Hi there,
I need a little advice/reassurance. We have a year ols lab and ever since we got him he has been a nightmare on the lead, it has got steadily worse over the last few months despite us trying allsorts to stop him pulling (stopping everytime he pulled, treats, haltis), he has pulled me into busy roads and done my back in several times. Well anyway we found something that worked but I'm not sure it's the right thing to do, I saw a program on tv which used an empty drinks bottle filled with pebbles and everytime the dog did something wrong you had to shake the bottle to give the dog a fright and get its attention. Well we ended up trying this the other day and when he pulled I shook the bottle and he looked shocked and instantly came back to me. We have been on 6 walks since then and he has been an absolute dream, I still take the bottle but have only had to use it twice.

I think I just need reassuring that I'm not doing anything detrimental to my dog, I don't want to frighten him but this is the only thing that has worked, and he seems much happier on walks now, tails wagging and looking up at me alot.

What do you all think?
Sarah

Well you have tried everything else. That bottle trick actually doesnt scare them all that much it is more of an attention grabber and it is a much better alternative to him and you being hit by a car. Its not like you hit him or screamed at him so i think your doing the right thing as ive told people before not everything works with every dog  so sometimes you need to find your own little thing.

Sounds to me like it has worked :)

So therefore surely it can only be a good thing?  It's better then having an out of control dog! :)

I think it's a good idea.... as long as it works for you, I think it's really great. Unfortunately my boy doesn't react to strange noises. :rolleyes:

I would be sceptical that this would work in the long term.  While the noise is still new and surprising, yes it might - but over time, as he grows used to it, I predict he will begin to ignore it and it will lose its power.  I could be wrong though.

I'm sorta a book trainer (no experience but i read a lot).... and from what i've been reading you can intersperse the stop command with the bottle of pebbles, or even use the stop command simutaneously... then in theory, you should be able to fade out the bottle over time and still use the stop command mixed with a reinforcer....

Again... i'm no expert... just passing on what i've read.

Sarah,

Part of the key to the shake bottle 'trick' is to not let the dog see you shake the bottle.  He should associate the noise with his behavior, not his owner.  ;)  I would also try to use words along with the noise...for instance, when you're walking, he pulls, you shake, he looks and you say 'easy' or 'walk nice'.  With time, use the words more than the bottle and eventually resort to only words (so long as they're working).

While he's walking nicely, don't forget to reinforce his behavior with praise and/or tidbits.  A 'good easy' or some such phrasing, followed by a tidbit will let him know he's doing as he should.