Asking For Advice

[Brashy boy]

Hello. My name is Sandra and I thought I would join the forum to see if I can get any tips or advice.

I will try and give you a brief summary. My eldest son has moved back home for a while with his big Amercian Staffy who is not neutered and is only 18 months old, at present he weighs approx 28 kg. his Name is Brash and I adore him. I also own a small Maltese cross doggy called Libby whom I also adore. Now Libby is a rescue dog and has issues with other dogs and will bite them and start a fight even with a much larger dog like Brash. But that is t my problem as we manage to keep,them apart and separate around the house and they are never left alone together.

I think you could call me a very responsible pet owner as have always been this way.i ADORE dogs.

I am the one that walks and excercises both dogs. I take them separately as Brash is a handful.

At the moment I have a collar and lead for Brash but am wondering would I have more control with him by using a harness. I have also seen those control straps that go over there noses.

I am a mature aged (57) very small lady so Brash's strength can be an issue for me.

I have some good places to take him where I attach a long rope to his lead and I throw his stick for him to fetch so he can run around and he also loves to go swimming. I always have him attached to the lead and rope. except I carnt go anywhere where there is another dog as he wants to go over and get to it, I need to stop this from happening if I can as he can become aggressive and he is so large and he would frighten other dog owners with small dogs.if I visit my normal places and there is a dog there I go somewhere else to avoid any issues, also I am always looking around me when walking and if I see another person coming with a dog I cross the road and turn Brash around and get his attention away until they have passed.

I feel I have fairly good control of him if I have the lead up close but if he is on the long run and he sees a dog I have no hope .

I also carry a kind of smacking stick with me and if he starts pulling on me I only have to tap his thigh and he knows to hold back. I would never belt him it is more of s control think for me.

Many people would say I shouldn't be waking this big boy but i love taking him and he really needs the excersice.

So how can I gain better control, would a harness be better for me. I a working on teaching him to not get over excited when he sees another dog but for the time being it is safer for me to avoid any meet ups.

If he where neutered would he settle down?

Thanks for any advice

He really is a big sook and an adorable dog but just so so strong for someone as small as me.

Edited August 14, 2015 by Brashy boy

[persephone]

Welcome :)

Desexing Brash may help with some of his hormone -fuelled behaviours .

TRAINING will help everything enormously, and I suggest you find a nearby dog training club and go there !! They will advise you on training equipment , and help you manage the dog with skills, not just physical restraint :)

[Steph M]

A chest harness might be good, our retriever has a chest harness at the moment as he can be all over the shop and I don't want to get bowled over while pregnant, but can I suggest the best tool you can have in your arsenal is a really good trainer?

Sounds like both dogs could use a little bit of training and if you'd like some suggestions I am sure the wonderful people here can help you out. :)

[The Spotted Devil]

Agree - equipment can help, especially when it's a strength/safety issue but it's no substitute for training :)

[Pretty Miss Emma]

Yep, find a really good trainer and get help from them.

In the interim, a front attach harness will help to some extent (mainly in that if he pulls it probably won't feel as strong) and will mean you can still give him exercise. I just wouldn't let him on the long line if there is any concern of other dogs in the area - move to that when you have dealt with some of the training.

[Two Best Dogs!]

I reckon a harness that attaches at the front on his chest (not the ones from behind as he sounds the type to take it as a reason to pull harder) or one of those head halters will help you control him suddenly pulling while you work on his training. I've heard good things about the canny collar and the generic head halter in stores tightens around the mouth when they pull - useful if you're worried about him biting. Can't bite with a closed mouth and your head being turned away!

Can your son take him to some obedience classes?

[Steph M]

I reckon a harness that attaches at the front on his chest (not the ones from behind as he sounds the type to take it as a reason to pull harder) or one of those head halters will help you control him suddenly pulling while you work on his training. I've heard good things about the canny collar and the generic head halter in stores tightens around the mouth when they pull - useful if you're worried about him biting. Can't bite with a closed mouth and your head being turned away!

Can your son take him to some obedience classes?

I think generally the aim is not to inhibit the capacity to bite, but to avoid getting to the point where the dog is so stimulated he needs to bite. A muzzle would be a better idea, but still would use this in conjunction with a one on one trainer.

I would worry using a head collar in that way as dog is still stimulated and lashing out but can't get the desired affect, which just increases frustration.

[Taliecat]

We've got a big strong amstaff boy as well and getting a sporn head halter was our best investment ever.

The sporn harness pull the head down instead of to the side, so there at apparently less neck injuries.

I did a few positive reinforcement sessions before we went on our first walk to get him used to the halter before we tried it out and it's made walks a breeze. We can literally hold the leash with two fingers, not that we do in case we see another dog.

We had used a front attachment harness, but we found it next to useless as he'd just charge onwards with it, until it was pretty much chocking him.

[Bjelkier]

I would be looking for a good trainer to help out. I had a head halter for my Pittbull boy and I can tell you it didn't do a damn thing to stop him pulling if he wanted to go somewhere badly enough and he was able to wriggle out of harnesses no matter who fitted them.

Best thing for him was a check chain.

[Salukifan]

A harness will give this boy more capacity to pull and you less control over his head - and if you control where the head is, you control the dog.

A head halter MAY help (much as I dislke them) in this situation because he won't be able to pull as easily but he might slip it if he's really determined. However, they are entirely unsuitable for use with any kind of longline.

