dog training tips please! in The AnswerBank: Animals & Nature

You need to keep his attention and get him listening to you. The way I train my dogs to heel is as follows although once trained I never really use a lead as it shouldn't be necessary.
You need to keep your dog on your left hand side, by your side with his head roughly by your leg. That is the aim. To get your dog to follow you at all times in roughly that position, without attempting to pull or wander off in his own direction is achieved like this. Take your lead which should be about 3 feet long in the ideal and make a fold in it. Hold the fold in your right hand and the lower part of the lead in your left. Say clearly "walk" and "heel" and start to walk briskly. As soon as you dog starts to pull turn sharply in the opposite direction and let the loop go so he gets an almighty yank and say "heel" again, once he's in place and walking give him a tidbit and continue. Each time he wanders off course or pulls , turn sharply, yank and say heel and reward his presence in the right place.
Most dogs learn in the matter of minutes that the place to be is at your side.

Clanad

In agreement with noxlumos, I would add that the positioning of the lead on the dog is important. If the dog has a standard collar, don't attach the lead to the collar since it's to far down the neck towards the shoulders. Rather, a simple loop at the end of the lead or a sliding type collar should be positioned as far up the neck as possible, towards the dogs ears. The sudden "yank" on the lead should be in an upward direction rather than in a sideways motion. This, by the way, doesn't hurt the dog but only adds tho his belief that you are the leader. Take a look at videos of dog shows to get an idea of what I'm trying to convey. The attitude and body position of the owner/trainer is equally important. It's vitally important to convey to the dog, especially a bulldog breed, your postion as pack leader. You must exude an air of confidence, which the dog will pick up on right away. Your head must be upright, not slouched, and stride purposefully, since this is sensed by the dog as authoritative.
If the dog resists and either pulls away in the opposite direction or worse, lays down, simply carry a small sack of dog "goodies" and make the dog come to you in the event of such behaviour (don't take them to the dog as this is seen as rewarding bad behaiour). The dog should never lead you during the walks, but should be slightly to your rear in a true "heel" position. As noxlumos states, the dog, being of an intelligent breed, should learn the correct responses quickly. Best of luck!

Annlinda

Go to training classes. DO NOT YANK him about

meltoadhall

we use a halti, works beautifully and he rarely pulls

noxlumos

Annalinda, you'll find that this is the accepted method of training dogs by professional handlers all over the world. Could you please explain to me your alternative method?The dog is not harmed at all by it, either physically or emotionally and if she takes him to a training class this method will be used. Using halti's is fine if that's what floats your boat but surely the goal is to have a well behaved dog whose happy in your company and never has to wear a lead becasue he knows that he doesn't move from your side unless you sanction it. My dogs accompany me pretty much everywhere, never on a lead because it's unnecessary and they never put a foot out of place so have a very happy, very free life where they aren't yelled at, beaten or otherwise castigated, purely because they know their place in my family. An untrained dog you can't rely on has a miserable existance so I advise you to make sure he's in no doubt as to his place with you , for his own sake. Take him to training classes if you like, but you'll just pay for the same advice that Clannad and I have given you. Good luck with him.

Annlinda

What part of the universe do you come from. The accepted method of dog training in UK is with kindness and reward. It is not expensive to go to training classes and dogs are socialised. The methods used are kind and not overbearingly cruel as has been suggested. Clicker training is another accepted method. Slip , check or electric collars are unacceptable in this day and age. Please go to
lwww.obedienceuk.com
you could learn a lot.and find a KC approved dog club.I am not a "professional" trainer but have been raining dogs for over 30 years

Annlinda

What part of the universe do you come from. The accepted method of dog training in UK is with kindness and reward. It is not expensive to go to training classes and dogs are socialised. The methods used are kind and not overbearingly cruel as has been suggested. Clicker training is another accepted method. Slip , check or electric collars are unacceptable in this day and age. Please go to
lwww.obedienceuk.com
you could learn a lot.and find a KC approved dog club.I am not a "professional" trainer but have been training dogs for over 30 years for competition and just as a pet

Bellringer

Sorry Annlinda, Noxolumos is right. I have had dogs for years, every one has been trained with that method, using a check chain. They have all turned out well. AND! there is no way I would hurt any one of them.

shaneystar2

I have always had dogs and have never had to "yank" a dog to get it to walk to heel .Choke chains are cruel and pulling a dog that way is also cruel
.How would you like to be yanked along by the neck..

