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My 40lb dog is almost one and still gets very excited if he sees something he wants to play with, whether it be a squirrel, person, or other dog. I have to do my best to stand my ground while he tries to get away from me.
I want this behavior to stop. It's just plain embarrassing and he just needs to remain calm in those situations.
There are a lot of really good techniques out there. Teaching the 'whoa' command is a biggie for us. (We have two German Shorthaired Pointers and they are hunting / companion dogs).
'Whoa' was about #4 on our list of commands to train and it's important for our field dogs with high prey drives. If they're in search/hunt mode looking for pheasants or grouse and they see a porcupine or rattler (for example) I need to "WHOA!!" and have them stop like RIGHT NOW. It also works great when I have them leashed up at training events and they get revved up seeing other dogs working. If they get too excited and start pulling or getting out of line a sharp "WHOA!" followed by "Heel" then a "Sit" command tends to get them back in line.
We do collar condition our dogs, so the training comes on pretty quickly. If they don't listen to a command usually just a tone on the collar works.
But starting out (whether collar conditioned or not), ALWAYS use treats or some positive reinforcements when they do what you have asked them to do. Eventually they will figure out that listening to you will get them a positive reaction. (And collar conditioning will reinforce that as well).
Like I said- lot's of techniques to get there, but the 'WHOA' command is a very important one and often overlooked.
Basically, a walk is a reward.
Tugging or being over-excited is bad.
The good thing you want is calmness.
So do not reward the bad thing. Reward the good thing only.
Makes sense, right? Now to put it into practice.
When they do the bad thing, have them sit or stand or lay. Pick one and be consistent. Always be consistent. When they obey, wait for the good thing that you want : calmness. When they display the good thing you want, reward time!
Dog does bad thing: jump, excited!
You tell dog to sit/stand/lay.
Dog does so. Still excited.
You wait.
Dog becomes calm.
You reward with walk time, now.
Be careful not to praise him in such a way that it gets him too worked up and back into an over-excited mode. A relaxing methodical chest petting is just as enjoyable as over-exuberant praises. The first times you do this, your dog may take a while to figure it out. Perhaps a good long while. Wait and be patient. Eventually they will get it, but the first times are always the hardest.
Basically, a walk is a reward.
Tugging or being over-excited is bad.
The good thing you want is calmness.
So do not reward the bad thing. Reward the good thing only.
Makes sense, right? Now to put it into practice.
When they do the bad thing, have them sit or stand or lay. Pick one and be consistent. Always be consistent. When they obey, wait for the good thing that you want : calmness. When they display the good thing you want, reward time!
Dog does bad thing: jump, excited!
You tell dog to sit/stand/lay.
Dog does so. Still excited.
You wait.
Dog becomes calm.
You reward with walk time, now.
Be careful not to praise him in such a way that it gets him too worked up and back into an over-excited mode. A relaxing methodical chest petting is just as enjoyable as over-exuberant praises. The first times you do this, your dog may take a while to figure it out. Perhaps a good long while. Wait and be patient. Eventually they will get it, but the first times are always the hardest.
I'd like to add to this that you can also stop and turn and go the other way, away from whatever is getting the dog worked up, then go back the other way once the dog has calmed down. If they get worked up again, immediately turn around and go the opposite way.
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Yes, a good harness should work. Obedience school should be a priority though; you "both" get trained by professionals and you will enjoy being outdoors or in public with a well trained dog. After proper training to behave on and off leash, you may only need the collar and leash. Professional trainers use a choke chain collar. The word "choke" is really a misnomer, it does not choke your dog. It's purpose is to get the dogs attention and is more comfy for the dog than a stiff pet shop collar especially on a larger dog.
Dogs love to please their master and they learn to socialize with other dogs. Very nice to have a well trained dog, you will get lots of compliments on his behavior.
Yes, a good harness should work. Obedience school should be a priority though; you "both" get trained by professionals and you will enjoy being outdoors or in public with a well trained dog.
Dogs love to please their master and they learn to socialize with other dogs. Very nice to have a well trained dog, you will get lots of compliments on his behavior.
Oh yes I definitely want to do obedience school. When I first got him, I did it at Petco and regret it majorly because it wasn't a great program at all. But I have been browsing schools. I so want to take him on walks downtown and on the beach but can't with his pulling.
Oh yes I definitely want to do obedience school. When I first got him, I did it at Petco and regret it majorly because it wasn't a great program at all. But I have been browsing schools. I so want to take him on walks downtown and on the beach but can't with his pulling.
You may want to check with your local chapter of the AKC for recommendations in your town/city for training clubs or private trainers. A well trained dog is a beautiful animal. I went to obedience school with one of my Boxers (years ago) three times before finally getting his certificate! Some can be very headstrong, he just wanted to play with everyone and the instructor said he should have put my name on the certificate. It was the best thing I ever did.
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and the instructor said he should have put my name on the certificate. It was the best thing I ever did.
