I really need help with my pup

[Lucid]

Hi everyone,

Ok Im having a terrible time with little Blake at the moment.

(Bit of background on him, He's an 9 month old Collie/Kelpie cross)

I am trying my hardest to correct him while on the leash but he pulls and pulls and pulls until it aggrivates me and then I feel SO bad for getting worked up.
I give him praise and treats when he walks well and say eh eh no when he doesnt I have been trying back or heel and telling him he is a good boy when he does but it isnt working.

He gets a good 45min run around at night and he chews his bones, plays with toys while Im sat down and does his own this in the evening, if Im off he gets his 45min walk and a 30min one in the afternoon which is the one I went to go on today, but he then for the second time recently he ran off and started bounding towards someone, jumping up and he nearly knocked him over, I shouted him back in a very deep voice and when I tired to get him back on the lead he just kept running back and forth past me as if it were a game to him, I eventually got him back on the lead and just marched him home in a very very bad mood infact I was ragining, and took him home and put him in his cage for a bit.

I try to call him back with treats, toys, or just walking away he just doesnt listen or bother.

I cant afford puppy classes as Im only living on my own, recently me and my partner split and Im finding Blake very hard to cope with on my own as I work full time, but I am trying I just wish I know where I was going wrong.

He goes on the lead and he see's red and starts pulling, he see's another dog and see's red again and nearly pulls me off my feet, he see's another human he see's red yet again and either trys to pull me off my feet to get to them or if he's off he will run away and start jumping at them.

I REALLY want to have him under control for a better relationship between us but Im obviously doing something very far wrong.

Is this a normal pup thing for his breed?

Any help would really be appreciated!

Thankx

 

[Dizzy]

Sounds like he needs some serious direction from you!!

Both breeds - collie and kelpie - are hard working dogs that are very intellegent.

He needs more than 45 mins excercise/stimulation a day I would say.

If I was you, I would wipe the slate totally clean and start RIGHT back at the beginning with some basic manners. Sit, stay and come.

You need to be FIRM with him. You're in control, and he will do as you ask. If he wants his dinner, he has to work for it.

Make him sit, make him come to you, roll over, whatever.

Train him indoors, every opportunity should be a training opportunity. You're going upstairs, does he barge past you, or can you make him sit before you go up?

It's all the small things that count I think...

If he won't come to you when he is offlead, then don't let him offlead till you know he will.

You have to make YOU SUPER interesting. Does he like toys??? Take balls, but do NOT let him have them ALL the walk. Just get it out for maybe 10 mins, and then take it back. And repeat throughout the walk. He'll associate you with toys.

Practice the come command indoors all the time too. Just sit him in the hall or wherever and practice. Not for hours at a time, but randomly.

Also, on walks, if you do let him off, make him sit before you unclip his lead. And STAY. When you're ready, you can let him go (I just say "off you go"). Call him back throughout the walk, and every now and then, lead him up for a few mins, then repeat (sit, stay, off you go). That way he doesn't just associate lead with end of play time.

Sorry, that's a bit random and garbled.

 

[SisMorphine]

Have you tried any walking or training aids, like a no-pull style harness or a head halter?

 

[Dizzy]

As for the lead work, well, what do you do when he pulls?

If it was me, and my dog was trying to drag me to see a person/dog, I'm sorry, but I wouldn't have it.

I'd probably stop in my tracks and swiftly turn in the opposite direction and keep walking. I do not like being told what to do by my dog, if i don't want to speak to someone then my dog cannot make that decision for me by dragging me there!!!

Have you tried a halti? I used one for a few months to gain some more control. You don't need to use one forever, just as a training aid.

I must admit, walking nicely on the lead is not an area I am good with.... we don't walk much on the lead, she is FAR better off it than on it now, and the places I walk are either drive there and hop out the car, or 2 seconds up the road.........

 

[Dekka]

Its very normal.

Sounds like he needs to learn some self control. Really high drive dogs often lack that quality (I have one like that) Its like they know what you want but just can't control themselves.

How is his stay? Can he resist a toy till you give him permission to play with it?

NILF is a very good plan, but if he can't control his impulses NILF won't work alone.

There are some books you can buy.. but they will likely be the same money as a class or more.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

You need training class. Now. You can read all you like, but for the issues you are having, you need hands on help. Next, let go of your anger and frustration. Your pup is just being a pup, and having a fine time of it doing so. Your being angry and upset will not help at all in teaching your pup. In fact, it will cause him to avoid you and not want to be near and work with you.

The basic building block of all training and obedience is attention. Here is how to start training attention:

the NO LOOKIE NO COOKIE game

Here is how to teach your pup to love to come when you call:

The RECALL GAME

For now, if this were my pup, I would not let him off lead unless you are in a fenced area.

If you can give your general area, maybe some of us can help you find a good class situation in your area.

 

[Lucid]

Sounds like he needs some serious direction from you!!

Yea I really neefd to make him listen to my command and keep listening not just once in a while.

Both breeds - collie and kelpie - are hard working dogs that are very intellegent.

