Help - Unruly Dog

[rockyracoon]

You might remember me telling you that we adopted an 11 month old Bullmastiff back in October. Well, he's a great dog indoors but an absolute mare outside. For the first few weeks that we had him, he was keen to greet other dogs and whilst he pulled on the lead, it wasn't too bad, then we had him neutered, and the problems started. He pulls like a tank on speed, my husband who is very strong can barely hold him. We've had 2 trainers for 1-1 visits, one took the line of, reward good behaviour and distract from bad, which seemed reasonable to us. So we ventured out with him hoping to give him treats when the lead slacked, needless to say, we came back an hour later with a bag full of treats having got no further than the end of the road. This went on for a few unbearable weeks, he just wouldn't learn. When we stopped walking, he was quite happy to wait until we were ready to move ahead when the lead slacked, then he'd be off again. We were walking him on a Halti harness, clipped to chest and back.

We got another trainer who said we were using the wrong lead and came for a walk with us with Rodney on a slip lead. Whilst the trainer was there he walked like a dream, but the next day, off he went. He's also been quite aggressive to other dogs since he has had his bits removed, which is quite disappointing. He gets super excited when he sees a dog, screams like a banshee to say hello, then growls at them.

Has anyone got any advice. We tried the Halti face harness but he would end up injuring himself with that, any how he got it off as I think his snout is too short.

I wish I hadn't got him neutered. It seems the problems started just after.

[rockyracoon]

Hi LB. Yes, I'm absolutely sure that we are the problem, no doubt about it, but when I mention the trainer being there, I was actually walking Rodders, the trainer as walking behind us. But that's by the by. When we first got Rodders it was apparent that he'd been ill treated, he wet himself in certain situations and it's taken patience for him to trust that we won't hit him, that being said, I think we probably went too far the other way and didn't manage boundaries very well. Indoors he's a dream, a bit bouncy at times but he's still got his puppy tendancies, so it's expected, he's easy to calm down though and likes nothing more than trying to sit on your lap for a cuddle, which we all accept whilst our legs are going numb ;) it's just the walking, we dread it. The advice is so contradictory, you don't know which way to turn.

Thank you all for your responses. I've been reliably informed that Bullmastiffs get very lazy by the time they are 2-3 years old. Maybe the walks will improve then :0)

[ladybirder]

rocky we have an English Bull Dog in the family and they are the same regarding not wanting to walk as they get older. At the clink of a lead, she dives under a table or behind the sofa, doesn't want to go out at all.
Do watch some of the programmes I mentioned and do try and stay calm from begging to end of walk;-))
Do stick with him, please don't give him up. Pity you don't don't live near me as I know an excellent dog walker who would soon sort him out. Nothing phases her she just deals with it. Anyway, good luck. xx

[rockyracoon]

Have no fear LB. I won't be giving up on him because he's a sod on the lead, as annoying as it is. I utterly adore him. He's just jumped up and nuzzled my neck so that I'll give him dinner, I just love it.

[ladybirder]

LOL good on you;-)) xx

[Tilly2]

Are you able to let him off the lead, Rocky. Will he come back to you?

[rockyracoon]

Hi Tilly

We found an old five a side pitch on our walks and we let him off the lead in there so that he gets a good run around playing ball. Whilst he has good recall in there, I've no doubt that if a dog was in the vicinity, he'd be off like a rocket.

[ladybirder]

That's good idea, I bet he loves it. Somebody mentioned to me that there is a piece of fenced in land around where I live that the owner rents out to people who want their dogs to run off lead. I must find out more about it.

[woofgang]

there's a secure field group on facebook

[Atheist]

I'm inclined to agree with APG. Dogs need to learn their place. They are very clever and can detect lack of leadership. Some humans have it and some don't.

[rockyracoon]

Really Woofy? Do you know what the group’s called.

