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Help me ! My big boy walks me !!!

   
Taz

i will share my- slobber !!		 
 
Barked: Sat Jan 3, '09 1:49pm PST 
Im having issues walking my dog .....
Hes 150+ pounds and im only 120 pounds .
he walks amazing untill he see's another dog , then I can kiss my butt good bye !
He lives with another dog (puppy) but any other dog he hates .
What do I do ?
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Sheba

Git n Go, yay!		 
 
Barked: Thu Jan 8, '09 8:19pm PST 
Holy Crimeny, your story sounds just like Sheba's. To be very honest, It is just like Sheba's and mine. I have a disability with my right arm so walking her is really scary cause I am not strong enough. I have a girlfriend that is a dog trainer and I have had turn to her for help and support otherwise Sheba wont be going on anywalks for quite some time adn that is a large no no. And the other dog thingy, yup understand that one too. My friend has suggested that I get some training aids for walking her. If you don't know what I am talking about, just wait, I will ask her tonight to explain it to me. She did say something about a harness that goes into the armpits that hits stress points that will keep her from pulling so much.
I'll keep you up to date k. Heck you boy looks just exactly like my girl as well, lol snoopy
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Sheba

Git n Go, yay!		 
 
Barked: Thu Jan 8, '09 8:24pm PST 
I see from your profile that you are using the gentle leader for your boy, what do you think of that and with your boy pulling so much?, does it live up to its name ?
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Monty

I think I'm a- king among dogs		 
 
Barked: Tue Feb 17, '09 6:44pm PST 
Monty is 140 lbs and the gentle leader works wonders for him. You can pick up a knock off from Walmart for about 8 bucks. The key is to make sure the buckling strap around the neck is high, right behind the ears, and TIGHT! I'm talking room for one finger. Then you can keep the snout loop part only tight enough that it doesn't slide off the end of his snout. A lot of problems with it are caused by the snout loop being tight, which is very uncomfortable!
To get him used to it, put the loop over his nose, but don't clip the loop around his neck yet. Give him a yummy treat as you do this. He'll immediately drop his nose so it falls off, but that's ok! Keep putting it on and giving him treats, gradually making him hold still longer and longer before he gets the goody. Once he's ok with that part, clip the loop around his neck and go for a really short walk. Give him lots of treats while he walks next to you.

Another option is to actually train him to be used to other dogs. The gentle leader is a management tool, it allows you to control the mighty beast. To desensitize him to other dogs, you need another dog to help you out who is calm around other dogs. You stand with your dog (on leash!) at one end of an open area- park, tennis court, etc.- and the other dog is with his owner at the other end. You give your dog treats while the other dog gradually walks closer in a zig zag pattern, so his side is always to your dog, he's not approaching head on. This decreases the flight distance- how close a dog can get before your dog freaks out. You need to be very focused on your dog. The moment he starts getting excited, you have you helper stop and stay at that distance, preferably with the dog's back facing your dog. You give your dog treats while you keep him in a nice calm sit or down. This is a process that will take several sessions to improve your dog's behavior, but you will have lasting results.
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