Hi all, I got this American Eskimo puppy 9 days ago. She's three months old now. I call her Looloo. I read all the puppy articles Ed has written, and I got the puppy DVD and the Basic Obedience DVD. I am following his philosophy of dog training (or I think I am following him.) But Looloo absolutely doesn't like me, and I feel I am drawing her away, although I am the only one who's taking care of her. She never looked at me affectionately, and I can never get her attention. She doesn't seem to know her name, yet. I am confused that why our relationship is getting worse everyday, instead of establishing a bond. I am wondering what I did wrong and I hope you guys here can give me some suggestions on what to do next.

I am having a hard time coming up with specific questions to ask, so I may just be describing what I did and her behaviors. This is going to be long, but I'll try my best to make it as short as possible.

First of all, I'd like to ask if you think she's an extremely weak-nerved dog based on her behaviors that I'll describe below. I've never seen a dog acts like her. So here we go:

Her first day here: she wouldn't walk out of the flight kennel, no matter how hard I tried using treats, etc. She didn't take treats from me. Finally I disassembled the kennel and took her out. She stayed in her new crate for the whole day.

Her second day here: She wouldn't walk out of her crate. I carried her out when she needs to go potty, and had to carry her back.

Her third day: She finally walked out of the crate and explored part of the room, but she wouldn't walk out of my apartment to go outside. I still carried her around when needed. We went to the vet and she was fine. She didn't shake or react when the vet took her and checked her.

Her forth day: Big change! She wagged her tail at me when I got up and opened the crate door. She even jumped at me and kissed my face. At that point I thought she finally liked me. She wouldn't follow the leash, so I carried her out to play awhile on the lawn. However she's often be in this 'hyper' motion of bolting back and forth, or in a circle, aimlessly. She sniffs the grass, and then suddenly burst into motion, bolting and then suddenly changes directions and bolts again. When she's bolting like that, her body is also wiggling and she'll be sort of squatting, so this 'motion' is different from running and jumping. She won't listen to me when she's doing this. I couldn't control her using the leash at all, since she'll be pulling on the leash in this motion so hard that I am afraid it'll hurt her. I just don’t know if she's excited or scared? Why is she doing this? There are no other people and animals at all around the lawn. But after a week or so, she acts less like this. But she'll be bolting like this again if there are stranger walk near. Sometimes she also barked while doing this.

Her actions to strangers: at the other evening, after I took her out to go potty, I let her play for a little while on the lawn. Then three women walked close. She dashed immediately toward them with that wiggling and squatting motion, wagging tails. She was so fast when doing this that I have to run with her, since the 16 ft flexi lead is not long enough. The women thought she's cute and friendly and then bent down to pet her. However, as soon as they tried to bend and reach for her, she immediately turned back and ran away. Again, she's running so fast that I have to run with her. I am confused about this action, is she actually being friendly or scared? Why was she dashing toward the women but then running away?

She's very cautious and skittish when outside. She runs immediately toward home whenever she hears or sees something, such as a stranger at 20 ft. away, a car started somewhere, or a dog's bark several miles away. If she heard something near, she'll start to bark immediately, but still try her best to run home. This morning she even barked at my husband, and then wiggling and bolting around him crazily. I am confused, I don't know if she's friendly or scared. She should already knew him, although he never petted her per Ed's directions.

We went to the vet yesterday. She was shaking at the table. But she let the vet do everything without a problem. She gave one of the staff kisses when she petted her.

With these said, here is my second question: how do I restrain her using the leash without making her upset? I didn't mean to correct her or anything. It's just that no matter how many times I called her, she wouldn't even turn her head and look at her. I tried to pop the leash, but she didn't react at all. When she's outside, she sniffs around, eats the grass, chews the wood branches, and never pays attention to me, like I was not there at all. If I lock the Flexi lead to stop her from going anywhere, she would bolt crazily to another direction, like she's trying to run away from the leash. Or sometimes she'll be again bolting around using that 'hyper' motion. I feel that the leash is really driving her crazy, but most of the times I am following wherever she wants to go without restraining her at all.

