Citronella collars - at my wit's end..*update*

[Alysser]

Sowa,
That's exactly why I was so reluctant to use one. To me it's more of a reliance rather than an actual solution to the problem. I wouldn't keep it on him all the time anyway, so I could see it not working well in that respect.

Krista, yeah I am glad this way worked to! I already have to buy hiking gear for him. $70 is ALOT for something that may not work!

I actually took him for a shorter neighborhood walk today and everytime a car came I sat him down and said "NO!". I forgot the waterbottle of course, but I am working on one thing right now. It actually worked pretty well and he wasn't lunging.

[Alysser]

Just in case anyone was interested in an update -

WOW there is so much improvement! I took him out on a four hour hike to a new park. He of course barked at first but the first time you say no to him he stops! He still gets sprayed from time-to-time but I have been bringing this on every walk (including neighborhood walks & hikes) and he's just behaving so well now. He was incredible. He's a changed dog. Toward the middle of the hike, he'd just look at them and whine, but he didn't bark! I just had to say "NO" and he stopped. I am so proud. I will keep bringing it with me of course, but he's just so good now.

He still pulled some Mikey antics -
-tried to bring me a dead mouse/bat...thank you but no thank you Mikey
-accidently peed on my friend. He was peeing on a post and missed, she was sitting right in front of him.
-Almost fell into the water a few times.

Also, some geese came over to us on one of our breaks (probably expecting food) and Mikey is so respectful of them. Of course the wuss may be a little scared but he doesn't bark at all..so I really don't need to worry about *bigger* wildlife.

[Freedom]

Just in case anyone was interested in an update -

YES OF COURSE we are interested! So just using the water squirt bottle worked? WOO HOO!!!!

When you are comfortable, to maintain you need to start treating him with a high value yummy something or other the moment he stops. Just the whining is alright (at least, it would be fine to me, up to you on that) and so you move from negative to positive reinforcement!

Give that puppa a rub all over from me!

[Karen]

Just in case anyone was interested in an update -

WOW there is so much improvement! I took him out on a four hour hike to a new park. He of course barked at first but the first time you say no to him he stops! He still gets sprayed from time-to-time but I have been bringing this on every walk (including neighborhood walks & hikes) and he's just behaving so well now. He was incredible. He's a changed dog. Toward the middle of the hike, he'd just look at them and whine, but he didn't bark! I just had to say "NO" and he stopped. I am so proud. I will keep bringing it with me of course, but he's just so good now.

Excellent! Good to hear training and persistence on your part has worked so well. Keeping reinforcing, and you'll have a good dog for life!

Also, some geese came over to us on one of our breaks (probably expecting food) and Mikey is so respectful of them. Of course the wuss may be a little scared but he doesn't bark at all..so I really don't need to worry about *bigger* wildlife.

Smart dog - geese will not only go on the offensive, but those beaks are powerful and can inflict real pain! Better safe than sore!

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Wow that's awesome news! Way to go Alyssa and Mikey!!

[Sowa]

Glad to hear he is improving so much! Great job with him