Dog
Unleashed
Q:
My
dog just goes nuts whenever I try to put
his leash on. He jumps, paws and bites
my hand which really hurts. Sometimes
he gets the leash and acts like he's killing
a snake. He has always hated being petted
unless he thinks it's his idea and he
never listens. He digs up our garden and
all of our plants. What can I do?
A:
The first thing to do is locate
a professional dog trainer who uses positive
methods so he or she can evaluate the
situation and set you up on a behavior
modification program. Make sure your dog
is healthy, of course. You'll need to
use classical conditioning to change the
way he feels about the leash and operant
conditioning to reinstall a leadership
program through positive means. It sounds
like he runs the house.
You
can find a trainer that uses only positive
training methods in your area through
the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (
www.APDT.com
) or The National Association of Dog Obedience
Instructors ( www.NADOI.org
). Interview each trainer until you find
one you want to work with.
That
being said, here are a few tips: Please
exercise common sense and safety!
RE:
the leash... Adults only do this and if
it becomes unsafe, do not continue. Wait
for the trainer.
- Get your dog
used to your hand coming towards him
without the leash. Touch him with
your other hand AS THE TREAT GOES
IN HIS MOUTH. Repeat 5 times and then
end the session. Repeat two to five
sessions. It's important he's getting
the treat a split second before you
touch him and that the touch lasts
a second or less.
- Show him the
leash (about a foot away from him)
and simultaneously give him a highly-valued,
yummy treat. Repeat 5 times and then
end the session. Repeat several sessions.
(Leash/treat, leash/treat, etc.)
- Now when you
think he's ready, add touching him
with the leash AS THE TREAT GOES IN
HIS MOUTH. Repeat 5 times and end
the session. It's important he's getting
the treat a split second before you
touch him and the touch lasts a second
or less. Do this 10-20 sessions over
a few days or a week.
- Now, say “stay”
and touch him with the leash for one
second. THEN give him the treat.
- Gradually
add two touches before giving the
treat, then three, etc. Don't go too
far too fast.
This
process may take several weeks, so until
this routine takes hold, one person can
be feeding him while you put the leash
on when you really have to walk him.
You
can also teach him to lie down and stay.
Gradually teach him to relax in a down
position (massage helps) and then introduce
the leash in baby steps.
You
can bring out the leash whenever you feed
him and associate it with his dinnertime.
Just bring it out, lay it on the floor,
and then put his bowl down.
Also,
if it doesn't traumatize him, let him
drag a shorter, light-weight leash around
all day (supervision is very important
with this to avoid accidents or injury).
Doing this will get him used to wearing
it and it will then lose some of its significance.
It also serves as a protector as you can
simply pick up the shortened leash and
attach it to his regular leash when taking
him for a walk. In this way you avoid
bringing your hand close to his teeth.
Regarding
the digging, etc. … he's bored.
He needs to learn new games and get structured
exercise with you instead of on his own.
The
Dog Whisperer DVD will help.
Wish
I could be more help, but a trainer can
really show you the light at the end of
the tunnel and there are many things you
can try. |
