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Question

I have just taken on a stray dog from a rehoming kennels - a five year old German Shepherd. I already have two labradors - a dog and a bitch. Cass (GSD) has anxiety/separation issues which we manage fine in the house as we're always around, yet when we go out for a walk she seems to become a real loner. She plays with the Labs for a while then for some reason tends to wander off on her own. She'll come eventually but generally only if the labs/I are off out of sight. Food treats interest her greatly indoors, but again she won't come for them outside on a walk.

I'm trying to find out how I manage to get her to see me as the pack leader and come to me when we're out walking rather than just following the other dogs when treats don't work, nor does whistling or calling her name?

Submitted: 122 days and 13 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $12
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Pet's Sex: Female
Pet's Age: 5

Already Tried:
Food treats, whistling, calling

Accepted Answer

HI XXXXXXXXXXX,

 

 

Since she will only come to you inside you need to work more on her training when it comes to recall. Coming to the human is not hard when there are no other distractions, especially when that human has a treat. But when there are more exciting things to look at they are likely to leave you in the dust. So start working on recall in the yard while the dog is leashed on a 20 ft tether, then take it to the driveway where the dog will see a few more distractions and when you eventually train the dog in the street then you may need to up the ante on the treat side so start with hot dog in the yard and driveway , but in the street up it to chicken. The dog should not get this food at any other time or it will not be so special anymore. Whatever command you are now using for come will need to be changed as the dog already knows she does not have to come to you, so if you say "Fido come" now, then start using "Fido Here." Never use that command when she is off leash and she runs off unless she comes to you 100% of the time during your training or you will need to start again from the beginning.

 

I am going to direct you to a site for training since she is food motivated this may help. Do them daily for at least an hour and this does not mean it has to all be done in one hour, you can break the time up throughout the day which actually works better.

 

 

As for being seen as the pack leader then you will want to put her on the nothing in life is free diet and I will direct you to a site that will explain this to you.

 

 

` Clicker training

http://www.clickerlessons.com/

video, shows how clicker training is done http://www.clickertrainusa.com/clicker-training-videos.htm

 

Nothing in life is free

http://www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca/yelp_Line/dogs/nothing_free.php

 

 

NILF being the leader

http://siriusdog.com/articles/kids-dogs-bites-safety-prey.htm

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Expert: Sally Grott
Pos. Feedback: 99.3 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 7/24/2009

dog training consultant

24 years training & behavior,pet first aide, Therapy dog eval., PA Animal Response Team

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