Member Questions 1-11-23

Charlotte Z

Robert, My question is preventative, as I want to know what to do before something happens. How would you handle off leash dogs in public spaces? I’m currently training my 6 month old Australian Shepherd and helping to train my parents Australian Shepherd puppy. I have not run into off leash dogs YET, but I know I will. My puppy is much more reactive than my parents. How should I address and or handle my dog, as well as the off leash dog. Also, how do I handle aggressive off leash dogs?

Alyssa

Hi Robert 

I have a 3yr BC/GSD and I just rescued a 7m BC. My older dog is super sweet and gentle and loves the new pup. The new pup is not so fond. I have them separated in pens, but in the same room and I alternate sitting with each pup and rewarding calm behavior between the two. The new pup is growling a lot and baring her teeth, which I expected. My question is how I should go about correcting the growling, if I should correct it and at what point I should intervene. I know some of this is normal and so I want my interference to be beneficial and to help set them up for a good bond. Thanks

Suzy

I have a 10 month old male GSD, Niko. An amazing dog, with a great disposition. Clues in on what I want from him quickly. Not reactive on leash, off leash his recall is brilliant and I can pull him out of any situation with one command. A lot of that is credit to you. I use treats to shape his behavior. I have friends with dogs. We hang out sometimes. Newer dogs to our group catch on that I have treats in my bag and start to sniff me he pushes them away. How can I reassure him that his treat bag resource is safe from the interlopers before it gets too far?

Ilana

so the thing is i teached my dog to do stuf but now i must pay a treat for her to do it, if i want her to sit stay or whatever she looks at my hands for a treat or toy, if i dont have any she is like i wont listen and i dont want to be to harsh because she is a shy dog can get scared easy so i want to take treats away and some times toys that she focus on me and then when i want play with her

Alison K

Over holiday visit, my sister and bil brought their newly adopted intact Rhodesian Ridgeback to meet all his dog cousins, including my GSD. They refused to crate or safely confine the dog as requested prior to visit.  Instead, my bil spent the entire visit slouched over the couch as the pup pulled the leash, attached to choke chain. As his frustration grew, he began punching the dog in face with full force and closed fist. My requests to try other methods, even to contact you, weren’t well received. My sister tried to excuse his rage due to having a 14 hour drive ahead. I am certain my bil is alcoholic, after 10 a.m. drinking binges. (This may be where you need to punt, but I wanted to run it past you just in case you have any ideas within my ability to protect this dog and not lose my sister. Apologies if text is broken; I can’t proofread what I’ve written. Email if necessary. Many Thanks, Howling Waters. Is the infliction of blows to the face an acceptable way to control an excited dog? My requests to refrain were not well-received.

Leslie L

We have recently adopted a 2 year old pit/gsd/rott mix that we discovered is highly reactive to other dogs. We are trying to work him just under the threshold on a slip lead long line when possible. My question is how often should we do exposure to his triggers and if done often does it lead to what some trainers call trigger stacking, which supposedly leads to increased cortisol levels making the situation worse. Should we do this type of training in moderation or more often? Of course this is in addition to obedience work as well. Thanks and loving the membership!

Sheila

Reno just turned one year and is an intact, male Toller. He as always been a watchful dog, but has generally been neutral to events, people and dogs which do not come near him. He shows no signs of any aggression to anyone or anything. Within the last month he’s triggered by the doorbell, deliveries and us coming in and out of the house. It doesn’t matter if he’s in his crate, ex-pen or free with one or both of us near him. He just starts barking, running around and generally going nuts. Not sure why this is happening now, but need help in solving it before it becomes a bad habit.

Kelly L

Hi Robert, I have a 4mo male malinois. I am assuming that he has separation anxiety. The issue is when I put him outside to get some play time with my Jack Russell. He jumps on the sliding door continuously, trying to get back inside. I haven’t been able to make a correction because he is on the other side of the door. What is your advice on this issue?

 Cari B

My dog pulls forward on walks and wants to take off and run. I watched your leash walking video and we are able to practice that in a smaller area as a drill, but on walks itself I find it difficult to implement since he pulls forward more often than to the side or wandering off. How do I address pulling forward on a walk?

MATTEO

WE HAVE A FEMALE MAL 2 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS. WE GOT HER FROM SAVE SOME SOULS 1 YEAR AGO. EVEN IF WE LIVE DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN, SHE WALKS AT LEAST 2 HOURS EVERY DAY, PLUS SHE PLAYS FETCHING FOR AT LEAST 1 HOUR EVERY DAY. WEEKENDS WE SPEND TIME ON THE BEACH FOR 3 HOURS ON SATURDAY AND ON SUNDAY WE USUALLY GO HIKING FOR 3 HOURS. SHE IS ALSO DOING A HERDING/TENDING SCHOOL EVERY SUNDAY FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS IN A FARM IN PA. SHE IS DEVELOPING RECENTLY HIGH ANXIETY, SHAKING DURING LATE NIGHT WALKS. SHE IS GETTING UP EARLY STARTING FROM 5 AM AND TRYING TO WAKE ME AND MY WIFE UP WITH SOME WHINING. THANKS

Nicole P

Hi. Thank you for your website. It is helping me immensely with my first GSD. He is now 4.5 months old. When walking on a leash without distractions we are doing great but he starts barking and pulling whenever he sees another dog. How is bets to deal with this? Is there a specific video that addresses this? Thanks for everything!

