I have a 3 yr old pit bull hound mix whole is very well behaved except when he sees another dog. when we are out walking he freaks out constantly cause he sees other people w dogs. he behaves when he plays with other dogs. he doesn't get aggressive just overly excited. any tips?? any help is appreciated cause i love walking him!
Recommended Answer:
Using a halti collar on a pit bull is like having a bass on a fishing line...they can just flop around.
Haltis are OK on non-aggressive breeds. But on a dog that lunges, or jumps when he sees other dogs they do nothing to change the behaviour (as you and your dog demonstrate). They allow dogs to build frustration and can actually increase the aggressive nature (in some dogs) because the dog can work itself into a frenzy.
I`m not sure where you live, but where I am (Canada), people are not very forgiving if a dog jumps on them- particularly when it comes to your chosen breed. Yes, I understand he jumps at other dogs - but I presume those other dogs have handlers at the end of their leads.
I have 3 large dogs - and use prong collars (they are not spiked as another poster suggested). They are very humane and used properly will prevent your dog from lunging and jumping. They do not penetrate the skin.
Like any tool, they must be used humanely which means, don`t correct without communicating and don`t over correct. In other words, show the dog what you want by communicating what is OK . Example: a dog approaches. Your dog begins to lunge and jump. You say ``Fido, leave it...`. If he ignores you, you correct him once.
When he stops jumping, immediately praise him...`good leave it`.
As others have suggested, get connected to a trainer - the best option would be a trainer who does group classes, has experience with your breed, and can teach you and your dog in a controlled environment how to behave.
Read More...
Aggressive Dog Training: 6 Tips to Civilize Your Dog
Recommended Answer:
Using a halti collar on a pit bull is like having a bass on a fishing line...they can just flop around.
Haltis are OK on non-aggressive breeds. But on a dog that lunges, or jumps when he sees other dogs they do nothing to change the behaviour (as you and your dog demonstrate). They allow dogs to build frustration and can actually increase the aggressive nature (in some dogs) because the dog can work itself into a frenzy.
I`m not sure where you live, but where I am (Canada), people are not very forgiving if a dog jumps on them- particularly when it comes to your chosen breed. Yes, I understand he jumps at other dogs - but I presume those other dogs have handlers at the end of their leads.
I have 3 large dogs - and use prong collars (they are not spiked as another poster suggested). They are very humane and used properly will prevent your dog from lunging and jumping. They do not penetrate the skin.
Like any tool, they must be used humanely which means, don`t correct without communicating and don`t over correct. In other words, show the dog what you want by communicating what is OK . Example: a dog approaches. Your dog begins to lunge and jump. You say ``Fido, leave it...`. If he ignores you, you correct him once.
When he stops jumping, immediately praise him...`good leave it`.
As others have suggested, get connected to a trainer - the best option would be a trainer who does group classes, has experience with your breed, and can teach you and your dog in a controlled environment how to behave.
Using the Right Dog Training Treats
- I believe this is a typical aggression issue, actually. Pit bulls tend to get very over excited and aggressive, it's the way their nature is. However, you can always address this behavior, even if it's an adult dog. As with many other issues, one of the most effective techniques when it comes to dog aggression is prevention. However, in this case, you may want to establish yourself as a leader (a positive leader, that is), continue doing power walks, teach him to ignore his surroundings and do not respond to his violence with more violence or fear, but rather a firm corrective action.
- When he starts freaking out turn the other direction and walk quickly away. When he catches up to you, praise him. Doing this quickly will give him a good correction as to his bad behavior. He needs to learn that he needs to keep his attention on you and not worry about the other dogs and people while you are walking. Taking him through a good dog training class will help a lot with this behavior issue.
- Your dog needs to be socialized properly with other dogs. That CAN POSSIBLY be an issue if he looks like a pitbull because that scares other owners (for no cause, in my book - I've never yet met a "pit" that I didn't get along well with). I do agree with what everyone else has said about distracting him and turning him about but I would go one step further. Take him to an obedience training class. It's one thing for the dog to obey you and be able to "sit", "stay" etc. on command but he also has to be able to do it with the distractions of other dogs around him. One good 8 week session won't cost an arm and a leg but it can provide a lifetime of joy for you both. Before you sign up for any class, explain to the instructor what you want to accomplish. Then you both have a clear understanding and you won't "waste" money on a session that isn't going to address your needs.
