Comments on: Problems walking on a leash http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/ The Best Dog Training in Houston Texas Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:16:53 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Jim Burwell http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/comment-page-1/#comment-539 Jim Burwell Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:17:40 +0000 http://Inthelastweek,I'vebeenwith3differentclientswhosecommoncomplaintwasdogaggression. Onedogwasafemalelabmix,anotherwasamalegoldenandthelastwasafemaleCorgi. Thefemalelabwasdefinitelyterritorialandlackedpropersocializ#comment-539 Obedience training is always used when you are trying to change a behavior in positive reinforcement dog training. However, obedience training is not going to find out what is the underlying cause of your dog's behavior. Dogs can act very differently on leash and off leash. Not being able to see or evaluate your dog I would say it could be some fearfulness on his part, there could also be some territoriality concerning you---there could be a number of factors. My suggestion is to work with a good positive reinforcement dog trainer who has a good reputation for behavior modification and begin changing your dog's behavior which will include you learning about leadership with your dog. This is not about dominating your dog but leading your dog to be balanced, well behaved and a relationship based on mutual respect. Obedience training is always used when you are trying to change a behavior in positive reinforcement dog training. However, obedience training is not going to find out what is the
underlying cause of your dog's behavior. Dogs can act very differently on leash and off leash. Not being able to see or evaluate your dog I would say it could be some fearfulness
on his part, there could also be some territoriality concerning you---there could be a number of factors. My suggestion is to work with a good positive reinforcement dog trainer who has
a good reputation for behavior modification and begin changing your dog's behavior which will include you learning about leadership with your dog. This is not about dominating your dog
but leading your dog to be balanced, well behaved and a relationship based on mutual respect.

]]> By: LP http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/comment-page-1/#comment-535 LP Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:55:56 +0000 http://Inthelastweek,I'vebeenwith3differentclientswhosecommoncomplaintwasdogaggression. Onedogwasafemalelabmix,anotherwasamalegoldenandthelastwasafemaleCorgi. Thefemalelabwasdefinitelyterritorialandlackedpropersocializ#comment-535 My dog turns into cujo when he is on a leash and sees another dog, not all dogs, mostly big dogs like labs. He is a rescue and was close to a year old when I got him. I used to take him to the dog park all the time, but he got to be too bossy. Jumping on other dogs, growling to show them who was boss. He never actually bit another dog but needless to say other dog owners got very upset, so I stopped taking him. Have taken him to two different obedience classes, where he did fine as the other dogs were small and non threatning. Talked with a behaviourist and seemed she just thought the dog should be obiedence trained to the point where he would not be aggressive because I told him not to. I think behaviour modification should be used so that he doesn't want to be aggressive. Since it is usually large dogs that set him off I feel that part of the aggression is due to fear and that he can learn to not be afraid. My dog turns into cujo when he is on a leash and sees another dog, not all dogs, mostly big dogs like labs. He is a rescue and was close to a year old when I got him. I used to take him to the dog park all the time, but he got to be too bossy. Jumping on other dogs, growling to show them who was boss. He never actually bit another dog but needless to say other dog owners got very upset, so I stopped taking him.
Have taken him to two different obedience classes, where he did fine as the other dogs were small and non threatning.
Talked with a behaviourist and seemed she just thought the dog should be obiedence trained to the point where he would not be aggressive because I told him not to. I think behaviour modification should be used so that he doesn't want to be aggressive. Since it is usually large dogs that set him off I feel that part of the aggression is due to fear and that he can learn to not be afraid.

]]> By: Jim Burwell http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/comment-page-1/#comment-533 Jim Burwell Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:48:06 +0000 http://Inthelastweek,I'vebeenwith3differentclientswhosecommoncomplaintwasdogaggression. Onedogwasafemalelabmix,anotherwasamalegoldenandthelastwasafemaleCorgi. Thefemalelabwasdefinitelyterritorialandlackedpropersocializ#comment-533 Tanna: You must get professional dog training help with your dog as this behavior, as you can see, is progressively getting worse. No one can solve this problem in an email. Find a well seasoned trainer who only uses positive reinforcement and begin to do the work it will require to address this problem Tanna: You must get professional dog training help with your dog as this behavior, as you can see, is progressively getting worse. No one can solve this problem in an email. Find a
well seasoned trainer who only uses positive reinforcement and begin to do the work it will require to address this problem

