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Post by fureverywhere on Mar 3, 2011 20:42:04 GMT -5
What do I do with this wacko dog and squirrels? She couldv'e broken my arm yesterday. Three squirrels across the street and one flying Opheila. I know it's a characteristic of the breed, sheesh they do weight pulling for fun.
I guess it's a question of catching her before she goes into a full lunge and getting her attention like " Nooo, wait, you are not doing what you're about to do" and holding her on short leash.
I'm not a spring chicken and I went flying too, caught the fall on one elbow and feeling it today ...woooof, what part of Grandma doesn't hurt????? I don't want to do a strangle collar and it probably wouldn't work anyway. Any suggestions?????
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Post by pistis on Mar 3, 2011 21:09:14 GMT -5
This will take a little time and training on your part.
You're right- NO choke collars. Those damage, not help.
First, arm yourself with treats, toys, or whatever your dog considers to be the most "high value" thing and use it to start teaching her to stay on command and to leave it. There are threads around the forum that go into detail with both of those things.
The better she stays on command and "leaves it" with places inside the house move on to more distractive environments (I.e. Take her in the garage, backyard, ect.) and teach her to stay and leave it in those environments.
Basically, you want to train from easiest environment to most difficult/ highly distracted environment.
The better she becomes with staying on command and listening to you when you tell her to 'leave it', move on to teaching her to heel properly. Again, armed with treats, bits of chicken, toys, or whatever reward she finds as a "high value." You can even teach her heeling while you're teaching her the other stuff.
She won't have everything down pat overnight obviously, but the goal is to positively train your girl to the point where her attention remains on you. And, even if she sees a squirrel, to eventually learn to "leave it."
These dogs are great companions, but they definitely require training and adequate exercise.
Which is another thing. If you can exercise her before going on walks that will help quell the energy she wants to put into squirrel chasing when you're out walking with her.
Hope that helps and makes sense!
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Post by loverocksalot on Mar 4, 2011 7:05:24 GMT -5
Yes^
try a front clip harness like sensation or Freedom harness clips on front and back. Or if you are in a rush get try the easy walk chest harness-does not fit Rocky correctly but it does fit ok on some.
It takes the power out of their pull.
I was lucky that I had Rocky as a pup and was able to train him that squirrels and cats on the outside are not fair game. It took a bit but I assume an older dog will take longer.
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I look forward to learning much here