On Thu, 04 May 2006 16:25:34 GMT, Don S
wrote:
[]
That's why you need to find yourself a *good* obedience training
class, or a professional trainer, so that someone can show you what a
longe is and how to use it correctly.
And if anyone puffs up his chest and tells you that he uses only
"positive" methods, run like hell. That's how you got yourself into
this mess in the first place.
It just doesn't take 2+ years to train a dog to walk at your side on a
loose leash. Unless, of course, you're a "positive only" trainer.
Get some help, Don.
Thanks for the input. You hit the nail on the head with positive
training. We used the behaviorist to teach us from the start how to
raise and train a pup (neither of us had owned a dog for decades).
Sounds like it didn't work very well, or you didn't put in enough time
to make it work.
Your dog's misbehavior needs to be CORRECTED. The longer you wait to
correct it (especially if its self-rewarding), the worse it will get.
I don't expect to learn how to train a dog on the internet, but I do
expect to find the resources necessary to do so.
Your vet can probably aim you in the right direction. So can the
folks at a local rescue agency. Or even your local humane society.
But, again, you'll be better served at this point by staying away from
trainers who claim to use *only* "positive" methods.
And you are right, I've never heard of the longe, but you can bet I'll
learn about it on the internet & find someone locally who can help.
If you know anyone you'd recommend in Dallas, TX, I'd appreciate it.
The longe is simply a long line, usually around 30'. But you'll need
someone to show you how to use one correctly.
There are many good trainers in the Dallas area, and your vet should
be able to aim you in the right direction. Or a local Lab club(a
retriever/hunting/gundog club is best). Or contact a local rescue
agency, or even your local humane society.
I've been afraid of the choke and pinch collars. When she pulls, it
is so hard and quick, I think she would do damage to herself.
She can, if you don't know how to use it. She can also hurt herself
by pulling hard on a simple buckled collar all her life.
And she can certainly get hurt badly (or worse) by, say, a Fed-Ex
truck, if you can't get her to come when called, etc.
IMO, the idea is to get them trained ASAP, so that they can be taken
anywhere and everywhere in total safety.
It's also for their own good, too, because people even stop walking
their dogs altogether if they can't handle them, or are embarrassed by
their shenanigans.
And by the time a dog really starts to feel his oats, so to speak,
(usually between 18-24 months of age), it's paramount that he
*already* be well-trained.
You're probably seeing some of that right now.
The method of distraction training we've used is to walk her in pet
stores next to us. Other dogs are quite an attraction to her, but if
she is in a cooperative mood, she does well.
That may be too much too soon, Don.
You have to introduce distractions slowly and gradually. And you have
to be in a position (and location) where you can correct her properly
whenever the need arises -- otherwise you'll just end up making the
situation even worse, which is probably what you've done.
All of the problems you mentioned can be eliminated with some good
OBEDIENCE TRAINING, and it shouldn't take very long, either --
provided you get some competent help to get you started in the right
direction.
Bad habits have already formed, and that makes it more difficult, and
takes more time.
"An once of prevention is worth a ton of cure."
You need to get started -- ASAP.
Good luck!
--
Handsome Jack Morrison
The Reality of Global Warming:
http://jameshudnall.com/blog.php?/we...lobal_warming/
Climate of Fear:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110008220
Media Hot Air on Global Warming
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles...e.asp?ID=21762
Eco-Imperialism - Green Power. Black death:
http://www.eco-imperialism.com/main.php
Highly Over-Hyped: Greenland's and Antarctica's Impacts on Sea Level
http://www.co2science.org/scripts/CO...9/N13/EDIT.jsp
Antarctic Ice: The Cold Truth
http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=030306H
Climate of Uncertainty:
http://www.aei.org/publications/filt...pub_detail.asp
More Hot Air on Global Warming:
http://www.aim.org/media_monitor/4417_0_2_0_C/
The Oregon Project:
http://www.oism.org/pproject/
World Climate Report:
http://www.worldclimatereport.com/
Canada: Sixty scientists call on Harper to revisit the science of global warming!
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/f...59d605&rfp=dta