Help Please! Problems With Going On A Walk

[sas]

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 hope you mean a check chain rather than a choke chain....a check chain becomes a chock chain when you put it on incorrectly and it can't release.

A check chain wouldn't have worked for you because you haven't trained the dog how to walk on one because you probably haven't be taught how to use one.

You gotta ditch the normal harness.

Just because one tool works for someone with a similar breed doesn't mean it will work for yours and then as I said previously a tool isn't going to work unles it's fitted correctly and you have been shown how to use it properly.

Edited March 15, 2010 by sas

[Bjelkier]

Good on you for being willing to try Alison

And good luck

As for the food, she might just be in a fussy mood, take it away and offer it again later, she wont starve herself

[persephone]

just because one tool works for someone with a similar breed doesn't mean it will work for yours and then as I said previously a tool isn't going to work unles it's fitted correctly and you have been shown how to use it properly.

That is so true!!

Also- with choosing a trainer- don't use anyone whose methods make you uncomfortable, or who appears to hurt the dog. Choose someone experienced, and who discusses everything with you

[sas]

just because one tool works for someone with a similar breed doesn't mean it will work for yours and then as I said previously a tool isn't going to work unles it's fitted correctly and you have been shown how to use it properly.

That is so true!!

Also- with choosing a trainer- don't use anyone whose methods make you uncomfortable, or who appears to hurt the dog. Choose someone experienced, and who discusses everything with you

Also....try and stay away from Fanchise places like Bark Busters and Dog Tech unless you have heard wonderful testimonels first hand.

[Alison Ma]

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!

________________

Thank you!

I'm going to try this martingale collar. I have seen it in pet stores before but didn't know how that worked. Google seems to be my best friend at the moment. hahaha.

[FranVT]

You're welcome! In a few months with lots of hard work you'll be ing all the non-believers anyway!

You can get all different kinds of martingales too, I use a combination lead/collar one that is all the one material, but you can also get ones that are part-chain and stuff. You're right - google is the bomb, have a good look around!

[Alison Ma]

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 hope you mean a check chain rather than a choke chain....a check chain becomes a chock chain when you put it on incorrectly and it can't release.

A check chain wouldn't have worked for you because you haven't trained the dog how to walk on one because you probably haven't be taught how to use one.

You gotta ditch the normal harness.

Just because one tool works for someone with a similar breed doesn't mean it will work for yours and then as I said previously a tool isn't going to work unles it's fitted correctly and you have been shown how to use it properly.

________________

I never intentionally choke her, its because she pulls so much she ends up vomiting.

I'm going to try a martingale collar, see how Lola goes with that.

Thank you :-)

[Alison Ma]

just because one tool works for someone with a similar breed doesn't mean it will work for yours and then as I said previously a tool isn't going to work unles it's fitted correctly and you have been shown how to use it properly.

That is so true!!

Also- with choosing a trainer- don't use anyone whose methods make you uncomfortable, or who appears to hurt the dog. Choose someone experienced, and who discusses everything with you

Also....try and stay away from Fanchise places like Bark Busters and Dog Tech unless you have heard wonderful testimonels first hand.

________________

I went to Bark in the Park in Sydney on Saturday. That Dog Tech had a stand there. I spoke with a man named John and I told him about our problem. He wouldn't give me advice, he kept saying that he would send someone over to my house. I said to him "You're not even giving me advice, so why would I pay for your services".

He didn't have a clue about what I was talking about.

I see their advertisements at the RSPCA.

[FranVT]

Well I guess if he was giving you advice for free that's not really a way to run a business like Dog Tech is it But I know what you're saying. Some reassurance and general info may have been helpful.

[Alison Ma]

Well I guess if he was giving you advice for free that's not really a way to run a business like Dog Tech is it But I know what you're saying. Some reassurance and general info may have been helpful.

______________

Yeah, I understand the whole advice for free thing, but I felt like he didn't have a clue what I was going wrong.

