Help Please! Problems With Going On A Walk

[Alison Ma]

Calm Calm Calm, you don't even want to put her collar on if she's not calm, just wait it out. Next is not to even walk out the front door if she's not calm and she doesn't go out before you.

Every step of the way she has to learn to be calm, you'll be suprised at how quickly she picks it up when you're consistent with this method.

You say you use a harness....do you mean a specialised no-pull harness or just a normal harness? A normal harness teaches your dog to pull as that is the purpose of a harness....sled dogs and the like....

A no-pull harness with a d-ring on the front could assist you.

The thing is, any training tool you use, you need to make sure it is fitted correctly and get guidence on how to use it, this is probably why the Halti didn't work as the dogs needs to conditioned to it and fitting it correctly is also very important.

I'd reccomend you hook up with a Trainer and/or Behvaiourist to help you work through these challenges.

In Sydney, NSW I reccomend Craig Murray from Premier Dog Training who can come out to you and work with your in your dogs own environment: 0408 113 874.

_______________________

It is just a normal harness. The harness seems to work the best. We tried the choker and the poor thing ended up vomiting. The halti was a huge failure. So, you recommend a no pull harness?

It just gets very frustrating. I went to a pet store on the weekend, and I didn't see anything about a "no pull harness".

I spoke with another owner of a husky/malamute and she told me that the halti works great. It is very disappointing when you can't take your dog on a walk when she mucks up.

[poodlefan]

It is just a normal harness. The harness seems to work the best. We tried the choker and the poor thing ended up vomiting. The halti was a huge failure. So, you recommend a no pull harness?

It just gets very frustrating. I went to a pet store on the weekend, and I didn't see anything about a "no pull harness".

I spoke with another owner of a husky/malamute and she told me that the halti works great. It is very disappointing when you can't take your dog on a walk when she mucks up.

I think you need to start thinking about this from the dog's point of view Alison. One of the reasons she "mucks up" is that she doesn't appear to have had much training and she doesn't get enough exercise.

Those are two issues that you can start to remedy today.

[Alison Ma]

yup you need to go to obedience, not only for your own skills but to help socialise the dog

btw what the heck is an alusky?

__________

Thank you.

I thought Alaskan Malamutes x with Siberian Husky were called Alusky? Maybe I just made that up haha.

No, not called an Alusky, they are what they are, a X breed

Sounds like you have a real cracker there!

I second what the others have said, training and obediance clubs!

I would never recomend a harness for a sledding mix dog, that's going to start all kinds of problems.

Have you ever tried a flat or martingale collar?

Also what other kind of training do you do with her?

Personally I wouldn't be letting her step one foot out that door until she had settled down.

If I had to stand there for an hour with a loony dog bouncing around so be it.

EDT, just noticed how long you walk her for.

You MUST walk her more often! A X breed like yours will never be happy just hanging around in the backyard.

If you don't have a lot of time in the evening try half an hour in the morning and night.

______

I have seen the martingale collar, but don't know how that works.

She knows the basic. We attend a class when she was 5- 7 months. I get embarrassed when it comes to her. She makes soo much noise and jumps up at me. After that day, I never went back again :-(

I will start walking her more often.

[persephone]

Alison- she sounds as if, with the work put into her, she will be a great dog!!

You DO need to learn how to train her though. It isn't something you experiment with- because sometimes you can make little problems into bigger ones

Lola sounds as if she needs much more mental and physical exercise- and yes, it WILL make her much easier to handle .

What training do you do with her at home? perhaps she needs more than she's getting .

The crossbreed you have is/will be a very strong and active dog.She has not finished her growing yet!

To be safe- humans, and dog, you need to understand how she is thinking, and how to control her actions.

The fact of her jumping up at you, and lunging at other dogs waves a red flag at me........... this is an accident waiting to happen, as you have wisely realised!

I would recommend you book a session with a trainer ,preferably one vouched for by D O L members.

