[quote=dyzir13;662979]My 1 year and 3 month old lab mix is quickly becoming a horrible walker. I've always loved taking him for walks and being able to relax, but now I feel like I can't because I am constantly correcting and disciplining. I'm going to go through the list of my problems and hopefully some of you can give me some advice.
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| Problem 1: I used to walk my dog with a Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness. The leash connects at the front of his chest. He walked decent and I felt in control of him on this. However, I noticed the strap on his underbelly wore away his hair. For the past 3 weeks I've been walking him on his collar. I feel less in control and fear his collar will slip over his neck. His pulling is also worse. I've tried a choker collar and felt it was horrible. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to use? Maybe a different type of harness?
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I love my easywalk, but I can see how the hair loss can be an issue. Have you thought about adding a felt cover to the underbelly strap to prevent friction? Easily done if you sew, or a local tailor could do it for you.
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| Problem 2: I try using positive reinforcement with treats to get my dog to walk by my side. When I give the command "by me" he will move towards my side, but once I reward him he speeds up and pulls. I've tried turning around everytime he pulls or stopping and waiting for the tension on the leash to loosen, but nothing works! If I don't have treats he won't even come by me.
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This is most likely a training issue rather than a method issue. You have inadvertently been rewarding him for coming BACK to you rather than for walking nicely beside you. This is common and can be fixed. When he comes back to you take a step or too before marking and rewarding..he needs to be rewarded for moving forward by your side, not for just returning to you. Then you build up from two steps to three to four etc. It's a timing issue on part of the trainer to ensure you are rewarding the right behaviour..a clicker or marker word timed to coincide with his moving by your side is very important.
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B]Problem 3:[/b] He never used to when he was a puppy, but he almost always lunges towards people and especially other dogs now. It is not aggressive, but he wants to greet them. Even when I have a treat and tell him to stay "by me" and "leave it" he won't. Honestly, I have no clue what to do.
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Work on a strong sit command, when someone approaches have him SIT, stand on the leash so he self corrects if he lunges. Reward him with treat or even better have the person or dog say HI IF HE IS CALM AND SITTING. Once he learns no hellos happen without sitting and being calm this behaviour will lesson..but it takes practice and consistency. Basically what you are doing is teaching the dog to sit automatically for greetings. This is a very important skill for a labrador (bouncy bouncy bouncy!). Using the greeting as a reward is a good way of using "life rewards" to train your dog.
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All I want is for him to walk by my side and follow my commands. He thinks he is the leader and I feel I can't do anything to change that right now. Positive reinforcement hasn't worked. I'm ready to give up. I'd appreciate any advice. Thank You!
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He doesn't think he's the leader..he is an adolescent high energy extremely social dog with a lack of impulse control. Training a dog to consistently heel, not jump, greet nicely etc takes a lot of time and work..they are highly distractable, it is not disrespect, it is excitement. This will change over time but it is up to you to be patient, firm and reward ALL good behaviour appropriately so that he learns all good things come through behaving for you.
The first couple of years of dog life is hard on the owners...regardless of breed and then some breeds don't "go adult" until they are three years of age. Consistent training in the first couple of years pays off in the rest of the dog's life..
Good luck.
