mooblar Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 (edited) My 12 week old Bull Terrier pup (Oggy) hates his leash. I am using a metal one as I, at least have half a chance that it will still be in one piece by the end. I was just attaching it to his flat collar but went to a chocker as the collar would not help me correct his behaviour. He is fine with his flat collar when that is all he has on. When I attach the leash while he is sitting, he is fine, then all hell breaks loose when I say heel. He throws his body all over the place and flings himself on the floor and also chews his metal choker chain and leash. I have tried assertive, I have tried ignoring the tantrum and just dragging him. I have tried food and coaxing Obviously not all at once. Just over the last 4 weeks). He throws his head backward to get to the leash and I can’t control that. He will take a step then fling his head back and grab the leash behind his head. Then I only have control of his mouth. I have been trying since he was 8 weeks. I am not a pushover but he is driving me mad. I try to stay calm and assertive but he also sometimes jumps up and tries to nip me (I am not scared of that as I sort that out fast). He is good with his other training. He sits and drops and comes and leave most things. I have a lot of time to give him so he is not ignored. I am trying so hard to train him correctly. He already weighs 11kg. I have to be his pack leader or he will be too big to handle. I read the K9 write-up about the triangle and feeding him and he is doing that quite well. He knows when he is on the chain that he will eventually be fed. He sits and watches me for permission before eating. I can even put my hand in the bowl and take it off him and he will sit and wait till I put it back down. I tell him to wait and when he looks at me I say “eat” to free him. He is doing well I think for his age but I have to get control of him on the leash. I live in country W.A. so popping over to obedience training is not an option. I have another week before he is allowed out of the yard for a walk. Perhaps new scenery will help. But I think he should walk on the leash properly wherever he is. PLEASE HELP! Edited March 7, 2013 by mooblar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenWei Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Don't force/drag him or he will hate it, he's got to want to come to you, he's only a baby.... use food.... lure him to you with food, once he is in the position you want, ie next to you, give him a treat. I'd also stop using the word heel until he is ok with walking close to you, use lets go or something along those lines. I'm not a fan of check chains personally, but it's your choice if that's what you want to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Until you have taught (shaped) him to know what position "heel" is using POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT, not correcting with assertivness, he has no idea what "heel" means. In fact to him, "Heel" probably now means, "I am going to be put in pain & yanked around & scolded...so it must be something bad & to be avoided" Get rid of the choker chain & the assertiveness & read up or Google articles on "shaping" a pup to do certain behaviors. It should be fun for him, or he is not going to enjoy it & yes he will start to fight back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 It's possible that "heel" is now a poisoned cue - more info here: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/2849 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 That is a very good article TheLBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raffikki Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Maybe have a read of this Training A Puppy To Walk On A Leash I don't agree with corrections on such a young puppy either....make it fun and lots of praise when he gets it right :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 He's a Bull Terrier, and he's testing you already. When i got my last one she would throw herself on the verge when she had had enough of walking and refuse to budge. I tried the dragging, but a dog built like a brick is impossible :laugh: I started NILF with her, and also when i thought she was about to do it, i checked her and moved her along quickly so she couldn't. As her training in NILF progressed she stopped doing it. Look up the book "when pigs fly". bullys are a terrier, they are bred to think for themselves, they are not a breed to look to you for instructions , they want to know whats in it for them. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Yep get when pigs fly Please don't drag your puppy on a check chain! You will end up hurting the dog Take it slow. If that means you and the dog walk two steps correctly before having to stop then that is what you do Bull terriers are strong willed dogs and he will push you as far as he can. Take it slow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 i have mine all on martingale's, it gives more control without strangling them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 (edited) Want my honest advice? Take the leash off and teach the pup to walk by side in your yard. This can be done by luring the pup into the desired position. Then when the pup can reliably do it, add a leash (chain ones are pretty much useless so get strong leather or round nylon one) attach it to the collar and continue on. In the meantime, buy a cheap leash, chop it off to about 30cm long, attach it to a flat collar and let the pup drag it around when you're at home. The novelty of leash will wear off fast enough. Your post suggest you think this is a dominance issue. It isn't at this age but the pup clearly has no idea of what you're wanting him to do. Personally I don't care if the pup wants the leash in its mouth - if its coming along, I just let that happen. Edited March 8, 2013 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 