Rascal wrote:springloaded wrote:
Correct. I wasnt getting the point across when I originally tried the basic obedience work and then compounded it by letting him run off on his own when he was younger. Now I have to go back to the begining and start the obedience the right way and work up to off the lead
When I train a pup it probably never has a lead on it for the best part of six months. I think where you went wrong was failing to capture this dogs attention on you and being the centre of all it's fun....The basics are taught in a fun way for the dog..As I said in an earlier post the dog needs to believe that all the rewards come from you..You don't control a dog from outward physical forces.....
Interesting article here......
http://suzanneclothier.com/the-articles ... ong-collar
And as she rightly points out....
If you're hanging on to your dog's body, it's because you've lost his mind....
I don't want to dish your trainer and the way you train your dog is your affair but you could achieve the same results with a slip lead...
Rascal
I couldn't agree more. I did fail to capture the dogs attention from a young age. And this is where Im still a bit confused and perhaps you can help. Because there was a critical moment where I know I made a Mistake and I need to clarify it for the sake of the future. Every day since the day I picked him up from the breeder at 10 weeks, I took him out for walks in fields, woods, any kind of cover we might encounter later in life. I tried to make any commands, lessons ect. fun and easy to learn and it worked. everything was going great and he was learning well and at a quick pace. I remember almost exactly the day when things changed. it was late july this year and Id only had him for about 4 weeks. i was walking him through the woods and he just took off like a bullet. he came back after a few minutes and I didnt think much of It. well the next day the same thing occurred, and then, the day after that again. This is when I became worried and thought it was rare for a pup this young to be so bold. So I did what I thought was best and I contacted a professional. Thereafter I was I was instructed not to worry, to let the pup explore and find his legs. After he was 6 months I was to start the "training". So you can Imagine waht happened, he grew to have much more fun buggering around on his own then he could ever have with me. So why should he stay around me, when ther are so many squirrels to chase.
So, I think the trainer I saw this past weekend thought the prong collar might be the best way to undo what was done. Im sure If I had taken Riggs to him at 4 months, things likley would have been much different , but sometimes you have to do whatever it takes. I agree with you , you shouldnt have to force the dog into your way of thinking. the goal is to have him want to do it your way, or as you said, con him into thinking your way is the best, or only, way. But where I am at at this stage, perhaps its the only way?
