Chubbz Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Hi, I have a 9 month old pup who loves to go for walks, but when I try and get the check chain on her she runs away from me all the time! She has no problems with the chain when I finally get it on her and has so much fun on her walks! I know that it isnt hurting/choking her either as she doent tend to pull at all..... How can I get her to stop running away from me? As soon as she sees the chain in my hand she makes a dash for it! Ive tried treats etc and dont see why she associates the chain with something bad since she loves walks so much..... Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 When you says she bolts, is she hiding or just runs off because over excited? Mine run around and head for the door, jumping and carrying on Sometimes they wont come to get the collar put on, because they are to excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 The only time I have seen a dog not appreciate the check chain has been because the owner has been removing it incorrectly. You need to make sure the size is correct for your dog (for safety as well as for good timing in training). When you take it off is it snug and do you use two hands and remove it in one go over both of your dog's ears at the one time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 If she hates the check chain why not use a Martingale or a flat collar on the pup? I'm not a fan of check chains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 If she doesn't pull, why are you using it at all? If she doesn't like it, just use a normal flat collar and leash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel964 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I would just change it - don't use it. For whatever reason, she does not like it. Use something different, your dogs happiness is worth it. Even though she is ok once its on, its causing her grief. I would change it right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonymc Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Chubbz,the pup from the content of your post certainly has a negative link to the Check Chain. Like others have said,I would be throwing the Chain to one side and be putting on a flat collar. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I would be trying to work out why she has a negative association before changing it so that you don't then accidentally build a new negative association with a different piece of equipment. What does she do if you get the lead out without the chain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 (edited) I would be trying to work out why she has a negative association before changing it so that you don't then accidentally build a new negative association with a different piece of equipment. What does she do if you get the lead out without the chain? Yes - Good point and I pondered this too. I've even pondered on whether it is "fear" you are really seeing - or whether it is some ritualistic behaviour that your dog is showing. Exploring by excluding the check chain from the equation and also by randomising your routine will help you identify. Edited August 2, 2007 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noisymina Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 In the past, I have started with the flat collar and moved to the check chain later. I only use it as additional security when going out as she is a big dog and I feel it would help in situations that get her overly excited etc - eg another dog having a go at her or in the vets waiting room where I need to be sure I have control. It has seldom been needed. My present dog is an expert collar slipper and a check chain is essential should she decide she wants to shoot through for some reason. Better a bit of temporary discomfort as opposed to her getting loose and....who knows what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♥Bruno♥ Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I use a check chain for Bruno, mainly because he grows out of his nice expensive leather collars too quickly! Also, I have so much more control (therefore confidence) when walking him on a check chain. He never pulls, he's a great walker, but being as big as he is, I need to know that should a situation arise where I needed to have total control, I could. In your situation, I would give the check chain away and try using a softer collar. As others have said, maybe your dog is just really excited at the thought of going for a walk? Took me 2 months, but I finally have Bruno sitting down waiting at the door for me to come and put his collar on, not jumping around and being a lunatic when I say "walkies"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I use a check chain for Bruno, mainly because he grows out of his nice expensive leather collars too quickly! Perhaps there's something in what you've written here that I am misunderstanding - but if Bruno grows out of his leather collars, he would also be growing out of his check chain. Check chains are like kids shoes ..... they need to fit correctly at the time and will need to be replaced/upgraded to the next appropriate size as he grows. I presume you don't leave the chain on Bruno when he is not being supervised, Buno06? Perhaps I have not interpreted your post correctly. ****************** I don't know if the OP is returning here, but it would be interesting to know if he/she has tried any of the suggestions posted, and what the results were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pebbles Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 (edited) Perhaps it's just excitement at going for a walk and nothing to do with the equipment? Slightly different but Mick gets excited when we are going in the car. The other two jump in the minute the door is opened and most times Mick will too but sometimes he does crazy laps around the car before jumping in. IMO the reaction has to be seen before a call can be made. Edited August 4, 2007 by pebbles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doghouse Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 I agree show the girls their halters or collars or leads and they go nuts its time for walkies.. That said they settle quickly once on lead and on activity.. I dont like check chains and my two pull like buggery if allowed.. training is the key Have you tried Halters?