull harness & hook to fanny pack.
 

i get a no pull harness from wal mart. it has a thin strap that goes around the belly. when the dog pulls on the leash, the part around the belly contracts and the dog stops pulling.

downside - if you need to pull the dog towards you, unsnap from this and snap the leash to a regular collar. otherwise you can't control the dog.

i have also used the leash around my belly trick. i walk with a fanny pack. i hook the leash to the fanny pack. when the dog pulls hard he has to overcome my considerable weight in order to get anywhere.

downside - if you are walking on gravel, the dog can cause some slipping and sliding to make you fall. do not try this on gravel.

on the leash that reels into a case. i had one of these. this was good until the dog spotted some wildlife he wanted to chase, while i was locking the door. i saw him take off and i held hard to the leash. when he hit the end he broke the spring inside. even tho he is large and i bought the extra large size he still broke it.