Thread: End of our Tether!! Please help..........

Originally Posted by Caztanz

Hello, help needed urgently.

My partner and I are at the end of our tether, walking your dogs is supposed to be a happy and relaxing time for you and your dogs. Well it is hell! And do not look forward to at all anymore, more so by me!

As soon as we start to get ready to take them out (2 x German Shepherds 1@ 8yrs other @ 2 ½ and a 14yr old cross, all Bitches) The 2 ½ yr old starts jumping and barking and running in and out the back door and it just gets worse and worse and sets off the 8yrs old one then. When they are on their leads she still barks and jumps which gets worse when set off walking and is jumping up and barking for the 1st 10 – 15 mins of the walk.

It is not just upsetting and very aggravating to my partner and myself as she is a very obedient and loving dog but still has other faults, but this is the main one we want to sort out as we love our walks and time together but it is getting to be an experience we do not want to keep going through! They get a 2hr walk and a run on the field every day. She gets too excited.

We have tried calming alternative methods of drops, tablets, whole wheat to soak up high protein levels or something like that and even a collar that omitted the smell of a brood bitch, (I think you will know what I mean as I am not sure, my partner deals with all that stuff to do with the dogs.) natural foods not tinned or dried.

This has gone on for two years now and I have noticed that my partner is getting more and more aggressive in his behaviour with her, like nearly throttling her on her lead to get her to shut up, but it just makes her noisier!

When they go running together she is fine once they start running!

Can anyone please help us, there is nothing else we can think of to use or try?

Sorry for the delay in responding, I've been away.

Given the pressure and difficulty you're under have you considering hiring a respected trainer near you? An hour or two could make ALL the difference and would enable you to explore various coping measures and fresh ideas.

All the supplements you describe are only there to assist not solve. If you had put that money into a trainer you may have a working solution by now

With this sort of issue I look at addressing each dog individually and getting them to walk nicely alone and to ensure that is going well before introducing another dog to the walk. Introducing basic commands that over ride the excessive behaviour is the way to go, these need to be well practised throughout the day at various times other than when you go out for a walk.

Hope that helps a little.

Nick.