After so many searches for obedience training information, I am so grateful for finding Leerburg. I have watched Basic Obedience DVD. I have a 7 mo old Black Lab. I know most of you have GSD, so I hope obedience knows no breed!

My lab is smart, eager to please, crate trained...
I am working with her on being a well behaved member of our pack. She still has some minor issues, but she is coming around and I feel more qualified to handle her after studying the DVD.

The greatest lesson I have learned is that she is a dog, not my third child. She is a well loved member of our family, but my mindset must change if we are to co-exist in harmony.

That diatribe being said, my greatest concern at the moment is walking on the leash and coming when called, even in the house. I use a flat collar and leather leash.
She is strong on the leash. It takes alot of arm strength to keep her from leading me.

Two questions:

Is the Prong Collar the right choice for us?

Since she still has the occasional accident and won't let us know when she has to go, do I keep her in her crate whenever I can't be right with her in the house? It's a large house and between making beds, doing laundry and watching my soaps , I can't always keep both eyes on her. I do fear she will silently slither away and get into trouble. When I call her and she doesn't come, I know she's getting into trouble!

Thank you for everything, I appreciate it all!!

Kathi

we used a "puppy cord"--which was just a cord we bought at the hardware store and put on a clip. When I worked in the house, the pup was tethered to me and came along. If he wasn't tethered to me, he was in his crate or in a confined area.

Hi Kathi...

I have a 7 month old, 65lbs, male Lab who is really big and powerful. I started using a prong some time ago to help with walks and it made an enormous difference...and I didn't need to do anything. He corrected himself every time he pulled too hard on the leash. I LOVE my prong collar.

My dog doesn't have free run of the house, nor is he left alone for anything more than a few minutes in the gated part of the house. When he's out in the house I keep eyes on him all the time and/or keep him tethered to me. If I can't pay attention he goes in his crate.

My GSD was younger than 5 months when I first put the prong on him. It made a huge difference. If we can't keep our eyes on him we crate him.

the pup should never be left to his own devices in the house. use a prong collar on walks, and when he isn't in his crate he should be tethered to you or confined to just one room.

he likely would be housebroken by now if you'd followed this policy from the get-go.

Keeping the dog tied to you (we call it umbilical training) while your in the house does two things. It makes it easier to keep an eye on the dog and it also helps the dog realize your the boss. It MUST go with you all the time even without command.
With a 7 month old Lab this will be a challenge because of it's size. Be patient, Stay calm, Just do it!
If the dog is out of sight and it's recall isn't solid DO NOT call it. All that does is teach the dog it can ignore you if it wants. Same if the dog is distracted.
At this point in training,If it's out of sight, you have no control.

Thank you all very much. I was feeling "mean" by keeping her in her crate whenever I had chores to do, but I feel much better after hearing from you all. I'll let you know how it's going and I'm sure I will have more questions as time goes on.

This dog was sold to us at 5 mos of age. She was pick of the litter for showing but has a minor underbite. She has been with us for two months so I am hopeful that the learning curve for us both won't be too severe. Thanks again!!

 Quote: Old earth dog Bob Scott

....If the dog is out of sight and it's recall isn't solid DO NOT call it. All that does is teach the dog it can ignore you if it wants. Same if the dog is distracted.

I wish this was in neon lights somewhere for every new obedience trainer.

This is probably the reason behind 90% of the recall problems I see.

If you call the dog (before you have a solid recall trained) at a time when you can't enforce it, the dog learns something immediately. The dog learns that coming when you call him is optional. He can come or not come, depending on which is more interesting at the moment.

So, if my dog is out of sight, there is no use calling her until we have nailed down Recall. I should just go find her and bring her to where I want her to be. Is that correct?

 Quote: Kathi Smoak

So, if my dog is out of sight, there is no use calling her until we have nailed down Recall. I should just go find her and bring her to where I want her to be. Is that correct?

Yes.


But if the dog is never out of sight except when crated, then you will be building the relationship you want the dog to have with you..... as Bob Scott says, tethering the dog to you in the house for now except when she's crated will be a very good thing.

If you have to go find the dog in the house -- as Alice says, you are setting her up for accidents. You need to be able to catch her in the act, swoop her outside, and praise like heck when she goes outside. That means she must be right with you for now... or crated.