If you are using a metal chain instead of a leash could it be that he hears the noise it makes behind his head and his behaviour is a response to that? Or, it has become a response to that? I'd do what HW has suggested above, get him used to having a leash attached without you also attached and then once he's used to that add yourself in to the equation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudlark Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Another option is to try walking him in a harness - one that attaches up on his back so he can't grab the lead quite as easily. There are quite a few harnesses on the market (e.g. Blackdogwear make a range of harnesses - that's what I've always used for my dogs who walk in a tracking harness). Like a head collar (as opposed to a neck collar) a harness doesn't choke the dog and your dog may react less to it. Anyway, just an idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Being a bUllie doesn't mean its any more stubborn than another puppy that hasn't a clue. Holding the lead behind you pup often ends up a big game .They want to see it,it gets a reaction out of you & the pup gets in trouble & then the lead is an enemy All our pups little & future 40 kg are allowed to carry the lead if they wish at first ,the lead is always in front of them loss.All is visual . My show dogs are shown on chocker style leads as are many dogs at shows so as far as the OMG chuck it out you will ruin the dog i don't agree BUT bad training & no fun will ruin it whether it be choker,flat collar or anything else. The Bullie folk here use the rope slip leads which are thick I use food & toys to train & all is a game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Correction chains are not to be used on young pups, no wonder he's thrashing himself around. Get a normal nylon lead, thick one, and a martingale collar at most. Put them on him and let him drag it around to you, use food to distract him - something nice like sausage, kabana etc not dry muck that has little value. Raw meat if you have to in tiny pieces. http://leerburg.com/flix/player.php/734/Scott_Kapphahn_and_his_12_Week_Old_Puppy,_Havok,_Working_on_Engagement I think watch the video and see how the owner interacts with the dog, it's not about force, its about relationship building. If he wont take the food dont feed him unless he's on lead and feed him in small meals over the day to keep him hungry and keen, and associate the leash with good things. I would also get the leash training and focus under control before taking him out for walks, there is no use doing it if he's not ready to listen and learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooblar Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share Posted March 8, 2013 WOW! How amazing! Thank-you so much for taking so much time to help me. I loved the read. I love Oggy and I wanted to do the right thing by him. I read so many ways to train a dog that I think I lost sight of what I already knew. He is just a pup. He loves to play etc. He actually likes his lead when we play. He loves being on the long 30 metre lead. He sits on command etc. He is actually doing so well but I panicked about him on the lead. For some ridiculous reason I thought he should be able to walk at heel automatically and when it didn’t happen, I got so worked up, I tried stupid things. Gee I feel like such a twit. I will go back to play time with the lead hanging. I only used the chocker twice. I hated it as much as he did. I knew he was too young to be dragged etc. I am so happy that I was wrong by doing that. I no longer have to drag him. I was even able to use it to teach him to wait for his meal. No lunging etc on the lead. He just sat beside me. I think I went too far too fast and lost the plot. He can be stubborn but I coax him with treats or toys. Sometimes if I tell him to come and he is really not doing what he is told and I know he isn’t tired, I will just go get him and walk him back to the spot I was. Then praise him. Lol I have had dogs before and although they were small breeds, I trained them with no problems. With firmness and love at the same time. Once again, thank-you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 nawwww he's gorgeous! Just remember he is a baby, dont put too much pressure on him. I teach pups with food, just keep calling them to you, reward heavily and encourage focus and the walking comes with it. Heeling is a lot of pressure, dont go to university before finishing primary school! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 way cute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 We are always here for advice... As long as you post more photos :D ( I lost my bull terrier almost 8 months ago, I need to live through others now to get my fix!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooblar Posted March 10, 2013 Author Share Posted March 10, 2013 He is already doing bett and so am I. I have half an acre of back yard and another half acre front yard. Then there is about 1/4 acre before you get to the main road. I am now able to take him on the long leash out the front. He loves exploring. The main reason I am doing that is to get him use to truck,train and car noises. But with all the new smells, he is to busy smelling all the new smells to eat his long lead. I also have treats and I call him back. He comes bounding back to me with his bandy legged puppy run so he can get his treat and lots of praise. I am so impressed with him. I am trying to put a few pics of him up but I am not very computer literate. Now I just wish his ears would stand up. They come up at times but he isnt really making any effort. lol. Hope they come up soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 he's sleeping hugging the water bowl. That's the cutest thing I've ever seen :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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