by chance's mom » February 16th, 2006, 10:08 pm
thank you both very much for the help! as always it is much appreciated. good news, no not just that i saved a bunch of money by switching to geico! heheheh sorry i work there and hear it all the time!
seriously though, i never train chance when i get upset or irritated, i never thought i would be in the correct frame of mind to train my dog if i was mad, i knew it would never help train only hurt any progress. we do short but, imho, effective training sessions. everyday that we walk is a training session. that is what i am trying to perfect with him right now, he heels perfect, i took treats and would hold them by my thigh with his collar in the same hand, i guess like they do when they circle at the shows. that worked great! however, he weighs 70lbs and loves people, squirrels, other dogs and expecially birds! i swear he would make an awesome hunting dog! i guess what we are trying to work on is just that, distractions, and for me since i only weigh 120lbs, i cant walk him at ease unless its with a choke collar. a small correction and he is good to go. i am having a problem with him on a collar near other dogs, he wants to play with them and i am trying to train him "no play on the leash, ever" reason being is i think he feels more vulnerable on a leash, if that makes sense. in other words, i feel he is scared becuase HE is not in full control of the situation if a dog comes at him, which i know if he is scared or nervous as a dog he is more likely to attack something or someone in that state of mind.
i baby him when appropriate, he behaves very politely, but he definately still needs work. he knows i am boss, if i call his name, and he looks at me, (still working on the response to his name outside also, always on a leash, yes) and i point at him he knows to stop, sit and lay down on his side showing he is submissive.