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Post by louisebt on Mar 9, 2006 23:25:36 GMT 1
As some of you know, Diesel is fear agressive... he has also started pulling loads on his lead. This is reaking havok with my back, arms and neck...... Halti's cut into his nose, a normal harness i didnt feel good holding him in so were back to his chain but i dont like it. Anyone got any ideas... any anti pull harness' you've had sucess with?
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Post by Selina the Moorland Minx on Mar 10, 2006 13:37:28 GMT 1
Al makes haltis with fur sheepskin padding across the nose, if you are interested in one of those perhaps we could ask her to get one made up for one of the coming auctions.
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Post by mugsy on Mar 10, 2006 13:52:52 GMT 1
Louise, hubby has fallen and hurt his foot so I have to take him to A&E, I also have 2 dogs that are fear aggressive and will reply to this later today. I have found that the Trail Harnesses are very good for pulling dogs, but like all gadgets you also have to train.
Speak later.
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Post by mickyzoe on Mar 10, 2006 14:12:42 GMT 1
is it serious margeret? i hope your husband is ok, and that afew pain killers is the most needed
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Post by louisebt on Mar 10, 2006 15:32:47 GMT 1
Ty you replys... tis muchly appreciated!. I walked Diesel on his own this morning which was a bit easier as he wasnt trying to race holly lol. Ive tried him with a halti, he hated it so much :-( which gutted me as ive used them with other dogs and they work so well.
Margaret, Hope Hubby is ok, let us know how you get on
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Post by mugsy on Mar 10, 2006 23:31:47 GMT 1
Sorry Louise, I am really tired now, hubby is fine thanks, it is soft tissue damage but he hadn't had a drink since lunch time and guzzled down a drink of lemon barley water and brought it straight back up again so I have had to change the bed as well now. I will post it tomorrow, I won't be tired and do a better job of it, I am bound to forget something if I do it now.
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Post by mugsy on Mar 11, 2006 20:27:20 GMT 1
When a dog is fear aggressive it take a long time of consistant work to turn them round, sometimes it can take several years. When I first got Gracie 2 years ago she wanted to kill every dog she saw but now she only barks. I will never be able to trust her, but at least her reaction is a lot easier to control. Everytime your dog reacts he is reinforcing the aggressive behaviour this is why the aggression has got worse instead of better. The idea is to stop him from reacting so he remains calm. My look easy but it isn't. Each time he reacts his stress levels go up and they take several days if not a week, to come back down again. You can't teach/train a stressed dog. I taught my dogs to "Watch Me", this helps when another dog is going past. Sometimes they do react but it is because I haven't given them enough room between my dog and the dog passing. Whenever I see a dog coming I go into a field or up someone's drive, far enough in so my dog doesn't react, my dog still feels safe. I get my dog to sit, and then to "Watch Me" giving them nice treats every time they make eye contact with me. If I can't get into a field or up a drive I turn and walk the other way until I can. Gradually over time you needn't go into a field quite as far until one day, another dog can pass at a resonable distance. If your dog reacts at any time, you are going too quickly and not giving him time to adjust, so go back a few stages until you get the distance he doesn't react in. It isn't a quick fix, when you do a quick fix you only suppress the problem and it will come back again only a lot worse and because you are not expecting it, he could do a lot of damage. Take one day at a time, and for every walk he does without reacting, you have done a very good job. If you want to ask questions or to work out how you are doing, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck,
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Post by LurcherGirl on Mar 20, 2006 12:10:10 GMT 1
Sorry for not replying any earlier...
There are various aids available, some work on some dogs, others don't.
I have found a gentle leader much better as a headcollar, my favourite is the dogmatic headcollar though.
As for harnesses: a walkezee works quite well for many dogs (www.walkezee.com), there is also a halti harness which has had good report too.
Are you adressing the actual behaviour problem (aggression)?
A harness (non pull or normal) would definitely be the most suitable option as this allows the dog to use the full range of body language and does not artificially pull his head up and give out the wrong message to the other dog. If you find a harness uncomfortable, try it for a few days and you might get used to it. Most people that try their dogs on a harness find it much easier to control their dogs (their balance is better) and wouldn't go back to a collar!
Vera
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