Oh well!

I am really looking forward to going home and walking Lola!

[sas]

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 hope you mean a check chain rather than a choke chain....a check chain becomes a chock chain when you put it on incorrectly and it can't release.

A check chain wouldn't have worked for you because you haven't trained the dog how to walk on one because you probably haven't be taught how to use one.

You gotta ditch the normal harness.

Just because one tool works for someone with a similar breed doesn't mean it will work for yours and then as I said previously a tool isn't going to work unles it's fitted correctly and you have been shown how to use it properly.

________________

I never intentionally choke her, its because she pulls so much she ends up vomiting.

I'm going to try a martingale collar, see how Lola goes with that.

Thank you :-)

How about letting a trainer help you find a suitable tool and show you how to use it?

[Gspsplease]

Hi Alison,

I agree totally with all the comments about extra exercise, daily walks and finding a good trainer you are comfortable with who does not use force or punishment with your dog. You may find checkchains hard to use on a long coated dog as they tend to catch in the fur. Have a look at dogstardaily.com which is an excellent website for positive training; there are also many websites which include short videos on how to use head halters (including how to introduce your dog gently to one) and how to use the various no-pull harnesses (but most pet shops do not stock these harnesses -- a good trainer may do so).

As well as walks for socialisation, exploring the world etc, try some at-home energy consuming activites which may tire your dog out before you try to walk her. (search on google for environmental enrichment for at home dog or home-alone activities or similiar topics) Aussie dog have excellent food balls and tug items which your dog can play with while you're away, so she won't be so frantic for stimulation when you get home.

Also, try not to think of her as being "naughty" (as in one of your earlier posts) -- dogs are not born with original sin and she simply needs to be trained in the behaviour you find acceptable --- if she learned to sit etc as you mentioned, she is trying to please you already.

There are some positive dog training clubs around-- what area do you live in?

[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.

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?

_________________-

With a choker, I sit it just below her ears.

When she jumps, I say no, and she will sit down and bark like "lets keep walking" kind of bark.

When she pulls, if we pull her back to us or to our side, she sits as well.

She knows that she shouldn't but she keeps doing it.

[Alison Ma]

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 hope you mean a check chain rather than a choke chain....a check chain becomes a chock chain when you put it on incorrectly and it can't release.

A check chain wouldn't have worked for you because you haven't trained the dog how to walk on one because you probably haven't be taught how to use one.

You gotta ditch the normal harness.

Just because one tool works for someone with a similar breed doesn't mean it will work for yours and then as I said previously a tool isn't going to work unles it's fitted correctly and you have been shown how to use it properly.

________________

I never intentionally choke her, its because she pulls so much she ends up vomiting.

I'm going to try a martingale collar, see how Lola goes with that.

Thank you :-)

How about letting a trainer help you find a suitable tool and show you how to use it?

________________

But what will I do in the meantime, keep using my harness?

[persephone]

never intentionally choke her, its because she pulls so much she ends up vomiting.

and she pulls so much because neither you, or Lola have been trained in how to walk correctly using a check collar .(or anything else)

Alison- you have the canine equivalent of a V8 towtruck on the end of the lead!

Would you just hop in a vehicle like that and go?

NO.

You would be shown, step by step, how to start off slowly, how to apply the brakes at the right time, so you don't skid, or crash.. all those things.

Now, dogs are WAY more complicated, cos they make their own decisions- and react instinctively to so many things we are not aware of!!

Unfortunately, the more training collars, etc you try, and the more they do not work, the longer it may take to get the two of you working together You will both be in the grip of bad habits.

So- as you are embarrassed in public- and want it fixed ASAP- so you can enjoy your beautiful girl - private training now would be a grand thing to do

Edited March 15, 2010 by persephone

[Cosmolo]

Private trainer- now- would be the best thing to do. Please don't keep trying different equipment beforehand as if you are not using it correctly- you will only desensitise the dog further and make things more difficult when you hit on the right technique- a tool is NOTHING without technique and thats what you're lacking at the moment.

