follow others

[hellomimie]

Hi all,

I've come to ask for positive advice.This has been bothering me.

On the first lesson, I walk with my 3.5 months old german shepherd on leash, and he follows me, the 2nd lesson I try off leash, and he follows too.
Then at the 3rd lesson, another classmate arrive first and lead him for an hour or so. When I return and call his name, he runs to me but unsuccessful as he is tied up by my classmate. After some time, I put him on my lead and walk him, he follows but when off lease, he does not respond much when I call his name, and then he walks towards my classmate, I have to chase and put him on leash.

We walk , then he try to follow another classmate.

How to keep him with me? Timewise, I am the one spending more time with him, but some classmate may have some short period with him when I am not around. I have been doing the basic grooming, give him food , call him name, play with toy. What more can I do?

I cannot ward off my classmates. On the other hand, my classmates' dog would not walk off like that when other call.

Some say spend more time with him, but there is a limit at class.
And then the other classmates are not spending more time,but he is attracted. They do the basic same thing, walk, lead, give food , groom

[nick_j007]

RELAX. Your dog is still very young and your relationship has plenty of time to develop a strong bond.

Maybe the other person is using a better voice or maybe even using better food?

Examine with an open heart what the other person is doing that seems appealling to your dog and try to copy that.

I hope that helps a little?

Nick

[hellomimie]

(1) Thanks, helps by encouragement u gave. I observe the woman has a high pitch she loves to say loud good boy, my voice is weak and soft, cant go that high. THe man, I did not see him praise much but my dog follows him when he comes along. Others guess he raised him high in arms before and the puppy is afraid of him? Does that make sense? Should I try to hold him up the air in my arms?
(2) Heeling problem, last few wks puppy coughed a lot and heeled ok., this wk he recovers much and started to pull when I ask to heel. I try to lure him back with a treat, he does not seem attracted. he turns off his head half of the times and eat when the treat is close and easy to get. I do now want to pull hard or choke since he is only 4 months now. Pls teach me how.
(3) Some classmates ask me to make the lead short so he cant walk off when heel. I make it about 4 inch, and he's till pulling off. Sometimes I try to walk quicker than him, but I can only mangage quick walking for 5 minutes or so.( I pant myself)
(4) I am falling behind in class. and I fear off lead, he walks towards my classmates, so I will probably fail in class.
(5) I note he does not respond every time I call his name. he sits and watch left and right . I repeat calling but he doesnt care.
(6) When I did not see him for a few days, then call him when he is playing with other dogs, he will run to me.
Kindly help me on these , I feel frustated and there is not much encouraging advice I can seek from my classmate and teacher. Teacher is stern, would only ask me to reflect.

[nick_j007]

Originally Posted by hellomimi

(1) Thanks, helps by encouragement u gave. I observe the woman has a high pitch she loves to say loud good boy, my voice is weak and soft, cant go that high. THe man, I did not see him praise much but my dog follows him when he comes along. Others guess he raised him high in arms before and the puppy is afraid of him? Does that make sense? Should I try to hold him up the air in my arms?
(2) Heeling problem, last few wks puppy coughed a lot and heeled ok., this wk he recovers much and started to pull when I ask to heel. I try to lure him back with a treat, he does not seem attracted. he turns off his head half of the times and eat when the treat is close and easy to get. I do now want to pull hard or choke since he is only 4 months now. Pls teach me how.
(3) Some classmates ask me to make the lead short so he cant walk off when heel. I make it about 4 inch, and he's till pulling off. Sometimes I try to walk quicker than him, but I can only manage quick walking for 5 minutes or so.( I pant myself)
(4) I am falling behind in class. and I fear off lead, he walks towards my classmates, so I will probably fail in class.
(5) I note he does not respond every time I call his name. he sits and watch left and right . I repeat calling but he doesnt care.
(6) When I did not see him for a few days, then call him when he is playing with other dogs, he will run to me.
Kindly help me on these , I feel frustrated and there is not much encouraging advice I can seek from my classmate and teacher. Teacher is stern, would only ask me to reflect.

I'm sure you can practice a voice that is more attractive to your dog?
It's not about volume...more about pitch. Also use your face so it smiles and looks open.Use your eyebrows and mouth to make an excited looking face

Are you the shy and quiet type? I sometimes literally act in a way that is not me to get the best results...whether with people or dogs

I don't suggest you raising the dog in your arms unless you need the exercise.

The best way for the heeling is spend some one to one time with your instructor. Teaching you over email or forums is near impossible I'm afraid. Every dog and handler is different and needs to be taken into account.

What breed is your dog and what age are you please? Also where are you?

Please relax about the classes. Why not talk with your instructor before or after the class to express your concerns...I'm sure they'll offer you a little extra time if you need it. persistence is key with dog training. One day (if you keep trying) it will all slot nicely into place, and you will look back and smile at your previous concerns.

Use a long line with your recalls so when he sits and ignores, you can offer a light tug to get him moving forward to you. As soon as he moves to you, you will need to 'act' with that bright clear voice showing your approval. You can do this easy. Here is a good example of what I mean...this is my own puppy when at 7 weeks, ok yours is much older now, but this tone can still work for you: YouTube - Wire Haired Vizsla 'Max' comes to call at 7 weeks..

Just read at the end that you feel your teacher is stern. Both you and your dog need to feel RELAXED and HAPPY in classes. If your teacher is not really a good teacher and more of a 'teller' then vote with your feet and leave?

I say there is nothing that a basic class would teach you that you cannot do in your local park and at home

I used a good book and taught myself...you can do just the same.

Be patient, keep at it and it will happen.

Best wishes,

Nick

[hellomimie]

Thanks very much for your answer, I'll try and let you know.
I watch your video too. the puppy is so cute. And I listened to the voice good boy.

I am not shy but I do not talk as much as others, I'll try to imitate the voice on the youtube. I talk to my dog quite soft and sing to him. Sometimes when I call his name loud, he does not pay attention.

BTW, how can I find the message I posted. What I did to retrieve this is type Follow others at search, is there another way, like my file, I can't find it?

My baby dog is now 4 months old , German Shepherd, he had kennel cough but last wk he recovers a lot and he started pulling hard when I try to heel.

[nick_j007]

'User CP' top left should enable you to look back at your postings.

Maybe use the link in your browser as a favourite for you to return next time.

The voice needs to vary with a dog, so sometimes sweet and encouraging, sometimes more gruff and immediate depending on what the dog is doing or about to do. Avoid chit-chat with your dog when training as the dog will not understand you anyway.

4 months is still very young, but a 4 month old GSD needs regualar exercise, guidance and training. A little and often should get you there

Good luck.

Nick