The third question: she doesn't seem to be interested in any toys, then how do I play with her and interact with her? When I tease her with a ball on a string, she just ignores it. A ball that's rolling in front of her also doesn't get her attention. The soft and squeaking toys may get some attention, but most of the time she just looks at them and then ignores them. Sometimes, if I throw a toy in front of her, she would be jumping at it, but then ignores it. She never chews on them or plays with them like my former dogs did. Maybe she just has no prey drive at all. No matter she's outside or inside, she's always sniffing around, trying to find something to eat. I can't get her attention since she doesn't know her name, and I can't play with her because she doesn't like to play. She's very obsessed about the wood branches and chips. She would chew on them like they are delicious bones. I tried to trade the woods with rawhides or treats, but she seems to be more interested with the woods. Now I feel so awkward when she walked me outside, (yes, she's walking me since I am always following her direction.) because she's doing her own business, and I am just a moving pole that's 'enjoying' the cold wind. She seldom turned to me when I call her name. And if she did come to me, she'll be running toward my hands looking for treats. I used to give her treats when I called her name, so now she's just relating her name with the treats in my hand. What should I do to get her attention, play with her and bond with her in such a case?

The last question: why is that she seems to hate me and be indifferent to me day after day? She stays in the crate most of the time. But I took her outside six times per day. And I always try to let her play outside for at least 30 minutes per day. I put several rawhides and lots of toys in her crate to occupy her time. She used to be jumping at me and kissing me when I just opened her crate door. But since yesterday she no longer does that. She would run directly toward the door to go outside and dink around by her own. Since she's oftentimes bolting, I stopped restraining her using the leash. I am afraid that'll hurt her. Also if I stop her using the leash, she'll be bolting crazily again. I think she's scared that there is something that's controlling her. What should I do? She also starts to bark at me when I put her into the crate. I had to put a sheet on her crate to stop the barking. I don't feel the barking is an aggressive one, but she's looking at me and barking at me directly, I feel upset about this.

I used to own a Pekinese, and that's all I know about dogs. He knew his name and was very affectionate to me after two days. Looloo is just so different from him that I am completely clueless on what to do with her. She's a baby and I want her to be happy. Could it be the crate training and the leash thing that are bothering her and made her upset? I am spending most of my days reading dog articles for the previous couple of weeks. But I am still not having a happy puppy. My husband even mentioned to sell her to someone else, since I am sort of upset and obsessed with Looloo. But I really don't want to give up on her.

If you have read to this point, please accept my heart-felt thank you! If you have any suggestions for me, please don't hesitate to let me know! I appreciate all your help and reply greatly! Have a good one! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Read more on the marker training. You want to reward the wanted behavior. Be consistent. Lots of treats, lots of praise.

At some point in time, your pup will have to learn that there is a definite end to the leash. You may have to let your pup run at the end of the leash a few times and bolt around. Ignore her confusion and wait quietly. When she calms, quickly mark the behavior then reward and praise.

This is easier to do now, with a pup than with an adult!

Your dog doesn't understand why she can't go when you shorten the flexi-lead. She doesn't understand that the leash is changing lengths. Get a nice leather pup leash and let you pup learn that there is an end to the leash and where the end of the leash is. Once your pup doesn't panic on leash, you can go back to the flex-lead.

When you consistently assert yourself as a calm leader, your dog will grow to respect you and show more interest in you.

Hi,
Connie is giving you some really good advice. Your pup is looking to you to be it leader, the pup most likely is very confused and frighten being taken from it's pack and put on a plane. Dogs are den animals the pup probably felt safe in the kennel. It's not that the pup does't like you the pup needs a leader to show him, he is safe and the new pack (your home) has an order of rank and you are the pack leader and the pup NEEDS to know that. If you go back and look at the DVD or read some of the OB training Ed has out you'll be fine and so will your pup.

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"Liking you" is secondary to understanding that she has a pack leader, which it sounds like she has no way of knowing.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Oh really! Then I still should restrain her even if she's so upset and crazy about that. I just really don't want to look at her upset and sort of stubborn face! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Actually I directed her using the leash at the first several days, but she was so upset and crazy about the leash that I stopped restraining her to make her happier.

I'll correct this definitely! Thanks a bunch for making such an important point clear to me, Connie! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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At some point in time, your pup will have to learn ...

Thanks a lot Anne! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I actually started from the 5 ft. fixed length leash at the first several days. But she was very upset and she kept bolting around so I switched to the flexi lead. Do you think that I should switch back to the 5 ft. one? Or maybe I can just keep restraining her using the flexi lead?

OK, I have to admit I didn't read the entire post cause, jeesh it's long. But I have two American Eskimo dogs so I'll take a shot at some points I skimmed through. Let me say I agree totally with the other helpful posts.

