I need some help. Training Advice?

[Alysser]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I do really appreciate it. The only qualm I have with treats is that we just recently took Mikey for a well-visit at the vet and he gained 3 pounds. We're trying to make him loose that.

As for the harness, Cindy, we had the same exact harness. I'm going to look for that again and read up a bit on clicker training. I feel guilty to because I KNOW it's my fault. I have not kept up with training him at all and I know it is my fault. I got frustrated last time I tried to train this out of him and I know it takes patience. I just never met a dog so persistant on being annoying a dog about pulling and chasing cars.

[Craftlady]

I use a prong choker chain. Coco (lab mix) was a HUGH puller, not now he walks slightly ahead of me or beside me and we both love walking. He pulled every muscle in this body before I went to this type of collar. I barely have to tug on the leash and he immediately stops pulling if he gets walking little faster than me. They (collar) looks horrible but they dont hurt the dog.

Harness never worked for large breed dog like Coco.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

I totally understand your frustration Alyssa! My Rita is extremely dog aggressivewdmnfsdfklgjfdlkb kzdfl.ck,dmsand it makes it hard to walk her or take her anywhere. So I tend not too. My big issue is if I walk her, and someone has a dog offleash (people are stupid and think it's okay to let their dog come up to a strange dog) and let their dog approach my dog. I KNOW my dog is aggressive, hence I have her on a leash AT ALL TIMES, absolutely no excuses whatsoever. So my issue is if a dog approaches my dog, and my dog attacks that dog, (of course I would do everything in my power to prevent this and stop this) and causes that dog harm, that is not on me. See, my dog is properly restrained on a leash and gentle leader, and this other dog is unsupervised and/or off a leash. And I know that the roles switched, I would be the one to blame, because, well, there are leash laws! Ugh ok on to your questions, lol!

Have you tried the Gentle Leader with Mikey? It works very similar to a horse head halter. If you lead a horse by the head, the body will follow. Same with dogs! With this you would need to walk him in a heel (on your left side). As for the cars, the main focus would be to get his attention on you and not the passing cars. Try high value treats (such as bits of turkey, carrots, his dry dog food, something he really likes) and praise him for not reacting to the cars. Teach him to 'watch me' and hold the treat right by your face to get his attention on you for at least 10 seconds, and then try to work up from there. This is what I do with Rita, and it does help! I hope this helps, and best of luck to you!

[MonicanHonda]

Weight loss should never interfere with clicker training. Up the exercise, gradually lower the amount of kibble. Then decrease kibble a little more to account for all the treats you are using. Some days will be more treats less kibble, other days can be more kibble less treats. when you arent working in a distracted area, like beginning in house or garage, you can use the kibble as the treat. You can also find a fruit or veggie he likes and use a small amount of that as treats in a low distraction area. Upping the exercise is a good idea too.

[Taz_Zoee]

My dogs love carrots. If Mikey likes them you could cut up baby carrots.
There is also a treat called Charlie Bears that we also sell at the shelter. They are a low calorie treat. They actually look like soup crackers you'd get in a restaurant. Honestly, a lot of dogs don't like them. But it's worth a shot, right?

[Alysser]

Me and my mom are going to Petsmart this week and are going to look into Obedience Training for Mike. I am going to look up clicker training info, when I have time. I will take all your suggestions to heart of course. Thanks for the information guys I appreciate it!

[buttercup132]

If you want to do training skip pet smart, I work there and by the end of even the advance classes the dogs are still pulling like crazy.
Try using a prong accompanied by learning the heel position.
Look up on you tube how to train heel or join a shutzhund forum they'll have good tips.
And if you go with a prong look up how to properly use one (and fit oone before you get one).