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Originally Posted by shelbysmom  We use the spray bottle but it is a problem since it's hard to keep handy. I am on the lookout for one of those little kid water pistols. More handy plus I am hoping she will learn to stop barking even when it's empty. I also use words like "no barking" when I spray her and "stop." When she stops she comes to me for a piece of kibble. Stop means treat to her.
You may be able to use the same method for other training issues. It kills me how Yorkie's have selective memory  They learn some things so easily and others, not so much. |
If he gets trained with a spray bottle I will stay with that, they have small ones, I know I won't have to use it, I saw by the 3rd pass by he looked at the trainer and the bottle, never look at the minipin, so I know if he sees that bottle this Wed. he is not going to lunge. I don't want to have to retrain with something else, but the water pistol is a good idea. At home I have a fly swatter lol, for some reason all my babies were scared of that, months ago he was crying and crying to get my attention while I was on the phone on a business call, I got the fly swatter, just showed it to him, he was afraid of it, jumped on the sofa and was quiet. So now when he needs to chill out, the magic fly swatter comes out lol. Thank you for your suggestion. Oh and the command word is just first, it he doesn't stop the command word is used again followed with a spray.
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Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom I don't know how I feel about the spray bottle...on one hand, I don't see it as all that terribly harmful...on the other hand, it *does* bother me if it causes actual fear. I couldn't see spraying my kiddos bc I know I'd feel bad doing it.
BUT if I was in a situation like you were, I may feel differently and may need a different approach like you're taking, ya know? So I can't really say what I'd do. One thing I might try instead/first is using noise to interrupt the behavior...ie, using a metal can full of coins/nails and shaking it really hard near the pup when trying to interrupt a behavior. The problem w/ your situation, though, is that you're in an actual class and this noisy can might inappropriately scare other dogs...but I don't know...maybe something to discuss w/ your trainer and/or try at home? |
lol, my trainer is a water sprayer, like you say, shaking a can of pennies will distract the other dog, sometimes they bring in a border collie to work with us. The BC is always focused on the trainer, that noise could break that focus. I tried the pennies in the can years ago with a barker, at 11PM I would take my lil pack of 3 curbside for their last pee-pee of the night, I has one barker, I didn't want her waking up the neighborhood so I did the can shaking, which now cause her to bark at the can lol, so that was out. I am not happy about the spraying, but I do know if my lil man sees that bottle this week, he's gonna be a good boy lol. Thanks Ann for your suggestion.
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Originally Posted by Cha Cha I commend you for giving Cody a loving home. And I think in time as he settles in he'll feel more secure too. I know every trainer has different methods. Some I like, some I don't. You'll figure out what you can use and what you need to leave behind, but at least you're there, trying and that is great for him. I do allow my dogs to walk in front of me too. But if I see danger, like another dog, or person walking, or bicycle, etc., I ask them to check up. By that, I mean that I ask them to come back and walk by me until the situation passes. If it's all clear, I do give them the lead though. I didn't want you to think I am totally against a dog walking in front, rather if there is a situation, your dog learns to retreat rather than lunge and pull. |
Yeah that kinda threw me off, was thinking how can a dog do his business if kept at ones side. No Cody is held to my side when I he is leashed walked in town or if I am visiting friends that have side walks. Last week I was out of town, at 9PM I took him out for a walk, the sidewalks are narrow, someone was coming towards me with a baby stroller, so I stepped off the curb to let them by, it was a young Dad with a 2 & 4 y/o in the stroller, the youngsters were making a fuss when they saw Cody, they wanted to pet him, Cody LOVES children so I asked the dad was it ok his kids gave him a pat, the kids & Cody enjoyed the meet. I thanked the dad for letting Cody say hello to the children, he doesn't get to see many kids anymore, and the dad thanked me for letting his girls pet the dog, we all came away with with smiles on our faces. On sidewalk walks I do keep him at my side. Thanks for the clear up.