There are trainers around whose methods aren't what's needed... and booking one who people have actually worked with face-to-face is a BIG plus ;)

[Bjelkier]

Calm Calm Calm, you don't even want to put her collar on if she's not calm, just wait it out. Next is not to even walk out the front door if she's not calm and she doesn't go out before you.

Every step of the way she has to learn to be calm, you'll be suprised at how quickly she picks it up when you're consistent with this method.

You say you use a harness....do you mean a specialised no-pull harness or just a normal harness? A normal harness teaches your dog to pull as that is the purpose of a harness....sled dogs and the like....

A no-pull harness with a d-ring on the front could assist you.

The thing is, any training tool you use, you need to make sure it is fitted correctly and get guidence on how to use it, this is probably why the Halti didn't work as the dogs needs to conditioned to it and fitting it correctly is also very important.

I'd reccomend you hook up with a Trainer and/or Behvaiourist to help you work through these challenges.

In Sydney, NSW I reccomend Craig Murray from Premier Dog Training who can come out to you and work with your in your dogs own environment: 0408 113 874.

_______________________

It is just a normal harness. The harness seems to work the best. We tried the choker and the poor thing ended up vomiting. The halti was a huge failure. So, you recommend a no pull harness?

It just gets very frustrating. I went to a pet store on the weekend, and I didn't see anything about a "no pull harness".

I spoke with another owner of a husky/malamute and she told me that the halti works great. It is very disappointing when you can't take your dog on a walk when she mucks up.

I own and exhibit arctic breeds and although I don't have Mal's or Sibes I have had a lot to do with them and no one I know uses a harness be it no pull or otherwise.

Flat collars, martingales and check chains have been the most common.

With the chain have you actually been shown how to use this?

The most common problem people have is not the tools but not being aware of how they work.

EDT, a martingal is similar to a check chain but softer.

Ok, so she knows the basic, what do you do when she jumps or pulls?

Edited March 15, 2010 by Wolfsong

[persephone]

Alison- The good thing about not knowing how training and tools work- is that there are good people around who DO know, and who you can have visit you at home- so no embarrassment- and LOTS of support

:thumbsup:

[sandgrubber]

Note, if daily walkies don't work for you, a treadmill may make it easier . . . just one thing discuss with whoever you end out helping you on the training/behaviour front.

[Alison Ma]

Alison- she sounds as if, with the work put into her, she will be a great dog!!

You DO need to learn how to train her though. It isn't something you experiment with- because sometimes you can make little problems into bigger ones

Lola sounds as if she needs much more mental and physical exercise- and yes, it WILL make her much easier to handle .

What training do you do with her at home? perhaps she needs more than she's getting .

The crossbreed you have is/will be a very strong and active dog.She has not finished her growing yet!

To be safe- humans, and dog, you need to understand how she is thinking, and how to control her actions.

The fact of her jumping up at you, and lunging at other dogs waves a red flag at me........... this is an accident waiting to happen, as you have wisely realised!

I would recommend you book a session with a trainer ,preferably one vouched for by D O L members.

There are trainers around whose methods aren't what's needed... and booking one who people have actually worked with face-to-face is a BIG plus ;)

______

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

I know, it is my fault that she acts the way she does.

I have not had any professional training. My partner teaches her the commands of sit, stay, drop etc.

My problem is is that I don't know where to start.

I am attending a course with the Siberian Husky Club of NSW. Hopefully, I will be pushed in the right direction through them. They will be able to help me find the right trainer. It is so disappointing when it comes to taking Lola out and about. I NEED to do something about this.

[Nekhbet]

I get embarrassed when it comes to her. She makes soo much noise and jumps up at me. After that day, I never went back again :-(

taking her out less and less only compounds the problem as you are finding out. The less she goes out and learns, the more her excitement increases, the more your frustration increases and it's a vicious circle.

