I'm getting really frustrated!!

[mojomoo]

I've been working on the heeling for over a month and I'm still having to remind her on our walks about 30 times! and if we see a dog that's all she sees and doesn't hear me. I decided to ditch the head halter after an episode of some barking dogs on the other side of a fence as we were walking by and she pulled and then started to thrash her head around and I can't take the chance of her injuring her neck, so back to the prong. Today she went all out whining at a dog (a puppy) that was across the street and when she broke her heel I used the can of pet corrector to get her attention back on me and that worked. I know that even if she was able to meet this pup she would have one sniff and then would completely ignore it because this is what she does with puppies. i know all she wants is to sniff each new dog she sees but that's not rational. Most times she will listen best if i get just downright ticked off. At my vets office there's a posting of a k9 trainer available about 1/2 hour away, thoughts on maybe I should check into it?

[Mike D'Abruzzo]

I don't recommend any trainer unless you know exactly how they train. You may get lucky or you may have someone basically beat up your dog. If you go with a professional be sure that they will explain first exactly how they plan to fix the issue and it makes sense to you and doesn't make your stomach turn.

The issue doesn't sound like an impossible task. But, in "foundation style" we have to make sure you do not skip steps or expect too much too soon. Normally for the intensity you are describing it would take us about six weeks to train her the right way. I know you saw the phase 1 video, but have you taught her phase 2 style with the body language warnings, etc.. in a low distraction environment?

Ultimately, this looks like it would resolve in phase 3 training. Through phase 3 training you could have her heel off leash if you needed be and not have the problems. It is a matter of simple science and having the right technique.

But, advanced training isn't easy. We could direct you through it, but it would be helpful if maybe you made a youtube video or something showing your dog responding to phase 2 technique in low/no distractions.

With these kind of problems sometimes you will not get improvement or results until you formally teach the full command with the correct understanding of positive and negative consequences and the ability to do so humanely before you encounter the distraction.

Phase 2 is important because it teaches the dog to pay better attention to you to avoid corrections. In phase 2 heel she formally learned that warnings come from your body language and distractions are more the reason to pay better attention to you because she may miss the warning before a correction. Low level corrections are used since you will be teaching.

In phase 3 you gradually increase the level of a correction until you reach the minimum amount that the dog responds too and respects. The halti or the prong probably wont work for your dog in phase 3 but fine for phase 2.

The remote collar would be the best bet in phase 3 because it seems like you have to be too aggressive with the other collars and she doesnt respect them unless you were using them with enough force to seem aggressive or possibly injure her.

The Dogtra remotes used the right way do not have this problem. But you would never want to use one unless you truly go through all the steps of phase 1 and phase 2 - then study how to use it in phase 3 on the lowest possible settings that dont cause stress, make her cry, etc.. She should totally know how to avoid it before it is ever used.

Here is a video that demos some of the concepts of phase 1, 2, and 3:

[mojomoo]

Thank you for more helpful info and video, I really appreciate it. I made a hasty decision today, spur of the moment kind of thing and rescued her mother. My dog was fine with her but I think it was a bit overwhelming for the new one. How on earth now will I walk 2 of them. I couldn't pass her up, the breeder was selling her due to the fact she can't have pups anymore, she is over 6 years old and no responsible breeder would get rid of a dog for that reason. Now I have different issues to deal with, this dog lived on a farm til now and every noise is something different to her and she won't go in the living room because she's timid of a rug. I think I may have went way over my head with the newest addition but if things don't work out the BMD rescue will find her another home. I'm extremely iffy about the whole situation but I will get her spayed and see how things go, okay enough of that now!
Back to my own dog, I won't stop training her and will take the time to give her some alone time with me as usual and work on commands and I will find out what commands if any that her mother has. I will read everything over that you posted to make sure I got it all, wish me luck

[Mike D'Abruzzo]

God bless you for rescuing her mom! It is sad that she must have been only a money maker to the breeder. Either you or someone else will give her what she deserves in a home. I hope all is going well. All the luck to you!!

[mojomoo]

The newest addition Roxie is doing great! Her and Dakota are getting along really well, so far Roxie seems more passive and subdued, walks good on a leash still so it's still dakota that needs the most work. Roxie needs more basic obedience like sit, stay, come, down, she likes to bolt out the gate so she needs some work, also still housebreaking her. She's a very good dog and why in the world they would get rid of her I will never understand.