He is, sometimes lol, and I know he can be a very nice dog and as Im sure with alot of dogs distraction is his problem

He needs more than 45 mins excercise/stimulation a day I would say.

Yea Im moving out my house and into a flat to try help that, I live about 30mins walk from my work at the moment and I work full time so I cant get back to see hm if Im on all day, but in a few weeks I'll be able to walk him for about 15mins before work, see him when I come home for lunch and then out for a good run at night with me.

If I was you, I would wipe the slate totally clean and start RIGHT back at the beginning with some basic manners. Sit, stay and come.

You need to be FIRM with him. You're in control, and he will do as you ask. If he wants his dinner, he has to work for it.

Make him sit, make him come to you, roll over, whatever.

Train him indoors, every opportunity should be a training opportunity. You're going upstairs, does he barge past you, or can you make him sit before you go up?

When I go up or anywhere near there he is up there before I can even stop him so I try when I am going up to make him stay behind me, it sometimes results in him getting kicked in the face by mistake though because he is sooo determinded to get up there, when I go out and in the door Im trying to make sure I go first as well.

It's all the small things that count I think...

If he won't come to you when he is offlead, then don't let him offlead till you know he will.

You have to make YOU SUPER interesting. Does he like toys???Yea he loves a ball, that usually helps when he is off the lead as he can focus on that but recently he has stopped. Take balls, but do NOT let him have them ALL the walk. Just get it out for maybe 10 mins, and then take it back. And repeat throughout the walk. He'll associate you with toys.

Practice the come command indoors all the time too. Just sit him in the hall or wherever and practice. Not for hours at a time, but randomly.

Also, on walks, if you do let him off, make him sit before you unclip his lead. And STAY. When you're ready, you can let him go (I just say "off you go"). Call him back throughout the walk, and every now and then, lead him up for a few mins, then repeat (sit, stay, off you go). That way he doesn't just associate lead with end of play time.

Before I let him off for his run about I always make him sit, then say "go" and he bolts off waiting for the ball

Sorry, that's a bit random and garbled.

Thank you for your help

 

[Lucid]

Have you tried any walking or training aids, like a no-pull style harness or a head halter?

I tried a halti I think its called and when we put that on he shook and wouldnt move out the door with it on,it weas a head collar type thing, so we just stuck to his collar.

 

[Dekka]

I tried a halti I think its called and when we put that on he shook and wouldnt move out the door with it on,it weas a head collar type thing, so we just stuck to his collar.

The no pull harness that work on the same principle as the halti (by turning the dog not pain) might be a good item to try. You dont' even need the fancy ones. Any harness that you can clip the leash onto the centre of the chest will work.

Dog pulls to get to exciting person and then dog is no longer facing the exciting person...

 

[Lucid]

As for the lead work, well, what do you do when he pulls?

I normally shorten the lead to the point where if he pulls it will choak him but if he walks next to me it wont.

If it was me, and my dog was trying to drag me to see a person/dog, I'm sorry, but I wouldn't have it.

I'd probably stop in my tracks and swiftly turn in the opposite direction and keep walking. I do not like being told what to do by my dog, if i don't want to speak to someone then my dog cannot make that decision for me by dragging me there!!!

Im going to end up walking back anf forth in the same spot with Blake lol, he is just very determined

Have you tried a halti? I used one for a few months to gain some more control. You don't need to use one forever, just as a training aid.

I did but he didnt react very well to it.

I must admit, walking nicely on the lead is not an area I am good with.... we don't walk much on the lead, she is FAR better off it than on it now, and the places I walk are either drive there and hop out the car, or 2 seconds up the road.........

 

[Lucid]

You need training class. Now. You can read all you like, but for the issues you are having, you need hands on help. Next, let go of your anger and frustration. Your pup is just being a pup, and having a fine time of it doing so. Your being angry and upset will not help at all in teaching your pup. In fact, it will cause him to avoid you and not want to be near and work with you.

The basic building block of all training and obedience is attention. Here is how to start training attention:

the NO LOOKIE NO COOKIE game

Here is how to teach your pup to love to come when you call:

The RECALL GAME

For now, if this were my pup, I would not let him off lead unless you are in a fenced area.

If you can give your general area, maybe some of us can help you find a good class situation in your area.

Thank you, Im going to read your links later and try impliment then and play a few games to try make it interesting.

Im not going to let him off the leash again unless he is in a pack of dogs he knows and then he doesnt stray he sticks by them.

I live in South Ayrshire in Scotland, there is a few in the City but the dog gets travel sick and I dont drive Im really stuck and dont know anyone else with a dog like blake.

Im just greatful for any help

 

[Lucid]

The no pull harness that work on the same principle as the halti (by turning the dog not pain) might be a good item to try. You dont' even need the fancy ones. Any harness that you can clip the leash onto the centre of the chest will work.

Dog pulls to get to exciting person and then dog is no longer facing the exciting person...