[Alison Ma]

Hi Alison,

I agree totally with all the comments about extra exercise, daily walks and finding a good trainer you are comfortable with who does not use force or punishment with your dog. You may find checkchains hard to use on a long coated dog as they tend to catch in the fur. Have a look at dogstardaily.com which is an excellent website for positive training; there are also many websites which include short videos on how to use head halters (including how to introduce your dog gently to one) and how to use the various no-pull harnesses (but most pet shops do not stock these harnesses -- a good trainer may do so).

As well as walks for socialisation, exploring the world etc, try some at-home energy consuming activites which may tire your dog out before you try to walk her. (search on google for environmental enrichment for at home dog or home-alone activities or similiar topics) Aussie dog have excellent food balls and tug items which your dog can play with while you're away, so she won't be so frantic for stimulation when you get home.

Also, try not to think of her as being "naughty" (as in one of your earlier posts) -- dogs are not born with original sin and she simply needs to be trained in the behaviour you find acceptable --- if she learned to sit etc as you mentioned, she is trying to please you already.

There are some positive dog training clubs around-- what area do you live in?

_____________

I sure am going to walk her everyday. I don't want her to be sad and depressed, or bored at home.

I live near Parramatta. Do you know of any around my area?

I attended a training lesson at a school in Bankstown, and everyone looked at me like I wasn't welcome because of how she was acting.

[Natsu chan]

_________________-

With a choker, I sit it just below her ears.

When she jumps, I say no, and she will sit down and bark like "lets keep walking" kind of bark.

When she pulls, if we pull her back to us or to our side, she sits as well.

She knows that she shouldn't but she keeps doing it.

Hi Alison, the important thing is to want to fix it but at the moment it's the blind leading the blind. Judging by what you've said above Lola doesn't understand that a check means don't pull. She thinks the check means sit, so she sits then you walk off and she pulls again, you check and she sits and so on. She thinks she's doing what you want her to do. I've been training dogs since I was a child and it is something you have to learn, it's not difficult but it's one of those things where you need someone to show you not just how but when.

A trainer or and obedience club will help you. Don't be embarrassed we all have to learn, no one is born knowing these things. Good luck!

Edited March 15, 2010 by Natsu chan

[Alison Ma]

never intentionally choke her, its because she pulls so much she ends up vomiting.

and she pulls so much because neither you, or Lola have been trained in how to walk correctly using a check collar .(or anything else)

Alison- you have the canine equivalent of a V8 towtruck on the end of the lead!

Would you just hop in a vehicle like that and go?

NO.

You would be shown, step by step, how to start off slowly, how to apply the brakes at the right time, so you don't skid, or crash.. all those things.

Now, dogs are WAY more complicated, cos they make their own decisions- and react instinctively to so many things we are not aware of!!

Unfortunately, the more training collars, etc you try, and the more they do not work, the longer it may take to get the two of you working together You will both be in the grip of bad habits.

So- as you are embarrassed in public- and want it fixed ASAP- so you can enjoy your beautiful girl - private training now would be a grand thing to do

_______________

Yeah, I completely understand what you are saying.

I just don't know what to do in the meantime. I want to walk my dog, but I don't want her to be walking me. I don't know what to use, harness, halti or what?

I want to take my dog to the park and have a run around, I don't want her to be stuck in the yard while we wait for a trainer to come. Get what I am saying?

[poodlefan]

I sure am going to walk her everyday. I don't want her to be sad and depressed, or bored at home.

I live near Parramatta. Do you know of any around my area?

I attended a training lesson at a school in Bankstown, and everyone looked at me like I wasn't welcome because of how she was acting.

Did you see SaS's post.

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.

Everyone would have been looking at you because your dog was behaving like a pork chop, not because you weren't welcome. That's why you go to training - to get help getting past it.

However, I agree that a private trainer is going to get you a lot further than group classes.