Anyone have a dog?

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I need help with my dog. She's a fantastic dog, very sweet. She's a stray my boyfriend brought home from work one night and has been great from day one. I don't even like dogs, but I want to keep her. My boyfriend likes the fact that she barks at everything since we no longer live together. She's rather intimidating (part doberman/part chocolate lab). He was planning to take her when he got a place with a yard, but has decided I should keep her 'for protection' (I live in a rather unsavory neighborhood).

Anywhoo. I do actually have a point. And it is this: I want to take her for walks to get her some exercise (more than just hanging out in the yard) and because I work all day and sleep all night and don't have much time for playing. I know she's a little lonely and bored. She loves to go on walks, but she pulls me so hard. She's about 70lbs. so she can drag me along if I'm not careful. How do I teach her to stay with me and not pull? I know it's natural curiosity and wanting to check everything out, but I also know there are people who's dogs don't drag them around the neighborhood. I've tried stopping when she pulls, but we end up standing still most of the time...not much exercise or fun.

Thanks for your help!

[silicon toad2000]

you need to get the dog a choker chain and teach it to heel.
do it in your house at first, less distractions.
the dog should be walking with its shoulder next to your hip on your left.
as soon as the dog move away from that point give the command to heel and pull the dog back, as soon as it is back make a fuss and tell the dog good it is.

You must fit the choker correctly or it will not work.
the end of the chain attached to the lead should go across the top/back of the dogs neck and then down under the neck. this way as soon as the dog returns the chain will go slack. If you fit it incorrectly, with the part attached to the lead going under the dogs neck, the chain will not go slack. If unsure test it on your wrist first.

Hold the end of the lead in your right hand, let it fall across your body and hold the lead about halfway down in your left hand.
When the dogs leaves that position by your hip, jag the lead. That is let go with your left hand to give the lead some slack and pull quickly and firmly with your right. This will not hurt the dog, the choker is designed to make a noise as the chain pulls tight. This will get the dogs attention, you give the command to heel, when the dog returns reward it, make a fuss or give it a little treat.

I used to be an instructor at an obedience school. If you work at this before too long the dog will walk by your side with no tension needed on the lead.
Always step off with your left leg, the dog follows this.

[Ree]

aspiring - do you live near or frequent one of the chain pet stores, such as PetsMart or PetZone? They give excellent dog obedience classes, usually on Saturday mornings. The person who leads the classes is certified. I know some folks, and their dogs, who have had great success with these classes.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Ree

aspiring - do you live near or frequent one of the chain pet stores, such as PetsMart or PetZone? They give excellent dog obedience classes, usually on Saturday mornings. The person who leads the classes is certified. I know some folks, and their dogs, who have had great success with these classes.

Those classes are excellent... if ever there is a problem... it is with the owner... and not the dog... owner are harder to train than dogs are...

.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Yeah, Shamou. I know I haven't trained her properly. She was already over a year old when she came home to us and had lived on the street for a while. She adjusted quickly, but the walking is the big thing. She is smart for sure. She knows not to jump on me because I just hate that (and she can hurt me because she's so big). But she knows my boyfriend loves to play rough with her. She sits on command.

I was hoping not to have to use a choke chain. I know it's not supposed to hurt, but I just feel uncomfortable. Maybe I will try those classes. My parents have their puppy in them (my dog's son). I just thought they were only for puppies.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

I was hoping not to have to use a choke chain. I know it's not supposed to hurt, but I just feel uncomfortable. Maybe I will try those classes. My parents have their puppy in them (my dog's son). I just thought they were only for puppies.

I was told that dogs like to obey their masters... but most of the time they don't understand what the master wants...

When you say that you are uncomfortable in using the choker (or chain as you call it) you described the whole problem... You don't have to pull the dog's head off... simply surprise him with a quick yank... it won't hurt the dog anymore than what you feel when your boyfriend give you a playful pat on the butt...

.

[gigi6]

Hey Aspiring-to Clarity,

I agree with you, I don't like choker chains either, I think they're a cruel training method. I too have a dog and just like your dog, mine used to tug and pull to the point where I took a few falls(especially when he would see a squirrel!) I have the bruised knees to prove it! A dog trainer told me about The Gentle Leader leash, and it has made a world of difference! You can get it at Petco or PetSmart, and it even comes with an instructional DVD. Basically, the main part of the leash goes around the dog's muzzle and the second part goes around the neck. In this way, your dog is not able to pull because the leash is around his mouth and not his body, where the weight and force are. The dog is still able to drink, eat, bite whatever even with this leash on.And don't worry , it does not hurt the dog, at worst he'll just put up a little fuss at first because he'll have to get used to feeling something around his mouth. I swear I could not walk my dog without it. Even a really reknowned no-kill shelter in my area use the GentleLeader on its dogs. Give it a try. You can also use it as part of your training regime, and then wean your dog off it once you feel he's more obedient. I wish you and your dog much luck and many happy, peaceful walks in the future!
Best, Gigi

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks, Gigi. I might try that since the choker still makes me uncomfortable. it couldn't hurt.

[Rose of Cairo]

Hello Aspiring to Clarity,

You said, the dog barks at everything since you don't live together with your boyfriend anymore, and she pulls you while going on walks. Well very spontaneously I would say, the top dog in your pride was your boyfriend. since he's left, she is. So she thinks she's in charge with you and has to protect you. And she pulls because the top dog goes ahead of course!

don't know if I'm right, but if that is the problem, you could try the amichien bonding thing. That works great, whithout any form of coercion. I highly recommend Jan Fennell's books. Read one, you will understand her better. Then teach her you are the top dog, and you will both enjoy every walk!

That's a great exercise to improve one's self assurance by the way...

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

That makes sense, Rose. When BF comes around to visit, she is so happy to see him and she listens to him much more than to me. One thing I have gotten her to stop doing is jump on me all the time (BF plays rough with her like that). But, I think she can tell I am not sure what to do. I will definitely look at those books. Thanks.