Help needed for breaking this terrible habit...

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Hi peoples. I know I have mentioned this before, but now it has got serious. Frankie Girl turned 2 years old two days a go so I guess her habits are pretty much etched in stone. Sadly, she still has this terrible OCD regarding lizards and bunnies, which are out in full-force right now. The other day, whilst doing our morning walk, she spotted a bunny and practically pulled my arm right out the socket as I did not see or was expecting it. For the next week, I could not move my arm nor my neck. I also have a duo lead, which sweet Johnny (who is not at all interested in them) was also attached. My question is how on earth can I desensitize her to NOT be interested in these darn things. I feel that the lab in her just completely takes over and then is no stopping her. She does not respond to her name or being jerked on the leash and told "NO" or "LEAVE It" it is like she is possessed....Should I take her back to training classes that may specialize in this sort of behavior or has anyone got any great ideas. Between the two of them I am walking 164lb of dog daily and being middle aged, 5ft 2 tall and 115lbs this is becoming a nightmare as I am so scared of getting seriously injured by this behavior and I am truly am regretting getting such a large girl as we adore her but it is coming to the point that we cannot handle her OCD. Apart from that, she is a passive, gentle giant who would not harm a fly. Even when we attend the doodle romps (which we are going to tomorrow) she is not interested in playing with other dogs, she just sits on the out side of the park awaiting the dreaded bunnies...Please help..I am pretty desperate.

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Too funny.......and yes, it makes life far more easier when one's arms are left in their sockets but prong collar or no prong collar nothing  works when the walker (me) does not see the running bunny/lizard first....and trust me, the body maybe "svelte" but the eyes and responses are definitely old and no competition with a 2 year old four-legged hunter....who says "game on" ha ha

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

What about a Gentle Leader... Remington use to be a nightmare to walk... now he doesn't pull at all!

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Thanks Kendra. Frankie girl does not pull until she see's the trigger ie. bunny or lizard and then it is game on....Nothing can hold her back, especially me. On the advice of many, I am going to seek out a private trainer because obviously my hubby and myself are pretty useless ha ha .

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Frankie -I have private messaged you.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Hmmm, I  have two dogs, all kinds of collars, and both have been to several sessions (3) of obedience training.   Both dogs react~ one to squirrels, bunnies, birds,  and one to people.

 I do like the purpose of the gentle leaders and harnesses~~ a collection of all colors and styles hang on hooks in my garage.  When you have a reactive dog, a prong collar and a leather leash ( so your hands can hold without getting torn up) may be a great way to go.  

Both my dogs are strong willed and will fight the restraint in some situations.  Spud could do a 360 head spin with the gentle leader after a while.   UGH

I was extremely reluctant to use prongs.  I found a good trainer who showed me the correct methods and I don't leave home without them. We were also taught how to walk both dogs, on the left, with two leashes.  Let us know.  Hope you feel better. 

 

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Thanks Joanne. We too have a collection of different collars and harness'. So many, we could actually open a store:) The problem is that not collar or harness can hold her back when she see's the "trigger" As I've said before, it is like she is obsessed....I think it is personal trainer time, although I have always felt they actually teach the owners rather than the dogs....but I thank you all for your great advice.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Great advice--and maybe carry some small treats and use food to distract her? If you keep treating her as she walks calmly next to you, she may never notice the bunnies. It wasn't mentioned so I thought I would throw it out there.

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Thanks Ginny.  Frankie Girl is so not food oriented. Not even a fresh steak in my pocket would distract her when there is a cute baby bunny hopping by. But thanks anyway :)

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

The ONLY way I have been able to manage my dog's strong hunting instinct is to use a remote controlled shock collar. I was against using this method at first but after consulting with an experienced positive-philosophy trainer and discussing Lilo's bolting tendencies with someone who hunts waterfowl with his labrador retriever, I decided to give the shock collar a try. I bought a high quality model from a hunting store and had it fitted on Lilo by the trainer. I also broke her into the collar in our back yard and made sure it worked properly before trying it on the trail. The first time she bolted after a deer, I only had to shock her twice, and the next time only once. She got the message quickly and has not worn the collar for over a year now. We walk/hike offleash and encounter wildlife on a daily basis. She now looks at me first and when I tell her to "leave it" she stays put. I do allow the dogs hunt in our own yard (which is fenced) so they can release some energy and have a safe way of following their hunting instincts.