Silas the Morkie: Some obedience questions... Hi there everyone! I just joined this forum, and I hope that I can get some good info from knowledgeable owners! My husband and I adopted a Maltese/Yorkie hybrid who is around 1 and 1/2 years old. We got him from a bad situation; he was housed with 3 pitbulls and we think he was abused in that home as well. The woman we got him from said they only had him a few weeks, but we don't know for sure. When we got him he wouldn't even eat out of a bowl because he was so nervous about other dogs coming to the bowl. Anyways, we have had him for a month or two now, he's adjusted very well, and he's very quick to learn tricks and listens really good, but when were on walks, if another dog is even in his field of view, he just freaks out, refuses to listen and jumps all over the place and slips out of his collar. So, we got him a harness for walks, which is working very well, but he still refuses to listen to us when were out on walks, especially around any other dog. He gets very anxious and excited and we don't know how to help him! We've been talking him around to parks and Petsmart to get him used to other people and dogs, but it doesn't seem to matter, he freaks out regardless! Is there any suggestions you can give me to get him to calm down or some good training techniques? Thanks! |
Maybe a group training class would help... the beginner's class... all the basics. Or walk him as close to another dog as you can and stop and treat him before he reacts. Keep gradually getting closer and treating until he becomes accepting of other dogs. May take a friend with a dog to help you. Have the friend stand at the end of the street with their dog on leash (a calm dog). Then walk your dog towards them, stop when he becomes upset, and turn around and walk away till he's calm. Then turn back towards the friend, and walk with the intention of stopping just before the point where he became upset the first time. Use a treat that he will not refuse. Keep repeating (over time) at getting him a bit closer each time, until it is no longer an issue. |
kjc gives good advice. It sounds like he came through his past relatively unscathed, which is great. Try to veeeeeeeery gradually get him used to other dogs. Start as far away as you need to, and give him a treat every time he sees another dog. You might also want to check if it's a particular type of dog that bothers him. He may fear large dogs, or fluffy dogs, but be okay with small, short-haired ones. |
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