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I am totally with Erny on this one.a normal flat collar is best for the job.Keep the headcollars for Horses or to start the Fire with. Tony

I have to agree entirely with Kelpie-I. Tony

If you must have a polite talk to the Lady herself a nd then leave her to her business. Tony

Penny,I am not sure what you mean by as soon as you put her down?Are you picking her up to put Collar and Lead on her? Penny, when she plants herself what is your reaction? Penny, I do not expect a huge amount from 12 wk old Pups and they have only very short attention spans so a little at a time is best. Penny I would for a start find a enclosed area, put the Collar and Lead on her.Let her plant herself.As soon she plants herself walk away,ignore her totally,no eye contact, no nothing.Be patient and go about other things.She will get sick of sitting there getting no attention and sooner or later she will move. Penny,a bit more information would be helpful. Tony

Rom, in my experience pain causing change per the example you gave of a Human does not apply to that level to all lving beings. Usually Humans will make change when the pain is great enough in most cases.There are however those who have linked pleasure to pain and until the link is dissipated will hang onto pain. Between Humans and Animals the big difference of course is the Human intellect. I am not sure of the context of your post regards Dogs.Are you talking in all contexts or in association with a trainer or handler? Tony

4Paws,the best person to consult about the muzzle is Steve. Tony

Penny, I get pups coming to me before I ever put a lead on them.Then I put a Collar on them without a lead,call them and play around with them.They soon forget about the collar.Then I put a lead on. I start in a small area and I squat down or even sit on the Floor.Animals have oppositional reflex, which basically means they will fight pressure.So our job is to show them how to gain relief of pressure.I take up a tiny gentle pressure and just hold it there, not increasing or pulling at all.I just set a barrier. Initially we ask for the tiniest step and build on it.For example as soon as the Pup even turns his head my way,I release the gentle pressure.Thus he learns how to gain release of pressure.Of course as soon as he turns his head towards me,I also praise him. Once he has grasped that basic step and understands how to gain release of pressure,I go up a step.I apply gentle pressure then call him to me. Once pups understand how to gain release of pressure its quite simple to walk on a leash.The Pup learns if he stays beside me he gets a loose leash and it becomes a comfort zone for him.If he lags back, he ends up feeling gentle pressure,which then drives him to move forward to gain release. Tony

All our Dogs will work for the satisfaction of drive,so whatever I point them at they go. Tony

Jack,when the Dog starts barking in the house is there any trigger and whats is the body language displayed? Tony

Squishy, notice how originally at first the Dog was fine but with a little time has become aggitated towards the Child. A cuddle means one thing to a Human but to a Dog its totally different.Dogs do not like being grabbed and having a Humans face stuck in their face.This can be taken by the Dog as an act of aggression,hence the biting. Tony

Jack,when this dog first started barking what was your response or response from other Family members? I take it from your post that when he is outside,he can see you in the Kitchen through a Window? I am not sure from your post,but did you mean he starts barking whilst he is in the House and then you put him outside? Is there other behaviour associated with the barking? Tony

I would open the Dogs mouth and check the Dog"s bight. Tony

DeeLee,Snoozie has hit the nail on the head.The Dog must release the ball in its mouth before you throw the other ball. Tony

WinGus,to get a dog to release an item they are chewing or holding you must offer another item of the same value or higher to the dog. Tony

Steve,Erny and Mark may well have much better options than my approach. Tony

Nomad,contrary to what some mistakenly believe it will not in anyway affect the Dog"s ability to communicate. Tony

Deelee,try this approach and see how it works.Equip yourself with two balls the same.Throw one ball for the dog.Hold onto the second ball in your hand. The exercise goes like this,you throw one ball and off the dog races after the ball.You have the second ball in your hand.The dog has picked up the ball you threw and is heading back towards you.As the dog gets closer,start to back up or even run backwards which attracts and draws the dog in. When the dog gets close to you produce the other ball and wave it infront of the dog.The dog will be attracted to the ball in your hand.The aim is to attract the dog to the ball inyour hand causing her to drop the ball she has in her mouth.As soon as she drops the ball,praise her immeditately and throw the ball you have in your hand.Whilst she races off after the ball,pick up the ball she dropped and keep it in your hand to repeat the exercise when she returns. Initially the Dog will just drop the ball on the ground,but after time and practise you will be able to have her pass it to you direct from her mouth. Tony

RG, great to hear things are improving!!!Notice how many times we must change inorder for the Dogs to change. If you follows Steve"s advice, you cannot go wrong. Tony

Jack,what is the nature of this Dog?What body language does he exibit when out? tony

DeeLee, I am honoured by your very very kind words.Thank you so much. Tony

Tarope, you have done it again!!!Completely missed the point!!!! Firstly Tarope far more educated people then me are also against Headcollars for Dogs.Refer to your own post,where you state a Dog hated the Headcollar when put on!!!Now thats a little hint for you. Now as for the rest of your post I will not dignify with an answer as its too silly,childish and immature for me to consider. Tarope, read Deelee"s last post where she states the Dog is improving vastly!!!!!!Also remember the People who gave her the Advice are far more experienced and qualified than yourself. LM, thank you for the kind words my Friend. Tony

Tarope, perhaps you should have read the whole thread first.reading the whole thread informs you of the total picture. DeeLee, has been offered some very good and relevant advice from Mark S and Erny.I would never recommend a headcollar to anybody unless it was to go on their Horse.Headcollars on dogs mask problems and certainly do not deal with the actual cause/s. As far as the Breed Club scenario goes,I have to strongly disagree!!!Dogs are dogs first,then breed second.Because all dogs are dogs they share the basis of a common psychology. Teaching a Dog to walk on a loose lead whether a Heeler,Kelpie or AB is the same.Horse are just the same.I do not when teaching a Quarter Horse to lead, go about it differently to teaching a Paint Horse to lead,because of a common psychology Tony

Bella,obvisouly the factor here is distance.As you said this little dog is closer than other Dogs have been.You have got a result with dogs at a greater distance,so possibly the same approach will work but may take longer. Bella,I do not follow your logic as to why this little Dog has to be a dominant bitch? Tony

Ash,is this the ferocious little Pup that some tried to make out to be a Monster!!!!he is behaving very well for a monster. Well done Ash!!!! Tony

Sticks firstly I would supervise the Pup when he is inside.Also check your boundary setting and leadership.Dogs do not know they have done wrong.If it feels good to a Dog they keep doing it and if it feels bad they stop it. Tony