my 6 month old GSD is the love of our lives - he is so biddable and has a wonderful nature.
when out he is usually good, and we still use a collar and lead, however he weighs half my body weight, and trys to get to other dogs....there is no aggression in him at all - but he is very strong and on one occasion has pulled me into the main road trying to get to a dog on the other side of the road.
We go to obedience training every week, this week he was an absolute pain with pulling because he just wanted to play and run off to see the other dogs.
I use positive reinforcement and carry treats all the time, and normally if he pulls out on walks i just stop...take a step or two backward, until he gets the message, but it all goes to pot when he sees other dogs. This is a recent thing and i want to nip it in the bud.
The trainer suggested going for a one to one session - he used to breed GSD for police and does agility etc with his own GSD who is the most obedient thing ive seen on 4 legs.
now this is the rub.
i had considered getting a long link check chain, but the trainer says they are not ideal because they put constant pressure on the larynx.
he has suggested a sort of pinch collar, that just has one 'link'. He says they give a pinch if the dog pulls into the collar, and they quickly learn not to do it. It solves pulling quickly, humanely and without constant pressure from a collar or check chain.
he will not sell one without an hours training on how to use it properly, which includes when to use it, and how to wean the dog off it. (he uses them as a training aid, not something to use forever) The ones he uses are not spiky and horrible.
he says while they look a brutal they actually are a useful training aid in a dog which pulls IF USED CORRECTLY.....which he would teach.
now im torn. i didnt want to use anything harsh but i cant have the dog pulling me in front of cars....or we will both end up squished.
he does know "no", but nothing can maintain his attention when he sees another dog and wants to play....not food, treats, ball, nothing.
He is not yet fully grown and can take me off my feet. its dangerous and annoying for other dog walkers. I can let him off the lead but he is going through is adolescence and while he used to take notice of me when i gave the recall command he now just sticks two fingers up and goes....
i never scold him on returning and always treat and fuss him, but he also barks at other dogs and i think he looks intimidating because of his breed and his size, in reality he is soft as a brush.
We have recently bought a long line to stop him charging off after other dogs, but we need to get him under control before he becomes a nuisance to others or kills me.
this is not a constant problem and i know its partly his age. in every other way he is perfect, he sits at the road side until told to cross, he knows all the basic commands and is a sweetheart.
is a pinch collar the answer to stop him pulling me about? We have been really successful in his obedience, all taught with positive reinforcement and treats, but this is the one thing that we are starting to lose control over.
should we use the collar for a while if we do the one to one?
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The doghouse
he is mostly obedient and wonderful.....but....
12 replies
ThatVikRinA22 · 11/02/2014 01:55
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