How to control on walks!

[kcm]

Hello everyone. We bought home our 3yo ex-racer a few days ago. He seems to have settled in really well at home - he is completely unstressed by our over-enthusiastic 7yo daughter following him around, and has been spending his days lounging in his bed or in the living room (seems to like being where people are). He’s starting to pay attention to our commands and whilst I am trying not to get lulled into a false sense of security, it’s all good so far.

However, walks are getting increasingly stressful. He starts off OK and will stop when told, but when we get to the park, he gets over excited and pulls on the lead and has to be pulled away from whatever has caught his attention. This has been manageable up to now, and we’ve managed to calm him down and carry on, even after I accidentally crossed the road opposite a little yappy dog!

But today he pulled me over chasing a bird as we entered the park and nearly repeated that situation when he saw a cat on the way home. He was very skittish and jumpy walking back along the road, which he has not been before.

So I now have bruised pride and a bruised arm, and am worried to take him out again! I’m probably going to leave my husband to do walks for a while as after today I fear he’s too strong for me

On recommendations from this forum I am going to try a ruffwear harness (he already goes out muzzled), but any more tips how to keep control and calm him down would be much appreciated.

I know it’s early days, but I just want him to be happy! The anxiety is like having babies again!

[jodav]

Hello and well done on adopting your lovely hound and giving him a great home. The first thing to remember is that it’s very early days and your hound is processing huge changes. I imagine at 3 years old he’s not long off the track and he’s doing well to have adapted to your home environment and being so chilled. It’s great that your daughter is interested in him but he will need time alone on his bed to take in all the new sights and sounds.

Walks are highly stimulating for most young hounds. They use their incredible sight to spot movement and their chase instinct kicks in. You are right to go for a harness and I would recommend a double ended lead for greater control as he is strong. You sound as if you need to build your confidence up again, which is understandable. Do a few shorter walks and try to start a ‘watch me’ cue with a high value treat reward. You are encouraging your hound to look round at you and not scan the environment constantly and pull hard towards a bird, cat or squirrel. Short walks and try to end on a positive. It will take time and patience. Group sighthound walks talking to experienced owners can help too. You could also refer back to the Rescue that you got him from for advice and guidance.

There is a lot of good advice on here in previous threads so have a good read. Good luck. Your confidence will return I’m sure.