"Askim"

Greetings:

 After about of month of visits at a foster home, we have adopted Askim.  Askim is a large white male dog that had his ears cut off when he was a puppy.  He had been abused.  He has been to a few homes and is now in his 4th year of life.  We adopted him because we were looking for an older dog.  He is very good as far as being in the home, housetrained, very loving. My husband and son walk him and Askim does need some refreshing on this.  I can\’t walk him because he is too big and strong for me at the moment.  Do you have any suggestions on this besides weight training for my arms LOL!!

 

Thank you,  Laura

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Julie’s Answer:

Hi Laura!

That’s wonderful you have rescued a older dog!  They can be wonderful companions.  Have you heard of a Gentle Leader Head Collar?  They are absolutely amazing tools for walking large, strong dogs.  I’ve had many clients who couldn’t walk their large dogs and when they tried this they were instantly walking them, even children can walk large dogs with this.  It is a HEAD collar, not a neck collar so it gives you control over the whole dog when you have control over their head.  Dog’s necks are very strong which is why it is so hard to walk a dog using neck collars.  IT IS NOT A MUZZLE.  It may look a bit like one, but dogs can eat, drink, bark, etc with one; it is just a head collar.

 On the first walk or two it can feel a little messy.  Don’t give up on it though because the reward is WELL worth it.  I’ve helped hundreds of clients with this gentle leader who have had life changing experiences being able to walk dogs well (without pulling) for the first time in their lives.  If you can just get past that messy stage initially they will understand they HAVE to accept it and you will both be happier on the walk.  Just keep your goal in mind and don’t give up.  Don’t let them take it off and then give up, or they will win and think they have a choice.  It should be your decision to remove it.  I find it helpful to take it off right away when you stop, so they don’t have the chance to remove it.  Remember, it will get easier and eventually they’ll be able to hang out with it on even and leave it alone.  It is NOT harmful or hurting them. In fact, quite the opposite, studies show that it pushes on certain pressure points in the head that can be calming. 

Get the Gentle Leader fitted properly before you even begin the walk, you can have someone give a treat while you distract them to fit it well.  Once you get the fit right you can try to go out on the walk.  Expect that your dog may buck like a horse, tear at it with their paws, rub on your leg to get it off, etc..this is all common behavior at first.  They are not used to the feeling yet.  Let your dog know they do NOT have the choice to take it off.  Your goal on the first walk is to keep them moving (sometimes jogging can help for the first couple times) and EVERY TIME they try to remove it you quickly stop them, “No, Leave it” with a stern commanding sound and physically removing her paws from her face, etc…work quickly…then begin to move again. 

 I also find it helpful to mentally prepare yourself before attempting it for the first time.  The first attempt you should do it at a time you feel strong and are not too tired.  Think of someone who you admire that is REALLY strong both physically and especially mentally and pretend you are that person.  Go into the walk being that person.  You have strength and determination and you will NOT fail.  I KNOW you can do it!

 Good luck!  You are really going to enjoy the results!

Julie 

 

This post is from an email I got from a girl who tries to walk her neighbors dog. She told me that her neighbors are not walking the dog because the dog is out of control so she tries to but is having a hard time.

She writes:
“I try to walk her a lot but I really can’t. If I could teach her to be calm and walk more appropriatly maybe they will walk her more. I just need advice. How do I train her? what do I do to make her like the dogs that she freaks out at? … Why doesn’t she like other dogs when shes on a leash? and people too?
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My response:
That’s usually about being frustrated while on leash. Is the dog walked with a leash attached to a neck collar? This can cause aggression in some dogs because the collar is tight on their neck. A much better collar is a head collar called a gentle leader, available at all pet stores or online..it also prevents them from pulling and is known to make dogs calmer. I wonder if you could talk the owners into geting one..should be around $10 or so? The first time you put it on can be challenging because they try to take it off, but just keep them moving and they’ll soon forget about it and it makes a huge difference walking them! Maybe if you get good at walking her you can teach them how to. You do not have to have her meet every dog either, that is not important at this point. Just walk her for the exercise and avoid meeting other dogs you are not sure of. I think I’ll post some articles you may find helpful on my blog too.
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Her response:
Thanks Julie that helps a lot! I walked her today it was great I took my scooter and ran her pretty far she loves to run. thank you for helping me out!
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My response:
Great! I’m so glad it is working out for you! Keep up the good work and let me know how it goes!
Julie