General Chat

Hi everyone,
Some of you may remember we bought a Cav. King Charles puppy, which we asked help on here to name her. Anyway Poppy is now 7 months old and absolutely adorable. We've been thinking of taking her to training classes as we're having a few problems with her, mainly when we take her out, I'm going to have arms as long as a gorilla soon!! She pulls constanly on the lead, if I hold the lead shorter I'm almost choking her, she the same on a harness, has anyone any solutions? I enquired about the training classes, but not sure we need the whole package, which is a 12 week course, one hour a week, at a cost of £120.
many thanks,

ShelleyRose x

Hi Shelley -

Have you considered asking for initial help from an individual trainer or behaviourist? They normally charge by the hour, and an hour or two should be sufficient to get some hints and tips, and maybe advice as to whether you need classes. Often the solutions are quite simple, they just take a lot of practice! We found puppy classes great for socialisation when our 15-month old was very young, but not so good for specifics such as lead work or recalls.

ShelleyRose, The best thing is a halti. It works like a horses halter and if you can lead a horse you can a cavie. At first she won't like the strange thing on her face but persivere (remember you're in charge not her) and it will save you loads of dosh. They do not choke the dog, they do not tighten they just turn the head so the dog cannot pull with its head turned sideways. they are the kindest way to make a dog stay at your side. Once saw a young boy with a doberman nearly the same size, I was worried that the dog would pull him onto the road, then I realised that he had it on a halti and was in complete control. Elaine.

My dog training is £5. for the session. Its great. Have some cheese in tiny pieces or hot dogs chopped up in a bag in your pocket. dangle them for her and show her you are wanting her close. Keep saying heel or close and then pull her back. Mine still pulls too (7 month old whippet) and sometimes, they can grow out of it as when they are little they like to sniff everything and want to pick up everything, but the cheese does work and when my whippet hears me going into my pocket she stops and looks up and now sits for it when walking. Hope that helps a little

SheilaWW, flying doctor and Allison, Thank you all for your replies, I have a friend who works with dogs (fostering them) she came around last weekend to take Poppy for a walk around the garden and she thought I should enrol in classes, she also suggested a halties, so will look into this, and see if I can get one to fit. Individual training sounds like a good idea, and would probably suit my purse better (as I'm a senior citizen £120 is something that I can't really afford in one go, last month I was quoted £100 for the class, this month it had gone up by £20! - not sure why). Thanks also for the cheese and hot dog tip, will give it a go,
Thank you all again for your help.

ShelleyRose x

A halti is about £10 and works instantly !

That is cheap....I pay £95 for 6 weeks.......worth every penny though....unbelievable what one doesn ' t know.....we are on our third course and heading for club class.......But just the first course is a must have.....honest :-)).....+ one meets lots of others on the course......more than a few tips are needed....practice practice practice, and if one has to go every week it helps to keep up......left to ones own devices, one tends to let things slide.

Hi Shelley (i am writing from Australia)

As already mentioned a training Halti works well or a Sporn head halti which is based on the same principle as the Halti but the sporn head halter comes up behind the head so you can maintain a natural walking position rather than the halti attaching underneath the chin and when any pressure is applied the dogs head is pulled to the side (i hope this makes sense). Alternatively i use a sporn walking harness which is a lot easier than the above mentioned. The sporn walking harness is really easy to put on and simply works on applied pressure under the armpits of the dog. The strap that goes under the front legs is lined in fleece to prevent any rubbing.
I do a lot of education on these products so am extremely familiar with them. The added bonus with Sporn is they have a lifetime g'tee. Google Sporn if you like.