I will look into getting one when I get paid, its worth a try anyway and Im willing to try just about anything if it makes it easier and him happier,

 

[Dizzy]

Im going to end up walking back anf forth in the same spot with Blake lol, he is just very determined

Have you tried a halti? I used one for a few months to gain some more control. You don't need to use one forever, just as a training aid.

I did but he didnt react very well to it.

It might be that you are walking up and down looking like a bit of a tit, but if it works, then you do it till he realises he won't get a positive out of it (ie meeting the people/dogs). I sometimes feel like a tool on the street, because when Bo pulls I will just stop dead. She knows the routine now, and will heel without a command, but sometimes I am taking 3 steps and stopping and 2... stop etc... she gets really keen when she knows where she is going. It does work though.

As for the halti, patience is key. Just get him used to it slowly. Let him sniff it, and leave it on for a few seconds and with loads of treats IN the house, take it off and play ball. Lengthen the time he wears it each time till her realises halti = food and play time. then you can start with the lead.

 

[Phoenixangelwyngs]

I agree with everyone else.... you've got a smart dog and right now, he's in charge. It would be best to work probably in your yard or some other area... in your house maybe even for awhile about the following simple commands. Distractions are FOR SURE going to make him less likely to listen to you. I have two Border Collies.... Shye ATE the halti when he had one on him... I don't know how he did it but he did... we were walking and before I knew it he'd chewed it off and I didn't even notice because he was walking so nicely.... yeah,cause he was ESCAPING. Be consistent. If you feel yourself getting upset with him, stop.... go back to something simple he knows really well... have him do that and praise him for it.

I would also do the, stop dead in my tracks and turn the other direction and walk thing. Or just stop and stand there.... Be a tree. Either way... you remain in charge and no amount of pulling gets him anywhere he wants to be.
I'd also possibly change where and how you hold the lead. I'd put the loop of the head over my thumb and then close my hand over the lead that hangs in my hand.... I'd then pretty much keep that hand at my chest/solar plexus area .... for some reason this makes you less pullable and puts his pulling at your center of gravity. Try the harness.
Good luck.... there's a good dog in Blaze... he just needs some work.

 

[antipunt1]

My puppy started using a harness after someone literally BOUGHT IT FOR US (yes, that's how stubborn we are lol). After we started using it for one day, we stuck to it forever. It's cause now we can feel guilty free with using the 'tree method'.

You see it's because I was taught (from someone, I can't remember who) that when walking a puppy with a leash, always follow it wherever it goes....but in any case this started getting annoying real fast you can imagine. What we started doing (after I found out from ANOTHER source) is the tree method, which is just like what the poster before said about standing still completely. And with the harness, when the puppy pulls, I don't feel bad like I used to b/c it doesn't hurt her (as opposed to the leash, which was like choking her when she ran against it probably)

PS: oh yea, I have a small dog so...

 

[Lucid]

I agree with everyone else.... you've got a smart dog and right now, he's in charge. It would be best to work probably in your yard or some other area... in your house maybe even for awhile about the following simple commands. Distractions are FOR SURE going to make him less likely to listen to you. I have two Border Collies.... Shye ATE the halti when he had one on him... I don't know how he did it but he did... we were walking and before I knew it he'd chewed it off and I didn't even notice because he was walking so nicely.... yeah,cause he was ESCAPING. Be consistent. If you feel yourself getting upset with him, stop.... go back to something simple he knows really well... have him do that and praise him for it.

I would also do the, stop dead in my tracks and turn the other direction and walk thing. Or just stop and stand there.... Be a tree. Either way... you remain in charge and no amount of pulling gets him anywhere he wants to be.
I'd also possibly change where and how you hold the lead. I'd put the loop of the head over my thumb and then close my hand over the lead that hangs in my hand.... I'd then pretty much keep that hand at my chest/solar plexus area .... for some reason this makes you less pullable and puts his pulling at your center of gravity. Try the harness.
Good luck.... there's a good dog in Blaze... he just needs some work.

I will try the lead idea, Im about to go out with my friend who has some rather energetic labs who he gets along with very well and seems to listen better when he is with them until it comes to the point where he has to go back on his lead you have to practically catch him to get him back on.

Im debating on wether or not to let him off for a good run or not, he is move focused on the other dogs that he is with.

Im going to try the halti collar, see how he gets along with it, the first one he got he managed to get out of it some how so Im guessing he will need another collar on as well to try stop that.

 

[corgipower]

As for the lead work, well, what do you do when he pulls?
I normally shorten the lead to the point where if he pulls it will choak him but if he walks next to me it wont.

What do you do when he's not pulling? If he's constantly pulling and at the end of the leash, feeling pressure, that increases pulling with the opposition reflex. Also, are you using a choke collar? If you are, and if he's pulling that hard in it, he can hurt his neck.

I would definitely try the front-clip harness that Dekka suggested.

Also, work on basics of having him near you and paying attention to you. Reward for calm attention.

When you walk him, try to find ways to keep him engaged with you. Food, toys, praise all help. Also your walking -- make it animated, be exciting, change directions, change paces. Herding breeds get bored very quickly.

It does sound like he may be under stimulated. Try to find more activities he can do -- mental and physical.