RL training tips for my dog.

Melrose437 · April 2013

Hi! So summer is around the corner in my part of the world and before we got Taz (the dog ( : ) I planned to train him in brisk walks/ alternating with a slow jog beside me on a bike since I have knee problems and can't walk fast enough to do that on the ground.( I would try rollerblades but I have the worst balance so that's out) He's a border collie/lab & husky mix and he loves to run in the backyard so i know he'd love to go faster on walks. I'd like tips/help in making steps to get this goal achieved. I have a clue on how to do this but having someone who has done this before would reassure me a lot : D A few things I’m worried about are: - He pulls a bit at the start of walks since he gets exited but he calms down after 5-10 mins but this brings me to the point where I’m worried he could pull while I am on the bike... But people have told me once we start going a bit faster he'll concentrate on keeping up with me and he'll be less distracted? - He is very excited when he see peoples( so he'll tug to go see them, he will snap out after I correct him but he will still do it unless we've been walking for 40+ mins) and he has a slight chase instinct when he sees cars pass by him. These small issues are alright with me on walks since I can correct them and not have any issues but if I’m on my bike and he tries to go somewhere else well it would end up with me being hurt. Is this something I could achieve with work? Any advice and info would be great. ** Oh yes before I forget Taz has just turned One years old so he still has puppy excitement… which is where I have issues on walks.)

Rock_N_Roll_Queen90 · April 2013

Have you tried using a head collar (<a href="http://www.petsupplies.com/item/holt-training-head-collar/101580 005 BLK/?srccode=GPPETSUP&gclid=CMqDusK35LYCFRCe4AodACoAwA" target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.petsupplies.com/item/holt-tr ... 4AodACoAwA</a>)? I've seen people on bikes with a dog jogging next to them (with head collars on). Plus when I walk my dogs I put one on them and it really helps. It doesn't hurt them at all, it just kind of directs their head and allows better control of them. Kind of like a bridle on a horse.

Melrose437 · April 2013

That looks interesting, i'll have to go check them out at my local pet store for sure. I've never used any other training tools in my life than the choke chain, a collar, a harness and a leash.. but those were for previous family pets. So this could resolve my pulling issue but i think i need tips in how to introduce my dog to the bike and how to make sure he stands a bit away when it's rolling : ) Thanks Rockie for the advice!!

MrClean · April 2013

That's exactly what I was going to suggest Rockie! My Min Pin has excitability issues, and the normal head collars that work well on my other dogs didn't seem to phase her lol... But there's one brand in particular, Gentle Leader, that works wonders. While most head collars just turn the head, the Gentle Leader also closes the dog's mouth and applies pressure on the back of the dog's head. If just pulled gently it's great to distract the dog, stop barking and pulling, and calm the dog down a little. If held for a few seconds, the pressure on the dog's head causes it to sit down and look up at the owner. This was great because when I first got my Pinner she was so easily distracted, and being able to control her attention has made training much easier 8) As for biking etc, do you know if your dog is nervous about it at all? My Pit was fine around the bike until it started moving, then she would jump all over the place trying to escape! I had to work with her a while to get her used to it, first walking her, walking the bike on the other side of me, then walking her with the bike between us, then eventually riding it once I was sure she was comfortable and wouldn't jerk me off! If your pup isn't afraid of the bike, running him on a head collar next to the bike is a great way to burn off some of that energy he has, and will also help him learn to pay more attention to you and your pace and direction (which will also help on normal walks) Good luck!

