[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mayissa:
We crossed a poodle, and though Zorro was pulling (alot - man he is strong now!), he did not growl. I bet they think I am some rough *itch :-))),>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>

Mayissa you sound like you are doing great with Zorro. Being a little bit of a *itch
might be necessary.

IF Zorro still pulls you when passing
animals, people, or growls etc. You might
consider going back to basics.
This will give you a dog that heals
instead of lunging or forging ahead.
(Back to bare basic of training)
If you try this method you must follow this
to a T. I have never had a dog fail with
this type of training only the trainers.

equipment you will need,
which you probably have:

Properly fitted choke chain. measurement
2" longer than your dogs neck measurement.
Size links depends on the size of your dog.
You should never have to use a EXL 4mm link. (even when GSD is full grown).
6' leather leash with swivel snap.
15' lung line.

Lesson 1 is the foundation for basic obedience.
(getting your dogs attention)

Rules:
Confine dog for 1/2 hour in a small
area before each training session. (a crate works great if you have one.) (leave the dog alone).
Do one 30 minute or two 20 minute training
sessions per day 6 days per week.
(NO VERBAL commands, DON'T tug on the line. Just walk.
If your dog comes to your side give him a scratch behind the ear for Praise. (NO VERBAL praise)

Days 1,2,3: Dog will be allowed 15' of freedom for the first 3 days on the lunge line.
lesson for day 1-3.
1) Confine dog for 1/2 hour.
2) attach lunge line to begin lesson after
confining dog.
3) Walk from one side of an area, than back
to the other end. (approx. 50 feet)
and than stand still.
Repeat this pattern through-out the session.
4) IF the dog tries to bolt or run beyond
the 15', turn around and take off in the opposit direction. (this will Jerk the dog
and force him to pay attention to you.)
5) If dog refuses to move at all, take off running straight ahead for a few feet,
never picking up the line keeping it loose.
6) At the end of the training session
drop the lunge line to the ground and give a verbal command of "OK"
(Cool Down): Stepping on the lunge line, your dog is now
allowed to movie up to 15' for 5 minutes.
IF the dog tries to bolt pick up the lunge
line and do a few minutes of more work out.
Than repeat dropping the line again for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes of Cool down, return dog to its normal living area.
Since Zorro is already trained, and you
need to work where their are some
distraction, try training in a Park. (not a lot of distraction for the first 3 days.)
DAY 4-5: (add more distraction)
Confine dog for 1/2 hour, than continue with
the same lessons as above making shure to now run in the opposite direction if the dog gets more than 5' ahead instead of the 15'
allowed prior. IF the dog lags than
run straight ahead. (do not gather up line,
always leave slack)
Repeat the 5 minute cool down after each lesson.
Day 6th.
Confine dog, Continue the above pattern,
making a running about turn if the dog lags more than 2' ahead of you or running a
few feet forward if the dog gets 2' behind you.
There is more to the basic training, but
this should get you started in keeping
Zorro from lunging. (If when walking
with your 6' lead and Zorro moves ahead or lags behind use the same method of running the opposit direction or forward. (never keeping the lead tight)
There must be enough slack so you can correct.
The WHY:
By keeping slack on the lung line, it does
not matter how large the dog is or how
small you are. IF the dogs is pulling you
than you loose control for giving a correction.
THe reason for no Verbal commands or tugging in the beginning will force the dog to
look at you for direction. Commands and hand signals would be used later.
The above is just the bare basics of
the Koehler method of Dog training.
Ask your trainer about it.