This Big Baby Is Too Much For Me

sylviad

It's so important to pick the right dog for you.

When my 2 dogs died, I immediately went to the pound in search of a new companion. I found Tyler, a Belgian Shepherd.

He loves people. Loves to play. Wouldn't harm a fly.
He's very well behaved... indoors.

And this is where the problem lies.

Tyler is extremely dominant and insists on taking me where he wants to go. This puts a huge strain on my body as I work to restrain him.

He seemed so "trainable" when I saw him. He was about a year old then. I should have known better. He probably landed at the pound because he insisted on going wherever he wanted.

Earlier this spring, he broke my fence - for the 5th time. Last weekend when I was building a stronger replacement, I noticed him lying on the path behind me... watching... and thinking. It's not hard to imagine what he was thinking.

"Look at her. She thinks she's going to stop me. I already know how I'm going to get out, and she hasn't even finished yet."

So far, he's been wrong. Time will tell.

Mikey

Hi!
First I want to say, throw out what you know and think about dominance-and just take it out of the equation. It doesn't help anything to label what he's doing as 'dominant' or any other 'unchangeable' or undesirable characteristic. Take my word on that I once threw that word around too, and it didn't help me or my dog

[Articles and info on dominance here Dominance in dogs]

Now what your left with is a dog who
1) is an escape artist
2) drags you along for a walk

That's really all I see when I read what you wrote (which I like the way you wrote your post-sounds like a cute story!)

Anyways-those may not be the only issues but those are EASY issues, and both I'd suggest to start with the same 'treatment'

MORE exercise. No matter what he's getting, he's not getting enough. There are lots of options to increase exercise, it doesn't have to be walking-which obviously right now isn't enjoyable for either of you.

1) Bike or rollerblade him
2) Throw a ball
3) Play in the yard
4) Throw a ball up or down stairs, or up/down a hill
5) treadmill
6) dog walker (if you don't have time)

I know your probably saying 'he gets lots of exercise' but trust me on this. No tired dog tries to break out of yards or drag his much loved master like their life depended on it.
So look at what your already doing for exercise and double it AT LEAST.

Next-he can't go out in the yard unsupervised. Until he stops trying to escape, it's dangerous (for him, your fence, and your sensibilities) for him to be out alone.

The weather is nice, so grab a book or a laptop and go outside with him. If he tries to dig or escape, simply redirect him to a toy, rawhide, chewy, ball etc. Don't punish, but start making him think bored=find a toy rather then bored=hit the road and find adventure.

And for walking nice on a leash? Practice that AFTER he's been exercised-preferably been exercised at a good pace for at least an hour. He'll automatically walk better, making your job easier. THen just praise and give treats. More tips here: "Loose Leash" walking


Yes it will take time, it will take work, BUT it WILL work

sylviad

Hi Mikey,

Thank you for the helpful response. The thing is, I already know the problems and what needs to be done. I just do not have the capacity or the area.

He should have gone to a family with kids with lots of energy and a farm or a place where he can get lots of exercise. I'm 65, so forget the rollerblades and biking. Im' in pretty good shape, but not THAT good.

My backyard is only 35' x 60' and 1/3 of it is flower beds and a small waterfall/pond. Little left for chasing a ball, although we do have one game we play.

I toss the ball, he comes flying off the deck and catches it in midair. He'll play that game for quite awhile.

He only goes over the fence because he wants to get to people. He likes my neighbor and the kids out back. So he feels the need to scale the fences to get to them. Fortunately, he only goes over the back when the kids are there - kicking the ball around. And the other fence only separates the back yard from another fenced in area. If he REALLY wanted to escape, he could easily scale that other chain link 4' fence, but he's content just to get there. But there's always the chance, which is why I built a stronger fence so he can't reach that fence.

This is what I meant when I said that it's important to get the right dog for you. I've had dogs all my life, usually medium sized, and only one large dog who didn't have the inclination to go anywhere without me. With all my knowledge I felt I could handle Tyler. But I underestimated his needs - namely, lots of exercise.

I was considering getting him into agility training. He'd absolutely love that, and he certainly has the stamina and energy for all the jumping, running, climbing.

He's a tracker... he's quickly distracted by scents, and he has the strength to take me there. My alternative was to get him a haltie which has reduced his pull strength to 1/10th what it was with a regular collar.

But that's not really the answer. I've tried all the techniques to stop his pulling and have made tremendous headway in 3 years. I simply have to stop, point, and he takes his position beside me. As soon as we proceed, he feels he always has to be in the lead and gets gradually more powerful. He knows "Heel" but he has more important things to do.

He just needs a chance to work off that energy and I just can't give it to him.

We walk 2 km every day, sometimes farther. Sometimes we go into the woods where there are some significant hills to climb, and he comes back tired. But I can't do that every day.

I know it's also about more training, but again, he needs to work off that energy first and there's not much I can do about that.

So I persist with the training - some days he's good, others not so. It depends what dog went before us.

Sylvia

sylviad

hahaha... Actually, the two times he got over the back fence to play with the boys, I'd been out with him building the fence. I was taking a break, came into the house to grab some ice cream, and by the time I went back out (like, 3 minutes later) he was gone.

Please don't get the wrong impression. He hasn't escaped that many times in the 4 years I've had him... but, yes I know, once is all it takes.

The fence he broke was flimsy chicken wire, so not much deterrent there. In fact, I'm not even sure he broke it first time. It could have been a raccoon.

Just the idea of the fence was enough. He didn't go over for the 2-3 years that it was there. But once he found he could go over the top by climbing onto the wood pile, he took it. He's gone over more in the past month than he has in the entire 4 years I've had him, amounting to 7 times, if you don't count the day a serviceman left the gate open.

And every time, it was to get to people to say hello. He went absolutely wild when he heard the kids kicking the soccer ball. He just couldn't contain himself. He wasn't interested in going anywhere else but to play with them. Clearly, he must have belonged to a boy and spent a lot of time with hiim and his friends before I got him.

Sylvia

MySoulmateEmmy

I think what you see as dominance and stubborness is just that he is too smart for his own good probably and so he thinks he knows better than you haha! my dog is the same way. She tries to drag me all over the place and manipulate me/rule me and knows how to get into trouble.

good luck

tankstar

This is a breed that is best used for a job. These dogs just dont to well for "just pets" I'd deffiently look in to something you both can do. Agility is fun, fly ball doesnt require alot out of you (as in running ect), dock diving. Even obiediebnce training can help. Can you hire some one to walk him for you. so he gets 2 walks a day? maybe a neighboor hood kid youknow and trust? Not sure where in Canada you are. But here in Ontario in order to graduate HS you need to do 40 hours of community service, maybe get some kids to walk him for you, and you can sign off the papers for them. Stating they did 40 hours of free work for you.

kmes

Deffinately look into dog sports! They are a ton of fun. Belgians often excel at them too!

In addition to the ones listed above, try rally! It is obedience but way more fun that traditional obedience competitions.
Also look at herding, scent tracking, and even serch and rescue type work!