FlyTM · April 2013

I would say go with a head collar, I have never run my dogs on a lead while biking, they have always been off-lead, but a head collar has helped with the pulling for my ACD, NZ Hunt, beardie cross with pulling as you have controll over the head. Was gonna ask if you have let him know what the bike is first? My APBT pup, who we have got a while ago now, learnt about my bike from a early age so that helped, it was just from me bringing my bike in and out of the house as I use it to get to and from work, he now runs up to me and jumps at me but is still unsure of others riding bikes.. I guess it depens on the dog but if you dogs fine with it I would say move it, I would say move it a bit and if that happens to go well just ride around your yark a bit, he my take a bit to get used to it, little things like sitting on the bike and feeding him a treat if he comes up to it maybe? thats if hes scared of it? I'm not much help but ideas I guess, even my ACD, NZ Hunt, beardie cross was never scared of it, so I'v not had any problems before. I would say it would be good for him to know his comands, things like when you get to a crossing or are going to cross the road, little things help like getting him to sit, I do it with my APBT (hes on lead) and can do it with my ACD, NZ Hunt, beardie cross without a lead to sit, my ACD, NZ Hunt, beardie cross also knows the comand "Cross" which means she can cross the road T.T.. which has gotten her to the point of being able to walk in town without a lead but always have one around for safe reasons.

Melrose437 · April 2013

Bryson - thanks for the advice : ) Fly- I still have to test him around the bike but i planned to try him around it in the back yard,( me walking besides the bike and just fooling around so he learn the sounds it makes and all that stuff) I am hoping he isn't scared since when we see some on the roads he does this little wiggles and want to go faster(he doesn't chase he speeds up to keep up with it but once it's past us or behing us he calms down and walks like normal... this is what got me hoping I could make a biking dog out of him : ) So a few people seem to like the head collar thing i'm leaning on this a lot since I can see how it would help me controle him with out chocking him and being on a bike i wouldn't want to use a chocking device at all. Taz does know commands like Sit,stay,down, paw,hug(i was bored)search and leave it. Heel is someting to work on since i only practice without a leach at home but he does stay besides me while on walk if you ignore the small pulling at the start. I mostly work non verbally with him(so with my energy talking...) which he excels at the most but refreshing him on verbal comands will be something i do for sure for biking

I love the advice guys!! I'm all fired up for some training!

Rock_N_Roll_Queen90 · April 2013

I was thinking about this post and remembered seeing a device that might be useful to you. I've never seen it being used, but it'd probably be worth checking out *shrugs*. <a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12477601747568873741?q=bike attachment for dog&sqi=2&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45645796,d.dmQ&biw=1366&bih=643&wrapid=tlif136685253732310&sa=X&ei=wIN4UfHmIebh0QHE94Fg&ved=0CGsQ8wIwAw" target="_blank" class="bb-url">https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12477601747568873741?q=bike attachment for dog&sqi=2&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45645796,d.dmQ&biw=1366&bih=643&wrapid=tlif136685253732310&sa=X&ei=wIN4UfHmIebh0QHE94Fg&ved=0CGsQ8wIwAw</a>. It says it's for smaller dogs, but I'm sure they'd have ones for any other size dog as well.

SandPiper · May 2013

Hello! I have a German Shepherd who is dog and human aggressive. What I found works VERY well is a pinch collar and/or an electric shock collar. Yes, it sounds a bit inhumane --- but a pinch collar is recommended over a normal choke chain. Often times, choke chains are put on incorrectly and will eventually ruin the dogs breathing. The electric collar helps only because it gives me remote control over the dog. If he runs off, I can still correct him from a distance. I originally began training my GSD with Falco K9, who also helps train police dogs for the OCPD. <a href="http://www.falcok9academy.com/"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.falcok9academy.com/</a> Check out their FAQ videos, it might help. I suggest that BEFORE you start taking your dog out with the bike, or attached to the bike, to get the basic obedience down. He needs to be able to HEEL, without pulling (at any time) and most importantly, he must NOT run after dogs or other people that are walking by. You don't want him shooting off after someone else while you're biking! Oh, and don't forget to get him used to the bike as well. He can't be scared of it if you expect him to run beside it

Once you have the basic obedience down, you'll be able to take him out with the bike without a problem. There's another company that does dog training videos, but I forgot their name. I'll post/pm you when I find the links

Good luck!

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RL training tips for my dog.

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