You NEED to take her to obedience or call a trainer in. Dog like this end up at pounds every day because they're 'difficult, untrainable, etc'. I train at a dog school as well as train privately, and I see people embaressed by their dogs but I tell them DONT BE! You shouldnt be embaressed if you have a dog that you are trying to help , in fact you should be congratulated. And we dont have whispering, staring etc it's not allowed and frankly it doesnt make a happy environment.

You purchased a high energy, intelligent, active breed and you need to cater to its breed requirements. Also what works for one dog does not necessarily work for the other especially when it comes to cross breeds. There is not one piece of equipment that is breed specific, they are individual dog specific.

If your dog was vomiting on a check chain then you were simply choking it. It is NOT meant to choke the dog. Practice in the backyard if you have to, let the dog on a loose lead and you simply pop in a quick motion, not draaaaaaaaaag the dog. If the dog shoots ahead or pully you simply pop the lead to give a correction and call the dog back to you, reward for compliance.

Edited March 15, 2010 by Nekhbet

[Alison Ma]

Note, if daily walkies don't work for you, a treadmill may make it easier . . . just one thing discuss with whoever you end out helping you on the training/behaviour front.

______________

I love that idea! She has been on a treadmill before but, it wouldn't hurt me to get out for a walk.

[persephone]

A ttreadmill is great for Lola's basic exercise- but she still needs to get out and socialise, and you still need to learn how to use the basic training tools.

When is your course starting?

[Diva]

I love that idea! She has been on a treadmill before but, it wouldn't hurt me to get out for a walk.

A treadmill can help with the exercise side of things, but a walk is also about much more than exercise - it's exploration, new sights, smells and sounds, a world outside of the backyard, and time with you following your lead (hopefully!). Not saying that treadmill time might not help, but she remember needs the rest of it too.

[persephone]

diva- snap!

[Alison Ma]

I get embarrassed when it comes to her. She makes soo much noise and jumps up at me. After that day, I never went back again :-(

taking her out less and less only compounds the problem as you are finding out. The less she goes out and learns, the more her excitement increases, the more your frustration increases and it's a vicious circle.

You NEED to take her to obedience or call a trainer in. Dog like this end up at pounds every day because they're 'difficult, untrainable, etc'. I train at a dog school as well as train privately, and I see people embaressed by their dogs but I tell them DONT BE! You shouldnt be embaressed if you have a dog that you are trying to help , in fact you should be congratulated. And we dont have whispering, staring etc it's not allowed and frankly it doesnt make a happy environment.

You purchased a high energy, intelligent, active breed and you need to cater to its breed requirements. Also what works for one dog does not necessarily work for the other especially when it comes to cross breeds. There is not one piece of equipment that is breed specific, they are individual dog specific.

If your dog was vomiting on a check chain then you were simply choking it. It is NOT meant to choke the dog. Practice in the backyard if you have to, let the dog on a loose lead and you simply pop in a quick motion, not draaaaaaaaaag the dog. If the dog shoots ahead or pully you simply pop the lead to give a correction and call the dog back to you, reward for compliance.

_____________

Thank you.

I would never give up Lola. I completely acknowledge that I am the problem and that the lack of training and patience, has not got me or Lola anywhere positive.

I am going to really focus on getting Lola up to scratch. I am going to seek training and I am not going to be embarrassed anymore. She is my responsibility.

[poodlefan]

I am attending a course with the Siberian Husky Club of NSW. Hopefully, I will be pushed in the right direction through them. They will be able to help me find the right trainer. It is so disappointing when it comes to taking Lola out and about. I NEED to do something about this.

And good on you for being prepared to step and say it.

There is no need to be embarrassed about having a dog with a few control issues. If you are committed to doing something about them, my guess is that you'll be feeling a lot better about walking her quite quickly.

Perhaps a private trainer can help you on the road. Its you and Lola that need to work on this if you are going to be the one walking her. A trainer can also meet Lola and recommend and fit any harness or collar. You'll get much better advice than from a pet shop. Few petshop staff know the first thing about dogs or dog training.

