I didn't care for the 2-pronged leash. Just holding two leashes in one hand maybe kind of keeping it short or using 4 to 5 foot leashes and forcing them to be side by side walking is close enough. The key is really moving and not wandering the sniffing and peeing. It's more a teamwork kind of mindset.
Getting concerned
- Thread starter Laddie's Mom
- Start date
trini
Forums Sage
Since both are doing the "sled dog" rendition of walking, I would work with each one to get "heel" cemented before walking them together.
Dogs that pull are taking control of the walk and you are just along for the ride. That needs to be reversed...you have control of the walk and they are along for the ride. I would work with each one alone first to get the pulling under control before you walk them together.
It will take work to have them "get it", but it is really worth the time so that you can all walk together and truly enjoy the experience. Most important is to get their focus on YOU. If they are food oriented, anytime they look at you give them a tiny treat...making yourself more "interesting" than what is ahead that they are pulling to see.
While walking... the second they pull, you stop...if they don't turn to focus on you and come back to you...turn around and walk back the way you came...the minute they run ahead and pull again...repeat. Your neighbors will think you are nuts, but non dog people think most dog people are pretty much nuts anyway. LOL I have had days with pulling doggies when our walks literally went no further than 20 feet...and turn around and walk back...20 feet and back...multiple times. But once they connect that pulling ahead has the reverse results from what they wanted, you will suddenly see the lights go on and have doggies who may not heel perfectly, but who know that any tug they put on their lead means forward motion ends.
Make sure you are rested and relaxed when you work on walking nicely...irritation only makes a dog nervous and their ability to learn shuts down.
I am really sorry you are having such a tough time...transitions can take far longer than we hope they would...but with time and work typically things do settle down and become good. I always try to put myself in the dog's place and think how hard it would be to suddenly be plunked into a whole new life and expected to just accept all the changes with ease. We ask a lot of little dogs when they go to a new home...everything smells different, sounds different, new people, new doggie siblings, new schedule...it is sometimes simply overwhelming and they need for us to provide structure and patience so they feel secure as they work to sort out all that has happened to them. And the transition time can be as confusing and unsettling for the pet that has to accept a "newbie" into his/her home.
I really hope things work out for all of you...and I know you do too.
Trini
Dogs that pull are taking control of the walk and you are just along for the ride. That needs to be reversed...you have control of the walk and they are along for the ride. I would work with each one alone first to get the pulling under control before you walk them together.
It will take work to have them "get it", but it is really worth the time so that you can all walk together and truly enjoy the experience. Most important is to get their focus on YOU. If they are food oriented, anytime they look at you give them a tiny treat...making yourself more "interesting" than what is ahead that they are pulling to see.
While walking... the second they pull, you stop...if they don't turn to focus on you and come back to you...turn around and walk back the way you came...the minute they run ahead and pull again...repeat. Your neighbors will think you are nuts, but non dog people think most dog people are pretty much nuts anyway. LOL I have had days with pulling doggies when our walks literally went no further than 20 feet...and turn around and walk back...20 feet and back...multiple times. But once they connect that pulling ahead has the reverse results from what they wanted, you will suddenly see the lights go on and have doggies who may not heel perfectly, but who know that any tug they put on their lead means forward motion ends.
Make sure you are rested and relaxed when you work on walking nicely...irritation only makes a dog nervous and their ability to learn shuts down.
I am really sorry you are having such a tough time...transitions can take far longer than we hope they would...but with time and work typically things do settle down and become good. I always try to put myself in the dog's place and think how hard it would be to suddenly be plunked into a whole new life and expected to just accept all the changes with ease. We ask a lot of little dogs when they go to a new home...everything smells different, sounds different, new people, new doggie siblings, new schedule...it is sometimes simply overwhelming and they need for us to provide structure and patience so they feel secure as they work to sort out all that has happened to them. And the transition time can be as confusing and unsettling for the pet that has to accept a "newbie" into his/her home.
I really hope things work out for all of you...and I know you do too.
Trini
Laddie's Mom
Forums Enthusiast
LOL, that is for sure. Thanks for the advice. I will work on them not pulling so much before I use the two pronged leash. It looks like I will be stopping and turning all day, they just will NOT get it, I get angry and I now I shouldn't.
This morning, I almost cried, I was so upset. I went to feed them both, well, I fed Laddie first while Bella was out, he gobbled down his food and wanted more, I let him out and brought her in and gave her her food, well, she would not touch it, I put a little divider between her and the rest of the house so she would not wonder away and then have Laddie eat it, well, the barking started and it kept going on and on for almost an hour. Both were going at it, I was in tears and told Steve one had to go, he said "no" Finally, I went into the kitchen, she jumped and jumped to greet me, I stood there and she ate, but not much. I hate to say it, but man, I miss my "one dog days". I know it all takes time, but to me, things are go backwards.
