Puppy training - Help!

Re: Puppy training - Help!

supamog — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:31:53 GMT

Thanks for all the pointers and advice. As previously said he will probably grow out of things very quickly as he seems to have quite a slim head at the moment. Much to my amazement and cant think why, he has suddenly got much better at walking to heel but will I still look into these things. Thanks again

Re: Puppy training - Help!

Emma Bartlett — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:38:23 GMT

http://www.xtradog.com/shop/tellington-ttouch-equipment/fleece-dog-harnesses-1.html

I use these fleece balance harnesses for my dogs although i have got one of the ttouch harnesses for my male rottie as i like the fit better on him for training classes and it has more options for contact points.

http://www.tilleyfarmshop.com/acatalog/TTouch_Harnesses_and_Leads.html

Unfortunately he probably will grow out of the fleece harness as the neck is one size but you can adust the body but the ttouch one does adjust at various points so a medium one may be better at this stage. If you call up they may be able to give you the sizes it will fit

Re: Puppy training - Help!

supamog — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:08:10 GMT

Gee ta - I like the sound of those. I am actually worried that he will do his neck no good with the pulling, halti or not. Where would i get one from? He is still quite small and i was thinking if i got one now would he soon grow out of it? Thanks for the info.

Re: Puppy training - Help!

Emma Bartlett — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:42:52 GMT

I keep going on about this but TTouch is good for excitable dogs, my friend has a crazy BC and he responds really well to the touches which you can do before and during the excitement, also bodywraps can be used.....all very easy and simple to do and can be a lifesaver! Sarah Fishers books are a good start but if you can find a practitioner nearby a consult is well worth it. They also do client days at Tilley Farm the HQ a couple of times a year for a £10 donation to the local Greyhound rescue and you get one to one training with your dog.

I went to the last client day with my Boston x Shih Tzu and he pulls like a train.....i now use one of the ttouch balance harnessess so you have 2 points of contact which really helps and together with groundwork which helps improve coordiation and focus he is a million times better.

I used dogmatic headcollars on my rotties for years but after speaking to a McTimoney chiropracter she suggested the balance harnesses as if they are pulling excessively on a headcollar it can cause damage to the neck as the nose is brought round as they are trying to pull forward, i suppose it makes sense really but i had never thought of it like that, i just liked the fact that it was easier to walk them!!!

Hope this helps

Re: Puppy training - Help!

supamog — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:37:21 GMT

Blue merle border collies - need i say more? We have them because we are always out and about in the woods and the beach and spend a lot of time walking in the lakes. We deliberately walked the pup through the school traffic this morning and whilst he was understandably distracted he wasn't actually that bad its just that he is very much a people dog. His head just bounces with info overload at times and its not as if we didn't do all the exposure things between the age of 8 and 14 weeks. I just wish he wouldn't pull so. At home he does not get any attention until all four feet are on the floor but somtimes i could murder friends who come through the door, drop everything and let him do his thing! I feel really mean as if i have warning that people are visiting we put the dogs away and wait until we are sat with a coffee until they are allowed in. Having said that, i was furious a few weeks ago when a friend had hauled him up onto the sofa with her to give him a biscuit when i was out of the room. Im getting paranoid!

Re: Puppy training - Help!

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:52:38 GMT

what breed have you got?

Re: Puppy training - Help!

supamog — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:25:33 GMT

hi that's the one thing i hadn't tried yet so i will seek one out tomorrow! I'm not sure how he will take to it but anything is worth preventing my sore shoulders. He is still only 10kg but is so strong! I really do have sympathy will clients now! Thanks

Re: Puppy training - Help!

Emma Purnell — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:55:16 GMT

Have you tried a head halti? I find they are really good at stopping them from being able to pull too much to save your arms, but will also help him to realise that pulling won't get him anywhere. He is still a puppy though so there is still time!