I agree with those who say seek some professional help from a trainer.

I would be having a frank discussion with your son about desexing AND about his role in exercising his dog. If Brash gets loose from you and charges another dog, "scaring it" will be the least of your worries. He could main or kill it, you could be looking down the barrel of a serious fine and he might be declared dangerous.

So get some help. Sorry to be the scaremonger but the signs for a serious incident are there. Best nip them in the bud.

[hankdog]

My bulldog is 26kg and was a serious puller when I got him and although I tried the front attach he just swung around, collapsed his shoulders and it pulled straight off so be careful with the big shoulders and harnesses.

My boy is very DA so I have him attached to my waistbelt via his ruff wear harness that has a chest and belly strap so basically if I die of a heart attack ir embarrassment he is still attached to my dead body. Ambulance people will just have to work that out.

I couldnt use a head halter with him although I did with my previous dog and found it very useful. How I trained him to walk loose leash was to walk very slowly and come to a dead stop if there was any pressure on the leash, I would wait for him to stop straining and then make him walk back around me into a heel position. This took about 5 weeks but now he walks without pulling so it was well worth the effort. I have a nice thick leather martingale collar with a leash to my hands and that's primarily my training collar.

[juice]

Doesn't a harness just give them more pulling power? You are putting on their strongest area.

Prong ? while you get some help.

[Two Best Dogs!]

I reckon a harness that attaches at the front on his chest (not the ones from behind as he sounds the type to take it as a reason to pull harder) or one of those head halters will help you control him suddenly pulling while you work on his training. I've heard good things about the canny collar and the generic head halter in stores tightens around the mouth when they pull - useful if you're worried about him biting. Can't bite with a closed mouth and your head being turned away!

Can your son take him to some obedience classes?

I think generally the aim is not to inhibit the capacity to bite, but to avoid getting to the point where the dog is so stimulated he needs to bite. A muzzle would be a better idea, but still would use this in conjunction with a one on one trainer.

I would worry using a head collar in that way as dog is still stimulated and lashing out but can't get the desired affect, which just increases frustration.

I was thinking more it's easier for OP to lead the dog away with the head halters when get gets worked up as sounds like he's quite a bit stronger. Sounds like they're trying to do that before he gets too excited. Harnesses can also get them too excited so I'd hope if OP could they'd trial some different styles to see which one makes him easier for her to redirect and move away.

(I imagine the son doesn't have this problem?)

Edit. Predictive text argh

Personally I use a martingale for walks but I'm capable of holding my dogs weight at full lunge. Doesn't sound like OP could do this and id worry about her health too. Being dragged is not fun!

Oh yeah and totally agree with someone above - practice in your yard with the new equipment so he realises what he can't do.

Edited August 14, 2015 by Thistle the dog

[The Spotted Devil]

Doesn't a harness just give them more pulling power? You are putting on their strongest area.

Prong ? while you get some help.

Some of the front attach harnesses are really good as they do enable you to turn the dog in the opposite direction and then let the leash loose when they are walking nicely. The harnesses that attach at the shoulders do encourage pulling in my experience.

Edited August 14, 2015 by The Spotted Devil

[denali]

If you go the harness route it must be a front attach, balance or sporn harness as any other harness actually just makes them pull more and more comfortable for them to pull.

A halti is an excellent tool, but i only use it as a training tool, not a permanent solution.

Actually harnesses also.

[Dame Aussie]

Doesn't a harness just give them more pulling power? You are putting on their strongest area.

Prong ? while you get some help.

Some of the front attach harnesses are really good as they do enable you to turn the dog in the opposite direction and then let the leash loose when they are walking nicely. The harnesses that attach at the shoulders do encourage pulling in my experience.

Yep. Our front attach are really useful for redirecting the dogs.

[Jumabaar]

As a 'in the mean time/very short term assistance' tie the dog to a tree when you are throwing toys and have him on a harness if you can't guarantee no other dogs around. This will mean your not going to be pulled over and he can still have some fun. It may also give you some 'back up' while you are training him to walk politely and you have him on a collar and know that he is still attached to something secure. I have even used witches hats to discourage people from coming to close for this type of situation. It is nothing more than a bandaid but hopefully one that will keep everyone safe.

I also suggest avoiding sticks as toys purely because they can go down dogs throats and cause lots of problems. There are plastic sticks that float that may also be an option.

And as others have said training training training!

[Ci]

Harnesses are not a good idea for some breeds as it just encourages them to pull and if they are already pulling when walking it with make the problem worse.

I got one for my Staffie years ago and ended up with a bigger problem that I started with and got in a trainer who explained it all!

Am staffs, with the right guidance are all to eager to please and will do anything you ask, so I agree that your best bet is to invest in training with him. It will provide you with more control than anything else. Plus the trainer will be able to help you choose what will work best for both of you.

They are a wonderful breed and give back as much as they get from their owners. Get the bond right and you have a loyal friend for life.

Edited August 14, 2015 by Ci

[hankdog]

A prong should only be used with careful training. On some dogs it can have the wrong effect, just adding to their level of arousal. My boy was quite happy to pull harder on a prong.

[Rayhay]

Desexing and obedience classes.

Both do wonderful things to iron out pretty much every issue you have raised.

Look up your local area for classes, there should be something not too far from you.

Better still, get your son to take him for all of the above!

Ray