Hi Guys,

Thought you'd like to know that I seem to be making progress with Honey at last! Thank you all for your helpful comments and suggestions to my last post. I went to my Obedience class early last Mon night with both the GL and choke chain and spoke to a different trainer, asking her to help - and she was wonderful. She didn't force me to use either the GL or choke - she understood that although I was managing with the GL, I would like the use the choke chain IF I COULD (especially as I would like to try Obedience eventually) and she was happy to show me how to use the choke chain PROPERLY, rather than just judge me. She took special time to come over and show me how to use the choke chain properly (quick, hard flick, not constant small yanks - I'd been doing it all wrong, which was why I was getting nowhere) and also how to keep Honey by my side when walking - not by constantly yanking her back, which was killing my arm and her neck(!) but by giving a quick flick and then suddenly changing direction and calling her after me. It was amazing - within 5 mins of practising, Honey was walking by my side and watching me all the time. The trainer then took Honey over to other puppies and showed me how to let her interact - I was surprised that actually, Honey didn't lunge immediately, but actually sniffed nicely for a bit then when she started getting too boisterous, I was shown how to give a quick flick and a strong "Leave" command and take her away - then let her come back again, if she was gentle. The trainer also did special exercises in class (such as having puppies walk past each other, as if on the street, and keeping their attention on you and not allowing them to lunge) - which really helped. Most of all, I came out of the class feeling so much more confident and that has made all the difference. It was like although I know I will still have problems, at least I feel that I can tackle them now and that I will get there in the end - and I'm not a complete failure at training my dog. I have been walking Honey using the new method and it's been the NICEST walking I've had since I've had her! She is still surging ahead a little bit and I often have to keep changing directions, which can get a bit frustrating as you feel like you're going nowhere except in a loop (!) but overall, she is walking far nicer and unlike the GL when she was still trying to pull but was just restrained by her head being turned, now it's like she is deciding to walk beside me rather than being "forced" to  - hope I'm making sense! Anyway, I noticed another thread on the forum about choke chains and I just wanted to add my bit and say that it's REALLY important to be shown how to use it properly and I agree that if used correctly, then it does not harm the dog. Now, when Honey is walking alongside me, the lead is slack and the chain is loose around her neck all the time, except when she surges forward and then I tighten it and give it a quick flick ([plus walk in another direction). But I've learnt that it's really important to immediately loosen it after that.

I think the key is having someone experienced (and non-judgemental) help you and guide you and show you how things are done properly. People always go on about patience needed with dogs and puppies with their training; that they might not get things first time - I think sometimes "dog experts" forget that owners need patience too - that novice owners like myself don't have things come naturally to them and that we make mistakes initially and need a bit of guidance and that we may not get a technique right the first time but that doesn't mean that we aren't trying or that we won't get there in the end.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone for your help!
Hsin-Yi
ps. Honey's stitches came out last week and her spay wound has healed up very nicely.

Hi,
It's great that things are coming good with Honey! You're absolutely right that a choke chain can be effective and humane if used correctly - but you have also discovered how easy it is to use it wrongly, which is why it is generally not recommended. It looks so simple - but it isn't! - and it can be in the dog's best interests not to go down that road at all. However it sounds as though you are one of the sensible people, so there shouldn't be a problem! Which is great for everyone concerned!

Oh, and I'm glad her spaying wound is all healed nicely now, too!
:)

well done!

I am soooo happy to hear that things are progressing so well. I had been thinking about you and this enormous beast dragging you along the road. Nah...she's not a beast, just a super rambunctous pup.  I thought...it's a good thing she doesn't have her whole foot through the stirrup. LOL.

I'm glad you got some instruction on how to use the choke chain. Yeah...the quick flick shows her where she needs to be and the release is part of the reward. So like you said, it is important to release immediately when she's back in line. That's kind of the same idea as the prong. Only I don't have to flick it...just a tiny little, snug pull/release with only my fingers working it and a little wrist action. When there's no straining, it doesn't do anything but sit on his neck. And they learn almost immediately...then the following times, they learn permenantly not to pull, a habit because they're working for the reward of a nice walk with no strain and maybe some treats.

If you can get this dog trained and under control, you'll be able to do it with any dog I bet. It sounds like you're well on your way.

Carrie

Glad to hear things are coming good for you both :) of course it takes time for us newbies to learn and Rome wasnt built in a day as I keep telling myself. That was the biggest shock for me as a new dog owner, the time it takes to get bonded and train a behaviour. You ve found a woman who can train dogs and instruct people well so hold her to your heart :)