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 I use a check chain for Bruno, mainly because he grows out of his nice expensive leather collars too quickly! Perhaps there's something in what you've written here that I am misunderstanding - but if Bruno grows out of his leather collars, he would also be growing out of his check chain. Check chains are like kids shoes ..... they need to fit correctly at the time and will need to be replaced/upgraded to the next appropriate size as he grows. I presume you don't leave the chain on Bruno when he is not being supervised, Buno06? Perhaps I have not interpreted your post correctly. ****************** I don't know if the OP is returning here, but it would be interesting to know if he/she has tried any of the suggestions posted, and what the results were. How should a check chain be fitted? I haven't used on e since they were mandatory at the 6 year old dog's puppy school (the dreaded Bark Busters). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 How should a check chain be fitted? I haven't used on e since they were mandatory at the 6 year old dog's puppy school (the dreaded Bark Busters). General rule of thumb - check chain should be snug as it is going over the dog's head. However, there will be variation to this 'general rule of thumb' due to the different sizes of dogs' heads in comparison to different size necks. The excess of the chain that you have once the chain is pulled snug around the dog's neck should measure roughly the width of your hand (I would suggest not more than 6cm). If the chain is too long there are two major disadvantages :- When the lead is loose and the dog sniffs the ground, the chain can easily slip over the dog's head and the dog is then loose. When a correction is activated via the check chain, the ring through which it travels needs to slide until the check is delivered. The longer the excess chain, the longer it will take to be delivered. So - the correction, although actioned in good time, is not delivered as timely as it should have been. Also, if the dog has changed its behaviour in this additional (albeit small) moment, the dog receives a correction for a behaviour not as we intended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubbz Posted August 9, 2007 Author Share Posted August 9, 2007 No she doesnt have a negative asociation with just check chains. Normal leather ones too... and harnesses. And no she doesnt bolt because she is excited, she just runs away from me and hides.... Funny thing is when its on she is totally fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubbz Posted August 9, 2007 Author Share Posted August 9, 2007 I use a check chain for Bruno, mainly because he grows out of his nice expensive leather collars too quickly! Also, I have so much more control (therefore confidence) when walking him on a check chain. He never pulls, he's a great walker, but being as big as he is, I need to know that should a situation arise where I needed to have total control, I could. In your situation, I would give the check chain away and try using a softer collar. As others have said, maybe your dog is just really excited at the thought of going for a walk? Took me 2 months, but I finally have Bruno sitting down waiting at the door for me to come and put his collar on, not jumping around and being a lunatic when I say "walkies"! I use the check chains because she walks so nicely on lead aswell. If I stick a harness on her she pulls like crazy, hence why I dont want to take her off the check chain. And she is still running from me when I have a normal collar in my hand, so why would I reintroduce an additional problem by reverting back to a collar/harness? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 9, 2007 Share Posted August 9, 2007 Well - you've just identified that your dog is not running from the check chain, so that's not the culprit. I still wonder if she is really running away out of some sort of fear, or whether her behaviour is some part of her excited ritual. Hard to tell without seeing her. If it is NOT fear, then I'd be inclined to pick up the lead as if going for a walk and if she runs away, put the lead away and don't go. Repeat until she realises that running away is not a part of the repertoire which results in a walk. When she doesn't run away, then put the lead and collar on and go for a walk. If it IS fear, then you need to desensitise her to it. Have her near you and under control and pick up the (spare) lead and collar and treat her. Have the lead and collar in your hand when you go to feed her. Next step after you've done that a couple of times (and if no probs) is to put the lead and collar on and feed her. Mind - if it IS fear, be thorough in searching back as to whether there might be a reason for the fear. In particular, whether that reason is an on-going one. Eg. Is the collar dragged over her head and ears and causing discomfort etc.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubbz Posted August 10, 2007 Author Share Posted August 10, 2007 Yea I am mystified, she has been doing it basically since we first started walking her. No biggie though I guess, I think it is just her little ritual she has now gotten used to doing. Does seems like its out of fear though judging by the way she runs and hides, rather than excitement of going for a walk. I guess I will have to start associating the chain with something positive again (already tried treats). Thanks for the advice all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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