Rusky

Agree!! I always say the only reason a dog pulls is because the owners have let it! yes but they don't train the dog, so when it is big and has huge paws and jumps up on everyone and generally is a pain in the ass they dump the dog. The juvenile with no training ends up in a shelter being adopted and those nice folk who gave the dog a second chance arrive at training school..... now what? should they have broken shoulders or would it be a better idea to fit a head collar? alternate scenario ' if that dog doesn't learn some manners he is going to the vet for a one way trip' the wife/daughter/son/ husband then arrives with said dog at training. They can't be bothered taking dog for walk cos dog pulls, daughter would but dog pulls. need any more scenarios? I have hundreds. sadly not everyone trains their dog but there is no point moaning about it or giving them a lecture that will ensure they never go back to training and the dog is actually very important, his life can hang in the balance. ok off soapbox, sorry but the one thing with dogs owners is that they are to be congratulated whenever they do the right thing by the dog and if there is a way to help them then we should.

Hi Leema obviously I have not read what you have read but generally a dog impeding the way of you, the owner, handler whatever is as I understand it the dog not knowing who is boss. My dogs do not barr the way, they wait, always giving me space, they never impede my passage. I am not sure if this is what you mean, waiting or positoning themselves to barr your way?

She was most likely in avoidance and didnt want to see the other dog. Proximity - too close for Jyras comfort. Possibly. I think you dress it up and the dog has an aggression problem and needs some help

yes Mel :rolleyes: I couldn't agree more. Most people want a nice well behaved dog who can sit has manners to wait, likes a game of throw and can walk without yanking their arm off. Once the dog is walking without pulling the training to walk nicely without pulling can begin, sometimes the halti is only needed for a short time then back to a flat collar. The only real problem are the ones who see the quick fix as a solution to all their problems and never return to training. It happens... It is important too to have a good, nice lead, a dog which pulls with a bad lead can rip hands to shreds.

yes I am sure you are correct, as soon as I open the door and start to walk the dog/dogs follow. If they are occupied and not lying by the door say when outside then as soon as they scent or hear me they run to me. I always thought this was because I am the boss but am interested in other theories. I didn't think it was an anxiety thing, they are always so very relaxed :rolleyes:

some stuff for you to read crate training separation anxiety is important that yopu understand what it is and why it happens, may go a long way to helping you get over the hard bits

yes

I'm not sure who you are but.. UH OH! Nat

spikes Puppy regarding handlers of some dogs.... My brother was in the army, his best was a dog handler with the defence force. There are dogs or at least there were then who can only ever have one handler, when one dogs handler was killed in an RTA the dog had to be PTS. When certain dogs handlers retired those dogs too were pts.

Most of those too will never attend an obedience session of yours or anyone elses also club/private training sessions are generally not focusing on death row doggies or on dogs with jobs.

I do that with all my dogs but when Rusky went to kennel I forgot to leave the release command, still being a malamute she kept looking and looking and after a few minutes ate anyway

just also thought to mention something else after reading Vickies post, lots of people live with several dogs so there is a social pack of dogs, all dependant on the leader fo course. Also friends dogs or dogs at puppy school can become part of a 'loose pack' as I call it if they meet regularly, even if they don't play, just train together. Interesting topic socialisation combined with neutralisation, food for thought.

Lablover you are fantastic I hope you had a win today to go with the shampoo??? yes of course and recall from dog romps is important too. I think it is an important part of socialisation which needs supervision and a fast recall, on lead, not off lead. Dog body language needs to be watched with doggy socialisation, I hate it when I see people talking and one dog is 'standing over' the other dog which can't do all it would like to show it is submissive cos it is hooked tight on the lead with an owner not watching.

may be an old wives but I never give my dogs corn, breeder of my first Goldie donkeys years ago told me that corn had caused obstruction and death in dogs. I never put it to the test, I have never checked it out. It may need serious research. Giving vegies to dogs is not a new thing and I am stunned at your vets surprise. My parents fed our dogs raw vegies in the 50's which is as early as I remember and mum told me that becuae of war restrictions their dog really only had vegetable peelings and other leftovers, they would be fined if they gave the dog food suitable for human consumption. The dog was beautiful, well fed, no problems. So it isn't new and I have been feeding my dogs on vegetables, bones and biscuit for 30 years or more. get another vet :D

have a great day.

Hi erny yes that would be wonderful, that is what I meant not a training via the internet. Discussion the key

so are we going to do as Kelpie suggested? is a good idea. I am always open to others suggestions and generally 'try out' with my very placid beautiful old goldie who is a great advertisment for teaching an old dog new tricks, thanks to "toilet duck" we have managed a few together using a variety of positive training methods. I use her for new stuff cos she loves it, gets a spring in her step ;) Most owners really and truly just want a pet who doesn't do wees or poos in the wrong place, can walk without requiring a total arm and shoulder transplant, doesn't jump up on poor unsuspecting people including the owner and barks only to alert to danger or sometimes for happiness ( they are dogs, dogs bark) They like to miss a feeding frenzy and have a dog who will behave in a polite manner around food. The number one reason though in my experience is recall if they are put in order of importance to the owner. I am speaking for beginners here, not trialists or specific occupation training. Beginners can be any age, sometimes sadly the owners don't try to do anything about the poor dogs manners till things are desperate. We now have 2 sorts of dogs baby dog to teach recall older dog who may or may not have been punished for recall ( sadly this is often the case) If you look at a puppy it comes to you so recall really should be the easiest to teach. The puppy comes because that is what happens in the litter or pack, when you look at a puppy and it comes running over all happy and ears flapping with excitement imagine how the poor thing feels when the owner/handler ignores it and worse pushes it away? It happens and poor pup is totally confused. I think this happens a lot, a great deal. If anyone else is interested in Kelpies idea we could start a thread called recall for beginners. Then sit for beginners and so on? If not forget it and I will go and teach my old dog a new trick

do you mean in this forum or in chat? I have not been into chat here but if the scroll moves too quickly info and exchange of ideas can be lost. I find forum is good as it gives a chance to properly read and digest what is being said. I don't always write what I mean to it gets mixed up but can be corrected in a forum, in chat is harder.

I like those leads in the link.... Martingale or flat collar and a 'nice comfortable' lead. Don't use a chain lead or nylon cheapo from discount store rips your hands as the lead slips through. I hate cheapo collars too and I don't just mean for training, get a nice comfortable collar they look good and last for ever. An equipment 'pinned' thread would be good.

yes I do agree when I re read my original post I see the confusion as I put the suggestions in the wrong order. major computer probs with IT broadband connection and I get cut off all the time so hurry to post.

haven we would be reinforcing the behaviour which is attention, this dog has had none or little training. I would suggest that treats for attention are preferable to water squirting. What is the water squirting all about? If attention and recall are practised at home there is absolutely no bribe, just a reward and for a dog which has had little training a lure, praise, reward for accepted behaviour. The accepted or eventual conditioned behaviour will be attention the reinforcement, praise and treat then just praise, you know how it works.....

You will find that very soon he will have eyes only for you, keep it up, be kind and positive for yourself and your dog. He is lucky to have found someone who cares

change to a continental finish?

why do you think you probably shouldn't have done that? My guess is you know it is a punishment and that you were punishing for what? pulling? attempting to socialise? not watching you? or was it your own frustration at a lack of control in the situation? my guess the latter. I understand your frustrations and it will improve, maybe next time try to get his attention with a bit of tasty nibble stuff which he can't resist and practice attention and recall.