My dog i just got does well for the most part but sometimes if he sees another dog or cat or deer he will bark and pull toward them. I have tried staying there, treats methods, etc etc But nothing works so every time I will yank and pull him even to the point of picking up and dragging him by the harness. Even for up to 30 minutes to an hour or more. He wont stop pulling and screaming trying to get to the deer or cat even miles way from them It gets really brutal. He was previously an outside dog with the previous owner and food health wise was not taken good care of. He has scars and worn down teeth. I take good care of him and spoil him but the walks are seriously brutal. How do i know if this has damaged him and what to do? Im thinking a prong or shock collar.
Hi Laaaab, welcome to the forum I'm sorry to hear that walks with your Lab aren't much fun at the moment, but it's never too late to learn new habits! Using physical punishment such as a shock collar, prong collar or yanking/dragging him along won't improve his behavior (as you're already discovering). In fact all of those things will make it worse. Here's an article on our main site about why punishment doesn't work. And we've written specifically about shock collars here. This article is about teaching your Lab to walk on a loose lead using rewards and positive reinforcement - it's a much happier experience And this article is about teaching dogs to overcome reactive behavior, like your dog trying to lunge at other animals. However, given your dogs past, and the amount of difficulty his reactions are causing you, I recommend asking a force-free behaviorist or trainer to meet him in person and help set up a training plan which is specifically tailored to his needs. Finally, please bear in mind that promoting punishment in dog training is against the forum rules, so we'll delete any replies you receive which do so. Good luck, please let us know how you get on!
Thanks sarah you seem so warm and nice and stuff. I was complaining in the original post but Some days like today the dog is completely stunning. He ignored everything and just kept along loose on the harness. It was impressive. was just concerned about the periods where it gets rough as it seems there is nothing i could do when hes fixated on another animal. He would destroy these pitbulls and cats if i let him and probably could get away with it since im the one using a leash. I literally yanked and pulled hard as i can and dragged him an worried there could be damage. Although he seems ok hes tough I have walked large newfoundland, saint bernard, turkish kangal, rhodesian ridgeback and none of them compare to this labs strength. He also has high bite power.
Hi there Your last sentence has me worried. Does your dog wear a muzzle when he is out? Maybe that would give you the confidence to know if he did break free of you he wouldn’t be able to do any real physical harm(with his teeth anyway) Engaging a behaviourist seems to be the way forward.
Im talking about when he uses toys and poles i can see he has high power and drive. I will take the advice and look into a behaviorist but if you think i am putting a muzzle on my protective dog it simply wont happen. Im the one using a leash following the laws. If a persons dog that is not leashed or coyote or cat tries to attack my dog, then i will let my dog handle it. I wont "declaw" him by using a cruel muzzle. But thanks
There is nothing cruel about using a muzzle if it’s a cage muzzle that allows a dog to pant not the type that clamps the jaw shut. Much better than the shock/ prong collar you were considering in your initial question. Whilst you feel you have the law on your side if your dog is on the lead it would be very distressing for you and the other animal’s owner to have it torn apart in front of you.
Again what you proposed is a cruel option so no i wont use a muzzle but thanks for the advice. I have a good idea of this working stock dogs performance. The dog actially gets better every day and accustomed. The dog is explosive and hunted wild hogs before. Hate to tell you but this dog not getting torn apart. It would be the other animal that would if it attacked or engaged.
Off topic but I notice the dog loves turkey and i add fish and coconut oil to it. And to other foods like vegetables. Is this ok? And what about hemp oil?
