Dear Dogs Today Think Tank
I have a Pomeranian-Maltese cross who is 13-months-old, female, and unspayed at the moment. When I take her for walks she pulls really hard on her lead. She also barks and goes to attack any dog she sees on her walks.
I’ve tried dropping treats to distract her but this did not work - I tried for three months but no improvement. Then I tried spraying her in the face with water, but no improvement at all.
Please can you suggest anything else to try? There are no training classes in my area and I am getting desperate for ideas.
Tina, Southend-on-Sea
There are 17 registered Association of Pet Dog Trainers in Essex - http://www.apdt.co.uk/trainers_area.asp?area=Essex
ReplyDeleteSome of these may have a class you are not aware of, and if not some do home visits. APDT registered trainers are required to keep their knowledge up-to-date, and the APDT has a no aversives policy, as these often have undesired side effects, such as undesired associated responses, which your dog may now have included into her "repertoire". To suggest anything else, we would need more information, as this could be a problem with socialisation, or a negative encounter with another dog, or it may be that she is picking up on yourself or the other owner being nervous, without more information there isn't really much more to suggest that will help you.
There are some really good anti pull harnesses now on the market. I think Halti make one as well.
ReplyDeleteEvery time that your dog pulls or lunges towards another dog, turn round and walk a few paces back, then turn round again and go forward., repeat as often as needed until your dog cottons on to what you want. With the pulling aspect it will teach your dog that if it pulls it gets nowhere. Also by turning round it will stop your dog 'eyeballing' the other dog and by breaking this eye contact every time it lunges forward, you will hopefully be able to pass another dog.
Get your friends with dogs to help here, so you know what is about to happen. Perhaps follow a dog for a way until your dog calms down.