surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA
Sep 11, 2003, 12:03 AM
Post #12 of 63
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Re: [kesuke, Hunter] dog doesn't want to walk!!
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Hi
Mostly just following up from Hunters postings
I would agree with Hunter, I dont think the issue of dominance is involved. But
something does puzzle me
a Golden who doesnt want to walk?
Thats a little odd because most Retrievers I know will walk until they (or their owners) drop
So, check and make sure your dog is fine
paws/hips are not hurt or anything
ensure your dog has no injury or physical problem. For normal walks I suggest that you only need to teach 2 elements (a) the dog should not pull your arms off, and (b) to return to your side when called. Maybe in your case & for your doggie ... start with Recall ... BUT MOST IMPORTANT: You sound a little fed up too ... take a deep breath ... forget all previous frustrations, leave all anger behind ... don't carry that with you ... Start from scratch as if you just got your dog today ... ... Remember the joy and happiness you felt when you first saw your dog ... and this is where you start ... start with clean page and your dog will appreciate & respond ... for sure. __________________________________________________________________ RECALL: Teach your dog this all the time on & off leash. Call your dogs name, and every time dog responds
major praise & reward
Do this often, as long as there is praise & reward ... the dog won't mind ... ... It will not take long for your dog to realise that life is starting anew and his/her name is good. Cautions: NEVER call a dog to punish or scold. NEVER call a dog when you are angry at the dog. NEVER use your dog's name, to make your dog do something he/she does not like - like going to the vet. If you do this and you will undo all your previous training. If you need to reprimand your dog, YOU GO TO THE DOG, do not call your dog to you. When you call a dog by its name it is ALWAYS HAPPY HAPPY. ______________________________________________________________ PULLING: There are many methods to train a dog not to pull. (A) Halti method: Lets start with the easiest method. Get a Halti or Gentle Leader (GL) collar, slip it on and ... voila ... immediately you can control the pulling. Thats it
easy neh. You can find Haltis at the petshop in MidValley. These are collars do not choke, easy to put on
completely humane and effective. Unlike a normal collar or slip chain, the Halti and GL are designed to give you control of the dogs whole head. Control the dogs head and you immediately control its ability to pull. With the gentlest of pressure, you can bring the dog under control. Doesnt matter how big or strong your dog is the dog cannot pull and win. So just by using the collar your dog will eventually realise that he/she cannot pull and will settle down for the walk. Cautions: Get the right size. Do not misuse the collar. Follow the instructions that come with collar carefully. Get your dog used to having a Halti or GL on (this can take a couple of walks). (B) Training method: If you want to try a training method ... then another deep breath and ... commit yourself mentally and and willingly to the training of your dog ... be ready before starting training. First: Use slip chain of correct size and standard leash of 6ft. Second: Hold leash properly, with loop over thumb and grasp firmly. If dog starts to act gila gila when you put leash & collar on
let dog be gila (say 5 to 10minutes) let dog burn off some excess energy
this will make it easier when the formal lesson starts. Do this inside your compound. But once you walk out the gate the training begins. Third: Take dog out of compound
let dog have say 3feet of free play on the leash. (a) When the dog starts to pull
stand firm and still do not speak, do not move and DO NOT PULL THE LEASH. If you pull, your dog will only tug harder. Make like a tree the dog will stop pulling. When making like tree - stay calm & silent. (b) Stand still until the dog relaxes and stops pulling. Then without moving, use the leash to gently bring your dog back to your side. Settle dog by your side. When dog settles - praise & treat, then continue with walk. (c) If the dog pulls again
repeat sequence
stand firm, let dog settle, bring dog to side, settle praise & treat- move. Repeat and repeat as the need arises. Do not confuse your dog with words yet. Verbal commands can come later. This exercise is just to teach the basic lesson of cause & effect - Cause: If dog pulls - Effect: The walk stops. Cause: If dog relaxes - Effect: The walk continues. Remember - no punishment
no shouts or screams
just cause & effect. Your dog should learn pretty quickly. When the lesson of cause & effect is learnt
then you can use this as foundation to teach verbal commands and proper heeling. _________________________________________________________________ REFUSING TO WALK: Provided dog is healthy, refusing to walk is unusual for retrievers
So, such reaction may be owner induced. Please observe and find cause of this reluctance. Examine your previous method of taking your dog for walks. Have you accidentally frightened the dog? Have you inadvertently made walking the dog a battle instead of fun? If you have been jerking the leash or dragging the dog then the dogs reluctance to walk may be understandable
and YOU have to change your approach and start making walks fun. I suspect once you make walking fun your dog will want to walk. If your dog sits and refuses to walk
maybe you can try this: Crouch/squat down
use a happy voice to call your dog over to you
praise & reward
rub the under chin
give a belly scratch
once the tail starts to wag (which should not be difficult for a Golden)
stand up and continue walk. Be happy and your dog will be happy too
whenever you dog is walking well, call his name
praise the dog
chat with your dog as you walk
your dog is your friend and will respond. Remember
walking the dog is supposed to be fun ... Cheers ...
(This post was edited by surchinmy on Sep 11, 2003, 12:11 AM)
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