I need some help. Training Advice?

[Alysser]

I've been holding off posting this, but I've realized today that I can't. I have tried to train Mikey off 2 things I absolutely cannot stand anymore. I hate dreading taking my dog for a walk, it's been like this for awhile now, and it's taken a turn for the worse. I just hate being irritable when I get back from walks, I hate getting mad at him. I would love walking him if he didn't do these two things: Barking and attempting to chase cars, and Pulling on the lead. The pulling is horrendous. I have tried multiple times to train this out of him, and I guess I'm doing it wrong? He has pulled my arm really hard, causing pain, and honestly I know he doesn't mean it but I can't take it. He's a strong dog and it's very frustrating. I have also tried harness and a british training lead..to no avail. What I would do, is make him sit every time and wait for me, hold the leash tightly. He could choke himself and not even care. I just don't get it.

The barking/attempting to chase cars is ridiculous. I have never seen or heard of any dog who does this. It's not only annoying, it's dangerous to his well-being. If he ever got off the leash, he'd go after a car for sure. I really really want to work with him on both these things. I honestly have no idea where to start, especially with the whole chasing cars thing. I've tried distracting him with treats..didn't work either.

I am just asking for advice. I really need to end this. I want to enjoy walking Mikey. Any Advice?

[MonicanHonda]

I just read an awesome book by Turid Rugaas called My Dog Pulls, What Do I Do? Amazing book. Have you looked into clicker training? It's a life saver. There are lots of methods to use...

Here is a blog post by my awesome friend Kim

http://www.dogster.com/dogs/418007/d...ted_dog/361147

Check out Kikopup and tab289 on youtube.

Here are some other things about llw

http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti....htm#behaviors

As to the cars, I'll ask my dog training friends if there is any literature on it...

Also:

Do you walk him on a harness? If not, I would. And to help curb pulling for the moment (isn't going to curb) I would look into the Freedom No Pull harness. It's got the best reviews for a no pull harness, better than the Easy Walk and it is better for short haired dogs because it won't rub the fur off under their legs.

[Alysser]

I have never tried clicker training, I've read stuff on it though, but never tried it. Where do I get the stuff for it? I'm desperate.

As for the harness, well right now I use the British Training Lead. If you don't know what that is, basically just a loop you put around the dogs neck, not attach to a collar and it gets tighter as they pull(sort of like a choker chain without the chain part). He just chokes himself though, he doesn't care. I have a harness, but it hasn't exactly helped at all.

[Katelf]

Hi, Sorry to hear you are struggling. My little dachshund Henry used to try to chase school buses or big trucks (!!!!!). One quick jerk, not cruelly, but definitely an attention getter and a firm "NO!", is what I did. He is very good now about the big vehicles and knows he is not allowed to do that. It might take a few repititions of that. Others may say that was not very kind, I don't know. I am very gentle with my dogs otherwise, this is the only time I've had to be very firm, physically. I was terrified he would somehow get hurt.

As to the pulling, I just stop when they pull. I wait for them to look at me (acknowledge who's got the leash) and then I continue. If they pull, I stop. Sometimes I will start walking the opposite direction. They really get the idea. They have also learned when I say "Wait" they slow down and pay attention. Persistence paid off with them both.

Good luck. I hope this helps.

[luvofallhorses]

You could take him to obdience classes.

[MonicanHonda]

Things that tighten around the neck and jerking have led to neck problems and thyroid problems, that is why I suggest a harness. If he's pulling that hard, he could be doing real damage to his neck area.

For clicker training, check out

http://www.clickertraining.com/

http://www.clickertrain.com/whatis.html

And I would check out kikopup on youtube. She has videos on what clicker training is and how to do it. I've spent hours just typing clicker training in and watching videos.

[MonicanHonda]

About the car, it's just about getting his attention off the car... Building his attention span on you and rewarding it. Build up to being around cars. Get an attention cue (like a kiss noise) and treat it constantly, kiss treat kiss treat, in the house, garage, back yard, build up your distractions. Eventually when you get outside and a car passes, before you see him getting amped up about to go for it, kiss, get attention and treat like crazy until the car passes. It'll take work, but dog training isn't about being lazy. To see results you have to put lots of time in.

I believe even places like Petsmart and Pet Supplies Plus are selling clickers now. All you need are clicker and treats! And a happy voice, love, and a toy if he's toy motivated.

[Taz_Zoee]

I should be the last person to give you advice on this, because I have the same issue with Zoee. Except she barks at any other dogs or sounds of dogs. She pulls too.
At the shelter we sell a harness called Sensible Harness. The leash latches in the front on the dogs chest. When they pull it just turns them around, away from what they are pulling toward.
I have used this with Zoee and it works a little. But I'm just not consistent in working with her. Its all my fault, not hers. She is a good dog. I'm not such a good dog mom.

I also did some training with a person who used to be on here (Giselle). It's an exercise to teach the dog that distractions are a good thing. Only when I did this with Zoee she had too many treats and had an upset tummy that night. Oops.
Anyway, I had her in a sit and everytime she averted her eyes from me I gave her a treat. I would have used the clicker, but she is afraid of it. So I just had a trigger word, for example GOOD. So she looks away...GOOD (immediately) and then a treat to follow. We did this in my front yard, and Sophie had Ivy in her car with her. She took her out and walked around us. Then we stepped it up and went to PetSmart and walked around there.
So for Mikey I guess you would start on a not so busy road and work your way up to a busier street. Or start in your front yard, if you have cars that go by.

Like I said, I can tell people all day things to use to train their dogs. But I can't do it with my own.