http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zof32qRp8o



Here is the second video I shot this evening. This is my situation and I can't get to any place where I can avoid such deep distractions, else I have to choose not to walk my dogs and just throw the ball for them in my yard. I dont want to do that.


You can see me do the things I THINK will help my puppies. But I have zero experience and am really doing things by intution. i.e. Things that I just made up thinking that it will help. Please feel free to criticize my techniques as you deem appropriate. I will take it in the right spirit.

As you can see, I do use leash pops but only when my puppy is starting to fixate or willfully disobedient. I have tried verbal reprimands but they dont work during such deep distractions. I escalate to a leash pop only after a verbal reprimand fails to have an impact.

This is where I live and I need advice on how to do it right under the circumstances. Atleast how to do it in way that will least damage my dogs.

Thanks in advance.


Ram

Wow, a walk through the streets in India (first video), was that ever fun Ram.

That banana wagon had me really distracted and would have taken a strong correction to get me unfocused. Not to mention all the debris lying around and the meandering dogs. You’re doing a great job of protecting him and you can see how he looks up to you.

If I had one suggestion, if I may - I would limit the amount of times you use his name. It sounds like his name is almost becoming part of the correction when he doesn’t respond instantly. “Kaizer SIT, K.a.i.z.e.r sit…. K.A.I.Z.E.R…….then he sits. I believe it should look something like…. Kaiser SIT…. No…..then the correction.

Personally, once I have their attention and give a command their name doesn’t come into the picture at all. I like to “save” their names for fun recall games – kind of a sacred word that means “come to me and good things are going to happen”. Diluting it with commands and corrections may cause inconsistencies at some point. A firm “No” or “Uh, uh” puts the negative on those words rather than his name.

In the second, I didn’t hear any command for “the heel”; it was simply “Kaizer”, then the pop. There was a “No” in the beginning that coincided with a correction but no word to tell him what to do.

Again, just being picky and certainly my opinion only. Other than that, fantastic job and great video!!

Teaching your pup to focus on you no matter what distractions are around is a very good thing to do. Continue working on that. he is young now but as he gets older it will become easier and easier.

I think you are doing very well. He will eventually become desensitized to the barking. I have a 3year old Pit mix that loved other dogs and was very sociable until he mixed it up with 2 English Bulldogs at the dogs park one day.

Now he is dog aggressive and not because he wants to kill other dogs. its fear aggression. I know this because there is this GSD behind a short fence that we have to pass all the time and this GSD charges the fence and of course my guy lunges right back.

My dog actually snapped the lead from the bike and as soon as he was loose I called his name and he came right to me as opposed to going after the GSD. If I had to bet I would have put my money on a serious dog fight. It didn't happen.

Very interesting. it tells me that my dog doesn't really want to fight...any thoughts anyone?

C J Barrett> I understand what you are saying. From now on , I will be consistent with my negative words and also not use the name so much.


Forumites> Any other suggestion on what I can do to desensitize my puppies would be much appreciated.

I would do what you're doing with the exception of sitting at the other dogs when they're barking, just walk and ignore the distractions, obedience under distraction will come later, it's early yet. Why are you wearing a skirt? JK

 Quote: Al Curbow

Why are you wearing a skirt? JK

Al, Ram looks to be purty big.:wink: Watch your back next time you're in India.

Ram, I liked the video of the problem. Nice to be able to see the behavior instead of just reading about it.:smile:

I figure he can't beat me up from India Mike