Long, wordy question, sorry!
My husband and I have two dogs, Hiro and Buddy (as we're calling him right now). Buddy is a Golden Retriever and is nine weeks old, Hiro is a two-year old mix.
Quick background: where we live there are a lot of dogs and cats that often end up roaming free or (sadly) being gassed at the Japanese pound. Part of the reason this happens is that many Americans who get pets find out that due to their next duty station's rules or due to the sheer cost of flying a pet back they might not be able to keep their animal when they leave island. That's how we got Hiro.
Problem is, because of this, we are Hiro's fourth (possibly fifth) set of owners! So much of his training fell to us, because he was never really housebroken or given consistent training. We've gotten him housebroken with an excitement pee once in a blue moon*, he knows some basic commands (sit, shake, stay, come, go to x, let's go, get it as the release for food...), but we're having a heck of a time getting him leash trained. He is TERRIFIED of traffic, and because of this, our half-hour walks are usually half an hour of me forcing him by my side while he freaks out. There's a nearby military base that isn't crazy-busy that we can walk him on, but he still gets spooked easily and doesn't really walk well. I've tried the "changing directions" trick, I've tried making him sit and stay when he pulls, I've tried making noises when he pulls too much, I've tried walking faster so he has to keep pace with me...
He goes crazy for birds or cats, is 50/50 with humans (sometimes he pulls, sometimes he doesn't), and is pretty much solid with other dogs (as in he'll leave them alone). We switched from a regular collar to a harness, mainly for my own comfort, as he was pulling hard enough to be walking on his hind legs and choking himself before.
How does this relate to Buddy? Buddy's still not going out quite yet (he's only had his first set of shots), but soon he will be, and I don't want him learning bad habits from his sibling. I know the best method here might be to just walk them separately, but I'd love to walk them together at some point. So I've got about a month - any idea on how to get Hiro to calm down?
*he's peed in the house a couple times since we got the puppy, but I think that's more of a marking/jealousy thing than anything else.
Answers & Comments
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have you tried a different type of collar? weve had a dog that pulled that bad, and we got a prong collar...ive found these work the best...when used properly. they look mean, but can only shrink to a certain size so there is no threat of choking like with a choke chain (hate those)....or maybe even a halti (head harness) with a back up in case he slips out of the halti.
im guessing hes been almost hit or hit by a car before and thats why hes afraid of traffic.
this may be not what your looking for, but if you train buddy to walk fearlessly and confidently then you could use him to help train Hiro to walk better. having a calm presence of another dog might help him to calm down and see there is no danger.
Hey, no ones answered so ill try... :) Um dont use a harness as it just makes it easier for him to pull and in fact it increases the pressure on his chest which will actually make him want to pull more... use a regular collar... i have the same problem with the traffic with my lab puppy - he's terrified... but just persevere - he has gotten better... put him on the side of you that is not by the traffic - ie. if the traffic is to your right, walk him on the left, he will feel safer... if he starts struggleing, make him sit until he clams down... if he strays to the side when walking give the leash a quick JERK - not pull and say "hey!" if he pulls forward - say "hey! and stop immediately... if that doesnt work after a while, say "hey! and turn around completely... he will soon realize that when you say hey, he must get right back next to you... give him treats when he stays in the correct place as well.... my puppy now knows when i say "hey" he must come right to my side - and its only been 3 weeks :) he even walks next to me with no leash at all - but in a low traffic area... i wont do that near traffic... call him name and stroke him when he is freaking out from a car and just reassure him.... even try to sit at a high traffic area on the side of the road for a while so he can get used to traffic... give him treats and praise :) hope this helped :)
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The thing about proper dog training is that the more you know, the more you can use towards training your dog. If you have gotten a new dog or puppy, you should work on training them right away. If they are going to be indoor dogs, you can start crate training them . This prevents bathroom accidents or your items being chewed on. Start off with the right sized crate, so that they have enough room in the crate to move around a bit.
If you are trying to crate train your dog or puppy you must understand that you can not expect them to be able to hold their bladders for extremely long periods. You must provide times for them to go to the bathroom. They don’t want to go in their special place. So it is up to you to take care of them. If they have a accident don’t get mad at them, it wasn’t their fault it was yours.
When teaching your dog discipline, regardless of what training method you use, you should always apply it with speed and consistency. Not correcting your dog for bad behavior every single time, sends him mixed signals that may only make the problem worse. Likewise, not correcting your dog immediately, may make it hard for him to understand why you are punishing him.
I went to puppy coaching at Petsmart they usually taught me this. The pleasant method to educate your puppy how one can stroll beside you alternatively than him running you, yank his leash to tough adequate to in which he slows down or hes like hi there wtf. When he does get through your aspect compliment him with a couple of encouraging phrases and allow him have a unfastened leash untill he begins looking to be the chief once more then yank his leash once more (this may increasingly take a couple of attempts) Also with them leaping on you, dont forget about it. My puppy is part german shepherd and lab and he loves to leap. When they soar push them down from the highest in their heads and inform them no in an assertive voice. (this additionally might take a couple of attempts) Everytime they soar simply hold doing that, ultimately they're going to observe you dont like that. Its no longer that tye are exited its simply that they're looking to be the leaders and dominate you. That is most effective intuition. Getting them to sit down is a further tale. I taught my puppy how to sit down while he used to be most effective eight weeks historic. what you will have to check out is to split them and educate them separately. ideally isolate you and some of the puppies in a closed in field so he cant run off. Then, make certain you may have a few puperoni portions competent to present him with.(or any deal with that maintains his concentration) From this factor, get his concentration through letting him recognize you may have a deal with for him however dont allow him have it simply but. For instance, preserve it to his nostril to in which he can odor it and lick it however cant consume it. ONce you may have his concentration he will have to be all eyes. if he jumps, simply push him down inform him no and get his concentration once more. When hes competent to concentrate, push his rump down till he ultimately sits. the second he sits inform him well boy and present him. This could take many attempts however dont stop. german shepherds are very sensible puppies. Repeat this with the opposite one as good
has to trained to walk on leash
then taught how to walk together
take to trainer and learn how to train like a new puppy for older dog
all up to you to train, exercise and socialize
Have you tried clicker training with treats? Positive reinforcement often works best.