I can also highly recommend any training class that allows you to use a Halti or Sporn Halter during class. steer away from classes that will only allow you to use a choker chain (unless it is a soft rolled mountain choker chain which has no chain on it what so ever. My belief is a good trainer has a tool box full of different training tools as no two dogs are the same and dogs respond to different things. Training classes are the best thing you can do for you dog provided the instructor is a good one. Classes allow your dog to socialise with many different breeds some big some small and teaches your dog to listen to you no matter what is going on around you which is invaluable. Here in Australia you can attend clubs where you pay an annual membership of $15 and then $2 per class which makes it really affordable. Or you have the smaller more private classes which are a set number of weeks and a higher price but you do progress a lot faster. Some instructors like to use food as a motivator for training (positive reinforcement) some like to work without food. The main thing you need to look for is a class with structure and classes that are small enough that if you are having a problem they have the time to help you through it. Young dogs learn a lot better if you do frequent but short training sessions in between classes. do 10 - 15 minute training at home and then leave it alone. That way your dog will have time to digest the information you are giving and will progress
Cavalier King Charles are on of the nicest breeds in the world so you have chosen well. Good luck with your puppy and training classes

Regards

Cindi Shane

Lindsey, Susan and Cindi Shane, thank you for your replies, a few people have suggested a halti, so am about to go to the pet shop to get one, and give it a go, I've also been enquiring about other classes in my area and have found one that charges £25 for 4 lessons, and only has about 5 puppies in it, so may get more 'personal' training? Cindi thanks for all your info, really helpful, I take Poppy out in the garden 2-3 times a day, she loves it outside, I can't wait until the day we can go out for a proper walk with her.
Many thanks again for all your help.

ShelleyRose x

i took my bouvier des flander to training club
he did fantastic earned a grade A cert
but he only did what was asked while we were at the club
at home he still did what he liked lol

so my butler used to say Tyson was highly trained to please himself

That is so funny Joy. Sam our 8st giant and I were banned!!!! He loved everyone and wished to play, then when he was sitting one day, I was told to push his head down to make him lie down when his head came back up and I went home with a black eye and a fat lip where my teeth had cut in.

i would dare take the dog i have now Benson
he would eat all the dogs and the owners to then start on the furniture

he such a naughty boy

some you can train and some you just cant

I was a wreck after training classes .It's exhausting ,but great fun and it helped train me as well as the dog .I made sure OH had a big glass of G&T ready for me when I got home lol
As others say I think a Halti is probably the best thing.Good Luck !!!!!

Jane ive tried haltis
full muzzels cloth muzzels and full body harnesses
nothing works with Benson

he is ok with me my butler and our two grown up kids
but not with anybody else

even the vet wont treat him without a danger assessment
and nobody will cut him
no mater how much i am willing to pay them

Have you tried a strait jacket Joy ;-)))

We've got a chest harness for ours, with a lead clip on the chest part and another on the back. This helps a bit and he is improving (I should hope so, he's already nearly broken my finger!) - he's a strong dog.

yes i have sheila
but its a bit hard holding on to his lead while wearing it lol

my harness fits round his body then pulls at the neck
but he still pulls my arms out the sockets

what on earth kind is Benson, Joy??????

he is a long haired japaneze akita
but his grand parents come from Canada
i had his mum
she was put to sleep a few weeks ago as she was very old
and he was born here in this house 7 years ago
i have always had dogs but never had one so naught

I had not heard of the breed Joy so looked it up. I think I would have thought they were huskies if I saw one. I thought people might be interested in this info

In Japan, where the breed originates, Japanese Akitas were given places of honor. For a period of time, only members of the Imperial family or ruling aristocracy were allowed to own Akitas. Originally bred for hunting and fighting, the modern Akita is a powerful animal comparable to the pit-bull with keen intelligence and a fearless spirit. The first Akita was bought to the United States by Helen Keller on her return from a tour of Japan.

Sounds like yours is a good example!!!

All you have to do is think like a dog. A dog is a pack animal and there is a definate peck order, you are the leader. Even though lovely Poppy (like the name) is small and cuddly she is still a dog. When taking her out insist that you go through the door first, when you have been out do not make a fuss of her when you come in. Take your coat off put shopping away while the kettle boils and when you sit to have your cuppa then make a fuss of her. Dogs are better when they know you are the leader, they are not worried that they have to be in charge, to look after you and be alert for strange noises etc in fact you being in charge gives them a sense of security. Be consistent all the time, the first year is so important. Meet other people with dogs and let them play together, do not tighten the lead when you see another dog, this gives the signal that it is something you fear so she will either try to run or worse try to defend you.There is a book The dog listener the author is Jan something, can't remember her surname, this you can get from your library. Hope things go well for you. Elaine.