training.

[alexey]

i have got a 9 month old dogue de bordeaux, i got him when he was eleven weeks old and although i take him out for lots of walks he still hasnt learned not to pull on the lead. he drags me everywhere and as he is getting bigger and stronger it's becoming a bit of a problem. could anyone suggest any training techniques i could try or any good strong leads that would stop him pulling.

thanx!

[lankeela]

Its not a case of him who hasn't learned not to pull - its you that hasn't taught him!

Get a half check collar (sometimes called a combi collar) which is three quarters collar and a quarter chain). Adjust it so the chain bit forms a triangle as soon as you put slight pressure on. When you walk him use the lead to pull the dog back to your side, and the collar will tighten (but not too tight so it will choke him). You may have to 'haul' him back to you, as he is pretty big! The dog will be rewarded by the collar loosening when he is in the correct position. Do this repeatedly until he gets the message. It is best to take him out specifically to train him to do this, rather than try when you are taking him for a walk and you might not have time to keep doing it. Use a command (heel is the most common). He will eventually get the message that you want him to be with you rather than up ahead. Praise him every time he returns to the correct position. You can change direction a few times to reinforce the message that he must be with you.

If you sign up for a training class they will show you how to stop him pulling, and he will also learn to socialise with other dogs.

DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT buy a harness! They do not stop dogs pulling. You put a harness on a sled dog so it CAN pull. If plan A fails get something called a halti (or a gentle leader, or a canny collar). These fit on the head, going round the muzzle and behind the ears. They don't like them on them, and try to scratch them off. Keep walking so they cannot get their feet up to paw at them. They WILL stop the dog pulling, but they will not teach the dog to stop pulling - i.e. they only work when they are on, and if you go back to a collar the dog will pull again, unless you have taught it not to.

[woofgang]

Point 1, I know that they have short wrinkled muzzles, so it may not fit,have you tried a halti or gentle leader type thing?

Point two if the dog is doing something that you don't want him to AND understands that you don't want him to do it AND is capable of not doing it, then I think that you have a "who is boss" issue. Either way he needs to be taught that that is not acceptable.

Have you taken him to classes or done any basic training?

Dogues are big lads and lasses when grown, the only ones that I have ever met have had really good temperaments, but this needs sorting NOW before he decides to chase a cat or go argue with another dog.

I did once see at our vets a lady come in with a Great Dane. The vets has a bank of doors leading into the waiting room. The dog strolled in, realised where he was, turned and high tailed it out again and the lady just couldn't stop him! It looked hilarious but imagine if that was a road he had towed her across!!

[woofgang]

sychronography lankeela!

[alexey]

thankyou for all your suggestions. i will try them. and yes your right lankeela it is me who hasnt taught him, i'm not saying that i havent tried, he just doesnt seem to listen to me. when my partner takes him out he doesnt pull half as much so he does know its not acceptable and i do think we have the issue of who is the boss. he is my first dog but my partner has had lots of dogs so he knows a lot more about them, but as i am the one who takes him for walks then i need him to listen to me. can you get these combi collars from any pet shop?

[woofgang]

If he thinks that you are not the boss, then just putting a combi collar on him is unlikely to work. He needs to believe that you are his boss and know that he has to behave. Does he do what you tell him to in other circs? will he sit, stay, lie down for you, come back when he is called? Maybe your boyfriend can teach you how to behave but IMO you'd be better taking him to classes!

[alexey]

he does everything else i tell him to do, he just get over excited when i take him out for a walk. he is really good in every other way. i have 2 small children and you can't fault him when they are around him either, it's just the walkies that's the problem

[lankeela]

You can get a combi collar from most pet shops. Ask them to show you how to fit and adjust it properly. If you are not sure, buy one that will fit comfortably over his head but make sure it can be adjusted (some can't).

Find a training class and even if you only go a couple of times they will help you to teach him. A word of advice here, although you probably have no intention of showing him, if you find a ringcraft class, which is for show training, they will probably be willing to help you make him walk properly. Obedience classes differ greatly in their methods, and some will want you to train him using harsh methods, whilst some will be so 'namby pamby no check chains do it all with kindness' type that you will not get anywhere as he is already so strong. Big strong dogs need the proper handling to get them to co-operate. There is no unkindness involved - just common sense.

[Eels]

There are two problems here:

1) the dog pulls because it doesn't understand not to.

2) the dog pulls because it doesn't look to you for leadership.

Remedies: 1) Buy a Halti or CannyCollar from your local pet shop, making sure it fits well and ALWAYS using a normal collar and lead at the same time (for security). When the dog walks nicely (which it will if wearing one of these) reward him with praise and small tasty treats (such as tiny cubes of cheese).

2) Use the headcollar to build your confidence. If you have better control over the dog, you will have more confidence, and the dog can easily sense this. Build a bond with the dog on the basis of you supplying rewards for good behaviour and making sure that you religiously ignore unwanted behaviour. Be firm, but kind, and modify your tone between squeaky-happy sing-song when the dog is good and a firm 'a-a' when he is not. Above all, be consistent so he trusts you and knows where he stands.

Dogues may be ugly but they're really bright, so he'll pick it up in no time! Good luck.