Loreley Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 The new foster is a big and strong girl (around 25kgs) is approx. 2 years, and has had no lead training, so until I can get decent control on her I can't take her out for a walk, she is strong enough to literally pull me over. She was listed as a Koolie x, but my thoughts would be Dane x Bull Arab maybe (or Dane x something). I tried a halti on her today and she fights it like there is no tomorrow. Any other dog that I have introduced the halti to has resisted but given in fairly quickly, not this girl. So I managed to get it on her and praised with treats this lasted only a couple of minutes as soon as you stop the treats or cuddling she physically drags it off. I was planning to do a desensitisation process until she accepts it. She has been residing in the RSPCA for the last 6 months and can sit and drop, but won't respond to her name, or much else. I was told that she was cat friendly but there is also the worrying issue that she chased our cat this morning (I'm really hoping this is not an indication of future problems or I will have to look at moving her onto someone else. So where do I start? Obviously her name recognition, but I also need to be able to get her out to get rid of the excess energy in a safe manner, so to the halti training? or is there a better way? Any thoughts or ideas would be most appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 perhaps concentrate on getting her to respond to YOU /your voice etc , using whatever she enjoys . Don't worry about a leash just yet. sit ..reward. stand quietly, reward. look at you when you say her name, reward... walk backwards a couple of steps, call ...when she comes- reward ...lie quietly - reward .... Mind you, there is no way I would be using a halti on a dog like the one you describe ... it would be a martingale or Harness to avoid injury ....a no pull harness may be an idea... obviosuly let her get used to it inside,on leash in your yard , before going out :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 If you use a halti you should introduce it very slowly - I think there are some videos on YouTube on the best way to introduce them - from memory teach them to stick their nose through the nosepiece for food first, don't just stick it on them :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) Martingale here for teaching the big dogs, always. You really need to get her focused on you really really quickly - find out what drives her, treats toys or just praise and get her learning manners for reward. Spend as much time with her as you can - if you have a pack give her one on one time a little more than the others at first. Teaching her leash manners is best left until she WANTS to please you. Also get her used to a tether (very solid tree or verandah pole etc) for short periods (15 mins max) to reinforce that pulling does not equal freedom. Obviously use a nice strong tether... TOT is very handy to reinforce that! Edited to add: excess energy will need to be released in play until you can safely walk her. Throw a ball, toss a rope toy or frisbee, try a flirt pole or tug toy...often if they are not ball chasers they WILL chase your other dogs who are, so are exercised that way. :) Edited June 30, 2013 by RuralPug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loreley Posted June 30, 2013 Author Share Posted June 30, 2013 She is eager to please and is now starting to respond to her name, funny how as soon as I post, she starts to comply, just like making a Dr's appointment . Ok martingale collar will do, I think I already have one of those on the rack of spares. Will give the tether a try tomorrow. She's a sweet girl, just got to get my head around a different breeds thinking I recon. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Unless you are used to tethering dogs , and can anticipate what this girl will do ... it may not be the best idea . If she is unused to it , and reactive , there could be a nasty "rodeo type "scene.. or she could just lie down and relax ... how well do you know her? (yes, I am well experienced in tethering/chain training dogs ...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loreley Posted June 30, 2013 Author Share Posted June 30, 2013 I met her Friday so that would be a no. I have found a contact that is trained in Big dogs that lives locally, so will be having a nice long chat before I do anything that might send her going backwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 I met her Friday so that would be a no. I have found a contact that is trained in Big dogs that lives locally, so will be having a nice long chat before I do anything that might send her going backwards That sounds great ! Hope it all works out . (I don't consider 25 kg 'big' though .. ? ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixeduppup Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 I met her Friday so that would be a no. I have found a contact that is trained in Big dogs that lives locally, so will be having a nice long chat before I do anything that might send her going backwards That sounds great ! Hope it all works out . (I don't consider 25 kg 'big' though .. ? ) That's a pretty average size, but I suppose if you were used to small dogs it would be. I consider big over 40kgs or so. Glad you're getting the help you need and you're on the right forum for getting great advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 if you were used to small dogs it would be. D'oh .. yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 I wouldn't take her for a walk until you have more respect and attention. You can't expect a dog with no realisation she's meant to focus or how to gain rewards from you to respond, plus now she has equipment she doesnt understand. She'll pop like a balloon and you have no chance of gaining her attention. WOrk at home with obedience, just play with her either throw a ball, tug, treats for responding to her name etc then try the walk. Otherwise you can buy all the equipment under the sun but if she's over stimulated outside you have no chance with no base of respect or obedience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 She's been 'in prison' for 1/4 of her life! :) She will need slow & steady and astute rehab ... and if you only just met her friday , well, absolute home detention and baby steps for a while - it's a whole new world for her. nekhbet's post is excellent . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loreley Posted June 30, 2013 Author Share Posted June 30, 2013 thanks guys much appreciated. Yes I agree with the getting her attention & respect before walking out, but hubby of course had to throw a spanner in the works and say well she's gunna go nuts without exercise. I'm use to koolies so dogs around the heeler size and she's a tad bigger than that (like more than twice that size) She might be only 25kgs but she is lean and the size of a good sized german shepherd maybe taller, I have this sneaking suspicion that she still has some growing to do yet Will see if I can get a decent photo tomorrow of my two together to give you an indication of her size. Nekhbet been doing that since we got home, basic stuff like name, sit, come, and found out tonight with a bit of help she will drop so they must have been starting to teach her that at the shelter as well which is good. She's keen and generally responsive so that's a plus for both of us. I do have a martingale collar so might try that tomorrow in the backyard to see how she responds to that. The other question I have, my daughter has 2 dogs that usually visit fairly regularly, I have said no doggy visitors for now, is this a correct move? She is use to playing with dogs at the shelter out in the big yard, and my boy so far is not overly impressed but is tolerating her. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 **cough** I have nothing to add on the training side but I really think we need photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loreley Posted June 30, 2013 Author Share Posted June 30, 2013 yeah yeah I know, I'm trying alright. How do you upload photos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loreley Posted June 30, 2013 Author Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) Ok so here's the only photo I have of her, they had a couple of others on the site but have pulled them down. Edited June 30, 2013 by Loreley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) Ohhhh KoolieXgrey? CtahoulaX? Just beautiful!! Edited June 30, 2013 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) I just wanted to add that I think you are doing the right thing not allowing any other dogs around her just yet. IMHO there is plenty of time for that. Much more important to get her responding/bonding with you & learning some basic obedience first. She's lovely & good on you for trying to help her :) Edited June 30, 2013 by BC Crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canine Coach Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 I have recommended the SPORN Simple No Pull Training Halter (It is really a harness as it does not go on the head, but soft thick sheepskin lined straps go around chest/front legs & body) My clients have had great results using it for social walking their pups or adults It stops about 75% of pulling, without hurting the dog at all If you google it you will find stockists in Australia I have no vested interest in the company but love their products Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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