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Puppy update...HELP!!!!
Topic Started: Apr 6 2008, 12:35 PM (653 Views)
jillincolorado
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i have one question for you guys: How do I get her to enjoy her walks and NOT pull my arms out of the socket? So far I've been using the old "quick, light jerk" routine, and telling her "no" or "easy". I thought I was helping her by getting her to "focus" but I think I might be re-inforcing that walks are just no fun. :( I think I'm asking too mush of her at this point.

I feel like such an incompetent.

She is about 3-3 1/2 months old and we've had her two weeks tomorrow.

I like the idea of treats on our walks! :clap:
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Melliebay
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Jilli, I would use one of those harnesses specially made for dogs that pull (gentle leader?) , or a retractable leash. I wouldn't tackle the pulling just yet, just let her enjoy the walks as much as possible.

Wilson had huge pulling issues as a pup, but now is as good as gold. We didn't work on the pulling until other pieces of the puzzle were in place. With some dogs (dobermans, maybe), you have to pick your battles and tackle them one at a time. :)
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3Bays
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I think Mellie's got a good point there...just let her get used to some things and gain a bit of confidence before too much training happens.

If she's really pulling your arms out of the sockets, then try to keep the line steady instead of perhaps pulling back or anything...and again, when she is NOT pulling, praise her. Also, walk a few feet and stop, walk a few feet and stop...give her the clue that the walk is about YOU and when YOU want to stop or start.

AND, if she's that young and you've only had her that short a time, she's actually doing VERY WELL! :one:

Miss Fredonia didn't settle in at all for FOUR MONTHS!! I nearly gave up several times, so believe me, I ain't no saint! But...I just kept thinking that she had much to overcome and only time and patience and love would break through...same goes for your pupper! :cloud9:

So, especially knowing her age and how short a time she's been with you...you guys are doing GREAT! CONGRATS to you Jilli! You're a GREAT dog mom! :yes: :woot: :cheer:
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Magic
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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Shadow has a Gentle Leader ($30 at Petsmart). It was a godsend. When we got him from the rescue they gave us a pinch collar- he's still drag my butt around the subdivision. Our first walk in the GL-- it was like a different dog. The weird thing is-- he is so much calmer in the GL-- its like some sort of magical sedative. Its supposed to mimic the mommy dog's 'mouth over the muzzle' thing-- might be great for Lily!
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jillincolorado
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Aw you guys are the bestest!

I love her to pieces already, and I just want to help her. She's so stinkin' smart. :)
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3Bays
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Hey, Magic, that sounds reallllly cool! GREAT suggestion! I hadn't heard of those...great that it helped you, too. ;)
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Black Tack
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We used the gentle leader with Milo when we first started obedience school. It really helps calm them for sure and gives you more control. However I found that alot of dogs aren't so keen on it and if it's tied into her going out, it may make things worse. I remember at first Milo would just lay down on his back when I put it on (makes walking a bit tricky :innocent: ) As she gets bigger though, I think it will really come in usefull!

Anyway, good luck with her Jilli. I think over time she will learn to trust and in the meantime she has to get used to noises and smells and commotion, etc. Poor widdle Lily :cloud9:
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jillincolorado
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I think I will wait for the gentle leader until she's a little older. Like you guys said, I need to pick my battles and I think it would overwhelm her at this point. That will be "step two". :)

I just tried taking her outside with nothing but treats and praise. Guess what? She was TOTALLY fixated on me once she knew I had the goodies. :)



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MissBri
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But, I don't care - it's 5:00 somewhere
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Ah food, the great motivater!

She's just a baby still Jilli - so patience, cuddles, and love. Don't expect too much for another month at the earliest. Her life has been turned topsy-turvy and she's still figuring it all out.


Watch her body language when you're outside and try to break the 'fear fixation' at the first teeny tiny sign. Bring lots of tiny morsels of treats on your walks. Ask her to sit, praise, and treat at sporadic intervals. Stay in front when walking and change directions and pace a lot. Make it fun and varied. Use a leather leash rather than one of those retractables. Have her stop and stand with you - this will sound silly and very weird, but try and 'encourage' her to hold her tail up. Do this by placing her in a stand position, then stroke the underside of her tail near the base.

Sweet Tara (my first dog) was extremely wimpy and overly submisive- Wimpy was her litter name actually. It took six months of constant 'exposure' before she was comfortable enough to hold her tail up. But she was the sweetest most gentle and 'soft' dog I have ever met. Tons of encouragement and lots of exposure to 'scary things'. I would totally ignore the scary areas - as if nothing were there. but I would start her focus well before any questionable monsters. Again I would do this with sit, wait, here, treats, changes of direction, etc. I also would never hurry past a scary point but rather redirect her attention back to me. Sometimes with a kiss, sometimes with a touch.
Miss Josie is now 10 months old - still a handful but is getting better at focusing on me. Which has taken many many months. She has no problem holding her tail up -my problem is getting her even somewhat submissive....YUP my girls are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
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DairyQueen2049
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DRAGON BREATH. DRAGGIN' BUTT
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Magic
Apr 6 2008, 06:36 PM
Shadow has a Gentle Leader ($30 at Petsmart). It was a godsend. When we got him from the rescue they gave us a pinch collar- he's still drag my butt around the subdivision. Our first walk in the GL-- it was like a different dog. The weird thing is-- he is so much calmer in the GL-- its like some sort of magical sedative. Its supposed to mimic the mommy dog's 'mouth over the muzzle' thing-- might be great for Lily!

Is that the same as a Halt-Eze?? I love those for doggies!!

Sounds like you are doing all the right things Jaci -Only time will make it all perfect.
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jillincolorado
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Morning number two and it's going really well! Treats...who knew!!!!!!!! :lol:

I take tiny little tidbits with me (and she knows it). This morning she got scared so I bent down, kissed to her and held out my hand. She stopped and ran right to me then sat, and got a treat. :)

I repeated this several times and kept everything "light" and happy.

MissBri she holds her tail up unless she's having an attack. She really is "hound" looking in body shape, like a German Shorthaired Pointer?? Tail is thick, upright and very "beagley", for lack of a better word. I think she might have coonhound in her.

Thanks so much for all your help and support. It's been 100 years since I had a puppy.
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3Bays
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:clap: :clap: :clap:


GREAT NEWS Jilli! I'm so happy it's going better! Yes, the treats help...I'm sorry I didn't say so in my post...duhhhhh...yeah, I used little treats with Fredonia also to help her focus on something positive.

SO happy your little girl's doing better...you guys will be FINE! Just treats, patience and LOF! :wub:
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