[woofgang]

here you go, there are others too. https://www.facebook.com/dogwalkingfields/

[Tilly2]

Rocky, my first German Shepherd was a ni Ightmare on the lead. I used to hate taking her out for walks. I tried a choke chain but I hated it, all that yanking her back. Then went for a Halti head collar, and again, I hated using it to control her head. I thought I might break her neck.
Somehow, I found a retired Police dog handler who did individual training in a field close to home. We, Lucy and I, went along and had a number of sessions with him. We practised recall on a long training lead, forgetting about the walking. Then, we practised recall without the training lead. When she could come back and sit by my side, quietly, I would put on her lead and just walk a few steps forward, making her sit after each little try. Then again and again and again. Treat after treat after treat.

Eventually, she would walk very sensibly by my side and I could hold the lead with my little finger.

Get a personal trainer and go through the motions. It will work, eventually, when he grows up a bit. :-)

I loved that dog but she died of a blood cancer when she was just seven. I was heartbroken.

[ladybirder]

My nearest one costs £15 hour. Hmmm! Wish I had a spare field. I wonder how many are allowed to use the field at the same time?

[RATTER15]

Do not use any kind of choking lead!!

No device is going to fix your dog, training is the answer, some devices will help a little but not if it isnt accompanied by the "CORRECT" training, that does not include any type of hitting or choking.
My hounds usually weigh around the 10-11 stone mark, we currently have an 8 stone and 9 stone puppies. They dont pull, they were trained! no hitting, no choking no harsh words but positive reinforcement, it works every time. Loads of great vids on you tube.

[rockyracoon]

Tilly, that’s so sad. I that’s the way I need to go, but it’s so expensive, worth it I know.

Thanks Woofy, I’ll check them out

[RATTER15]

Ladybirder, we hired a doggy walking field for a puppy reunion. When you hire the field it is only available to you and anybody you invite. Well that was the case in the field we rented. it was great!!

[ladybirder]

Thanks RATTER, I've just looked again and you're right, you do have the field to yourself. Thanks.

[jourdain2]

We have a French, neutered, rescue dog who is at least 87 varieties of terrier. He obviously had a horrible start in life (was skin & bone, virtually no hair and terrified if one of us raised a stick with a hook on the end to pull down a tree branch). No idea how old he was. Probably 10-ish now, we've had him 8 years. He ran around the room on the back or the furniture and had to learn how to be clean indoors. However, he learned English (is still bi-lingual) and became house-trained, although it impossible to stop him sleeping on the top of the back of the sofa. He's a very affectionate little boy, but getting a bit possessive.

Outside, it's a different story. I've had dogs all my life - done gun-dog training - and can, by voice and a tug (head Halti) - make him heel, but it's hard work. We'd not moved here more than a week when 4 dogs rushed out of a field and attacked him - and that was it. 'Fear aggression' the trainer called it. He will even attack non-threatening bitches, which is rare. Result is that he is never off the lead outside (he also will follow a scent to the exclusion of all else).

Gradually, we have introduced him to gentle bitches and he is now friends with them - will walk with them, be friendly in the house etc.. He's great with people (apart from postmen - he shot out and nipped one once).

So, rocky, I suppose I'm trying to say that yours is never going to be the dog of your dreams - nor is ours, but we've adapted and get along just fine and he is a happy little soul (apart from being on edge on walks in case a strange dog appears - then it's hard to hold him and he only weighs 10k!)

PS I've had many dogs over the years and this is the first one like this. I suppose he's lucky that we have had the patience and experience to stick with him.

[zylaphone]

My Reggie pulls on the lead if we are in an unknown
territory presume it is his insecurity. He goes ballistic at newspaperboys, deliverymen in hiviz clothes. A vet friend tells me that if he barks and they dont come in it’s a job well done. Any other body coming into the house is greeted with a dog chew and licks.

[zylaphone]

Meant to add that he growls at other dogs on the lead but off lead he greets them and is the most friendly dog, adjusting to puppies and elderly dogs. Presumably his power his taken away on the lead.