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Post by Vickih on Oct 13, 2004 10:44:23 GMT -5
I'm hoping I can learn how to improve my relationship with my dog here! Hubby and I adopted a golden retriever/chow mix from the pound back in June. She's about a year old, although we arent 100% sure on her age, and we are finding it really hard to train her! We have house trained her, and she does know certain commands like sit, down, off etc, but tends to choose when she understands them. We had a problem with chewing for a while, and thought we had sorted that, but yesterday we found she had been working on a tearing a corner of our carpet to shreds She is very bad on a leash. She understands to heel when we give her the command, but the second she comes back to us, she's pulling away again, and I'm have a real hard time keeping hold of her when she's pulling (most of the time!) and I'm scared that if she really saw something she wanted to go after, I would have no chance of holding her. Anyway, hopefully I can make some friends here who can offer some advice! I have the time and patience to put the hours in with her, but I'm obviously not doing something right at the moment!! Vicki x
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Post by Willow on Oct 13, 2004 11:36:41 GMT -5
Hi Vickih and Welcome! ;D We have some very good trainer's here, both professional and amateur, as well as a lot of threads on training collars. Pulling dogs and how to curb that in just a few minutes with the right collar and technique is one of our specialities. ;D Nicki is really good at sending the threads with the information. I can find the threads, but don't know how to send the link to them!
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Post by Iluvmypup on Oct 13, 2004 11:51:25 GMT -5
Hi and welcome!!! Have you considered crate training? That would help with the destructive chewing. Also, providing stuffed kong toys around the house will satisfy her chewing needs and keep her occupied. With 'heel', she thinks that heel=come to your side...thats it. She hasn't been shown that she has to walk by your side, but it can be pretty easy and quick to teach. Just start off with having her HEEL, and wait to give the treat for 3-5 seconds. Make sure she doesn't get up (she should be in a sit while your standing still) until you release with an OKAY! After she's good with that, you'll want to take a step or two...then treat. Then change the times you give her treats. Two steps, treat, five steps, treat, one step, treat, seven steps, treat....and so on. She'll get it before long. I don't use training collars, as I find positive methods funner and easier for both human and dog. However, if you do still want to use one, there are plenty of people around here who can offer great advice on using one.
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Post by Vickih on Oct 13, 2004 13:24:30 GMT -5
[quote author=Willow Nicki is really good at sending the threads with the information. I can find the threads, but don't know how to send the link to them! [/quote] Hi Willow, Thankyou for the welcome! Dont worry about finding threads, I will be looking around lots and will shout if I have any questions!
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Post by Vickih on Oct 13, 2004 13:31:51 GMT -5
Hi and welcome!!! With 'heel', she thinks that heel=come to your side...thats it. She hasn't been shown that she has to walk by your side, but it can be pretty easy and quick to teach. Just start off with having her HEEL, and wait to give the treat for 3-5 seconds. Make sure she doesn't get up (she should be in a sit while your standing still) until you release with an OKAY! After she's good with that, you'll want to take a step or two...then treat. Then change the times you give her treats. Two steps, treat, five steps, treat, one step, treat, seven steps, treat....and so on. She'll get it before long. I think getting her good on a leash is my main priority, and this is the kind of advice I was looking for so thanks! I have considered a training collar because I saw one at the vets office last time I was there, but I think I'd like to try her this kind of way first. I am here with her most of the day, so havent considered crate training. She is actually quite good when we go out, she sits at the front door and waits. We know this because when we come back, 9 times out of 10 when we open the front door, she's just beginning to sit up and stretch. I think the carpet was done when we were here, and in another room, probably because of boredom, although she goes out for a short walk 3-5 times a day and has a ton of chew toys!
