Continuation conversations from past thread:
cat4139 wrote:Heya guys! Just got a mix breed dog today from someone on Craigslist and she is very sweet! She is a pit bull x Labrador mix. The problem is that she pulls on the leash and she is very, very strong. I am able to keep her from running off but it would make walking easier if I could get her to walk by my side. Any tips or tricks you guys might have for that? Also, she has a tendency to bark at passerby people and dogs, but she is not aggressive. I'd just hope no neighbors would complain from the noise lol. I've already had somebody who was walking their dog turn the other way. I will totally start working with her tomorrow, can't tonight since its late. We are getting a clicker and other supplies tomorrow, hopefully that'll help. Any tips or tricks on that as well? Thank you so much!
Congratulations on your new addition. Since you've just gotten your dog here are some videos that may be of use to you just starting out...
First Days -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHHXfkk4qV4Reward Scaling -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7XxG5KchQ8Reinforcements -
https://dogmantics.com/what-to-use-as-reinforcement/Clicker Training -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wv1uvvqaSwFor loose leash walking first I would recommend practicing in as non-distracting an environment as possible. If your dog can't walk on a loose leash down your hallway there is no way they will be able to around the neighborhood. Practice often for short periods of time and if you can try to exercise a different way other than walks for awhile. Obviously this isn't practical for everybody, but if you can it will help things go faster as every time your dog pulls and gets to move forward the behavior is being reinforced (behaviors that are reinforced are repeated). If you have the time/ability to never move forward when your dog pulls (go another way or stand still) then the dog will soon learn that pulling does not get it what it wants and the behavior will diminish.
Here are several videos on loose leash walking...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgtqgiAKoQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueE1S1k74Aohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voW2Vkq0u6Qhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rwJ1FiZxTAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4LoPU1g310https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHwu0T7PoSwSince you’re having trouble managing your dog’s pulling you might want to try a front clip harness. Some people have said they can mess up a dog’s gait so I would only use it as a training tool, but it can be a useful one in the beginning to help cut down on the severity of the pulling. Some harnesses come as just a front clip or with both front and back clips.
Regardless please do not walk your dog with a leash attached to their collar, as it can severely injure your dog not only immediately but over time.
https://dogmantics.com/is-it-harmful-to-attach-a-leash-to-your-dogs-neck-2/Some people choose to switch back to using a collar once the dog has learned to walk on a loose leash. I personally would not risk it, as even if your dog never pulls again there might be an instance where you have to pull them for safety and risks an injury. What ever you choose to use make sure it fits comfortably. It should not hinder the dog’s movement, be too loose or too tight, and should not chafe.
And though it should go without saying, don't use a retractable leash, these encourage your dog to pull. If you use a device that encourages pulling you can't complain when your dog does so. Unfortunately I've encountered too many owners who will have a choke/pinch collar to deter pulling but will use a retractable leash with it which encourages pulling. Don't confuse your dog. If you want your dog to pull in some situation, put the behavior on cue.
For the reactivity I would start with teaching your dog to give into leash pressure and teaching "let's go". Don't ever allow your dog to greet any person or other dog when she is barking so as not to reinforcing the behavior. By contrast if she isn't barking and isn't pulling you can allow her to greet (in safe situations of course). Obviously this only applies if your dog is truly friendly and overexcited. If you don't have a history of her behavior around other dogs (I would be really cautious since you got her off Craigslist) it might be best to have the opinion of a positive reinforcement based trainer or behaviorist to make sure her behavior is in fact friendly.
If your dog is fearful (aggression usually stems from fear) you'll have to use counter conditioning to help build her confidence and teach her there's nothing to be afraid of.
Leash pressure -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4vEayrRyB0Let's Go -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-L2qtD7MQGood luck with your dog, let us know how things proceed. What's her name? Do you have any pictures you can share?