]]> By: tanna http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/comment-page-1/#comment-530 tanna Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:34:14 +0000 http://Inthelastweek,I'vebeenwith3differentclientswhosecommoncomplaintwasdogaggression. Onedogwasafemalelabmix,anotherwasamalegoldenandthelastwasafemaleCorgi. Thefemalelabwasdefinitelyterritorialandlackedpropersocializ#comment-530 hi there, I've got quite a big problem with my dog. He's a 2 1/2 year old pitbull that I rescued about a year back. someone left the poor thing near a very busy intersection. I decided to take him home, but as soon as I introduced him to the other two dogs in the house he became extremly violent. They would fight constantly and I tried about everything to break them up. Hes alot more calmer around dogs now but hes turned his aggression on people. Im ashamed to say that he has bit a few people. It happend while my step dad was watching him for a few months. Luckly the guy was ok and "blue" let go pretty quick. I now have him living with me but hes acting aggressive to my boyfriend, whom I live with. hes really getting out of hand and im afraid that i'll never be able to bring him anywhere or always be on edge if someone happens to come to the house or near the gate. His biting people really alarms me, what should I do? hi there,
I've got quite a big problem with my dog. He's a 2 1/2 year old pitbull that I rescued about a year back. someone left the poor thing near a very busy intersection. I decided to take him home, but as soon as I introduced him to the other two dogs in the house he became extremly violent. They would fight constantly and I tried about everything to break them up. Hes alot more calmer around dogs now but hes turned his aggression on people. Im ashamed to say that he has bit a few people. It happend while my step dad was watching him for a few months. Luckly the guy was ok and "blue" let go pretty quick. I now have him living with me but hes acting aggressive to my boyfriend, whom I live with. hes really getting out of hand and im afraid that i'll never be able to bring him anywhere or always be on edge if someone happens to come to the house or near the gate. His biting people really alarms me, what should I do?

]]> By: Jim Burwell http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/comment-page-1/#comment-410 Jim Burwell Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:46:09 +0000 http://Inthelastweek,I'vebeenwith3differentclientswhosecommoncomplaintwasdogaggression. Onedogwasafemalelabmix,anotherwasamalegoldenandthelastwasafemaleCorgi. Thefemalelabwasdefinitelyterritorialandlackedpropersocializ#comment-410 Thanks for your email. In answer to your main question re: walking on leash. A wonderful, non-aversive tool for that is a Gentle Leader. We use that on our black lab Sammy and he walks beautifully by our side with no problem. You can purchase one of those at PetSmart or PetCO BE SURE TO GET THE ONE WITH AN ENCLOSED DVD. You must understand not only how to fit it correctly, you must get the dog used to wearing it - they initially do not like the very very think piece that goes over the bridge of their nose. We did that with Sammy and now when we get the Gentle Leader out he runs and puts his nose through it because he knows only wonderful things happen when he wears that. The Gentle Leader is used by positive reinforcement trainers because there is little need for correction. Where the head goes, the rest of the body follows. When we walk our lab Sammy we do a controlled walk which sends him the message "hey I know you love your walks, but guess what, this walk is on my timetable and my terms" I control 2/3 of the walk, he gets his "free on leash time" for 1/3 when I say ok. So you are dealing with a couple of things: a good way to control your dog i,e The Gentle Leader, leadership on your part so your dog will listen to you better (which is not anything about dominating your dog) and prey drive with squirrels. They all 3 go hand in hand to get a nice walk from your dog. It all begins with leadership and is complimented by the Gentle Leader. Thanks for your email. In answer to your main question re: walking on leash. A wonderful, non-aversive tool for that is a Gentle Leader. We use that on our black lab Sammy and he
walks beautifully by our side with no problem. You can purchase one of those at PetSmart or PetCO BE SURE TO GET THE ONE WITH AN ENCLOSED DVD. You must
understand not only how to fit it correctly, you must get the dog used to wearing it - they initially do not like the very very think piece that goes over the bridge of their nose. We did that
with Sammy and now when we get the Gentle Leader out he runs and puts his nose through it because he knows only wonderful things happen when he wears that.

