I feel sad about my puppy now..

Niya · 11-09-2011, 09:19 PM

I have an almost 5 month german shepherd puppy and I started walking her using a harness and she kept pulling so i had to go home. Also, she barks at people if its either behind me or walking towards me. Like today the mail man wanted to pet her but she started barking and I felt so embarrass and I apologized to the mail man. How do I change this? What should I do? I can't do a puppy class because of work. Please help me people =[

Anthony8858 · 11-09-2011, 09:24 PM

Do puppy class either before, after or days off from work. 1 day a week for one hour, could teach you enough to overcome all your issues.

I won't offer advice, but I'll tell you that a harness is made for dogs that like to pull. Look what Huskies wear to pull a sled. IMO, a harness encourages a dog to pull.

The barking will require some training to teach YOU ho to correct that. You need to redirect your dogs' attention AWAY from what it's barking at.

onyx'girl · 11-09-2011, 09:37 PM

Welcome Niya!
Get into classes and socialize, regardless of your work~don't fail your puppy,please.
Bring some high value treats on your walks to redirect your pups attention. Play the LAT game.
There is also a DVD(this is a clip of dog/dog communication:

DVD

book available as well by Turid Rugaas to read your pups body language communication/so you can stop the behavior before it manifests.
Look at all the threads on reactive behavior, it is so common, lots of suggestions for help.

Dooney's Mom · 11-09-2011, 11:02 PM

Ditto to what Onyx says- the LAT game, and stop using the harness- try the gentle leader and if that does not work, move to the prong collar. I know it can be difficult, but hunt until you find a puppy class for obedience- you are going to need it

When the pup pulls you one way quickly change directions and when they catch up with you turn back around the way you were headed. You can also just stop and make em return to your side and sit- A combo of this and the LAT game has turned my girl around (she is 9 1/2 months now)

Good luck!

WVGSD · 11-10-2011, 09:18 AM

With a harness, you have no control of her head and, where her head goes, the body will follow. Please change to a collar for walks and training and you should have much more success.

You might also try using a clicker with her in order to help her focus on you. This will help redirect her attention from other things. The dog learns to associate the clicker noise with a treat that follows immediately. This will also help her to want to be with you and to do what you are asking.

Freestep · 11-10-2011, 10:28 AM

A harnes will train the dog to pull. Think about the huskies that pull sleds across the snow--what are they wearing? Use a flat collar, head halter, or a special no-pull harness like this one:

https://www.premier.com/store/Products.aspx?cid=1&pid=6

And get enrolled in a puppy obedience class ASAP!

Karin · 11-10-2011, 11:05 AM

The Easy Walk harness stopped Heidi from pulling during walks. I second the recommendations for clicker training and classes. These days they have classes in the evenings and on weekends. It's well worth it and helped our reactive dog IMMENSELY!

Good luck and be sure and stick around. This forum helped me with a lot of Heidi's issues when we first got her. She still has her moments, but she's a lot better now than she used to be, and even gets compliments on how well behaved she is.

holland · 11-10-2011, 01:42 PM

My mailman brought my first pup Max treats he wanted to make a friend before Max grew up

PaddyD · 11-10-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dooney's Mom

Ditto to what Onyx says- the LAT game, and stop using the harness- try the gentle leader and if that does not work, move to the prong collar. I know it can be difficult, but hunt until you find a puppy class for obedience- you are going to need it

When the pup pulls you one way quickly change directions and when they catch up with you turn back around the way you were headed. You can also just stop and make em return to your side and sit- A combo of this and the LAT game has turned my girl around (she is 9 1/2 months now)

Good luck!

I agree. Only one change on the above, only turn around if the puppy is pulling. If he catches up to you and behaves keep going in that direction (and praise) until he starts pulling again THEN reverse direction.

pyratemom · 11-10-2011, 02:41 PM

You might consider a Gentle Leader to stop the pulling behavior and get the pup to get the idea of "heel". At 5 months you should be taking that pup everywhere. Go the nearest store and practice heeling around the front. Sit near the entrance and pick select people to greet and treat your pup. Socialization is very important for pups. You can buy several good training books by Karen Pryor, Patricia McConnell, Temple Grandin to help you if you can't get to a class.

