Dear Adam:
I will try and make this short and include only the details I think
will help. I HAVE read the entire book on line. I will pick up all
of the tapes along with the book when I come to USA in May.
I live
in a third world country. Most of the dogs here are wild, mixed
breed or mistreated.
We went
to another part of the country to obtain a pure bred dog. He is
bred to guard sheep... an older breed and very large. Our dog is
9 weeks old and most of the time is good... just regular puppy stuff.
My problem
is that I cannot obtain a pinch collar or anything else for giving
corrections until I come to USA in May. Sometimes our dog is very
aggressive if wanting to do opposite of what we want. Seems he is
challenging more often and with greater aggressiveness...snapping
and biting. These dogs here are very UN-domesticated! Any suggestions
on how to give a correction with hitting? I growl, spit in food.
Don't have kennel or crate yet. Need to find materials and build
one...difficult here. Help.
He is
smart and I don't want to give up yet, but I feel like I am doing
everything wrong without proper correction tools. Thanks in advance.
- Paula
Dear Paula:
Never hit your dog.
I have no idea why you cannot order dog training supplies from somewhere
in Europe or have them shipped from America?
But regardless, hitting your dog is never appropriate.
In the meantime, you could go to a hardware store and make yourself
a make-shift slip collar from either chain or rope. And improvise
either a cord or rope as a leash. However, I’d probably be
remiss in stating that this should have been something you thought
about BEFORE buying a dog.
Regardless, it is possible to train a dog without the proper tools.
But it’s a lot harder… especially for a beginner.
In the meantime, if he nips at you, you should say, “No!”
and then grab the scruff of his neck and give a firm, quick pull
and release. You may also try grabbing his ear and giving it a quick
tug/pull.
Neither of these techniques are optimal. But given the circumstance,
it’s the best I can recommend.
Also,
please be aware that you should only be correcting biting and for
housebreaking. Don't start formal obedience until the dog is 4 to
4 1/2 months old.
Good luck,
Adam.
To
read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click
below):
Secrets of
a Professional Dog Trainer! |
