I have a few questions that need answered below!!
1) How can I stop him pulling when on walks?
My arm really hurts when he pulls on the lead. I have tried turning around for a few paces then turning back while saying heel but nothing seems to work!2) How can I stop him chewing on my stuff?
I have heard that dogs chew because they are bored or depressed. He has lots of toys and always seems happy and bouncing about but yet he still steels my stuff and chews it to shreds!3) Can i stop him biting so hard when playing?
I play with him alot and I don't mind him biting softly but sometimes it gets a bit hard!!Thanks you in advance!!! <3 xXx
A Guide to Basic Dog Training Principles
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"1) How can I stop him pulling when on walks?"
- If he's pulling, then do not walk forward. It's as simple as that. Every step you take while he's pulling is reinforcing the behavior and teaches him that all he needs to do to get what he wants (which is to walk forward) is to pull. You have to teach him that pulling literally gets him nowhere and that if he ever wants to keep walking, he cannot be pulling.
The moment the leash becomes taut (because he is pulling), stop dead in your tracks. Plant your feet on the ground, say nothing and just stand there. The second that the leash goes slack, even just a tiny bit and even just for a moment, resume walking. He'll probably go right back to pulling, so when he does, you stop again. Yes, the first several times you try to walk him like this, it'll probably take FOREVER just to gain any distance at all! You need to be patient and consistent and he'll eventually catch on.
Alternatively, you can immediately turn and walk in the opposite direction every single time he pulls. Try to stick with one method, though, for the sake of consistency.
Make a point of rewarding him every time he's doing what you want. Reward him handsomely with praise, petting, walking forward and delicious treats (like chicken, hot dogs or cheese) if he's by your side or if the leash is slack.
For more info about teaching him to walk well on the leash, I recommend that you read the booklet "My Dog Pulls, What Do I Do?" by Turid Rugaas.
"My arm really hurts when he pulls on the lead."
- If holding the leash is very difficult for you when he pulls, try using an Easy Walk Harness. It's a body harness, but the leash clips onto the chest strap instead of onto the back. (Do not use a body harness that fastens on the dog's back! That enables pulling.) Here's the Easy Walk Harness:
http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-collars-…
You could also use a Gentle Leader head harness, but DO NOT try to let it take the place of training him to walk well on the leash! Also, please make sure that you introduce it to him properly, for which I recommend watching the video entitled "Conditioning an Emotional Response:"
http://abrionline.org/videos.php
"I have tried turning around for a few paces then turning back while saying heel but nothing seems to work!"
- First of all, you need to be ruthlessly consistent or he'll never learn. You can't just try it a few times and expect it to work; you need to be patient and keep doing it! Secondly, you need to be aware that before the behavior gets better, it's probably going to get worse, and you can't give in during that period. It's called the "extinction burst," and you can find a handy explanation of what that is here:
http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm
"2) How can I stop him chewing on my stuff?"
- Try teaching him self control and the "leave it" command:
http://www.mastiffonlinecommunity.net/vi…
Encourage him to chew on his own toys, and keep your stuff out of his reach.
"He has lots of toys and always seems happy and bouncing about but yet he still steels my stuff and chews it to shreds!"
- Dogs can get quite bored of their toys, so rotate them to keep them more interesting and fresh. You should also give him some fun things to chew on like Nylabones and stuffed Kongs, and stuff he can shred like cardboard (like paper towel rolls, cereal boxes, etc.).
You say he's "happy and bouncing" which, although an obvious indication that he isn't depressed, shows that he has plenty of energy. Energetic dogs often manifest their excess energy through destructive chewing, so make sure you REALLY exercise him every day. That includes both physical stimulation (running, jogging, walking, playing, etc.) and mental stimulation (training and puzzle toys).
Keep all of your stuff *firmly* out of his access so that he can't steal it.
"3) Can i stop him biting so hard when playing?"
- Read these two articles:
http://dogstardaily.com/training/puppy-b…
http://dogstardaily.com/training/teachin…
It sounds like you never taught him proper bite inhibition. When he uses too much pressure, you need to yelp "OUCH!" loudly and shrilly the second that the pressure becomes too much. Instantly end the game and stalk out of the room; keep yourself removed from him for at least several minutes. Then return calmly and acknowledge normally, but do not resume the game for at least an hour or so. You want to teach him that when he bites too roughly, all the fun and games end, so he will learn to inhibit the force of his bite.
Career in Dog Training
- http://www.caninecrib.com/dog/training/a… try reading this
- I have a 120 pound alaskan malamute who had the same problems. He will be two in august.
1.) Get a halti (head collar) and use it for walks. It gives you a lot of control and he won't like it a first but will get use to it in time if you introduce it to him the right way. I still use it to this day for my malamute and he doesn't mind it a bit, he gets excited when I get it out! If he pulls it will tighten up a little bit around his muzzle (it will not hurt him but it is very uncomfortable)
2.) My dog did this too, all you can do is correct him if you CATCH him in the act. Not after. After a while he will learn what is his and what is yours. But they can never be 100% tursted, my mal still chews things if I leave the room for even 5 minutes! In time you husky will learn.
3.)I restle with mine and he growls and jumps but it is all playful. But at times he will bite (and bite hard) what I do is loudly and sharply tell him NO!!! And stop playing for a while. Then play again and keep doing that until he learns that if he bites you, you wont play with him anymore. This has worked great with my mal, now he just puts his mouth on me, I cant feel any teeth!
Hope this helps, good luck - 1- I like your approach, but have you tried turning in the other direction as soon as your dog passes you? Don't wait for the leash to tighten before you turn, Try to keep your leash as loose as you can, it takes two to pull. Never mind your destination until you are the leader. With some dogs you might not get 3 houses away from your house for a few days. When your dog is by your side praise him and stroke his neck, let him know you are pleased and that he is where he is supposed to be.
Oh yeah try walking real slow. Too often people try to keep up to thier dog, let your dog slow down instead.
2- Rather than correct the dog for behaviour that he's already done. Correct the object he chewed. If you find a chewed shoe, then go ballistic on the shoe. Yell at it, beat it up, give it a smack. Remember you are angry only at the shoe and not the dog. Make sure your dog sees your rage, then calm down and give your dog his proper chew toy.
3- Don't let him bite people, even you. It's setting your dog up for a future mistake. Like telling a kid it's okay to steal candybars but not cars. How will he know it's not okay to bite the neighbour's kid? Even if it's only a scratch that kid might be traumatized or if they go to the doctor to get checked out for infection your dog will get quarrantined. Do yourself and your dog a huge favour and teach him a bite inhibition.
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