Charlie's Thread

[HuffleClaw]

He’s been a little frustrated lately. It’s below zero since last night so we’ve been playing fetch in the house! He will go to the back door, I’ll open it, he will feel the cold air and go lay back on the rug. Lol. He’s used to just going out to run with my other dog whenever he get the urge! They both now only go out to use the bathroom and then are right back at the door. Hoep it warms up soon! Lol

Awe, sounds like he can’t wait for springtime!

 

[HuffleClaw]

How disappointing. At least they are replaying!

Yeah, true! It really seems like an error on Embark’s end, but they seem to be dissing USPS. The return address was written to be Boston, MA. But apparently it was supposed to go to their CA location?? And somehow they managed to put the blame on USPS even though it was totally their fault and now the package is lost.

 

[Iluveggers]

Awe, sounds like he can’t wait for springtime!

Just like his human mom!

 

[Geena]

When he was 7 months old, I began using an E-Collar

This is most likely why your dog is so anxious and fearful. E-collars can be a good tool in experienced hands, but they should not be used on puppies and should not be used as a replacement for training. If your dog doesn't have a good recall yet, then he should be walked on lead until he does. Walks should be a fun bonding time with your pup, getting shocked 5 or 6 times kinda negates that aspect.

 

[HuffleClaw]

This is most likely why your dog is so anxious and fearful. E-collars can be a good tool in experienced hands, but they should not be used on puppies and should not be used as a replacement for training. If your dog doesn't have a good recall yet, then he should be walked on lead until he does. Walks should be a fun bonding time with your pup, getting shocked 5 or 6 times kinda negates that aspect.

I don’t know if I can pin the anxiety just on the e-collar as he was anxious beforehand. I do agree it can’t be fun to go on a walk and get “shocked”, but it’s on a 0.5… the lowest setting and I’ve tried all of the settings on myself, none of them “hurt”, and I can almost not even feel the 0.5. I didn’t get one of the “cheap” collars that are unreliable or cruel. It’s the Tri-Tronics training collar. I read through the manual and use it as directed. We have gone days and weeks without using it; but if we are walking somewhere unfamiliar to him I like for him to wear it to keep him out of danger (for example running into the road etc.) I am slowly trying to wean him off of the collar totally, and I get where you are coming from completely.

 

[LaFleche]

, I am a little nervous to be close up to him after today. It’s been a little while since he’s snapped like that.

While I second all of @Iluveggers first post, I think you should be very alert handaing this dog as he can sense your fear, which might trigger even more disrespectful and maybe even dangerous behaviour.

His 3 siblings went to the same person and they’ve already been surrendered months ago. So I think another part of the problem is bad genetics.

This might well be the case. Sometimes it is not the owners, but badly mixed genetics that not even the best dog trainer can correct.

 

[Geena]

You seem to be trying very hard to do the right thing
I agree that he most likely had anxiety issues beforehand. Often times dogs that are fearful have a very bad reaction to being "punished" and especially what seems like to them out of nowhere shocks. It just exacerbates and justifies their fear. Use a long lead and teach him to come when called. I've probably had and trained dogs for more years than you've been on this earth, lol, but I still always, always, always keep them on lead when I take them somewhere unfamiliar. It's just what you gotta do if you truly want to keep them safe.

 

[LaFleche]

I don’t know if I can pin the anxiety just on the e-collar as he was anxious beforehand. I do agree it can’t be fun to go on a walk and get “shocked”, but it’s on a 0.5… the lowest setting and I’ve tried all of the settings on myself, none of them “hurt”, and I can almost not even feel the 0.5. I didn’t get one of the “cheap” collars that are unreliable or cruel. It’s the Tri-Tronics training collar. I read through the manual and use it as directed. We have gone days and weeks without using it; but if we are walking somewhere unfamiliar to him I like for him to wear it to keep him out of danger (for example running into the road etc.) I am slowly trying to wean him off of the collar totally, and I get where you are coming from completely.

If the e-collar setting was on the lowest, it is not shocking, but merely buzzing or vibrating, so nothing that could have harmed the dog.

Does he have a toy he loves above all? If so, use it every time as a reward. And also use it during walks to get his attention every time you want him to come to you (deer, other people, other dogs etc.). But don't let him have it al gusto, just a very special reward when interacting with you the right way.

The important thing is to be consistent, you can also train him at home, every day about 10-20 minutes, depending on his ability to concentrate.

 

[HuffleClaw]

If the e-collar setting was on the lowest, it is not shocking, but merely buzzing or vibrating, so nothing that could have harmed the dog.

Does he have a toy he loves above all? If so, use it every time as a reward. And also use it during walks to get his attention every time you want him to come to you (deer, other people, other dogs etc.). But don't let him have it al gusto, just a very special reward when interacting with you the right way.

The important thing is to be consistent, you can also train him at home, every day about 10-20 minutes, depending on his ability to concentrate.

He has tennis balls he likes and a “boomerang” toy from AKC. I’ve never understood how to “reward” with a toy? Is it just throwing it for fun or maybe a quick game of tug of war?

 

[HuffleClaw]

You seem to be trying very hard to do the right thing
I agree that he most likely had anxiety issues beforehand. Often times dogs that are fearful have a very bad reaction to being "punished" and especially what seems like to them out of nowhere shocks. It just exacerbates and justifies their fear. Use a long lead and teach him to come when called. I've probably had and trained dogs for more years than you've been on this earth, lol, but I still always, always, always keep them on lead when I take them somewhere unfamiliar. It's just what you gotta do if you truly want to keep them safe.

I will see if I can find a good long line lead. Would retractable be a bad thing? I like that it can be short or long but they seem to have a bad reputation for some reason.