What kind of collar will help train my puppy on a leash?
I have a 5 month old 11lb chi mix puppy.
Originally she had a collar but was so small it was hard to get her to walk properly on it so for a couple weeks we tried a harness but realized that it wasn't teaching her anything about walking close to us, we just ended up having to work more to keep her close. So we bought regular buckle collars.
For a couple weeks the change was noticeable, she was resisting less and responding more. But now, about a month later she's just crazy on a leash, she only walks when she wants to, otherwise she will bolt and tug and pull and will NOT stop even if she's panting and choking.
It used to happen toward the end of the walks when we were going home. But now it's even starting in the beginning of the walk. It's like she has NO idea that the reason she is so uncomfortable on the leash is because she is pulling.
Now for training:
I've tried luring her, and it works she's very obedient. The moment I bring out a treat, she sits down politely. I walk holding the treat at a reasonable pace for a few steps, then give her the treat. As soon as the treat is gone she's back to bolting. She'll try to run so hard her forelegs won't even touch the ground they just get all splayed out like she's swimming.
I've also tried walking a few steps, making her sit, walking a few steps, etc. doesn't work.
I've tried turning in a circle, keeping the leash short, walking in the opposite direction -- it just doesn't work.
If too many leash corrections happen she very staunchly refuses to walk any further and plants her feet down and lowers her head, she wants to go home and that's it. I can't force her to go any further.
Also, by the way she already knows that I'm pack leader. She will even wait for me to go out the door first, she obeys every command I give even without treats. It's really just the walk that is the problem. It's not a problem 100% of the time, it's usually only a problem around 75% of the time, but still it makes what would be enjoyable walks very not fun because I don't like to see her distressed.
I've heard of the gentle leader... what other collars will be good to help associate the leash with the pace she has to keep? I don't want her to hurt herself. She's pretty high energy.
Also, I let her off leash in our garden for around 15-20 mins before the walk. and 15-20 mins after the walk too... Other than the playtime in the garden with her sister, the daily walks are the only source of exercise she gets (which really would be quite a lot if only she would walk 100% of the time!) I've started running sometimes since she seems to only want to run. But I can't run all the time because she's not leash trained and it becomes dangerous after a minute or two as she tries to cut in front of me or fight with her sister or sniff a leash...