The Gentle Leader is used by positive reinforcement trainers because there is little need for correction. Where the head goes, the rest of the body follows. When we walk our lab Sammy
we do a controlled walk which sends him the message "hey I know you love your walks, but guess what, this walk is on my timetable and my terms" I control 2/3 of the walk, he gets
his "free on leash time" for 1/3 when I say ok.

So you are dealing with a couple of things: a good way to control your dog i,e The Gentle Leader, leadership on your part so your dog will listen to you better (which is not anything
about dominating your dog) and prey drive with squirrels. They all 3 go hand in hand to get a nice walk from your dog. It all begins with leadership and is complimented by the
Gentle Leader.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/comment-page-1/#comment-409 Lisa Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:31:52 +0000 http://Inthelastweek,I'vebeenwith3differentclientswhosecommoncomplaintwasdogaggression. Onedogwasafemalelabmix,anotherwasamalegoldenandthelastwasafemaleCorgi. Thefemalelabwasdefinitelyterritorialandlackedpropersocializ#comment-409 I have an eight year old German Shepherd/Lab mix that I adopted from the SPCA and he's mostly wonderful. However, I am really unable to walk him on a leash. He drags me down the street and will chase squirrels if given any opportunity. More than once I've had to drop the leash to avoid being face down on the sidewalk when he sees a squirrel. How can I get him to walk on a leash. He does well on other commands. He has no health problems. He does mark when we visit homes where other dogs have had accidents. He's never had an accident in my home. Thanks for any advice. I have an eight year old German Shepherd/Lab mix that I adopted from the SPCA and he's mostly wonderful. However, I am really unable to walk him on a leash. He drags me down the street and will chase squirrels if given any opportunity. More than once I've had to drop the leash to avoid being face down on the sidewalk when he sees a squirrel. How can I get him to walk on a leash.

He does well on other commands. He has no health problems. He does mark when we visit homes where other dogs have had accidents. He's never had an accident in my home.

Thanks for any advice.

]]> By: Shawn Saxton http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Shawn Saxton Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:25:55 +0000 http://Inthelastweek,I'vebeenwith3differentclientswhosecommoncomplaintwasdogaggression. Onedogwasafemalelabmix,anotherwasamalegoldenandthelastwasafemaleCorgi. Thefemalelabwasdefinitelyterritorialandlackedpropersocializ#comment-6 Hi, Help! I think I may have an aggression problem with my dog. The other day my husband went to walk our dog and the neighbor walked up to my husband and dog and the dog lunged and growled at her when she tried to pet him. He is 7 years old and never had a problem before, but here lately his tolerence for people is short. He has no health problems. Thank you Hi,
Help! I think I may have an aggression problem with my dog. The other day my husband went to walk our dog and the neighbor walked up to my husband and dog and the dog lunged and growled at her when she tried to pet him. He is 7 years old and never had a problem before, but here lately his tolerence for people is short. He has no health problems. Thank you

]]> By: Walking on Leash - a great question | Dog Training Tips from the Expert http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Walking on Leash - a great question | Dog Training Tips from the Expert Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:43:22 +0000 http://Inthelastweek,I'vebeenwith3differentclientswhosecommoncomplaintwasdogaggression. Onedogwasafemalelabmix,anotherwasamalegoldenandthelastwasafemaleCorgi. Thefemalelabwasdefinitelyterritorialandlackedpropersocializ#comment-5 [...] past week, I received a comment from Sandy regarding my blog on Problems Walking on a Leash.  Sandy’s question was:  What is the best way to be prepared when you’re not sure if [...] [...] past week, I received a comment from Sandy regarding my blog on Problems Walking on a Leash.  Sandy’s question was:  What is the best way to be prepared when you’re not sure if [...]

]]> By: Sandy http://www.petiquettedog.com/dog-behavior/problems-walking-on-a-leash/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Sandy Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:19:49 +0000 http://Inthelastweek,I'vebeenwith3differentclientswhosecommoncomplaintwasdogaggression. Onedogwasafemalelabmix,anotherwasamalegoldenandthelastwasafemaleCorgi. Thefemalelabwasdefinitelyterritorialandlackedpropersocializ#comment-4 So what is the best to to be prepared when you're not sure if the dog will react badly to another dog if the leash has a slack. Thanks for the help. So what is the best to to be prepared when you're not sure if the dog will react badly to another dog if the leash has a slack. Thanks for the help.

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