Leash and Attention Training

[ButterGluttons]

Hey, so this may not be in the right place, but does anyone know any tips on leash training? I’ve tried the “stop and stand still and treat when there is slack on the leash”, treating when he looks at me, change directions and other things. My problem is that Logan is about my weight, about 10 pounds lighter. He can easily drag me down if he sees something he wants.

He hates the gentle leader and he chokes himself with a collar so I have an anti-pull harness which helps a little.

He also has a problem with short attention span (which I know might go away when he gets a little older) but I mean when he sees another dog or a person he wants to see he will get to them no matter what I do. This may be just a puppy thing or his personality as well.

I’ve been working with him for a good few months and I know I have to be patient with him but nothing seems to be going anywhere.

Another thing is his dry skin, but I’ve started giving him a little bit of coconut oil in his food every other day to see if it helps.

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[Kojak]

For the dry skin try the NuVet canine supplement. Does wonders for my dogs coats. Pricey but worth it. As far as leash training goes, reinforcement and practice in short time periods. You have to teach him that you are the leader and not him.

 

[CRDobe]

Have you tried a pinch (prong) collar? An effective and very humane tool when used correctly. Dogs usually respond very well and quickly to it.

 

[jazzies mum]

I second the prong collar. Do some research on the correct use of it and it is, to my mind, the most effective way to stop pulling. Somehow the gentle leader/halti type collars don't seem to work well with dobermans. It works but makes them miserable, which isn't acceptable in my book.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I about lost my mind over these two issues years ago.

The attention issue: It is extremely difficult to get a Doberman's attention outdoors. When I finally let my self realize that the Doberman is an extremely alert breed, and this manifests itself most noticeably when outdoors, I began to feel somewhat better about it. I want my Dobe to do what he does: Have his head up high and on a swivel, observing our surroundings (of course, his head is down low sniffing things part of the time as well, and that's acceptable). But to get his attention when you need it outdoors? What I do is I very rarely say his name in everyday life. I only say it when I have something exciting for him. Beyond this, you may try carrying treats (this does not work with Oji).

Quelling his pulling habit? Also extremely difficult with Dobermans, in my experience. Using a prong collar – properly – can be effective. I saved my sanity years ago by employing a method of teaching the heel that involves keeping my mouth shut and being unpredictable. There's more to it than that... ...but just work on heel training using an effective method. Over time, a more advanced skill – what I call "go slow" can be learned. I do not have my Doberman on a heel the entire walk. This seems like a pretty crappy walk for a dog. When I need him to heel, I give the command and expect precision. When I don't, I let him pull. I understand, however, that I am strong enough to handle being pulled. Those who are not (and one day I will be in that category) must resort to other methods.

 

[Doberman Gang]

Gentle leaders and no pull harness work by causing discomfort same as a prong. I would go that route it is safer for the dog.
What training have you done? What is your dogs motivation to stay with you? It must be higher than a stranger or strange dog in public. You need to train in a way that makes being with you a higher value than anything else.

 

[ButterGluttons]

Gentle leaders and no pull harness work by causing discomfort same as a prong. I would go that route it is safer for the dog.
What training have you done? What is your dogs motivation to stay with you? It must be higher than a stranger or strange dog in public. You need to train in a way that makes being with you a higher value than anything else.

I carry treats around with me. It’s Pet Botanics but I also use Retreiver Naturals sometimes. I give him a lot of affection/praise.
I do clicker training and he has obedience classes every Saturday.

 

[Doberman Gang]

I carry treats around with me. It’s Pet Botanics but I also use Retreiver Naturals sometimes. I give him a lot of affection/praise.
I do clicker training and he has obedience classes every Saturday.

It is not enough to just have treats that your dog likes. There is not enough of a motivating factor in the food to make you more important than new exciting things. You must become active in your rewarding to make it more fun and exciting. This creates more of a play sequence. Movement and having your dog chase food or a toy in your hand will create more engagement and focus and less chance of your dog checking out to go see other people and dogs. You do have to introduce distractions slowly to achieve this. Here is a short video that kind of covers what I mean.