BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Dogs How do I control my 10 lb. brat?

IF you were to ever use a choke on your dog (which was never mentioned for use by anyone here) I would only ever suggest a show weight chain...it is very light weight and of a fine gauge.

We started our feral and abused foster, Colbert, in a fitted harness, and when he started running off we would lift up versus pull back. The lifting confuses them and makes them pay more attention to what is going on to them versus the other dogs, people, cars, or whatever other distraction there is for them (this is a Victoria Stilwell of It's Me or the Dog fame tactic.) Hence the keeping the dog close to you so that you can complete this task. & As I said before I would at least use a regular 6' lead versus the 20' tether leash as this would give you more control over her.

In the end, you have to figure out what works for you, I just know what has worked for me and my beau with our pack of self rehabilitated dogs.

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One thing that's helped me control my Cattle Dog when he's been particularly strong is a Gentle Leader halter. Even though he's only 50 lbs, it helps to give me control of his head, rather than getting into a pulling match with him. I don't know if they make those in Chihuahua/Jack Russell size, though. A harness might be a good option, to be able to lift her up on two feet as Wendy suggests.

I didn't say anyone had suggested using a choke chain or prong collar, it just seems like the times I've watched the Dog Whisperer, that seems to be one of his favorite tools. That's all I meant.

Cindy

He is absolutely great, but whatever you're going to do in that direction, will involve financial outlay (other than watching his programmes, which of course, neatly avoid teaching you the relevant and precise techniques, in detail!)
I was offering my sevices FOC...given the physical distance (I'm in the UK, I think the OP is in the USA) a home visit may not be practical - But I do what I can!!
Just because my services are free, doesn't mean they're any less "Expert" (and I know that wasn't implied anywhere, please understand, that was my observation, not anyone else's critique....) But I think if I can offer something with no strings attached, out of a genuine desire to merely help.... well, I just think it's too rare nowadays.

The dog walking and pulling in front, and sniffing everything is a classic sign that the dog thinks it 'owns' you....

Feeding and behaviour and interaction wihin the home, are all vitally important.
If you'd still like some help, let me know.
If, on the other hand you'd like me to shut my yap and take a rest now - let me know!

With the greatest of respect, whether you're into it or not, your dog is. It's the dynamic your dog is instinctively geared to linking with, and whether we, as educated, logical, reasoning and elevated animals are "into it" or not, it's still something that the dog responds to.

And actually, we ARE into it too, you know.

As mammals, we instinctively look to 'pack leaders' to show us how to behave and the right thing to do. from our mums and dads, to our teachers, to our bosses, to our Politicians - although, if we were to permit politicians to go though the selection process dogs go through in a pack, we'd have a better class of leadership, in my opinion.
So even we humans ascribe to the 'Pack leader' mentality. We have people within our immediate circle, our community, our society and our country, leading the way, and to whom we look for Guidance, counsel, protection, education and direction.
But of course, being as cerebral as we are, we don't see it that way....

I think Cesar Millan is exceptionally good. But I didn't learn or I'm not getting my accreditation diploma from him. I'm getting it from an expert in this country called Jan Fennell (go ahead and google folks!) and she completely rejects any form of harness, halter, spike collars, clickers, or any mechanical means designed to co-erce a dog into doing something, if it's even one iota against the dog's own co-operation and Will.

Just thought I'd add that into the doggie walk....

Actually the only collar that I have seen Cesar truly endorse is his own 'Ilusion' collar which is fabric with a bit of chain at the back the fabric rests against the dogs trachea et al. The only time I have ever seen a prong or "bite" collar used was when the dog owner already had it. And in all the episodes I have seen, only one had it and it was for a massive chocolate lab.

Also with some breeds it works better at getting attention. Also the point of a chain is for it to tighten and then to be quickly released. It is only to get the dogs attention. It has to be put on correctly so that when the dog is not pulling there is no tension on the chain and it hangs loose just like a piece of jewelry. It is supposed to represent a pack leaders bite when used appropriately.

And as Alexandra beautifully put, we all live in a 'pack leader' influenced society.

I actually prefer that he shows the owner how to PROPERLY use the collar they have. If they're going to use it anyway, they should know what to do with it and what NOT to do.

I'm not a sycophant of his, some things he says doesn't quite sit right with me, but I DO agree when he says that the vast majority of the time, it's the owner that needs to change their behavior because it's giving the dog mixed signals. You really do have to understand what your dog's thought process is, why it decides to do one thing and not another. All creatures have patterns that instinct has them follow, and if you can guide that instinct into working for you then everyone will be happy, since the animal is doing something that feels "natural" and the human is having the end result they want each time.

