AboutDelores Beck Expertise Health, nutrition, and training issues.
NOTICE: I NO LONGER RECOMMEND CANIDAE DOG FOOD. DUE TO A CHANGE IN FORMULA AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES, DOGS ARE GETTING SICK ON THIS BRAND.
Question QUESTION: Delores, I contacted you last week about our Cocker biting our legs when we walked.The spray bottle worked like a charm. We haven't even had to re-fill the bottle!I have another one for you.....Do you have some tips on getting him to walk with us instead of constantly pulling and weaving? We are making him stop and sit for a second. Any other tips? And any house breaking tricks?
ANSWER: It usually only takes a few sprays..then they back off if they even see you pick up the bottle.
Now..the walk ! I need to know how trained your pup is? What commands does he know? Has he been to training classes?
You're doing the right thing by stopping dead and making him sit.
Then, keeping him on a VERY short leash..you say "let's go"..he'll pull again. Say NO. Do a leash correction by stopping and gently but firmly pull the leash straight "up"..this puts him in sit position. Then "let's go" - do that 104 times :) Seriously, it takes patience.
Try it in the house first with less excitement & distractions.
When training/teaching never raise your voice - never get mad - just perservere calmly. By doing it over and over you're wearing down their resistance until it's kind of "Oh allright already".
And do take him places on walks where he can run around..intersperse freedom with training.
My own two know they walk beside me until I say "okay". Then they can have the full extension lead. I live downtown so it's key they behave on busy streets.
And, of course, they always behave perfectly. Yeah, right ! :)
Delores
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QUESTION: We work with him every day on commands like sit,stay,shake(just us, not formal). He will sit and stay at open doors to be told to enter. He retrieves as long as he wants to:)We'll continue with what you said on the walking. Just get him housetrained and we'll be just fine:)
Answer Talk to me about the housebreaking problem. When - where - how often and how are you teaching him?
You may need to back up and start from square one. That means you "take" him out - not put him out - wait till you see he's about to go and THAT is when you give your command. "Go potty" or whatever.
When he does go - huge praise and a treat.
Repeat every 2-3 hours. It doesn't take long for them to associate the command-action-reward. Stay on it 24/7 and he'll get it within a week.
But..if he's urinating too much I'd take a first-morning urine sample in to the vet. A urinary tract infection is a common thing and can make housebreaking a trauma.
And you sound like you're working really well with him. This is a good boy if he'll wait for an "enter" command. That's a hard one.
I'm impressed :)
Delores
