[dane&cockermom]

at least not outside the house. i take gwen (my dane) into the pet supply store that i work at at least one of the two days i have off a week. i do this cause when i first brought her there, she was absolutely terrified to be out in public places, and she's slowly becoming better. anyway, she won't take treats from anyone, not even me at the store.

also, i've tried the reward thingy to have her walk on a loose leash exactly as was described in the stickied thread. as i was very successful in teaching my cocker to walk nicely using that method. but gwen has absolutely no interest in treats outside the house! so i don't know how to reward her when she's walking nicely on a leash. i praise and pet, but it's just not working.

i've tried the gentle leader, she snapped out of it when we were on our way to the vet and went running into four lane traffic. scariest day of my life. i've tried the Halti cause it's more re-enforced than the gentle leader, but she doesn't do well with it, i've tried a choke, but same thing. but for some reason, if i put both the choke and the Halti on her she does ok. but i feel so stupid using two methods to walk her, ya know?

at any rate...anyone have any suggestions? she doesn't like treats for rewards outside the house. if we're in the house, she loves them to death! i even tried pieces of hotdog today to intise her, and nothing! i'm lost.

[TooneyDogs]

Originally Posted by dane&cockermom

she won't take treats from anyone, not even me at the store.

My dog will not take treats from anyone elses hand. He never has. However, if someone throws it in the air, he will catch it. He's high on prey drive and fairly low on pack drive.

[quote]
i don't know how to reward her when she's walking nicely on a leash. i praise and pet, but it's just not working.
QUOTE]

Does she like really, really like petting? Petting from you, from other people? Always looking for that touch? If not, then it's not a reward to her.
Hot dogs are an OK treat for most dogs but you might have to up the anty. Try Spam. Slice it, dice it, microwave for 1 minute and pat dry. On your walks, slow everything down. If you rush, everything comes at her in a flood of sights, sounds and smells which can be overwhelming. Practice going only a few steps on loose leash. Treat and praise. When you've perfected 3 steps, try 5, then 10. Take it slow. If you falter at say 10 steps, go back to 5.

[Ixala]

Sounds like she's improved a lot, but still has a high fear level. Dogs can be too nervous or excited to repsond to rewards. What I would do is focus on calming her. Perhaps give her "Rescue Remedy" drops to help calm her, or have her wear a snug t-shirt when out of the house, as compression can be calming. Maybe taking her walking in less stressful places - the pet store is full of smells and sounds, probably a highly stimulating, and stressful place fo her.

[Curbside Prophet]

Originally Posted by dane&cockermom

at any rate...anyone have any suggestions? she doesn't like treats for rewards outside the house.

Is she hungry when you take her out? How stinky are your treats? Perhaps hot dogs just aren't enticing enough. I've heard swedish meat balls are undeniable. However, I'd do a simple exercise, perhaps at the stoop of your home. Sit on a bench and offer treats to your dog. Use a clicker for every treat he accepts. You may want to charge the clicker in your home first. Just as you can use a clicker to reinforce a behavior like sitting, you can use the clicker to reinforce the behavior of accepting treats.

I do agree with the others, however. It may be too soon to work away from your door stoop until you've worked on gradually adding distractions.

I hope this helps.

[Alpha]

I agree you may be adding distractions in a bit too fast.

But you can always try other motivators.

Motivator doesn't always equal food. Although trying something a bit tastier wouldn't hurt.

Motivation varies with each individual dog. For example, Hades learned the weave poles with a frisbee. Roxy's poles are speeding up with a tug etc etc.

Now I know throwing a frisbee isn't exactly reasonable inside the pet store, but those are just my personal examples.

If you think about it, perhaps there is something more reasonable in this situation, other than food that you can use as a motivator.

[Dogstar]

I actually wouldn't use a head halter, first off- for a lot of dogs, they're inherently stressful and have a depressing effect. A buckle collar- or, if you need more control, an ez walk harness- would probably be a better choice.

Secondly, I'd get better treats. REALLY good treats. Cut up cheese (real cheese, liek cheddar or something- not sliced process cheese), cut up hot dogs, freeze-dried or baked liver, shredded cooked hicken- REALLY good stuff.

Thirdly, I'd lower the distraction level- it sounds like she's gaining familiarity with that place, and that's good- but back the distraction level off some by going early in the morning when they open or just a few minutes before they close (like, 8:40ish, if they close at 9) when there are fewer people and dogs there.

[Annamarie]

i wouldn't feel dumb using the halti and the choke collar, the trainer at the community center here uses the same method. this way she weans the dogs off the haltis fairly quickly. plus the halti has the added bonus of keeping the choke collar high on the dog's neck where it's effective as opposed to it sitting lower on the neck where they tend to pull on it more.

as far as not taking treats from strangers, mine won't either. have you tried using one of her toys as motivation? one of the dogs in my dog's puppy class had to use this method since it wasn't food motivated either.

[dane&cockermom]

it's not that i'm only trying to walk her in the store. i was just using that as an example of her not taking treats anywhere but home. she'll take treats from strangers at home, just no where outside the house. she's gotten really good at the store as far as walking goes. it's when we go for our walk at night in the neighborhood is when she doesn't do well. she gets all excited for her walks, and can't wait to get started, so i'm pretty sure she likes them.

guess i'll try to find a better treat and see how that goes. thanks for the suggestions everyone!

[dane&cockermom]

found it! pepperonie! pepperonie works!

thanks all who said find something more intising! we had our best walk ever tonight!