Austin&Jackson

Jackson is doing really well in the house, etc, but on walks he is so frustrating that we sometimes end up in tears!! Whenever he sees a rabbit or a deer or any other thing he wants to chase, he goes nuts, and I can't find a way to stop him! He barks and pulls and he's so focused on whatever it is, nothing I do seems to work. Does ANYONE have any suggestions, other than pulling my hair out????

Jnfr

I don't have the wildlife issue so much. However, Jake is a Puller and Sniffer. I use a "Gentle Lead" Basically, a strap loops around his snout and keeps him from pulling my arm out of the socket. He fussed a bit at first but seemed to "get it". Now he walks much better and I only pull it out once in a while when he forgets that mommy wants her arm connected to her shoulder.

The Gentle Lead loops around their neck and also the snout. Basically if they are pulling it moves their head to the side (kinda like a horse rein) and discourages pulling.

I don't know what our resident experts will say, but it has really worked with Jake.

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Jnfr

Sophie (ATB (1996-2010)
Abby (ATB 2010 - 2012)
Jake (2001 - )
Ellie (2012 - )

Wioleta

If you haven't taught commands for "leave it" and "watch me," those might help. They should help get his focus back on you.

"Leave it" is a command for getting him to ignore something in order to get a reward from you. I mostly use it for ignoring poop or garbage that Molly wants to eat, but it can also be for ignoring squirrels, other dogs, people, etc.

"Watch me" is good for getting his attention focused on you (you start teaching this one by putting a treat right in front of your face to get him to look at you).

If the pulling is a problem, there are some good harnesses out there. Maybe people can recommend specific ones they like. I think there have been threads about harnesses on here before.

miss.abbey.road

we have one simple comand that magicaly works for all the issues with abbey! Its so wierd but it works for everything......."get steppin" and she will stop pulling stop begging at the dinner table and get ur but out side and potty i dont care if its raining lol.

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Fetch? Sit? Stay? Those are some weird names for a treat... Can I just have it already?

momofedee

Just be careful with the gentle leader, they can back out of it and run loose when excited. Speaking from experience, but not with my hound.

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Edee--basset hound--age 5 ***rescue***
Domino--jack russell--age 3

Austin&Jackson

We've tried a couple types of harnesses, they help with general pulling, but not when he gets all hunty. He knows leave it and we get him to "say please" before he gets more freedom on walks, and in general, it works, but he sometimes just gets into these frenzies.

Mikey T

You first need to work on self control in other context like'


Then using the premack principal a behavior that is more likely to occur ie chasing game, can be use to reward increase a behavior less likely to occur ie ignoring game when aked or on lead.

desensitizing to Squirrels

Austin&Jackson

Ok- that sounds possible, he actually does really well in stores- since his obedience/agility intro class, he seems to associate different buildings with "a place I'm supposed to work." Maybe we could figure out a way to do our "walk" at the local pet store, and reward when he ignores other dogs/animals/etc. I'll talk to the hubby about it.

Austin&Jackson

Video didn't work for me, btw....

Mikey T

Working on a recall can also help but you need to slowly work up to that level of distraction

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