I'm having a few problems with my 6 month old Estrela Mountain Dog - please help!

About a month ago she was pulling on the lead very badly. I asked for help on the General board and got some great advice and since then she has greatly improved.  She has a halti but no longer needs it for normal lead-walking as she hardly pulls at all.  If she pulls, I put the halti back on her (I rarely need to). 

Once we arrive the park I switch her onto the long line, used with a harness.   I got the long line because her recall is dreadful when there are other dogs around.  She's quite good the rest of the time, but other dogs are her #1 favourite thing and nothing I do will persuade her to come back.  Not food, not toys, not walking away (even if I go out of sight she doesn't care).

The problem I have now is that she pulls on the long line.
I don't want to put her on the halti AND the long line because the jolt to her face if she pulls hard from several metres away could harm her.

But I feel like I'm reinforcing pulling in the park (she gets to meet other dogs, her favourite 'reward') while discouraging it the rest of the time.  I also worry she will pull me over (30kg+ of dog hauling on the other end of a 10 metre line can be quite hard to control!)

I could keep her on a short lead + Halti the whole time in the park, but then she would rarely get any free running, which seems such a shame.  She also is a much better behaved dog after a good runaround on the long line (or off lead if there are other playful and willing dogs around). 

I really feel that *I'm* the one who needs the training, not her!  If I get it right and am consistent I'm sure she will learn, as she did with the pulling on the way to the park.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Hi Alicey,

Am I right in interpreting that you are just using the Long line as a loooong lead rather than a training aid to recall?
In which case, yup! sorry... its back to basic training me ducks :) But hey, the good news is you cracked the pulling on lead walking and have a nice walk to heel, so you know you both can do it! :)
    When you initially started using the long line did you start to use it in conjunction with training key words? "wait"... very important! when you need a stay if legs are entangled or your about to come a cropper ;) and "this way!" to direct your dog. <- this will also help with the dreaded 'being towed off your feet' (Hey I have a Sibe..been there done that! :D)
   I would go back to the begin-igun!
Find a quiet spot with no distractions and start training your key words (use whatever words you like) She will no doubt run to the extent of her long line,just before it goes taught happily shout out your "This waay!!" and then instantly turn (at at least 180 degrees from your long line) dont wait for her reaction just go! and keep going...but when she catches up Its happy skippy jumpy praise time :D :D Lots of fuss! (and that roast chicken :P )
  Your right, youve said it yourself the key is consistency... once you've nailed that you can go on to an area where there will be some distractions (Build her up to succeed tho' no where toooo hectic) and remember to keep returning to the no distraction area to keep on top of it and keep succeeding :)
Hope this helps, stick at it :)

I really feel that *I'm* the one who needs the training, not her!  If I get it right and am consistent I'm sure she will learn, as she did with the pulling on the way to the park.

I agree with HGs advice, also:

It may help to get a special non pulling harness such as a Halti harness. This could be used in conjunction with a long line. A dog can still pull but it is
much less "strong" .

What I would also suggest you do is maybe find a good trainer in your area who has an understanding of learning theory and who can show you how to use your dog's love of other dogs to your advantage in training :)

For instance you can get your dog to listen to you, do a Watch or whatever, and the reward can be going to see other dogs - a very powerful reward which it sounds as if your dog would work for.

Try www.apdt.co.uk for someone who might be able to help with this.

Lindsay
x

Thank you both for your replies.

Yes, I am basically using the long line as a really long lead, then calling Ludo back and rewarding her (with food) when she comes. 

I don't know how to teach training key words.  How do you teach a dog to 'wait'?  Are there any other key words I should know?  Is there a book I can buy that explains in detail how to train recall?
Ludo already knows 'this way' as I use it to direct her when we're walking on a short lead.  But I'll try the 'turning 180 degrees' tip!

I might also get a Halti harness (my bag of leads and harnesses is crazy, I have five already, my dog looks like a bondage dog when she's got them all on at once!)  At the moment I am using her car harness.

There are not a lot of trainers in the area.  There's an APDT one an hour's drive away, I have met her and she is very nice, however I couldn't get to her on a regular basis.  I can also get to Wagmore (Learning About Dogs) but again that's an hour away.

I have found a local training group (http://wythallanimalsanctuary.soon2b.net/Services/BestPals.htm) and may do a one-to-one session with them before starting classes in September, do you think that would be helpful? 

Lindsay, I'm afraid I don't know what a 'Watch' is!
Thanks again for the advice,

Alice

> I'm afraid I don't know what a 'Watch' is!

A 'watch' is where you get the dog to look at your face and focus on you. I was taught to do it by using a tasty bit of food next to my face to start with together with 'watch me'. Only try for very short periods first (couple of seconds) then reward. I was also told to be gentle with my voice and expression as it's not natural for a dog to want to stare someone in the face like that without looking away.

http://www.learningaboutdogs.com/acatalog/wwm.html

A cheap, useful booklet with effective techniques that require no gadgets.

I think the car harness is probably perfect for the long line as they are designed to cope with a jerk and are usually nicely padded in front.

does she recall fine when they are no other dogs.