Who hasn't the fantasy of dog running alongside? Or, how about the one of quiet solitude, warmed by the fire and dog at feet? These become reality after you've made a commitment & followed through with consistent obedience practice. Sometimes beginner classes turn out to be an endurance trial. That's why you see "Obedience School Drop-Out" t-shirts.
No one wants to have an arm hauled out-of-socket or see a child knocked over due to their dog's exuberance.
Take obedience classes. Practice daily with your dog, morning & afternoon. 15 minutes each session is enough for beginners. After several weeks, if your dog is still pulling on the leash & your arms hurt, its time to revaluate.
It could be you're practicing in an environment which lends to distraction; try the basement or a long hall-way instead of the backyard. Maybe a change in rewards is called for; more frequently or less, play instead of treats. Remember practice make progress and progress brings success.
You may want to consider a change in the TRAINING equipment you're using.
Collars are a hot topic. Trainers recommend training collars based on professional experience. Before you buy a training collar based on a trainer's recommendation, ask: How many dogs have you worked with that are of the same breed or similar to mine? Maybe you have a dog bred for herding cattle or meant to learn the word, "Mush!"
You may get a response such as a significant amount of their work has been with non-sporting dogs, with or dogs 14 lbs. & under.
Consider locating a trainer who has had far more experience with your type of dog. Once you do, its likely a different type of training collar will be suggested. There is nothing wrong with utilizing the appropriate training collar as a means of communication during class and during practice at home. The right training equipment is crucial for timely success.
Read up on your dog's breed. Visit the local humane society if you need help determining what the dominate breed traits are for your dog. Ask the society for training referrals. Keep your eyes open and watch for a dog handler/walker who seems to manage their dog well. Ask where they've trained. Everyone started somehow. Even if they had 16 dogs throughout a life-time. While an experienced handler may no longer need help in the basics of obedience, they're willing to return for training when a dog proves unresponsive to their experienced handling.
Your dog's build, temperament and responsiveness has to be taken into consideration when selecting your trainer. Same for your own strength, stamina, tolerance and self-discipline. Are you a push-over? There are trainers who are firm with the handler. The right equipment and a focused handler is crucial for successful training done in a timely manner.
If you find you've bitten off more than you can chew in the selection of your dog, make arrangements for private training. If finances are an issue, consider hiring a dog walker to attend classes with you. Both are far less expensive than increasing your homeowners coverage and purchasing an umbrella policy to match. And far less heart-wrenching than the decision to enter the dog into a shelter.
"The Humane Society of the United States estimates that six to eight million cats and dogs enter shelters each year, and three to four million are euthanized. No data is available for the number of dogs and cats euthanized each year in veterinary offices and homes; all we know for sure is that far more die by the needle than by natural causes." Common Questions About Animal Shelters, October 2009.
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