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Dog training advice needed

You need to think more dog, like you are all part of the pack.
At the moment,when you go out, your dog is doing the protective/inquisitive bit.
He/she will always want to be ahead to be first.
I find that the not letting them go first walk soon cures them.
Every time you go out start walking, as soon as the dog pulls , change direction.
You know, as the dog pulls walk the opposite way until it catches up and starts to pull, then walk back until it catches up an starts to pull, etc etc.
(Keep doing this for the whole walk if you have to)
If he knows his way around the walk your on it may be hard to stop him dragging you around...
 
Well, I took Riley out to day and did a combination of suggestions. Basically we started walking, and when he would pull ahead, I'd turn and walk the opposite way. I would say "Heel!" and then keep walking. It took a back and forth motion for about 10 minutes but he finally stayed right next to me. We went out and walked the neighborhood for about 40 minutes! And my arms and back didn't hurt at all. I am going to keep trying this twice a day if I can, and see if he improves. Thanks so much for the suggestions.
 
I also recommend Cesar Milan's methods. I use his Illusion collar on both my dogs and walk them on a waist leash. This works great and I can walk two adult Rhodesian Ridgebacks without any trouble. They have responded fabulously to Cesar's methods. I trained and showed in obedience, and his methods have made the obedience part easier as my dogs respect me.
 
Congratulations!

Sounds like it is already beginning to work - keep up the good work!

I love watching the Dog Whisperer too! Sounds like we have our very own dog whisperer right here though (Nanci).
 
Hows the pulling doing now? Sounds like the reverse direction thing worked :) That's great. Did you use a special collar for that or just a regular one?
I also think the dog whisperer is great! He's the only person I know who's ever really really stated that choke and prong should only be used as tools and not a solution. Unfortunately, many people use it as a solution only. I also LOVE how he uses the pack as a training tool because people nowadays baby their dogs and over-protect them so much that they aren't socialized enough.
I used the gentle leader once and lots of people I was going to walk past crossed the street because they thought the dog had a poorly designed muzzle on, and therefore thought she would bite.
 
You shouldn't need any special collars for your dog, he doesn't sound naughty just doing his job as Alpha Male. The reverse walk will keep him on his toes. He won't know where you intend to go, so has to wait for you to decide.
megngeorgeathome.jpg

We keep English Bulls and I can walk these two in one hand.
MIKE
 
The reverse direction thing works really well on horses, who also ought to lead on a slack lead at your shoulder.
 
Been following this thread... glad to see you're making progress. Dogs are pack animals and someone has to be the alpha and take the lead. If you don't; he will. That's not to say you have to be a tyrant or cause your dog to cower in fear. Simply that he learns that you dictate what the pack does. Unless he's really wired to be the alpha, he'll be happy and less stressed if you call the shots.

When you play, make sure that you get him on his back with belly up and you above him from time to time. That's a submissive posture. Make sure that you don't allow the opposite to happen, even in play time. You don't have to pin him down or be rough about it, it can be a fun belly scratching session, but if you can get him on his back like that, it will reinforce his place in the chain of command.
 
MerlinsPop said:
Been following this thread... glad to see you're making progress. Dogs are pack animals and someone has to be the alpha and take the lead. If you don't; he will. That's not to say you have to be a tyrant or cause your dog to cower in fear. Simply that he learns that you dictate what the pack does. Unless he's really wired to be the alpha, he'll be happy and less stressed if you call the shots.

When you play, make sure that you get him on his back with belly up and you above him from time to time. That's a submissive posture. Make sure that you don't allow the opposite to happen, even in play time. You don't have to pin him down or be rough about it, it can be a fun belly scratching session, but if you can get him on his back like that, it will reinforce his place in the chain of command.
Click to expand...

The dog has to offer you it's belly.. If you "make sure you get him on his back" You could get your face bitten off.
Dogs do respond to pack rules, but that also involves fighting for top place..
Fighting for top place usually involves food/ sex.
Being Alpha dog involves you letting them feed after you have had yours...
And not allowing your dog to get between you and your partner, it has to realise that it is only a subordinate...
MIKE
 
MerlinsPop said:
Unless he's really wired to be the alpha, he'll be happy and less stressed if you call the shots.
Click to expand...

I never know where he falls with regards to dominance. He is very dominant when he interacts with my mothers male scotty. But with other large dogs, he's not quite so confident. He gets very defensive around them.

MerlinsPop said:
When you play, make sure that you get him on his back with belly up and you above him from time to time. That's a submissive posture. Make sure that you don't allow the opposite to happen, even in play time. You don't have to pin him down or be rough about it, it can be a fun belly scratching session, but if you can get him on his back like that, it will reinforce his place in the chain of command.
Click to expand...

He rolls on his back when he plays all the time, doesn't seem to bother him.
 
He probably won't be in the same pack rank in each group or dog you meet. Each group has a different dynamic and each dog is different. Do you mean he gets defensive as in aggressive defensive or just submissive?
 
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