Collar problems...

[Speedy2662]

Okay, so whenever I try to put my arm under Zack's arm or try to grab his collar, Zack growls and bites me... I do admit, I do tend to grab Zack's collar when I put him in the crate, and I realised it's wrong, but now how do I stop this behaviour? Do I grab his collar and give him a treat to show it's a good thing? But he will then try to bite me, and if I reward that he will think it's a good thing to bite whoever touches his collar... What can I do? Please help. Thanks

[Loneforce]

dont grab his collar to get him to his crate. Let him watch your hand with a treat then throw the treat in the crate. Zack should go into the crate, then close door behind him. Use your comand for zack to go into the crate when you do this. Before you know it when you say your command. zack will go into the crate. ...Collerwise? It sounds like something else is going on there. Is it too tight?

[Speedy2662]

No, it ain't too tight. It's so that 3-4 fingers can go under it.

[Loneforce]

when he is growling and biting is it a playful growl and bite? He might just think you are playing with him. Make a game of it. On your own sit there and take his collar off then put it back on. Use a squeaky toy as a re direction if he is trying to nip you when you do this. When he is playing with squeaky toy put the collar back on, and praise him or give a treat when you do this. I hope this helps you. If it is a mean growl and he means business when you touch him, you may want to seek a trainer or a behaviorist.

[Speedy2662]

Not sure, looks like a scared-kinda-growl. I have training lessons on the 9th of January and there are plenty of behaviorists and trainers there that will help me out so I've got nothing to worry about...

[jae]

he should learn that any human hand coming near him is a great thing, maybe the best thing next to recall. in class, the trainers had us slowly do this, reach down with one hand, a few inches away, treat with the other. get closer each time, finally do gentle collar grabs and tugs, release, and treat and praise away. this also helps later with pulling, dog learns that collar pull and release = look at human for treat

for no reason should he be convinced hands are a bad thing. Loneforce is right about the crate, don't force, allow him to go in on his own.

[DJEtzel]

Put a big 'ol pile of treats in your hand (like 4-5 pea sized treats) and offer them to him, palm up. As he goes for them, reach over his head like you're going to grab his collar. If he stops and looks like he's going to growl/bite, leave your hand right where it's at and let him finish the treats and repeat until you can grab him by the collar while he's eating. And start throwing a biscuit into his crate to get him to go in.