For instance, a trainer had to have a cat swat a specific treat off of a shelf and into a shopping cart. Instead of wierd gimmicks, she said "Oh simple!" She knew that if you're carrying a cat and you walk by something, if they think it can be swatted off they'll go for it as long as it's in reach. So she told the woman that had the cat on her shoulders to hold it's front paws down gently, and release them when they're at the proper treat. Bing, there goes the treat. I used this idea of using the animal's natural inclinations to train my cat to sit up for his food, so if I can train a cat, you should have no trouble with a dog!

Taking off in another direction is just avoiding the problem, as I am sure you are seeing. Use a halter, as this allows you more control over your pet without injury to them. When another animal is approaching, and your dog starts it's bad behavior, take in the slack on the leash, and even hold the loop on the back of the halter. Use a firm NO to your pet, but stay put and let the other animal pass. Eventually your pet will start to relax and break this bad behavior. But remember to PRAISE your pet when it does good. It is the praising that will instill in your pets mind what makes you happy, and what you expect. It may seem embarrasing to have to stop and let others pass, but over time your pet and you willbe able to spend quality walking time without interruptions such as this. You can teach an old dog new tricks, it just takes some time. I had a 6 yr old rottweiler that was beaten and abused before I got her, and she was the same way. She was a bit more than 10 lbs, but this worked well with her. After just a couple of weeks she improved greatly, and would not even pull the slightest to start a fight with anything else. Good luck.

Yes, Wendy, you're right, he has mentioned several times (or the commentary has) that if an owner is insistent on a specific halter he'll use that... And I have seen countless warnings on the internet about spiked collars and electronic 'shock' collars "....This device should only be used by an expert, or you should seek the counsel of a qualified trainer before using this device".

And yet, there they are, liberally for sale, at every pet store!
Moves are being made in this country to ban or outlaw them.

I hate them.
You know what I say to anyone using them?

"Ok, please put it on. Now give me control."

I never cease to be amazed at how reluctant some people seem to be to do this....
If you wouldn't put this on a child to control it, then why do you think it's ok to put it on a dog?

('You' generic, not 'you' specific!! I'm not here to pick a fight or start an argument!!)

Mind you, in my experience when it comes to unruly kids and unruly dogs....?
Give me the dogs any time!
But that's a whole new thread!!

EDIT NOTE:
This is one thing I don't like about this website: you don't automatically get taken to the last post, you get taken to the last post on page one, i think...Unless I'm doing something terribly wrong.
So I didn't see the above two posts before I posted my comments here. Apologies....
going to have to be a bit more scrupulous about topic searches next time!
Sorry all!!

two very good points here, dprjr...



I've had to handle behaviour in animals older than that, and yes, you're right. it's effective!


It's important we don't 'feel sorry' for the dogs and perpetuate their sadness or unhappiness in our mind. Animals are affectionate, but they're not sentimental. So any continuous sympathy on your part will just be perceived as a temperament weakness in you by the dog. No matter how well you mean, it's counterproductive to the dog's aclimatisation to you.
Just remember one thing:
A dog will never concede leadership to a pack member he perceives as weak, or weaker than he is.

I love your posts grey drakkon....it's not the firt time I have inadvetently posted much the same sentiments as you have, purely by coincidence!1 *round of applause for you!*


Yes, I agree wholeheartedly.And whenever he uses a collar in a particular way, he tells the owner why and how....



Again, I completely agree....



In my expererience, it's this case in 12 out of 10 times - !!


More importantly, it's not so much a question of 'what is my dog thinking, or doing, when it does *this*? The more important factor, or question, is:
"What do I do now?"
All you have to know - all anyone needs to know, is that the dog requires leadership and direction. If you don't give it, then he has to. And we unconsciously, inadvertently put dogs in charge of a world they neither understand, nor can control.

Many dogs, due to their natures, are ill-equipped to be leaders. In a pack of dogs, they wouldn't be... but we give them no choice! A pack with a weak leader, is a pack with no leader at all! so the dog has no choice but to assume pack leadership.... otherwise the pack is in jeopardy!
This is not over-dramatising things, this is exactly the way the dog sees it.
We have a life plan: it involves the home, the family, work, domesticity and an existence amongst other people. The dog has no life plan but survival. Every day is a brand new one with challenges. Sure, there's routine, and the dogs learn it. But it's still an unknown to them.
Well, it is to us as well really.... you know... being blindsided, or not expecting the unexpected....? But being humans, in a human-run world, we have strategies. Being dogs, in a human-run world, and having been 'put in charge' of said world.... well, it's a logistical, stressful nightmare to them.
And they have to face it every day!

great post, GreyDrakkon...