"Cassy" wrote in message
...


Hi Alison, I know about Clickersolutions, I posted about Archie there
last
summer, and have already studied that page until I can almost recite it
by
heart. Unfortunately these methods have not worked with Archie.


Have you tried Control Unleashed?

Yup, very good book, read it twice. I know all the theories, the trick is in
the implementation, which I am learning gradually.

I'll tell you my current plan, which seems to be working pretty well.. knock
on wood

When I get up and am preparing for our morning walk Archie is popping up and
down like popcorn, so I get ready quietly, slowly, deliberately, deep
breathing, ommmm.

I put a baggie of chicken pieces and some liver tidbits in my pocket, I let
him smell the chicken.

I put on his harness and tell him to sit while I open the back door. If he
jumps up I close the door and ask him again to sit and stay. We don't go out
until he sits in front of the open door waiting for my permission to go out.
Praise, treat

As we walk slowly down the walkway I treat him with liver bits and praise
him. If he pulls ahead I stop until he comes back to my side.

If he starts getting anxious as we walk I divert to the side, get down to
him, get his attention, and do a little timeout dumping out some chicken for
him, which he must wait for me to say "take it" before he can eat it.

When he has calmed enough down we carry on, every time he glances my way I
toss a liver treat on the ground and say "take it".

If I see another dog I try to divert him so he's not facing the dog and
start treating him to keep his attention on me.

If he starts a barking fit I shorten up on the leash, get down, take a deep
breath, keep trying to distract him with treats, and wait out the storm.
Sometimes if there is a convenient pole nearby I will tie his leash to it
and walk a few paces away and turn my back until he stops.

When it's over I treat and praise him lavishly.

I am abandoning all forms of negativity, the little guy is doing the best he
can, so am I.