Member K2V2
MemberForum Replies Created
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Thank you for the reply- it’s hard for writing to fully convey how you feel but I’m not even slightly mad at Levi, I am worried that I don’t have an answer as to how to move us forward – I feel like he and I are spinning around in circles. I spent thousands of dollars on the first trainer because he guaranteed to me that it would work – it was horrific. I absolutely don’t have that money to spend again so whatever it is – Levi is stuck with me and all my faults. Its fair to good ~85% of the time, but it doesn’t take alot for that 1% of bad to be dangerous.
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He was ~ 9weeks old here. This was actually way way more serious than I realized at the time. That Elk mare came gradually all the way down the hill to us while he and I were just hanging out on the deck relaxing. I thought she was maybe just curious, which I thought was “cute” – nope, definitely NOT cute. So I am just sitting there watching. Bad Bad Move on my part. She gets right to that close tree directly in front of him and I, and he just sits down, head tilted, trying to figure out what in the world she is. ……And then she tries to full on charge him. No lie. She was trying to stomp on him – except of course that I come flying out of my chair at her and I am immediately between her and Levi. I literally chase her back up the hill, Levi – brave little soul, stays right at my side all the way up the hill, barking. Not Good. In retrospect, this was just like Nat Geo where the wildebeest attack the really young lion Cubs when they find their den. Sheesh. I am such an idiot for letting that happen, I just had no idea. She never got near him, but needless to say – we respect the Elk, but we don’t like them, and they are definitely NOT allowed in the yard. 🤪. This is right up there with me trying to walk him to the mailbox one night, right past some yearling bear Cubs on our driveway and me not understanding why he is suddenly acting so completely squirrel-y. He of course can smell them, and has far far better night vision than I do – so he knows how colossally stupid I am being. I pay WAY MORE attention to his cues now. I might be a little thick, but I can be taught.
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This is great advice- thanks.
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We definitely have lots of distractions 😜
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Thank you (all) for the help. I have read a lot, and (re)watched a number of videos in the last day or two – and I think I have a better idea of how I am going wrong. First, after reading more – I definitely don’t think the gentle leader is for us, Levi is a big dog, and only getting bigger. We also live in a high distraction environment. It is not at all uncommon for us to walk by deer, elk, other dogs etc all on one walk. Additionally we have to walk directly on the street frequently before we can get to any trail which means the cars are going by right next to us. He is about 95% better with the jumping/diving at cars etc but I think it would go very very poorly if he did that to any degree with the gentle leader on. I have to hold him very close for his safety already. Additionally, when we are on trails I can’t control when the deer, rabbits etc go by and sometimes we just can’t help but be excited – after all Dinner is literally running by. So, I definitely think we need more training, and less expectations just walking. He walks just fine in a empty parking lot, that’s just not where we are 90%+ of the time. I also realize that I don’t address the pulling until he is already doing it. I watched a video Robert did yesterday about consistently turning before the leash is tight and I definitely need to work on that. Thank you all again for the help, we will work on this for the next month and see how it goes.
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Thanks. I will look into it –