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Post by sibemom on Oct 13, 2004 17:15:16 GMT -5
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Post by ripley on Oct 13, 2004 17:42:20 GMT -5
Oh you are experiencing the joy of a Chow mix! I have a soft spot for Chows, they're challenging dogs to train, and unlike some breeds, you really have to work your butt off to earn their respect. A few corrections and a few 'good doggie!'s are not going to do it with a Chow. I second Luv's comment for crate training. It is endlessly helpful for dogs who can be destructive when left unattended. As for the pinch collar.. I would get one and have her wear it during walks. A lot of the people on here have been using pinch collars for years and could tell you much more than I could on the subject. If I could give a word of advice.. Don't keep telling her "heel" throughout the entire walk. Instead, try a command like "let's go", where the dog can walk anywhere close to you, and doesn't have to walk right at your left side. Personally I don't like making my dogs heel throughout the entire walk, it takes all the fun out of the walk. "Let's go" is easy to teach. Start out on your walk, BEFORE she starts pulling, and say "let's go!" in a happy voice. As soon as she walks near you and looks up at you, tell her "Goooooooooood let's go!" and give a treat. Once she knows the meaning of "let's go", which is: Stay close to mom and walk nicely, if she blows it off (AND SHE WILL IF SHE'S PART CHOW! ) that is why you have the pinch collar. Give her a short pop on the leash, to get her attention, not to punish her, and praise her when she looks back at you. It's a nice alternative to heel and it helps calm the walks down a little bit.. After awhile, when she gets the idea, she won't be pulling your shoulder out of its socket. ;D
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Post by Brooke on Oct 13, 2004 22:36:10 GMT -5
Hey Vicki! Welcome to our board! ;D
You better share some pictures!!
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Post by Vickih on Oct 14, 2004 17:04:35 GMT -5
I will sort some pictures out ;D I am sooo happy I've found this board, and so is my husband!! Walking Lucy is just not fun, and up until now its been getting quite frustrating. She pulls something silly on the leash, and youre right, its painful!! I can walk round my apartment complex in about 30 seconds flat because Lucy insists on pulling me round at 40 miles an hour! To anyone watching, I bet its quite amusing! We will definitely be picking up a collar at the weekend now we've read this, and will look for the threads you've mentioned to read. Other than the pulling, she's an adorable dog, we've had her 4 months now Vicki
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Post by Aussienot on Oct 14, 2004 17:10:30 GMT -5
Hi Vicki,
Welcome to the board. I like your attitude of thinking of the relationship between you and the dog instead of just complaining My dog pulls on leash.
Not to delve too deeply into training advice in the Intros, but Ripley's distinction between 'Heel' and 'Walk Without Pulling' as two separate commands is right on the money. Heeling is hard work that takes concentration and focus from the dog. Going for a walk should be pleasurable for both of you, and the only thing the dog has to think about is not let the leash get tight.
Having the pinch collar will serve two points: it's backup if you need it, and it will teach your dog much more quickly if you combine the food rewards for compliance with guidance from the pinch.
Glad you've introduced yourself. What's the dog's name, and yes pictures would be good, I'm sure she's good looking with that mix.
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Post by Brooke on Oct 14, 2004 17:20:57 GMT -5
I'm not sure if you read this yet. www.leerburg.com/fit-prong.htmThis is an important link to read prior to training with a pinch collar. Probably best to read prior to buying one
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Post by Vickih on Oct 15, 2004 9:52:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, I'm gonna come over to the training forum and learn some more ;D Before I go though, Here's a pic of Lucy..I'm in the picture although you cant see my face! Hubby is not the best photographer in the world!!
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Post by Vickih on Oct 15, 2004 9:53:49 GMT -5
Please ignore my terrible sewing, I made it to practice tensions and stitching with a new machine!
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Post by Iluvmypup on Oct 15, 2004 10:02:37 GMT -5
Aww...those are great pictures! The first picture looks like a 'doggy heaven'... ;D My dogs love visiting the beach. Just remember that if your dog begins to pull you, you can either 1. stop, or 2. do an about-face which usually works the most effectively. The secret is to never go in the direction your dog is pulling, and never let him drag you which will only encourage him.
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Post by Willow on Oct 15, 2004 10:56:24 GMT -5
I love the first picture. It's as if she is saying, "hehehe, I have her right where I want her!"
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