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August 21, 2006

Comments

Rhea

I am currently reading "Cesar's Way," the book by TV's "Dog Whisperer." His book is about dog 'psychology'. Once you understand the origins of dog behavior and the way their minds work, your dealings with a dog, no matter what the problems, will be easier. I am using it on my dog and it works! Plus, it's a very entertaining read. Good luck!

Rhea

I am currently reading "Cesar's Way," the book by TV's "Dog Whisperer." His book is about dog 'psychology'. Once you understand the origins of dog behavior and the way their minds work, your dealings with a dog, no matter what the problems, will be easier. I am using it on my dog and it works! Plus, it's a very entertaining read. Good luck!

mags

I agree with the advice you received re: the dog park. If he goes and has an opportunity to play, he'll be less likely to take off at every opportunity. Plus, if he gets to do it on a regular basis, he'll tire himself, and a tired dog is a GOOD dog! :-)


~mags

ben

Try rewarding him for NOT running out the moment the door is opened.

Give him a place to go (a doormat or something several feet from the door) and reward him for going there. Randomly. Eventually he will start hanging out there.

Then, when he is there, walk to the door; reward him if he stays put. Don't reward him (but don't penalize) if he jumps up. Just wait. Eventually, he will stay put when you head to the door.

Then do the same when you touch the knob. Reward for staying put. Nothing if he doesn't.

Then, try opening the door.

You get the idea. The goal is to overcome the desire to sprint out the door - it won't be easy (that desire is STRONG) but it can happen.

Dog park is a great idea, too ;)

savvy

Both ideas are great and both should be utilized. Always reward the behavior you want - i.e. not jetting out the door when it's open.

Also, go to the dog park and practice reliable recall. It will take some work but hey, thats why at my house - we have Doggy Bootcamp. And they do eventually get better. :)

Gina

Don't take a small dog to a dog park, unless there's a section just FOR small dogs. Some big dogs see small dogs as prey. It's not safe. It doesn't take but a second for a small dog to be killed.

Plus: Running at the dog park will not satisfy your dog's desire to run. He's running out the door because he doesn't know better and because it's rewarding ... i.e., fun.

Exercise is great, but it needs to be done safely. A dog park for a small dog is not safe.

Ben's suggestions are good ones. You might also have a couple private lessons with a trainer to help you teach a recall.

pam

Unfortunately, there is no dog park near my neighborhood. There is a local park where the residents take their dogs off the leash, and then everybody (humans and animals) walks in a big pack, gossipping. The dogs are fairly docile.

Daisy doesn't like mingling with other dogs, so we rarely go. But if we visit with Sammy, I think we'll keep him on the retractable leash until he learns to return when called.

Also, some sessions at PetSmart might be in our future!

Debra

#1. Retractable leashes are the worst things for dogs. They were invented for lazy owners. The human gives up control over the dog when they give them too much freedom. Get Sammy a real leash. And a choke chain. Really, all famous dog trainers use them.

#2. Take Sammy for walks regularly so he thinks that walking on a leash is the norm, not running free.

#3. For the front door: you need two people to do this training. Find a spot slightly away from the door that will be Sammy's "target spot." Leash him, and have one person hold the leash loosely. Take him to his target spot, give him a reward and tell him to stay. (leash held). Open the door.

When he starts to move toward the door, the leash-holder says NO, and quickly tugs and releases on the leash. If Sammy stops, immediately give him a training treat, tell him he's good and move him back to his target. ONLY work on this for 1-2 minutes at a time.

There is a step 2 to this after he learns not to bolt..we can talk about that later.

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