In article ,
(Melinda Shore) wrote:


I've found that frequent changes of direction work best with
my congenital pullers, and I thought that was a good
suggestion. Paridoxically-like, I've also found that
frequent changes of direction work best with a dog that
won't go. When the dog parks it, *don't* try to pull them.
Jog off in a different direction, and make it fun, fun, fun.

I agree. KEEP MOVING by changing it up.

One of the most challenging dogs I ever had in class was a mixed breed
who would alternately plant his feet and scream if the owner moved, and
pulled like I don't know what the other portion of the time. We
actually worked him with 2 collars and leash combos, alternating
depending on what he was doing. It was a bit like driving with a
clutch.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

"Hank" wrote in message
...
1st dog

Nearly two years ago I bought my mom a puppy after a 2 year morning of
our previous dog who passed away. I got him from the pound and gave
her the new addition to the family, she loves him very so and would
always praise him etc..etc, but she never walked him nor played with
him or trained him, so when I would go vist her I would walk him but
he would always pull on the leash to a point that it sounded like he
was being choked. He also never paid attention to me or to my
girlfriend once he left the front lawn. Now fast forward to today, she
told me she couldn't take care of him anymore (shes old) so asked me
to take him so we did. But same old thing, he pulls on the leash and
he is a very high energetic dog and he doesnt pay attention to no one
even when we have treats or call his name, I feel bad for him because
he was couped up in a backyard for a long period of time, but when we
take him outside in the front for a walk he always jumps up like he
wants to runaway. I would love to train him so he could just run on
the front lawn and not fear is going to run away.

2nd dog.

My girlfriend has a dog who is a puppy still, and she is very stubborn
and dominate dog, they baby her like there is no tommorrow, well
everytime I try to take her for a walk she lays down and won't move
period, we tried to leaving the leash on her in the backyard and she
will run with it but once you pick up the leash she freezes up and
remains paralized.

Can someone point me in the right direction with books or websites to
help with my two dogs? They're good dogs just need some obedience. I
wish I could take them both to training school, but nowadays with all
the shots and meds we are almost bone dry.

Thank you.
============
I am not a dog trainer, but it would seem to be common sense that if dog #1
doesn't get to run, play and exercise first, no one is going to be able to
calm him down enough to train him. He first needs to tire out enough to pay
attention to anyone. It sounds as though he could use a good run every day
before leash training.
Maybe you could bike, jog or roller blade and take the dog with you, or play
fetch with him in the yard until he is tired and then take him for a walk on
the leash. In order to keep the dog's focus on you, when walking on leash,
you could try keeping a squeaky toy in your pocket and squeak it when the
dog seems to be too focused on something else, and carry a few good treats
in your pocket also.
Someone suggested that when walking on the leash, and the dog gets too far
ahead of you, tightening up on the leash and doing an abrupt turn around
and then another turn. That does work. I do it a lot with my dog. Because
they never know when you are going to make that quick turn around, they pay
closer attention to you and stay by your side.
The leading-with-the-treat idea with dog #2 sounds like a good idea, too.
That could work also to get the dog up on its feet and moving forward until
she loses her fear of the leash and, then rewarding the dog when she does
with the treat and praise. After you are able to get the dog to feel more
comfortable and move forward on the leash, you could try walking the two
dogs together side by side. That might keep Dog #2 in motion. I am not sure
if that would work or not, but it might be worth a try.

"Hank" wrote in message
...
1st dog

Nearly two years ago I bought my mom a puppy after a 2 year morning of
our previous dog who passed away. I got him from the pound and gave
her the new addition to the family, she loves him very so and would
always praise him etc..etc, but she never walked him nor played with
him or trained him, so when I would go vist her I would walk him but
he would always pull on the leash to a point that it sounded like he
was being choked. He also never paid attention to me or to my
girlfriend once he left the front lawn. Now fast forward to today, she
told me she couldn't take care of him anymore (shes old) so asked me
to take him so we did. But same old thing, he pulls on the leash and
he is a very high energetic dog and he doesnt pay attention to no one
even when we have treats or call his name, I feel bad for him because
he was couped up in a backyard for a long period of time, but when we
take him outside in the front for a walk he always jumps up like he
wants to runaway. I would love to train him so he could just run on
the front lawn and not fear is going to run away.

2nd dog.

My girlfriend has a dog who is a puppy still, and she is very stubborn
and dominate dog, they baby her like there is no tommorrow, well
everytime I try to take her for a walk she lays down and won't move
period, we tried to leaving the leash on her in the backyard and she
will run with it but once you pick up the leash she freezes up and
remains paralized.

Can someone point me in the right direction with books or websites to
help with my two dogs? They're good dogs just need some obedience. I
wish I could take them both to training school, but nowadays with all
the shots and meds we are almost bone dry.


You have heard much good advice about teaching your dogs to mind. While
obedience training would be optimal, you can do this on your own by reading
and following the right books/advice.

I walk daily with four dogs looped to my waist with a combination stirrup
leather, two leather leashes, attached to double leashes. Having taught
each of them individually how to sit, heel, wait, stay, it didn't take long
to get them stepping out smartly as a team. The Budweiser Clydesdales have
nothing on us.

I am not a professional trainer. I am simply a dog owner of many years took
the time to understand the psychology of the pack.

There are several posters who have their dogs trained at levels many of us
don't, but you can easily achieve good canine citizens w/effort.

Good luck!

Kind regards,
(the)duckster

On 2008-04-18 07:52:43 -0400, (Melinda Shore) said:

Maybe rules 1, 2, and 3 in dog
training should be "Make it fun," "Make it fun," and "Make
it fun."

That sounds good.

I think frustration travels down the leash.