Genevieve

Could you explain why it is a sin to make a dog « sit » then « down »?

Melissa M

Hi R& J, Happy new year. Anubis, now 11 mths (malinois x malamute), has been coming on in leaps and bounds thanks to your guidance. We have our first scent work workshop next weekend and one thing that keeps coming into my mind is related to bloat. Is there a guidance time of when to feed working dogs before going to work, ours is likely to be in wilderness so I’m planning to do more camping this year with him too, which will build to multi-days and miles of walking each day (once built up stamina, strength etc). been camping overnight before, do you have any extra advice?

Vanessa

I have 2 malinois German Shepard mix, 7 months old. having a hard time potty training. They boy does very well no issues. On the other hand the girl goes potty in her crate almost daily. Through the night i let her have more potty breaks but holding it doesn’t seem to be the issue. Seems like she almost prefers to go in her crate! She has ample amounts of opertunity to go outside befor i ever leave her in the crate. Anytime i run an errand i come home to a soiled crate (even 20 minutes). She is very skidish, however we have never punished her for accidents. Idk what to do differently.

Brian S

I’ve been working with my 2 y/o Dobie to improve her fear based reactivity around other dogs. She was from a rescue agency and we’ve had her for 8 months. There are some nice dogs or her to work with and I have a technique down. She sees the other dog, barks, and I walk the other direction saying “Let’s go”. Then walk back to my original location while I try to keep her attention. We repeat this several times and cut the distance until she’s calm. Then they meet each other and play for a bit. Should I expect to do this many times with gradual improvement over time?

Ann S

I lost my father a few days after Christmas, now I l feel lost and weak and crushed and my pack KNOWS . Some show sweet cooperative sympathy and others are down right opportunist . How do I get through this without my dogs thinking I’m just a basket case that can’t lead them ? FYI. My dad gave 21 years of his life in the army for his country . He was 87 when he passed . I had my 3 rd birthday in Germany. I need help ….

Halmar S

Hi Robert, 

I have a 3-month-old malinois, lately when I’m eating or have food on my hand the she starts barking, I ignore her although sometimes I have been inconsistent sometimes I say no and try to redirect her to something else, every time she’s becoming more constant, I’d like to know which is the best way to correct this behavior.

Elizabeth

5 month old Mal relentlessly bites and tugs on leash like he’s playing a VERY aggressive game of tug, unwilling to let go. Has been happening for weeks. Doesn’t respond to any commands when this happens. Have tried changing direction, asking him to sit, out, down, etc. but rarely works. On few occasions he’s grabbed my hand/arm if I try removing it. He does not do this w/ my fiancé, just me. I spend the most time w/ him as my fiancé works long hours out of the house and I work from home. I’m worried what will happen as he gets bigger, I’m 5’0 tall and he’s getting strong. How can I fix this?

Aidan S

Hi Robert, So my 3 year old Pointador is great on the long line, listen to commands and if he doesn’t he always listens after a correction. My question really is that when I have taken the long line off him he tends to go much further and listens less.. I want to allow him more freedom but wonder if it might be worth moving to an e-collar so that when he’s further away I can still correct him? Is there usually a certain time in training that you would consider using an e-collar? 

Thank you I’m advance! Your videos have helped me so much.

Mickey B

Hi Robert, 

Hope you are well. My Malinois(Max) injures his knee cruciate ligament every now and then, but not the same leg every time. It seems to occur sometimes after catching frisbee. Besides not doing any extreme movements like catching frisbee anymore, is there any precautions we can apply(supplements, food, behavior, exercise, treatment etc.) to prevent this from happening again? 

Max is 2 years and 8 months, super healthy(eats Mera food), goes for 5km runs almost every day, warms up before we train(Obedience) and play ball, frisbee. 

Amelia B

Hi Robert, I found you on YouTube and am so impressed by your honesty, as well as your expertise. My daughter has a pit bull (adopted rescue) and her husband has an aggressive pit bull. Neither one of whom know how to handle their pits, so I’m stepping up to the plate because someone has to. The aggressive pit has been raised since a puppy, but from what I’ve observed has had no training. He unfortunately has bitten three family members, one of who had to have over 65 stitches. He has also growled twice at my grandson who is only 15 months old. Is it possible for me to train this dog?

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