January 05, 2012
During the isolation phase of pack structure, is it still ok to still have the dog walker come take care of the dog? Am I going to be able to effectively run my dog through groundwork with out being able to walk in an area without distractions?
Full Question:
Hi Ed,I just finished watching your DVD "Establishing Pack Structure... and as eager as I am to start the program with my dog Ziva I have 2 questions/issues. The first is I work full-time, like most people, and in order to give my dog a little break from her crate and a mid-day potty break I have been using a dog walker. She visits for about 1/2 hour, takes her for a walk and bathroom break and returns Ziva to her crate when they're done. So I guess my question is that if during the ground work phase the dog is to be isolated from other people and only I am to be handling and walking the dog, is it possible to still have the dog walker come to take car of her? Ziva probably could hold her bladder until I get home but I don't think it's fair to ask her to do that as I work 9-5:30 5 days a week.
My second question is that I live in a city/suburb and there really isn't anywhere I could walk her where we aren't possibly and most likely going to run into other people and/or dogs. It's actually very rare for us not to see other people/dogs on our walks and she is a dog that gets very easily distracted especially by other dogs. What are my options? Am I going to be able to effectively run her through the ground work/pack structure program with these 2 limitations? Thank you for any suggestions or help you can offer me.
-Heather
Ed's Answer:
Heather,
Good questions. There is nothing wrong with a dog walked as long as she doesn't take the dog out and play with it. She should remain neutral to the dog and this should be made clear. Explain why you want this.
When you walk your dog you should carry a bait bag which contains high value treats and a tug. Check out The Power of Playing Tug with Your Dog
We sell some all-natural treats. But I like going to the grocery store and buying cooked turkey breast and cut them into small pieces. Then on my walk I will engage my dog with myself when I come around strangers or other dogs. I get the dog totally focused on me using markers, using either a food reward or a tug reward. This is covered in The Power of Training Dogs with Food.
When you do this correctly the dog looks at new people, places, and things as a trigger to engage with you.
Regards,
Ed Frawley
Good questions. There is nothing wrong with a dog walked as long as she doesn't take the dog out and play with it. She should remain neutral to the dog and this should be made clear. Explain why you want this.
When you walk your dog you should carry a bait bag which contains high value treats and a tug. Check out The Power of Playing Tug with Your Dog
We sell some all-natural treats. But I like going to the grocery store and buying cooked turkey breast and cut them into small pieces. Then on my walk I will engage my dog with myself when I come around strangers or other dogs. I get the dog totally focused on me using markers, using either a food reward or a tug reward. This is covered in The Power of Training Dogs with Food.
When you do this correctly the dog looks at new people, places, and things as a trigger to engage with you.
Regards,
Ed Frawley
100% (13 out of 13)
respondents found this answer helpful
Can't find what you're looking for?
100% (13 out of 13)
respondents found this answer helpful
.jpg)
