Joined
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36 Posts
Hello all,
Luna is now 14 months old. I am having trouble walking her or taking her anywhere in public for that matter. She used to wear a harness but was pulling too much so I switched over to the Gentle Leader. That seems to help but she is still able to pull quite a bit when she is excited. The barking has also become a huge problem. She barks at home if she hears any loud noises like sirens, motorcycles, other dogs barking etc...I try to interrupt her by giving a command or getting a toy/treat to divert her attention. That only works partly. When on our daily walks she sometimes will bark at people walking or jogging but not each and every time. When she sees another dog though it's over. Nothing I do will snap her out of it. I thought maybe it was excited barking and that she just wanted to say hello and play, because we take her to a dog park often and although she barks like crazy from the car until she gets inside but once in she happily plays with other dogs no problem. But anywho the past few times she's barked at another dog on a walk and as we approach she starts to growl and lunge at the other dog. So now I'm thinking that she is barking out of fear.
I've read that I shouldn't use a squirt bottle or a can filled with coins since that can add to her anxiety. I am seeking professional help now and would love to work with a trainer that uses positive reinforcement.
Can anyone recommend a good qualified trainer please? I am so desperate now. I used to be able to take her everywhere with me but it's been progressively getting worse...to the point where I dread taking her out for a walk because I don't know how to control the pulling and barking. Thanks much!
Luna is now 14 months old. I am having trouble walking her or taking her anywhere in public for that matter. She used to wear a harness but was pulling too much so I switched over to the Gentle Leader. That seems to help but she is still able to pull quite a bit when she is excited. The barking has also become a huge problem. She barks at home if she hears any loud noises like sirens, motorcycles, other dogs barking etc...I try to interrupt her by giving a command or getting a toy/treat to divert her attention. That only works partly. When on our daily walks she sometimes will bark at people walking or jogging but not each and every time. When she sees another dog though it's over. Nothing I do will snap her out of it. I thought maybe it was excited barking and that she just wanted to say hello and play, because we take her to a dog park often and although she barks like crazy from the car until she gets inside but once in she happily plays with other dogs no problem. But anywho the past few times she's barked at another dog on a walk and as we approach she starts to growl and lunge at the other dog. So now I'm thinking that she is barking out of fear.
I've read that I shouldn't use a squirt bottle or a can filled with coins since that can add to her anxiety. I am seeking professional help now and would love to work with a trainer that uses positive reinforcement.
Can anyone recommend a good qualified trainer please? I am so desperate now. I used to be able to take her everywhere with me but it's been progressively getting worse...to the point where I dread taking her out for a walk because I don't know how to control the pulling and barking. Thanks much!
