Hello all.

I'm on day 2 with my shepherd (he's 10 month old, intact boy) and I'm following Ed's Ground work rules. So far no problem with crating (yay) he is extremely mellow, he's curious about the cats and does everything (when he's out and leashed) to avoid them, and somewhat walks good on leash.

Now with ground work and walks, I do have a question:

Yesterday I took him out to take a nice walk/bathroom break. When he pulled I would stop walking. When he would bump into me or trying zig zagging off to the other side of me, I would bump him back with my knee. He was doing good when it came to seeing other dogs from a distance; he would perk up his ears but I would call his name to get his attention back on me. Well on the walk, we encountered a woman walking a st.bernard. She was at a distance at least but when they were about to pass, her dog barked and lunged so my dog did the same. After that, when he would see a dog, especially if it's another pulling on their leash towards us he would get all riled up. There were some dogs that he would notice but didn't get all riled up. I was going out of my way to spot dogs from a distance and move to the other side. Just an FYI, my neighborhood/area is full of dogs.

Right now he uses a choke collar.

On today's morning walk, I made sure to just keep an eye out but he did good, granted there were fewer dogs out for a walk in the neighborhood and the ones he spotted, he would perk up.

Is this just a "this is all new and unfamiliar" thing? Should I work on distracting him? And what about incidences like the st.bernard, should there be a strong correction for this? This is where ground work becomes a bit confusing. Ground work in the house is awesome and great with no problems but when outside, I have no choice but to make corrections if he's doing something that I deem out of line (like the dog lunging barking). Today I will be bringing treats to help with the distraction but as far as the collar goes, should I switch to a prong or keep with the choker?

How long have you had the dog?

"Ground work in the house is awesome and great with no problems but when outside, I have no choice but to make corrections if he's doing something that I deem out of line (like the dog lunging barking)."

Did you stop? I mean, did you not each just keep on walking away from each other?


"After that, when he would see a dog, especially if it's another pulling on their leash towards us he would get all riled up. There were some dogs that he would notice but didn't get all riled up."

So he reacts just when a strange dog lunges towards him?

Two days so far. I know it's only so little time too but I just want to be able to help him get adjusted to prevent future problems, especially in my neighborhood since it's like dog central here.

I definitely do not stop with corrections. And I make sure to just keep on walking while pulling and correcting.

I think he more reacted when the dog was as big as him or bigger because there were medium and smaller dogs that he simply perked up with interest and there was no barking or lunging towards them.

 Quote: genichka goodrid

Two days so far. I know it's only so little time too but I just want to be able to help him get adjusted to prevent future problems, especially in my neighborhood since it's like dog central here. ... I definitely do not stop with corrections. And I make sure to just keep on walking while pulling and correcting. ... I think he more reacted when the dog was as big as him or bigger because there were medium and smaller dogs that he simply perked up with interest and there was no barking or lunging towards them.

Oh, gosh, nothing sounds alarming to me. He has no real sense yet of you as his leader-protector, for one thing. When I have a newly-acquired dog, I just calmly avoid any situation that makes him exhibit anxiety and reactivity. After just two days, I have no real measure of his reaction because he's new to his home, new to you, unsure of his pack security, etc., etc.

I'd be working at home with focus and upbeat basic ob marker training. I'd march right along past strange dogs so briskly and calmly that no real opportunity arises for his to zoom in on or pay attention to strange dogs. That dog lunging and pulling at him -- that was really the other dog's reactivity.

"There were some dogs that he would notice but didn't get all riled up. I was going out of my way to spot dogs from a distance and move to the other side. "

I always tend to calmly keep our distance when I see a dog who is not completely under control (who is dragging his owner or off-leash or barking).

You can do gradual dog-distraction proofing under controlled conditions when you get a little further along with basic ob and focus.

Do you have a flat leather (or nylon) collar for him?


All JMO, of course.

I have a nylon collar that has a chain portion...sort of like a martingale collar and a leather collar with tags on it.

Definitely will be avoiding the park for now or just stay on the outskirts where there aren't that many dogs and just stick to the neighborhood walks :-) and I will definitely be doing marker training as well, as a matter of fact, I went out and bought a clicker and a pouch for treats.

I can't wait till he's settled in to get started on some training!