My dogs have no prey drive for toys, balls etc. couldn't care less. They are highly motivated only for treats. If any corrections are given they shut down. So everything positive, happy and filled with treats for them.. They are highly intelligent dogs and will learn anything or do anything for treats.

Both of my dogs would rule the roost if given any owner that was not alpha. Obedience training and lots and lots of socialization are necessay. One of mine does have weak nerves and I watch her always around people. she is the kind to bite when they turn their back due to inadequate socialization by me when she was a pup.

You have everything you need to work with your pup. You don't need toys. Use treats, following everything that Ed teaches in the puppy and basic obedience video. Do this multiple times per day for short periods. Obedience training will be your play time and the time you interact. You pup is having fun earning treats and will look forward to playing with you. But' as was said before you have to watch the video and use it. Apply the principles to everyday situations.

Eskies are very smart. You must be smarter than they are or they will run you house before you know it. There barking will drive you nuts when people come to your house or dare to walk by on the street. A job would be good when older. Look into agility, they are wonderful dogs but like all dogs they need an alpha for securtiy.

If your dog truly is ignoring you, maybe take him to the vet and have his hearing checked out. Probably isn't the problem but you always want to rule out medical conditions before assuming they are behavior.

You've only had the pup 3 weeks, he is only 3 months old. I don't think it's time to think about getting rid of the pup. It's time to make the committment to being a good owner.

Watch the videos over and over. Use the principles and you and your pup will be much happier. Next time just post one or two quick questions as I have the attention span of a gnat.

Bob

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OK, I have to admit I didn't read the entire post cause, jeesh it's long....
Bob

Bob, oh I can't say enough how much I appreciate your reply. That's so helpful and specific.
I didn't realize that a dog's breed can determine so many characteristics! I wanted to talk more about Eskies, but as said, this is a dog training forum, not a chatting one. So I'll just list two questions. Hope you (and other nice and professional people here) could get the extra time to read them and give me more suggestions.

1. How to encourage an Eskie to follow my directions on a leash when she's determined that she would not follow? What I meant is like this: when I sometimes want her to go to a certain place or direction that she does not want to go, she would be so determined that she immediately sit down, trying her best to pull the leash to another direction. When she does this, she is always facing me and looking at me. I almost feel like she's putting up a challenge to me. I know that I should not give in, but I don't know what I should do. If I pull the leash harder, she'll also be pulling harder. I am able to drag her out of her place, but I think that wouldn't solve the problem. I tried once to keep pulling the leash with her. That lasted for about three minutes and she wouldn't take a treat from me after that. I tried to put a treat in front of her, but she ignored the treat and planted herself harder.

2. Should I warn her or correct her for barking at strangers when she's outside? If I should, what's the best way to do it?

your dog needs to learn that following on the leash isn't optional. next time you put her on the leash, simply ignore her and pay no attention to how she is or isn't reacting. let her sit, dig in her haunches, yell, scream, act up, whatever. you are going to walk from point A to point B swiftly and in a determined manner, holding tight to the leash and ignoring the dog. say nothing! keep your mouth closed. if your yard is large enough, it's best to start this at home, where there are fewer distractions. otherwise, find a large park and go when it is relatively empty.

when you reach point B, look up at the sky, or across the street, or anywhere but at your pup, and stay silent. then choose point C to walk to. when you are ready, give her no warning that you are about to move, hold the leash tight, aim directly for point C, and walk there briskly. ignore the dog, no matter what she does, getting tangled in the leash, shrieking, you ignore and just go to point C holding tight to the leash. (this should be a fixed length leash, preferably a long one).

keep repeating this, until the dog gets the idea that following you on the leash isn't optional, and what she wants or how she feels isn't even on your radar. twice or three times a day for five or ten minutes, every day for a week.

i bet that sooner, rather than later, she will be walking nicely on the leash. she just needs to learn that she isn't in charge of what happens.

your job isn't to worry about what makes her happy. your job is to give her clear and direct guidance about what she is supposed to do. you don't do that by asking her permission. you do that by just doing what you are going to do and let her either pay attention and follow or face the consequences of refusing to do so.

remember: don't entreat her, don't look at her, just do what you are going to do (i.e. walk briskly to your next point), keep silent, and she has to look to you for direction!

this is a pretty standard early training technique. i'm sure others here can probably explain it better than i did.