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Holding a muzzle is something a dam will do. Ever seen pups stick their entire heads in an adults mouth? Sometimes the adults will hold the pups muzzle as a 'stop' sign. I never intentionally use it, but it is a signal for a higher ranking adult towards a youngster.
A flat collar (oops) is indeed a regular collar with a buckle. Something that does not tighten, or choke, or halfcheck or pinch or what have you. As far as the catch me if you can game is concerned. Oh my.
You like to give your commands many many times then? Start on a short leash and practice your control that way. Call. reward for coming (treat and/or praise) let her get distracted again, call, repeat. Increase the distance only when you have mastered it at close proximity. Wean off treats over time, but always keep praise for good behavior. The rule is 100 repetitions before you can expect behavior to be really established. Progress will take time, but it also has great potential to pay off. There is no merit in constantly losing control in the process of training. If you have to chase your dog around the yard for 5 minutes (with no consequences for the dog, of course) you lost a lot more than just 5 minutes. (as in: a lot of respect)
@ Reveriereptile. It sounds like she may have possissiveness, but that is not per se the same as food aggression. For anything to work, you will indeed need to be consequent. In an earlier post, you said something about the nephews (or something?) I have no idea how old we are talking about, but it is preferable that you and your husband are the ones training the pup, and not everyone who walks in the door. Maybe just supervise their interaction until the dog has learned some basics. Nothing as confusing for the pup, as 20 different human interpretations of the same concept. Eeeek. Very cute pup, BTW. I hope it will all work out for the both of you.
Majority of the time she comes when called and not a chase it is after and she knows she is in trouble and still wound up from chasing the bird. Once I have her attention she will eventually sit when I get close enough she feels she has to and then she does....once her eyes are on me she does not run off she may go side to side till she knows I am serious and no where she can go. From the time the incident happens till I get her to sit is a minute or less each time.