The harder the dog pulls, the tighter the chain goes . The dog seems able to pull even while almost choking to suffocation point. These cruel collars can cause pain and neck injuries. A halti is the best thing to use if all else fails. .
If he is pulling on the lead ..just stop ..turn around and walk the other way ..walk briskly along and pay no attention to him ...if he pulls stop again..stop.. turn round and walk the other way .If he walks nicely reward him. He is pulling to get at scents etc and when he realises that he won't get at them and you are curtailing his interest he will stop pulling. .You may look a fool but with a bit of persistence he should get the message that pulling is not on. Always hold the lead across your body so that the loop is in your left hand and you hold the lead a bit up from his collar. That way he is closer to you and can't pull away.

spineless

you can buy or loan from the library any really good behaviour and training books.
If you can pay for a behavourist even a one off advice session is fantastic. Some dogs come from rescue centres with problems some dont but make life happier for both of you and invest in time to find out how your dog thinks and behaves. Read a few books My personal faviourtes are "The Good Dog Companion Guide" (corney title I know) and How To Train Your Dog In A Weekend"
You will be amazed there are many many good programmes on tv now all designed to help you and your pet to live happily ever after together
Wishing you all the best for the future with your new friend.

spineless

P.S also find out what you can bribe your dog with my dog the collies is any treat the other dog well she only responds to cheese bits (tried chicken pieces food and everything ) just make sure your dog isnt allergic to cheese if your going to try that one.
You only become a true dog owner if your pockets are stuffed with dog treats and pooh bags.

noxlumos

Good grief.
And people wonder why there are so many bloody rescue dogs with problems inflicted on them by well meaning but ill advised owners. Dogs are not babies. Love them by all means (I adore my dogs) but don't leave them in any doubt as to whose boss, otherwise you sentence them to a life of being a badly behaved dog no-one likes or wants.

Annlinda

I add no more to this thread only to say I feel very sorry for those who are so archaic in their training methods that they think kindness and dog psychology is taboo.To vespaboy all I can say is Good Luck and think about the breed you have and any effect yanking on a check chain could have on an already breathing problem breed.

shaneystar2

Well .I have a rescue cross GS ..he is now pushing thirteen ..I didn't get him from a rescue centre ..I took him in after he had been dumped in a builders yard by a load of diddycoys who drove in chucked him out and drove off again.My neighbour who was working there asked if I would have him .He was about eighteen months old when I got him according to the vet.
.I had no idea how he would turn out but he is a lovely well behaved loyal old boy and I have never had to yank him along by the neck to get him to do what I want , he knows his place and most certainly knows who's boss ! .I believe in being firm but fair with a dog and totally agree with Annlinda on this .
You have your methods and I have mine and I resent the inference that people are bad dog owners just because they don't agree with yanking a dog back and forth on a choke chain .

noxlumos

And I resent the implication that anyone who suggests a very brief, simple, tried and tested method for correcting a pulling dog is denigrated in the way I, and others on this thread have been. I HAVE NEVER USED A CHECK/ CHOKE CHAIN. They are unnecessary.I also rescue horses and use join up ( psychologically based) to train and break them. I DO NOT advocate cruelty to animals in any shape or form and actually I have never had to "yank" a puppy around that I have had from scratch.
The question HERE related to an adult dog of a strong breed who has an existing problem, which is why I gave the answer I did, which is an appropriate response to the problem that this person has encountered.
Shaney please read my original response and you'll notice that I did not say use a check chain.
Annalinda, you are just rude and ill informed.
We do extensive rescue work, mainly with horses, but also we retrain and rehome a number of problem dogs each year, using a variety of techniques which encompass all schools of thought but include psychological approaches to problem areas and I'm sorry but I find your replies really rude and unpleasant and not terribly well informed.
I won't bother posting in pets again, it's quite pointless, as I've noted that anyone who doesn't adopt an over sentimental slushy approach to animals get jumped on by the fluffy bunny brigade and the implication is that anyone not agreeing with you is cruel. That is offensive to all genuine animal lovers.
Please continue to post your opinions, and when in 12 months time the people you advise can't cope with their pets any longer, they can send them to people like me or have them put to sleep.

shaneystar2

I quote from your post "so he gets an almighty yank ". Choke chain or not I reckon yanking a dog by the neck is not on whichever type of lead you use.And that is my opinion to which I am entitled .
And.. people are quite entitled to adopt a "sentimental slushy approach to animals " especially their dogs ,as for some poor souls their dog is their only company.
I talk to mine as if he was a human ......he never answers me though !

vespaboy

Question Author

Well thats really helped me...thanks for arguing everybody.

(I have tried the changing direction when he pulls and it seems to be working to some extent although he is definatey very strong willed, I will persevere though and have booked some lessons at a local training school)

Thanks again.

dog training tips please!

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