Edited March 15, 2010 by poodlefan

[Alison Ma]

A ttreadmill is great for Lola's basic exercise- but she still needs to get out and socialise, and you still need to learn how to use the basic training tools.

When is your course starting?

__________

It starts on 28 March.

I think it may be a one day thing, but if that's the case, I will get a trainer.

Its not fair on Lola. She is missing out on so much.

I feel so slack.

[Alison Ma]

I am attending a course with the Siberian Husky Club of NSW. Hopefully, I will be pushed in the right direction through them. They will be able to help me find the right trainer. It is so disappointing when it comes to taking Lola out and about. I NEED to do something about this.

And good on you for being prepared to step and say it.

There is no need to be embarrassed about having a dog with a few control issues. If you are committed to doing something about them, my guess is that you'll be feeling a lot better about walking her quite quickly.

Perhaps a private trainer can help you on the road. Its you and Lola that need to work on this if you are going to be the one walking her. A trainer can also meet Lola and recommend and fit any harness or collar. You'll get much better advice than from a pet shop. Few petshop staff know the first thing about dogs or dog training.

________________

Yeah, I am going to call a trainer and see what he can do.

Also, she is a real picky eater.

I gave her lamb the other day, and she turned her nose up at it.

Do you know why? Or do you put that down to not exercising her enough?

[Diva]

I am going to really focus on getting Lola up to scratch. I am going to seek training and I am not going to be embarrassed anymore. She is my responsibility.

That's a great atttitude. It will take effort to get her back on track and you will need determination and patience, but it is all very fixable. Forget about feeling embarrassed, dogs seem to have a great capacity for doing things we find embarrassing but the only thing you need to feel bad about is if you aren't trying to fix the behaviour.

[sas]

Does Lola get walked every day? If so, for how long?

_________

I try to walk her as often as I can.

Lately, she goes for walks on Saturday and Sunday.

We take her to the beach on the weekend which normally tires her out for a day or two.

That's not enough....I think you know that already. A dog especially one with the problems that she is presenting needs to get out everyday to remember how to be a dog and to incorporate training into that walk. I'd probably be taking a high energy dog out twice a day.

[FranVT]

I have seen the martingale collar, but don't know how that works.

She knows the basic. We attend a class when she was 5- 7 months. I get embarrassed when it comes to her. She makes soo much noise and jumps up at me. After that day, I never went back again :-(

I will start walking her more often.

You NEED to take her to obedience or call a trainer in. Dog like this end up at pounds every day because they're 'difficult, untrainable, etc'. I train at a dog school as well as train privately, and I see people embaressed by their dogs but I tell them DONT BE! You shouldnt be embaressed if you have a dog that you are trying to help ;), in fact you should be congratulated. And we dont have whispering, staring etc it's not allowed and frankly it doesnt make a happy environment.

Great post!

I know what you mean Alison I was really embarrassed when I took my & my ex-partner's bull terrier to training for the first time, not only was he incredibly naughty and embarrassing but lots of people shunned us because he has the 'look' of an aggressive breed So I know that awful, isolating shame but I am SO SO SO glad I continued, Atlas became the most beautifully behaved, polite boy after a few months of training! Don't give up! Even though Atlas is living with his daddy since we split, I will NEVER regret all the work I put into making him behave and being a better leader, I got easily as much if not more out of it than he did.

I use a martingale collar on my Spitz breed (Finnish Lapphund) and it is great for her, doesn't damage her coat and gives really good, soft control when needed.

Definitely walk her more, like the others said even if you split it up morning/night then that's awesome. You will find a change in her behaviour really quickly because she'll be more tired/relaxed both mentally and physically.

You sound like you have a fantastic attitude and welcome to the forums, it is sometimes hard to hear 'tough love' advice but you have taken it on board with grace and I am so very glad to hear that you are willing to put the work in because it'll be so worth it!

Best of luck!