Expert: Have4Paws - 4/16/2002

Question
How can I stop my beagle (trooper) who is about 8 years old (he was a rescue) from pulling on the leash.  We have had him for three years and tried a variety of non- aggressive ways, even renting Uncle Matty tapes but he walks us instead of us walking him.
And why does he eat grass.  I feed him food for senior and less active dogs.  It is a lean formula.  SHould I change this? Also occasionally he will go around licking everything.  Is this a behavior or emotional problem or something related to beagles.
I admire your your credentials as an addiction counselor.  I never got a degree but was in the same line of work for a long time.
Thanks for your help.
Peace,
Donna

Answer
Hi Donna, thanks for writing to me! Nice to hear from someone else who knows the field.

As far as the pulling on the leash........... I am assuming from what you have said that you have tried obedience school. If not that is the first course of action. Even with that however I would suggest using a head halter lead. Either the "Halti" or the "Gentle Lead" They both work extremely well, are not painful in any way and I have had good success with them. My daughter uses the Gentle Lead on her Shepherd/Sheltie mix who we call the SPAZ because she is non-stop action and used to yank you around on the leash. She is an angel with it, and at times in the house when she is running around they will sometimes just put the lead on (no leash) and she instantly settles down. Now she is at the point where sometimes you can just show it to her and she settles so she has been well conditioned to it.

I don't think his food has anything to do with his eating grass unless he has a constant stomach ache and is trying to throw up. Grass is a natural emetic for dogs and if they have an upset stomach they will usually eat it so they can regurgitate. If he is not throwing up from eating it then I would say just leave him alone, he just likes his greens! It won't do any harm to him. Watch for loose bowels though, it can do that also if he eats enough of it.

The licking thing.....hmmm. well it depends, is he licking only himself or other stuff? And is it the same stuff or all stuff? Dogs who lick themselves constantly are either exhibiting a type of anxiety, have an allergy, or are bored and it becomes a sort of nervous habit. If he is going around licking OTHER things all the time and it is more an exploratory thing then he is just being a dog with an apparent overdeveloped sense of taste! If he licks the same things all the time then remove the items.

I hope this helps.... feel free to check back anytime directly at Have4Paws@aol.com