July 10, 2012

Our adult GSD recently decided he did not want to go on walks with me. He will only go with my wife. This is a recent change, would you recommend using an ecollar to correct him if he refuses to go with me?

Full Question:
We have a no vac, raw fed male who is 4 years old. His Dad was no vac but his Mom was given vaccine.

He is strictly a pet. We have one of your E-collars.

Recently he decided he would NOT go for a walk with me. Only if my wife goes will he go out the door for a walk. If I try to take him, he flops down and no amount of stern commands, yanks on the prong or delicious treats will get him up off the floor and out the door.

Would you recommend using the E-collar to break this habit? Put the collar on and if he does not get up, give him a jolt?

Have you ever heard of such bizarre behavior before? Any other hints how to cure him?

There were NO traumas or incidents to blame. Any help appreciated.
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
It sounds like a relationship issue between you and the dog. Putting an ecollar on him and correcting him won't likely improve his desire to go anywhere with you.

I'd recommend having your wife step back and make yourself more important to the dog through fair leadership, not corrections.

Pack Structure for the Family Pet

I'd run him through our groundwork program, with YOU being the primary person who cares for him. This would be the kindest and most fair way to try to work through it.

Here's a link to the groundwork program. I would modify it somewhat, since you aren't having any aggression issues. Make yourself more valuable to the dog on a regular basis and see if he doesn't come around.

We also have a number of eBooks, which include topics that may help you.

Cindy Rhodes

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Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
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