Frustrated

[Sharpeigirl]

I'm totally frustrated with Sassy. Lately she been getting hard to control, and she's becomeing more aggersive. I have to take her out on a Prong collar & leash to go potty, since our whole yard isn't fenced. Well this afternoon I've been out about 15 times with no results.. So I try to take her inside, but she fights me. She'll put her front feet on the leash & try to bite my hand holding the leash. She's never done this before I started her on a prong collar, and it just recently became a problem. I don't know what to do, and I don't know what I've done wrong.. And I don't have the $$$$ to go to behaviorist or trainer.. She's also an escape artist, and her Recall isn't there.. She choses to ignore you rather then come back for a treat.. We don't have the money to fence in the entire yard, and she can easily get over the fence in the backyar without being on a chain.. I just need some ideas..

[imported_Kat]

From the sounds of her behaviour, it sounds like she is testing and challenging you. I wouldn't give her any privilige for now of being off-lead even in the garden. I don't think much of prongs or chokes and I know that its always a debate as so many people speak highly of them but the way that I conduct my behavioural sessions with probblem dogs is by tackling the root of the problem and controlling the problem through the owner and not with the aid of a fancy collar. Get her onto a flat nylon collar and normal lead and if she pulls, then give her a good yank back and let her know that you will not tolerate it. When she stops pulling then reward her. If you want her to have an extra run, then get her onto a flexi lead and keep her on that so she gets no freedom priviliges for a few months off-lead.

This might sound harsh but I can tell you that it does work and its what I would advise for clients who have similar problems. Also while she is on the lead do lots of recall work. As for the aggression, holler at her if she even lifts her lip and let her know exactly who is boss. She is a dominant bitch from the sounds of it and in adolescence so she needs to be reminded where her place is in your house or you are going to find that this problem will escalate into something beyond control.

Good luck and keep persevering.

[imported_Cassie]

Kat gave some great advise...I will just add a bit of advise which I have learned and watched demonstrated. I also want to add that I am not a fan of Chokes and Prongs either...some times they can have the opposite effect of what we are trying to achieve. Some dogs just get ornery with this type of training.
We had an owner in one of the obedience classes that I attended have problems quite simular to yours. The instructor had the owner carry a lemon squeeze bottle (the kind you pick up at the grocery store) and when the dog grabbed onto the leash and tried to grab the owners hands the instructor had them squeeze the lemon juice into the dogs mouth. Also when the dog started acting out and leaping all over in an effort to get loose and turning around and grabbing at the leash the owners were advised to stop, put their foot on the leash to ensure the dog didn't have alot of lead to pull on....and then stand there ignoring the dog until it calmed down. This took along long time as it was a very hyper border collie :lol: any way, once the dog calmed down and sat, the owner gave the dog their attention said "good dog" gave a treat and patted the dog on the chest and started off again. When ever the dog started acting out the owner would stop abruptly, put their foot on the leash and ignore. The dog soon realizes in order to have a good walk it must act accordingly.

To teach a good recall I would find a really secure baseball field with high fencing. Let the dog go, and let her run, keep walking and if you happen to have to pass Sassy keep on going...try not to make every time you approach your dog a lunge for the collar. After Sassy has had time to run off some energy then start teaching recalls. With my rescue dog Beau, I taught him a no fail recall by playing a chase game with him. I would yell, Beau, Come! and start running away from him...he would zoom to catch me...when he caught me I would give him a great treat, praise, belly rubs etc. and then continue on without putting him back on lead. I kept at this for a few weeks until he learned that just because he is being called back to me does not mean he is going to loose his freedom. His recall is the greatest...almost too great at times... :lol:

[Papillons]

There's an amazing book called "Smarter Than You Think" and it's by Paul Loeb. You can find it on amazon.com or at your local bookstore. Let me tell you, I couldn't control my first papillon worth a darn until I bought this book. His methods work 100% of the time for me.

Our recall -- which I find to be the most important thing -- never ever fails. When my gang (3 paps) and I are at the Bark Park, I can call each one of them to me without ever having to repeat myself. They could be in a pack of 200 dogs and as soon as they hear, "Come here!" they are by my side in an instant. People are so impressed and I've been recommending this book right and left. Our neighbor down the street with a Golden who used to run out the door EVERY SINGLE DAY (lol) is now a well behaved young gentleman.

I have no tie-ins with the author etc. This is just by far the best training book I've ever come across and I think you might really benefit from it. :) Good luck with your baby!

[Cairn6]

I have never been able to teach my dog to come to me when were out somewhere. But he is a master at staying when you tell him too so we had to make a compromise if were out somewhere I yell "stay" and he stops and I go pick him up but he only weighs 20bls. Cairns are notorious for not coming when called. :lol: I think I will try that book.

As far as the pulling on the leash we were taught in class that you should walk and when the dog pulls don't move just stay right there until they come back your way and as soon as they get there they start walking again. It teaches them that your not going anywhere if you try to pull.

[Sharpeigirl]

Thank you all for your replies. Today was a good day for me & Sassy, she behaved like a perfect little lady.. No battles of wills, nothing, she sat, stayed, and came when asked.. Daily we will be doing some training in the backyard on leash.. Hoepfully it'll get better daily as we work on it.. Tomorrow I might walk her down to the creek, and see if she can handle distraction..

[imported_Kat]

Good luck! Keep her on the lead though if her recall isn't 110% as letting her off will escalate the problem further. When Meg was a pup she kept running to her brother being trained by Sam at the oher end of the field. Ata show she done a few jumps and jumped over the ring barrier and across a busy road to the carpark. She wasn't let off the flexi-lead for 3 months at all to improve her recall and it certainly worked.

[Sharpeigirl]

I'm so proud of my girl! She did all I asked of her, but we didn't go to the creek, it was a bit too cold for that. But she went on a walk with me & a neighbor. And did really well.. We still have alot of work to do with her though..