Forum Replies Created

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  • Gene

    Member
    January 24, 2024 at 4:58 PM in reply to: Reactive to Other Dogs

    Agree with what Lynn has posted. I am not aware of another way to approach this issue. It is either the crate or the use of a bark collar. Robert had an issue with Mia when she was younger and he used a bark collar.

  • Gene

    Member
    January 6, 2024 at 6:04 PM in reply to: Recall w/distractions

    I would start by watching the videos in the member’s new lesson section. there are about 6/7 videos of Ellen & Mellow, Debra & Murrow, Karl & Jerome these are in pages 1 through 5.

    The basic premise is the dog/puppy wants to be with the owner. I would have say about a 20/30ft lead. You begin with a couple of treats then walk away when the dog follows and catches up he gets a treat. When he checks out he gets a pop on the leash and when he looks, you trot backwards “Come! Come! Come! when he catches up he gets a treat. In the videos there are no commands given or corrections given. The slight pop on the leash is just to get the dog’s attention. When he steps toward you trot backwards. These videos are all about having a good time and building a relationship with your dog. Your dog is probably more intense than the one’s in the videos but the process is the same. Robert’s and Jan’s dogs are not fixed. Just keep working on it. It probably will take somewhat longer. I have my dog on about a 40/50ft line and I drop it and let him wander about. I know he will not run away. However, on the recall at times I may have to “Come” 3X. I guess he’s “busy”. It took a while to get to this point.

  • Gene

    Member
    January 3, 2024 at 3:34 PM in reply to: Walking 2 dogs at once

    So what I would try is walk with the leashes in each hand close to your chest/stomach and when you feel a slight pull drop the hand down to give the leash some slack and then pop the leash. Another thing I would do, which maybe is a better choice, is work with the dominant dog alone to curb his pulling. When he gets it the other should follow along.

  • Gene

    Member
    January 1, 2024 at 12:52 PM in reply to: Merry Christmas all

    Sending positive vibes! Wishing you the best.

  • Gene

    Member
    November 3, 2023 at 12:57 PM in reply to: New Shorkie Puppy

    1) 15/20ft is plenty for walk around a safe area and training, 6ft when you want the pup closer.

    2) There are a few videos on the “Leave It” Command. Three most important commands for puppies are…Come…Stay…Leave It, these are life savers.

    3) Puppies sleep an average of 14/16hrs a day so he can spend the majority of his time in the crate. Also, they feel safe there and a puppy that is taken out regularly will not pee in his crate unless there is some kind of underlying issue.

    4) Use the crate and lose the diaper.

    5) Both the Goldendoodle and the puppy will require patience. Yes, train them separately.

    Both the Golden and the puppy will require patience. Just follow the videos and have a good time. Don’t expect too much from the older guy at first as this will be a learning experience for him also. Many times people expect an older dog to learn faster and this is not always the case.

    Welcome…WOOF! WOOF!

  • Gene

    Member
    November 1, 2023 at 4:50 PM in reply to: E-Collar questions –

    I didn’t get the idea that you were mad at Levi. I got the idea that you were frustrated with yourself. We have all been frustrated with ourselves and the dogs at times and made mistakes. That is why we are here. By bettering ourselves our dogs have a better life.

    Listening to your commands 85% of the time is pretty darn good. You can work on his recall around the house, backyard, front yard then down the block, then the park. You have to proof him first with no or very little distractions. I will go out at times in the late afternoon when I know there won’t be many people around walking their dogs. He is on a 40/50ft line and I drop it and we meander around the school/park. Occasionally, when told to come he looks at me like “no I’m busy” so he gets corrected. The point being that this was done over an extended period of time. Stay with the site. Lots of good info. Everyone is always learning but many people on this site have been there done that as they say and can help you along the way. RELAX, just cuddle for a few days,

  • Gene

    Member
    October 31, 2023 at 5:48 PM in reply to: E-Collar questions –

    We were just having a conversation about similar issues the other day. I would go back to square one. You want to build a strong relationship with the dog. I would stop formal training for a couple of weeks except for some basics, sit, stay, leave it. You want the dog to follow you. You want the dog to want to be with you as opposed to sniffing around or whatever. You are more interesting than whatever else is around. Use a long line and treats to encourage the dog to follow. There are no corrections with this exercise. It is all about being exciting and having fun.

    When the dog starts to check out just make an abrupt turn and walk the other way. When he follows and catches up, he gets praise and a treat. Checks out again, “Heh” or name, when he looks start and running backwards, “YES! “GOOD BOY!” he will follow, he is having a good time. Lots of praise. When you have to get his attention just one or two light pops to get the dog to look at you.

    I would start with these videos..1) All the Basics 2) How Relationship Affects Behavior 3) Karl-The Beginning 4) Mellow-Puppies First Lesson and work on from there.

  • What you need to do is concentrate on the dogs which are highly adoptable now. The volunteers want to Engage with the dogs. You want the dogs to look at you and follow you. With Engagement you are rebuilding the trust factor in humans that the dogs have lost.

    You don’t have to ask the dog for anything at first. Three items I would say to work on are Sit, Down & Recall. Also Leave It if you have the time. Once you have worked with these dogs for a time you can start with the dogs that are becoming stressed time allowing.

    Shelters have been at capacity or near capacity I’d say since September. There is only a certain amount of time one can spend with the dogs during the day so the dogs with the best chance of finding a home have to be prioritized.

    An example would be a dog that is becoming stressed and needs some one on one time. Should a volunteer go work with a dog with a bite history and doesn’t like kids”. (An exaggeration but an example). The way things are now some dogs that may have had a chance a couple years ago now have to be let go. That’s just the reality of the situation.

  • Gene

    Member
    March 9, 2023 at 5:21 PM in reply to: Snatch and Run

    It sounds as if you are doing well as 9 months in the shelter is a long time. Hand feed him meals as much as possible. This builds a bond and respect. Being mouthy is permitted to an extent as Buster is trying to initiate play/show affection. Correcting him confuses him. Get a thick pair of gardening gloves, when you have had enough it is off to the crate. Have something for him to chew on there. With the children redirect him onto something else.

    For the jumping you can have the child approach and be standing on the leash with some slack, when he jumps he corrects himself as opposed to you correcting him. You want to be careful about correcting him with the children as you do not want to have him start to associate being uncomfortable when the kids are around. He sees the kids as playmates which is ok under your supervision. The dog must know that he is subordinate to the kids. For instance, if you are sitting on the couch with the children, he lays at your feet not on the couch.

    As for snatching, trade a high value treat for what he has. When he drops what he has for the chicken etc remove him. You want to remove Buster from the object not take away the item from him.

    My main goal with shelter/rescue dogs is to continually engage and build a respect and trust. I go easy on the corrections unless they do something really stupid.

  • Gene

    Member
    February 23, 2023 at 5:29 PM in reply to: Soiling the Crate

    I don’t see anything wrong with picking the water up at all as long as it is not extremely hot out. The puppy will probably appreciate it.

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