Kenzie getting too strong

fimckenzie · #1 11-10-11, 03:04 PM

Hi, Kenzie has now reached 16 months and has been getting me down the last few weeks (only in the sense I must be a **** leader!). She loves other dogs and people but - big but, she is dreadful on the lead. If she sees another dog, any dog whilst on the lead she goes berserk. Up on her back legs, barking and looking like for all the world like a vicious dog. On the other hand, when she meets other dogs off lead, she will either sniff and play or lay down submissively (she does tend to still bark from a distance). She is also a puller though has got better over the months but not if she gets distracted. In the house and the garden she responds to all commands and is a really well behaved and affectionate dog. Have tried stopping and sitting and walking away etc but she is so strong it is hard enough just to hold her.Not quite sure what to do from here. Help please

Caryll · #2 11-10-11, 03:06 PM

What sort of collar do you use?

fimckenzie · #3 11-10-11, 03:10 PM

Use a half choke at the moment. Have tried a halti but she hates it and gets in a right spin with it on.

Caryll · #4 11-10-11, 03:13 PM

How about trying a halti harness? It has a ring on the front breast strap which is supposed to turn your dog's weight against itself. I've not tried one myself, but it might be worth having a look.

fimckenzie · #5 11-10-11, 03:17 PM

Why is she like this, is it an insecurity thing or just too much excitement or what? I had thought of trying a Gencon, seen a lot of recommends on here?

Caryll · #6 11-10-11, 03:31 PM

It could be a bit of both. Have you tried training classes?

fimckenzie · #7 11-10-11, 03:58 PM

Did training classes when she was a pup. She got very excited then to get to the other dogs but nothing like now. She is almost obsessed and just loves to be with other dogs (she has her favourites), when we are with other dogs, she reacts totally fine to any other dogs, almost like she has more confidence and calmness.

Stuart · #8 11-10-11, 04:11 PM

I still think that the Gencon is the best bet,..they certainly do the job,..and are so simple

SDC10102 - YouTube

RainbowLass · #9 11-10-11, 04:45 PM

The best thing we did for Rogue because she was the same at one point was to teach her to ignore everything and anything when she was on lead.
When she misbehaved we simply checked her (needed to be quite rough at the beginning but she soon got the message) a firm 'LEAVE' command and just carry on walking.
You need to be firm otherwise she will think she can get away with it.

Lots of praise too once you get past it but don't stop walking and make her work to be off lead. A simple sit, and wait means she gets excited about being let off lead and reacts fine to other dogs and stuff.

We use a halti, but not when we were checking her on walkies. I used a full choke and it worked a treat for a short, sharp check.

Ricky · #10 10-11-11, 02:02 PM

Hi fimckenzie

I just joined today.

I have a male GSD who is 11 months and sounds identical in behavior to yours. They could be separated at birth!

He adores other dogs and just wants to play all the time, he is fantastic off the lead.
As soon as you put him on the lead and he see's a dog, even one he knows, he goes crazy. It is pretty embarrassing and very frustrating as he behaves so well off-lead.
Let me know how you get on!