Good luck...have fun....enjoy your dog!!! - Well, your problem is simple enough. Your dog is just telling you that when he sees the other dog that he wants to go to that dog and meet him. Have you practiced meeting other dogs yet? I think you want him not to want to meet the other dog. This is fine to. When he see the other dog, you need to make a correction when he starts acting up. Just a quick jab in his side to refocus his brain. don't hurt him but strong enough so that he stops focusing on the other dog and start thinking ..."hey, what do YOU want". Since he's a hound, and sees with his nose, have a piece of hot dog in yoru pocket and right after the job, have him sit and put the tiny piece of hot dog in front of his nose. don't give it to him or he'll just eat it then focus again on the other dog. Start leading him with the hot dog away and then when you are moving in the opposite direction from that other dog, give himt he treat and say good dog. You just need to refocus his brain. Now youhave to do this consistently, so always be ready to practice this on your walks.
- this excitement is due to lack of socialization with other dogs growing up. they get so excirted because they rarely get to interact with dogs. it's good that he isn't aggressive, but just wants a buddy to play with! try going to local dog parks where he can socialize with other dogs, then after a while, he should get used to seeing other dogs.
- One of my pit bulls does the same thing. My vet suggested I get him a spiked choker, but I thought that was cruel. So every time we'd see a dog walking on the other side of the street, I'd tug at his unspiked choker and tell him no in a firm voice or say nuh uh and after a week he calmed down and didn't pay ant more attention. Hope it helps!
- when he goes crazy just turn away and start walking away then when he is calm start walking towards the dog if he goes over excited again then repeat....
- Like most new dog owners, when I adopted my first puppy, I wanted to learn how to train a dog so that I could become the proud owner of a well trained and obedient companion.
When I first started reading up on dog training tips, I learned early on how important good dog behavior is for successful dog obedience training: it makes or breaks relationships between us and our canine buddies. I quickly realized that understanding dog behavior was crucial to learning how to train a dog successfully.
I hope you find the dog training tips I share with you in this site enjoyable and effective for both you and your dog. Training dogs is simple and logical – but as you learn how to train a dog, just remember you are training a wolf in disguise, not a quasi-human.
There are a few easy rules about how to train a dog and dog obedience training: keep it short, keep it simple, keep it fun – for both of you. Your attitude and freshness during training is as important as your dog's. If you're not in the mood, forget it – postpone until you are. Your objective is to reinforce the social relationship your dog should have with you. You are leader of the pack and your dog is an obedient follower.
The dog evolved from the wolf and has lived with humans for over 10,000 years. By 6,000 years ago, dogs had been bred with the looks, sizes, and abilities we still see today.
In all regions of the northern hemisphere, people formed constructive relationships with dogs, and generations of selective breeding resulted in dogs becoming specialized in their abilities to work for and with humans.
By the end of the 19th century, over 400 breeds of dogs were recognized by kennel clubs around the world. Virtually all of these breeds exist today, but the dog's role is still evolving. Today, most dogs are bred for companionship, and this can create problems.
For thousands of years, dogs were asked to use their mental and physical abilities. Modern dogs may be healthier and protected from danger in our luxurious homes, but many lead boring lives, and this can lead to behavioral problems.
Rescue-centre statistics show that the dogs most likely to be “given up” are under two years old with behavioral problems – problems that could easily have been avoided with some simple dog obedience training. In some parts of the world the most common cause of death in dogs under two years old is euthanasia because of such problems.
All this is avoidable. Learning how to train a dog is simple as long as you understand and enjoy what you are doing. In a complicated world it's wonderful to have the uncomplicated companionship of a well-trained dog. With the dog training tips on this site, that is yours for the taking.
Your Dog's Mind
Dogs share a range of needs, feelings, and emotions -with people. They are sociable and thrive on companionship, with their own kind and with us. They enjoy mental and physical exercise. They respond to rewards and develop bad habits when bored. They are always learning, not just when they are being schooled.
However, dogs are not people in disguise. Each dog has its own personality, intelligence, tolerance, and susceptibility to dog obedience training. Despite centuries of selective breeding, your dog still thinks like its wolf ancestors, and learning how to train a dog successfully means you need to remember this. Your dog is a pack animal wanting to know its place in the pack and respond to the pack leader's commands.
In your dog's mind you and your family are pack leaders. You make decisions and your dog complies. Understand how your dog thinks, follow these dog training tips, and learning how to train your dog will be enjoyable for both of you.