Brennan's Trip to the Pet Store - Need Some Advice

[Freedom]

I suggest you take group obedience classes with Brennan. You can find a place near you using this:
http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx

You want a place that teaches positive reinforcement training.

[Karen]

Yes, distract and refocus on you, even if it make you feel silly. And I agree, bribes with a bit of treat or a toy (if he likes tug ropes those are easy to stick in a pocket for outings, and less likely to get lost than a tennis ball) may help. He's still young, so he's a work in progress! (Which you can tell anyone who stares ..)

[dab_20]

What Sowa suggested is a great way to start. Get his to focus attention on you by a command such as "look" or his name, and treat. I wouldn't start out at an adoption event. Group classes are great for this situation. If you can't afford that, just start out with walks in the neighborhood, that way its dealing with one dog at a time.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I suggest you take group obedience classes with Brennan. You can find a place near you using this:
http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx

You want a place that teaches positive reinforcement training.

I agree. It'd help with socialization and obedience. In addition to looking for a place that uses positive training, I'd look for a place that leash trains with a gentile leader, (way better than a prong collar, in my opinion).

[MonicanHonda]

I would ditch the prong ASAP and switch to a front hook harness, preferably the Freedom harness. Since he is 'reactive' (not in a bad way, but is still reacting) to dogs, pulling on the leash, in turn adding pain to his neck, can eventually make negative associations with the dogs he's trying to get to and he may very well become dog reactive in a bad way. He doesn't necessarily get that the pain is from him pulling, he just knows that dog in view=pain.

The hackle raising is a sign of over stimulation, it doesn't have to mean aggression or fear. It's called pyloerection.

Sounds to me like you have a lot of work that needs to be done on impulse control. Teaching him to control himself around things that make him want to go crazy. If you find a good trainer in your area, they can definitely help you out. I always recommend positive reinforcement/negative punishment trainers. This may require finding his reactive point (where he can still work with you and not react to the dogs) and slowly building from there. (Know that this may be hundreds of feet in the beginning) No one said it would be easy.

I wish you luck!

[Roxyluvsme13]

I'm part of a Pit Bull forum and everyone there uses prong collars, so that's why I've been using one on Brennan. I've been told that harnesses aren't recommended because they make the dog pull more, and gentle leaders also aren't recommended because if the dog is a really bad puller (which Brennan is), then they can cause a lot of neck damage. That's the only reason I went with the prong.

I've been looking into obedience classes, but don't think we'll be able to do one right now. The one I wanted to join was scheduled during one of my evening classes, and as busy as I've been lately, I've just been trying to work with him myself.

Thank you everyone for the tips though, they're very much appreciated.

Brennan was okay at the vets, he didn't get as excited as usual and I was able to distract him with some food.

[MonicanHonda]

I am very good friends with a pit bull group from Cleveland Ohio. If you have facebook, you should join. It's called Pit Bull Zen. It's not just for Cleveland Ohio people. But they promote the breed in a very positive light. We do walks every week or so and mostly they are all pit bulls. They are walked on front hook harnesses. There is one who is currently being switched from a prong to a front hook. The last time we walked, he escalated because of the prong and the trainers who were there talked to her about it. (Dogs passing by). A harness is actually a better way to walk your dog (if not a front hook, then a regular) because anything around your dogs neck can cause back or neck problems when pulling. A harness isn't a sign for your dog to pull, you still have to teach them not to pull. They do get better leverage with a harness (not a front hook, as when they pull in one of these, their body is turned back towards you)

Here are some things to check out.

http://www.wiggleswagswhiskers.com/n...ll-harness.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgtqgiAKoQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voW2Vkq0u6Q

http://www.pitbulls.org/blog/possibl...-prong-collars

And by the way, prongs are actually used on some working dogs to INCREASE drive. That's not what you want.

[luvofallhorses]

Prongs aren't as bad as people make them out to be. Sometimes strong dogs need them. If used right, they don't hurt the dog. I think you're doing well Bri and the pit bull forum Bri is on is very informative and have been around the breed for a long time. It's a training tool that is sometimes needed! I would suggest training classes to get him to focus on YOU and not other dogs. Remember APBTs are prone to dog aggression so do not let him meet another dog unless you KNOW that dog and it's behavior towards other dogs. When he is with you, he needs to focus on you! So a training class should help with that. Good luck!

[Roxyluvsme13]

Prongs aren't as bad as people make them out to be. Sometimes strong dogs need them. If used right, they don't hurt the dog. I think you're doing well Bri and the pit bull forum Bri is on is very informative and have been around the breed for a long time. It's a training tool that is sometimes needed! I would suggest training classes to get him to focus on YOU and not other dogs. Remember APBTs are prone to dog aggression so do not let him meet another dog unless you KNOW that dog and it's behavior towards other dogs. When he is with you, he needs to focus on you! So a training class should help with that. Good luck!

I was hoping you'd chime in and validate my prong argument, haha.

Oh, I know about the meeting other dogs thing. I immediately redirect him as soon as we see another dog. I haven't had anyone actually try to bring their dog up to meet him yet, but if that happens, then I'll do everything possible to keep them away. He hasn't shown any signs of dog aggression as of right now, but he's only one, so I know it doesn't hit till later.

I'm going to keep looking for a trainer and see how much it costs. I know there's a class right down the road from me that's $15/lesson and you don't have to register or anything.