Quote: MATT STYLE

 Quote: JessicaKromer

... Matt, I am with the others who recommend relaxing a little and recognising the age of the pup. Changing direction often or stopping and waiting until the pup remove the tension on the leash before continuing are the tried and true methods to use here. ... For a more long term fix, look into marker training and teach the pup that you want him to stay close to you. Do this in the quiet of the living room, then, for example, to the back yard before attempting it on an actual walk. If you would like a written description of how to accomplish this, I'd be happy to type it out for you if someone else does not come along and do so first.

COOL i appreciate it, i was mistaken that training was suppose to start intensively @ 8 weeks, i can relax for sure i just have this vision of a 100+ lb dog dragging me down the street!!! i would really appreciate a detailed explanation of how to incorporate a marker into this , THANKS

Jessica has posted amazing step-by-step instructions here (I mean the kind of instructions that people bookmark), such as one I recall on the retrieve. So I hope she does type it out for you because it will end up useful to many.

I'll start by saying that I also begin loose-leash walking and/or a formal heel in a distraction-free environment. Even the living room can work, but if you have a hallway or basement or garage, even better.

I don't remember whether you have loaded your marker or not, or even know much about marker training. Can you fill us in? That would be Step One (and it's easy and fun).

I also forget: Do you have the first LB marker video? If not, this will be money very well spent: http://leerburg.com/219.htm

After that one, I'd plan on this one: http://leerburg.com/220.htm


I start by taking my first step with the leg near the dog. During that step, as the dog steps beside me, I mark and reward. Then two steps ... and I keep the dog's attention during this with praise.

I mark and reward frequently, only gradually increasing the number of steps between mark/reward events. I use tiny M&M-size food rewards.

For a turn, I lure the dog.

i do own a clicker, and i have "your puppy 8 weeks to 8months" and "raising a working puppy", I just tried the "crazy walking " and it seemed to work a little more effectively, he wants to stop and smell every 3 yards for what seems like forever, so it is hard to establish any cadence to the walk, lol another dog barked today and he shot behind me @mach speed , iam guessing this is a puppy thing to be a lil skiddish of other adult dogs ?

 Quote: linda west

Ross just got a puppy. I think that's what he means by "completely unsurprised". He's got the same issue at home. Am I right Ross?

Partly. Matt's complaints do ring home and I realized I've been too tough and too impatient with the little guy. Lucky he's so forgiving.

However, I'll cop to the snarky intent of my comment...I am not surprised that a guy who seems to be looking for confrontation (both on Leerburg and his daily walks through the 'burbs) bought himself a Presa.

Presas (and Cane Corsos): when a GSD or Rottweiler just isn't dangerous enough.

I vote for not letting this get out of hand... Both of you have new pups and are going to need all of our incredible, awesome, overwhelming advice for the rest of your dogs' lives. Haven't we had enough snarky for one weekend?

 Quote: MATT STYLE

.... another dog barked today and he shot behind me @mach speed , iam guessing this is a puppy thing to be a lil skiddish of other adult dogs ?

It will be your continuous job to make clear to the pup that you are always in control and that you are between him and the scary things in the world.

 Quote: ross rapoport

 Quote: linda west

Ross just got a puppy. I think that's what he means by "completely unsurprised". He's got the same issue at home. Am I right Ross?

Partly. Matt's complaints do ring home and I realized I've been too tough and too impatient with the little guy. Lucky he's so forgiving.

However, I'll cop to the snarky intent of my comment...I am not surprised that a guy who seems to be looking for confrontation (both on Leerburg and his daily walks through the 'burbs) bought himself a Presa.

Presas (and Cane Corsos): when a GSD or Rottweiler just isn't dangerous enough.

Ur an IDIOT

Bye for now Matt! Find another forum there buddy until Ed stops bye.

Will Rambeau
Moderator

I don't know if banned users can read the forum or not.

Matt, not being a smart arse, but "relax" has came up in both of your post on this board. Just sayin':smile:

I am going to jump in back to the original question.

My 11 week old is starting to finally 'get it' after two weeks of her leading me, sniffing every grass stem and biting my feet/ankles. Unfortunately we only have a large front yard with grass and lots of smells to work in at the moment. I have opted not to let her in the back yard until she has her rabies shot (bats, rats and mice), and not take her anywhere publicly until after she gets her final parvo shot. There are lots of distractions in the front yard, from neighbors, to neighbor dogs, to leaves falling, grasshoppers and more.

I am taking her out often...today almost hourly. The foot/ankle biting has dropped dramatically (although still there at times, especially when she starts to get bored of the tug rope and me walking all over the place.) She, like Matt's dog, is still skiddish of noises, but I reach down and give her a little pat on the head-to-tummy to make sure she knows I am there for her...then she perks up and looks at the new distraction.

What are good goal levels for leash training puppies? Honestly, I didn't think she would do this well, this soon, considering she does have many distractions. She amazes me.

Barbie, I'd keep it ALL fun and easy at this point. The world is a big, new, exciting place for your young gal so all the smells, noises, bugs, etc... just HAVE to be explored a bit to figure out what the world is all about. Keep a toy/squeeker handy and use it to bring her attention back to you as needed, but right now I'd let her explore a bit, play a bit, etc...

Can you get any of the Michael Ellis videos at this point? Watch some of his free streaming videos to get an idea of how he trains keeping your pups attention and beginning training.