Oh, and she is more and more afraid of Steve, I mean, I love that she loves me and sticks to me, but, if Steve had to catch her, forget it. She is almost terrified now of him. Something is wrong. I know Laddie sticks to him like glue and ignores me, it is all a big mess.
Give it time. She will eat when she is ready. She will not starve to death!
Honestly, I felt the same way at times about Melli & Shay at first. Shay looked at me like "why mommy?" and Melli is this food demon and blames Shay fo everything from no more treats to a neighbor shooting a gun to the goats headbutting each other. We have found a way to feed successfully and safely. After FIVE months, just this week, the two are actually playing, really playing with each other. Shay goes more to daddy, Melli is my best little buddy. We are finding a balance in the household. FIVE months!
Hang in there. A pecking order will be found, a balance will be struck, it will smooth out and your husband will have a little buddy and you will have the dog that lovs you so much the way you want.
You can do this. The more calm and reassuring energy you have the better. Make it no nonsense, matter of fact, and let the work out their relationship with each other and with you two.
Honestly, I felt the same way at times about Melli & Shay at first. Shay looked at me like "why mommy?" and Melli is this food demon and blames Shay fo everything from no more treats to a neighbor shooting a gun to the goats headbutting each other. We have found a way to feed successfully and safely. After FIVE months, just this week, the two are actually playing, really playing with each other. Shay goes more to daddy, Melli is my best little buddy. We are finding a balance in the household. FIVE months!
Hang in there. A pecking order will be found, a balance will be struck, it will smooth out and your husband will have a little buddy and you will have the dog that lovs you so much the way you want.
You can do this. The more calm and reassuring energy you have the better. Make it no nonsense, matter of fact, and let the work out their relationship with each other and with you two.
Laddie's Mom
Forums Enthusiast
Well, they seem to be getting along better, they play so darn rough though. She seems to handle it well I must say.
She still pulls worse than any sled dog, even with the "easy walk" harness. She is worse than Laddie even, no amount of going back and forth seems to help. She is a stubborn little poppet. LOL
She still will NOT eat, just nibbles once in a while, she is not looking any the worse for it, but it does concern me still, Laddie, on the other hand, eats great.
She still pulls worse than any sled dog, even with the "easy walk" harness. She is worse than Laddie even, no amount of going back and forth seems to help. She is a stubborn little poppet. LOL
She still will NOT eat, just nibbles once in a while, she is not looking any the worse for it, but it does concern me still, Laddie, on the other hand, eats great.
trini
Forums Sage
This is sounding very hopeful!!! I had just looked at your post with their beautiful picture and was hoping things were going better and they are. Good job!!
Some shelties just play really rough. I had never had this until we got our Faelee and she plays more like a Pit than a sheltie. It really bothered me at first, but my others have taken it in stride and no one has ever gotten hurt...but she sure is different from the more gentle shelties I have been used to owning.
I wonder if you got Bella a backpack to wear on walks if it would slow her down. A doggie behaviorist friend of mine once suggested this to me for a foster I had who pulled like crazy and wasn't responding to any of the typical no pull training. The thought behind the backpack is that it refocuses their attention onto their body, rather than on something they see ahead and want to pull towards. I thought it sounded nuts...but tired it anyway and it did make just enough difference in his focus that I was then able to make progress with the usual no pull training methods. I think the philosphy behind the pack wearing is much like a thunder shirt...refocus of attention away from the stressor. Initially you wouldn't even need to spend money to buy a pack...you can cobble one together with scrap material like an old towel...and tie it around her to see if it works before buying her an actual pack.
Although most shelties are total chow hounds, I had one who was not and will actually skip meals while the others were inhaling their food as if they hadn't been fed in weeks. His weight was good and he was active and healthy...so I finally have stopped worrying about him. As long as Bella is maintaining a healthy weight, has good energy (which from her play description I gather she has <g>, and is not sick, I would just accept that this is "her way" and not be too concerned.
I am so happy for you, Laddie and Bella that slowly things are getting better!!!!!
Trini
Okay, I didn't read through all of the past posts, but when working on walking with you (not pulling) make sure you have a treat in your hand down by their nose. This is what saved me with Ruutu now that we're working on heeling (had to get a walk right harness too). It could even be pieces of their dog food, veggies etc.
For steve: He needs to sit on the floor, ignore her and when she comes over to her, give her treats. Then repeat.
Sadly, I know the feeling of missing a one dog house hold. Not because we have issues, but because it's very time consuming and my dogs are very demanding (they bark, cry, fuss if they want anything at all...cuddles, food, lovings, played, pottied, water etc) so it can get annoying.