walking

[Malakai]

Our rottie is a dragger. He pulls the entire walk. He is a little over a 1 and a 1/2 and we have tried m any things. He is good at home for the most part. We have been walking him since he was a small pup. We have tried many collars. We have tried a regular collar and leash, a head harness and leash, and a prong collar. We have never used a regular choke chain due to the damage to the dog and their throat. We will never use that as an option. Right now he is being walked with the head harness. He pulls all the time. Hard checks don't seem to help. HE stops for a second then pulls again. He is very unpredictable when it comes to seeing other dogs. He will bark and growl aggressively sometimes and other times just walk past with just a little bark. When we use the choke collar he doesn't seem to respond well. There have been times when he has had a dead bird in his mouth and we have been pulling up on his collar. Enough to get his feet off the ground and he continues to eat the bird. I feel like nothing is working. He was nuetered about a month ago. Any suggestions? What should I do when he gets so aggressive on walks? IF I correct him and say no or pull hard towards me he has been known to nip. This has always shocked me since he is never aggressive to many any other time. I can take anything out of his mouth. I can wrestle with him making him growl and in the same note ask for a kiss and get a wet slobbery kiss. I love this dog and want to enjoy walking him. I am just sick of dreading the walk. Sorry to be so long winded.:o .

Amy
Malakai's mom

[spidey]

You shouldn't be giving hard checks with a halter, that can cause serious neck injury. A prong collar is a better choice if the halter isn't providing adequate control.

How much obedience training has he had? Are you currently enrolled in classes? You need help training your dog, and a class is the place to get it, I'm afraid. It sounds to me as if your dog hasn't ever been taught how to walk nicely on a leash, you're correcting him without having trained him in the first place - your corrections clearly aren't working and I honestly think you need to get some professional assistance here so that you can train your dog, rather than continually correct him without training him, which is what it sounds like you're doing now. Sorry, but that's really my best advice - get into a class and stay there. Maybe others will have other suggestions. Good luck.

[rottsnroses]

Have you taken any obedience training classes? It sounds as though you need to get into a class to learn how to train your boy. There truly is no better way for you both to learn.

Properly fitted and used, a prong collar is a very effective training tool. It should fit tightly, and be positioned up just behind the ears, not down low towards the shoulder. The correction should be firm and quick, not a constant yanking or pulling.

I'd highly recommend getting into an obedience class. They are great fun for both you and your dog, and it's a great opportunity to socialize your dog as well. Good luck!

[Anne]

Have to agree. Obedience classes are the answer to your problems. IMHO I don't think it's a good idea to wrestle with him and make him growl either.

[Malakai]

I am confident that the prong collar is properly fitted. It is the right snuggness. We have read a lot on heeling. It does not seem to work. We are not the kind of dog owners that have not done our research and reading. I know this is a stubborn breed and very smart. He knows what he his doing because sometimes he walks like he is suppose to and then he challenges the pulling. The prong collar does not work. I have tried treats on walks and clicker training. I guess it is time to seek a dog trainer. They are just so expensive. When he gets checked with the head harness it is not even close to a check that he gets from a prong collar. I have done my research on that as well, and I know that can do damage. Thanks for the advise.

Amy

[KateG]

I agree with everything that's been said...your boy needs to go to school and fast! However, if you're worried about the cost, classes are MUCH cheaper than a private trainer, and they can be just as effective at teaching you how to teach your dog, if not more so. Plus there's the bonus socialization factor. In New Jersey a series of seven classes runs 85 to 100 dollars, and in fact the excellent teacher Abby and I go to now charges less than the poor one we started with!

Have fun!

[hundlover]

When your dog incounters resistance on his collar he will will try to pull more. When your dog pulls just STOP! When he does praise him! Everytime he pulls again STOP. I would also suggest that you short leash him until the problem is corrected.:)

[rottnkidd]

Malakai - Please consider the advice of others and enroll in a class. It's the best thing you can do for yourself and your dog.
You can try practicing some things at home in the meantime, but please enroll.
If the dog has a reliable sit, then don't leave the house or the yard until you've implemented this command. He's not to make the decisions about how fast you'll be walking! That's for you to decide and he needs to learn that. Go out in the yard or driveway, make him sit at your left side, praise him, give him a treat, then take a step to start walking. Maybe say "Let's go!" The instant he starts to pull, freeze up, stand like a tree, and let him flail around at the end of the leash. He'll soon calm down when he realizes you're not going anywhere until he's calm. Call him back to you, get him to your left side again, and repeat. Be sure to praise/treat when he's at your side. He'll soon learn that good things happen when he's by you! Do not reward him with a walk until he can be calm. Arm yourself with some real tasty treats (cheese, baked liver, etc), and reward him ONLY when he's at your side and acting appropriately. If you continue to leave the house, allowing him to take YOU for a walk, he'll continue to pull.
You can also try giving him a quick pop when he pulls out ahead of you, and quickly change your direction. You won't cover much ground, but believe me, he will learn that he's not getting anywhere either if he continues to pull.
I only use 'heel' for formal training, otherwise, I say "Walk by me"
having indicated previously where "by me" is.
He must understand what it is you want, otherwise he'll continue to pull you. He's already learned that he'll get a walk no matter how he acts. So put an end to it now. He's only going to get bigger, stronger and bolder with age. Seek out a class. It's really such fun to train with other people and share your successes and defeats. And it's great socialization for your Rottweiler. Best wishes!
kathy

[AngelBunny]

Malakai:

A nickname for a prong collar is "cleric's collar" because you put one on and your dog gets instant religion.

I find it impossible to believe that your dog continues to pull you about wearing a properly fitted prong. Your dog is unique.

Also, classes may in the long run, have been less expensive than all those collars you bought to no avail! They may also be less expensive in terms of the embarrassment you must feel, walking a dog so out of control. To enjoy walking him you're going to have to take him to class.