by eff » Mon Apr 01, 2019 5:36 am
(bit of back story on the dogs, skip if you want the problem)
Pippin is a jack-russel x chihuahua cross. He is seven years old (had him when I was quite little, too little to own a dog in my opinion) and more or less, trained himself. I think he used to bark at dogs, but I am unsure as that was many years ago. He wasn't really allowed out to be taken on walks as we were in a big city. Large dogs walked off-lead and had mauled our neighbours chihuahua x jack russell, who was on a lead. We've moved, so he's started going on walks and loves it! Now, he doesn't bark at dogs on walks yet doesn't like 'em getting too close and will edge away. He walks on a retractable lead (by flexir) that's pretty much always loose. I like it this way, and only tighten the length of the lead when he stops to sniff other dogs urine, food on the road or to mark his territory (which I let him do in the park). I don't think I'd like to have him off-lead, though as he is epileptic. If he were to run away and I couldn't catch him, a night alone could lead to his death as he'd seizure.
Atlas is a year and a bit old, and a fully bred, perfect health chihuahua. We got him off of a friend who has been breeding KC Registered chihuahua's for a while. It is nice because she comes round with Atlas' family often, and he very much remembers them.
the problem
Atlas does have anxiety. When I open the dog cupboard and get out the harnesses and leads, he'll run into his crate and whimper. I've tried separately walking the dogs yet he hates being away from Pip, who doesn't mind being away from Atlas.
He barks at other dogs (but not aggressively) and tries to pull on his harness, in an attempt to meet them. There are no parks near me that are barred off, so he's never been off lead. He has got the body shape of a greyhound and, believe me, can run. His harness can't fit his body shape. We've tried xs, s and m but none work because of his weird body shape (i'll try and get pictures if anyone wants) and so was wondering what I could do to train him? I've seen harnesses designed to tighten when they lunge so it stops the pull but my mom said that was cruel? I've also seen vibrate collars that stop barking (i wouldn't want to shock him).