Hi all. I just read Dawn Fantasia's post re: Prong for Toy Breed. I understand that it's not supposed to take much to get a little dog's attention BUT let me describe mine and see what you all suggest:

Pekingese 17 pound female. I KNOW she KNOWS - come, sit, down, stay, etc. If there's food involved she will do it all and a few stupid dog tricks too. Without food - she'll take my request into consideration. . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

This is why I'm considering a prong - At 10 weeks of age she was chewing on a treat. I went to pet her and she growled at me with teeth. I shook her until she stopped struggling. The instant I let go of her she went airborne flying at my face (I was siting on the floor next to her). I grabbed the 3 pound fuzz ball out of the air and pinned her to the floor - shook her like there was no tomorrow until she was really squealing. This type of aggressive behavior and my discipline went on for about six months. She is now over any food/treat aggression. For a foo foo dog she's actually really nice! Not an ankle biter or annoying yappy thing!

I've been working her with a choke chain. When she doesn't obey a command I jerk it. The harder/more I jerk, the more she locks her legs and won't obey. Come turns into dragging her to me. Sit and down ends up with me on top of her forcing her into the position. Called a few local dog trainers in my area (San Diego) who suggested a prong.

I believe I have been consistent. This is not the first dog I've trained. I've had dogs for the last 20 years and have never encountered a stubborn fool like her. I had my first dog (20 years ago) trained off leash very well. That dog actually downed from a full run half a block away from me when told. That's just to explain why I feel I'm not a newby to obedience training. I'm not saying I know it all. Obviously I don't. Just at a head here and would like some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Roz

I might be telling you stuff you already know, but it seems you need to redress the balance of power in your relationship with the pup. If you're not already doing it, ignore her when you come in from being outside, when you get up in the morning, when she demands your attention. She will try everything to get your attention, but don't give in to her. Also try spitting in her food, to put you scent on it, basically telling het that you have been there first as the pack leader, and don't let her dictate to you wwhen and what she eats, YOU decide. My Neo went four days without eating and ended up that hungry that she ate the same meal ( the same one, not the same food!) on the fourth day. I have two mastiffs and have heard horror stories about dominant large dogs. I don't have any problems with aggression from them. I still cna;t get them to do what I want, obedience wise, but that's a training issue I'm working on. I hope this helps a little, not really answering your question but there are planty of people on this forum who can help you.

Sylvia's Tack Box
1-507-931-2759
email: tacbox@iglide.net<br />
They make great training items for short and toy dogs. For example the beveled dumbbells and special sizing for flat-faced toys, very small scent articles, sturdy braided leashes with small snaps, etc.

They make a high-quality steel prong collar with short length links so you can get a good fit on toys.

I've used Sylvia's prong collars on dobes, and other hard to fit breeds. It lets you get a good, stable behind-the-ear fit. The links are strong enough for the big dogs, but you have to replace the chain for them.

Correctly used, prong collars are very effective on tough toys (but not a sliver bullet).