11-09-2011, 09:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Niya Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 40	I feel sad about my puppy now.. I have an almost 5 month german shepherd puppy and I started walking her using a harness and she kept pulling so i had to go home. Also, she barks at people if its either behind me or walking towards me. Like today the mail man wanted to pet her but she started barking and I felt so embarrass and I apologized to the mail man. How do I change this? What should I do? I can't do a puppy class because of work. Please help me people =[

11-09-2011, 11:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dooney's Mom Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Deland, Fl Posts: 646	Ditto to what Onyx says- the LAT game, and stop using the harness- try the gentle leader and if that does not work, move to the prong collar. I know it can be difficult, but hunt until you find a puppy class for obedience- you are going to need it When the pup pulls you one way quickly change directions and when they catch up with you turn back around the way you were headed. You can also just stop and make em return to your side and sit- A combo of this and the LAT game has turned my girl around (she is 9 1/2 months now) Good luck! __________________ Wendy Beaulieu's Dooney Von Pell- GSD 01/25/2011 RIP- Skye- WGSD 1991-2007 2 psycho cats- Diva & Jake

11-10-2011, 09:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
WVGSD Master Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 999	With a harness, you have no control of her head and, where her head goes, the body will follow. Please change to a collar for walks and training and you should have much more success. You might also try using a clicker with her in order to help her focus on you. This will help redirect her attention from other things. The dog learns to associate the clicker noise with a treat that follows immediately. This will also help her to want to be with you and to do what you are asking. __________________ Shannon Max - rescued GSD - adopted Dec 22, 2010 to the Bridge on March 7, 2012

11-10-2011, 10:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,092	A harnes will train the dog to pull. Think about the huskies that pull sleds across the snow--what are they wearing? Use a flat collar, head halter, or a special no-pull harness like this one: https://www.premier.com/store/Products.aspx?cid=1&pid=6 And get enrolled in a puppy obedience class ASAP! __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

11-10-2011, 11:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
Karin Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 2,840	The Easy Walk harness stopped Heidi from pulling during walks. I second the recommendations for clicker training and classes. These days they have classes in the evenings and on weekends. It's well worth it and helped our reactive dog IMMENSELY! Good luck and be sure and stick around. This forum helped me with a lot of Heidi's issues when we first got her. She still has her moments, but she's a lot better now than she used to be, and even gets compliments on how well behaved she is. __________________ Karin and Dave Heidi, 6-year-old GSD Adopted on 10/14/07 from: German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California Sheba, GSD/Malamute

11-09-2011, 09:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Anthony8858 Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,314	Do puppy class either before, after or days off from work. 1 day a week for one hour, could teach you enough to overcome all your issues. I won't offer advice, but I'll tell you that a harness is made for dogs that like to pull. Look what Huskies wear to pull a sled. IMO, a harness encourages a dog to pull. The barking will require some training to teach YOU ho to correct that. You need to redirect your dogs' attention AWAY from what it's barking at.

11-10-2011, 01:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
holland Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3,634	My mailman brought my first pup Max treats he wanted to make a friend before Max grew up

11-10-2011, 02:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
pyratemom Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 338	You might consider a Gentle Leader to stop the pulling behavior and get the pup to get the idea of "heel". At 5 months you should be taking that pup everywhere. Go the nearest store and practice heeling around the front. Sit near the entrance and pick select people to greet and treat your pup. Socialization is very important for pups. You can buy several good training books by Karen Pryor, Patricia McConnell, Temple Grandin to help you if you can't get to a class. __________________ Teri Snake Vom Eselspfad RN CGC (AKA Raina) 3/5/08 Pyrate CGC 4/1/03-5/16/12 RIP Too many to list waiting at the bridge but remembering them all

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