Hello. I am new to the board, and to this training. (all my other pets were house pets (toy poodle) who knew her commands, but did what she wanted. So I am needing some help.

I have a 1 yr old Chow/Lab mix that I adopted from shelter 1 1/2 months ago. She (Izzy) know her basic commands. My question/problem is this. When we go outside, she wants to run like now (I've been working on that I go out first). There are a lot of times that you give a command and she refuses. WhenI tell her "no" she drops to the ground like she's scared. I don't want her to fear me, I have never hit her..... how do you correct this? Also, for training, as far as walks and obedience, what type of collar would you use? E-collar or prong?

Thanks for all the help!

Welcome to the board. I would highly recommend that you order the Basic Obedience video from Ed. This will help you understand the basics of training.

You have only had the dog for 6 weeks, so you probably haven't built a bond. I would read the articles here on establishing pack order. There is a lot of good information.

I use a flat collar, a prong collar, and an e-collar depending on the circumstance. There isn't one right collar all the time. (IMO)

Remi doesn't pull on the leash, so when we got for walks he's on a flat collar. When we do obedience work, I use an e-collar since he is off leash at this point. When we go into a high-distraction situation then I normally use the prong as I can't deliver the right correct on a flat collar when he's highly distracted or in drive.

Hope that helps.
Jen.

thanks for the help. ive been doing a lot of reading here (and just starting out its overwhelming), and trying to get together all that i need to order, because i also have a 8 week GSD pup who i want to train, mostly for family protection... so i am making a list. if there is anything that anyones knows that i must have (from experience) please let me know. THANKS!

Marie, you need to start over with Izzy's training, just as if she has never been trained before. You may never have hit her, but her dropping to the ground like she's scared when told "no", someone did something to her. Give her a chance to get used to you, start her training with basic commands, leave out the prong and IMO definitely leave out the E-collar until you begin to know your dog and can then gauge whether or not she'll need either one. I think it's very important that you get the Basic Dog Obedience DVD that Ed Frawley made. You'll see it on the left side of this page. (Ed is the owner of Leerburg Kennel and this forum.) The DVD will tell you how to train various commands from the beginning and talks about the different phases of training (motivation, correction, proofing). You'll also need this for your GSD pup. Very important for both dogs.

Since Izzy is a rescue you need to take it slow and carefully with the corrections. Training from the beginning means to train with motivation first - treats, toys and praise. Corrections are for later when you're 110% sure she knows the commands. Right now bonding is the most important thing you can do with her....lots of play and fun time while you wait for the DVD to arrive.

Just treat Izzy like she doesn't know any command yet, reward her with treats and/or toys and praise everytime she does something good and when you're training her. And welcome to the forum

One way to keep a dog from getting correction shy is to "make up" with the dog immediately after giving a correction, especially a big correction. The dog needs to understand that you still love it--it's a pack thing. After a big correction (thankfully a rare occurrence now with my pup) a hug and some sweet nothings (but no praise or "good dog"--again, it's a pack thing) goes a long way. Heck, my Akita Miko tries to make up with me now! Unfortunately this doesn't directly address your dog being shy of a mere voice correction, but you might keep it in mind. Once you've fully bonded and your pup knows it's not going to get hurt for being voice corrected and will be rewarded for good behavior the entire problem will probably just go away.

Also, I always make it a point to give my pup a pat on the head or head caress in passing all the time. No, really, ALL the time. That way she doesn't get shy that way, always thinking you're going in for a scruff shake.

The dog needs to understand all commands on the collar before going to the e-collar, even if it's collar-wise and only behaves on the collar. Flat or prong depends on how the dog reacts to collar corrections. Start flat, then go to prong if you have to. Once you're happy with the performance on the collar go the long-lead. Once you are happy with the long-lead then e-collar if necessary, or as an emergency back up. The e-collar worked wonders for my pup who absolutely was collar-wise AND long-lead wise (i.e. she knew when I had control and when I didn't, and when I didn't, well, hoo-boy! :-)

thanks to all for the help. i will take the advise and start from the beginning. she is "picky" so I am trying to find a treat she really likes to help the training. she does wear a lead in the house (just in case, cause i have a 2 yr old cat too - the cat doenst care about the dogs, as long as they arent hyper in her face) i never leave them unserpervised, and Izzy and Hans (GSD pup) are never together except for when i have control of both leashes and then its brief times. I have been loving to Izzy and she has been better over time. (she used to jump on the couches and bed all the time to sleep/lay with me) and once i found this site i have no longer done that. when she does try i tell her down and she gets down without a problem, most of the time. once in a while she just looks at me or ignores me... so yes, i guess after reading, i have to start fromt he beginning. OH! when you give commands, especially since we have 2 dogs, do you use their name with the command or the command alone? i just dont want to confuse anything. THANKS AGAIN!

My Shopping List:
Basic Dog Obedience DVD
20' leadx2
Orbee ballx2
puppy tug