i have a 2 1/2yr old American Bulldog that i am having a lot of trouble with and need some advice or maybe an idea of a Leerburg DVD to get.

(to make a long story short) the big problem i am faced with is as soon as i let him out of his kennel he runs around the yard "marking EVERYTHING" and he goes deaf i call him and call him, i might as well be talking to a wall. i sent him to a trainer for obedience training which turned out to be a BIG mistake.

so can someone point me in the right direction on how to start his obedience training?

thanks,
Victoria

One thing to do is keep a long line on your dog at all times that he's supervised so that you have a way to enforce your commands. And, never give a command you can't enforce if necessary.

I'm sure others will have more suggestions, but I think I'd start with the Basic Dog Obedience video.

Hi Victoria, American bulldogs can be very independent. Elaine is right, a long line when ever you take him out. I always have my AB sit as soon as I let him out of his kennel and then I snap a long line on him. When we get to the door, I have him sit and wait for me to say it's OK to go outside. When he's calm and attention is on me I say OK outside and away we go.

I walk to a specific place and I make no mind of where he is, I just go to a spot and stand there. At this time I just look up in the air or at a tree or something, watching him but not letting him know I'm watching. I just act like he's not there. When he's sniffing around and not paying attention to me, I turn and walk away to a different spot. Just hold the leash with both hands in front of you, don't jerk it and pay no mind about where he is or how he might get tangled in the leash. He has to learn to pay attention and watch where you are at all times. I'll move to three or four distinct spots in my yard. Do this every time and he'll get it. Just don't move if he's going. The key is to act like you're simply connected by the line. So if he gets pulled away or tangled in the line it's his own fault for not paying attention.

If your dog has good food drive, it helps to have some treats on you and every time he comes to you on his own give him a treat and a good boy. Just stay calm. Hope this helps... I was able to stop my AB from doing the same with this method.

thanks for that advice, i am going to try that. ill keep yall updated on the progress

These DVD's are great and may help you out a lot...

Establishing Pack Structure with the Family Pet

The Power of Training Dogs with Markers

(I just started this one above, but so far....AWESOME)

Basic Dog Obedience

You have received some great advice.

I regret all the years before I learned that tethering (to me) is a wonderful thing.

Not just to teach outdoor potty, but also to jump-start a bond with any adult dog I adopt.

Victoria, you see how the width of your sig pic forces the reader to scroll right (on many screens) because it stretches the text margin?

That picture needs to be quite a bit smaller. Thanks!

humm it looks ok on my screen but i'll size it down, thanks for letting me know.

Edited by Victoria Vara (11/11/2008 07:08 PM)
Edit reason: fixed sig

 Quote: Victoria Vara

humm it looks ok on my screen but i'll size it down, thanks for letting me know.

Yup, it's OK now.

Thanks.