Forum Replies Created

Page 1 of 2
  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    June 21, 2012 at 9:23 pm in reply to: gsd that loves to lead with mouth
    0
    6
    53

    Hello,

    No question to silly to ask! 🙂

    It sounds like there are potentially a couple of things going on. First thing I would work on is your pack structure in section 5 on this site. Sounds like she is bossing you around a little bit. She shouldnt have free access to toys to come and make you play with her. also she should not be telling you its time to go outside, the more you give into that the more she will do it and the worse it will get. When you read the pack structure section and start to implement it, you may run into an extinction spike where it gets worse before it gets better, just stick with it and DO NOT give up. it will get better.
    Once that is in place, I would look into restless spirit which is next on the triangle. You have to provide her with an outlet so she doesn’t have to ask for the attention.

    Start there and then we can trouble shoot issues afterwards.

    Good Luck! Keep us updated.

    Thanks Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    June 14, 2012 at 2:23 am in reply to: Decreasing Daily Feeding from Three to Two Times
    0
    6
    53

    Hello Donna,

    Welcome to the site….you will find a lot of useful information here.

    In regards to your question, you don’t want to wait until your dog shows no interest in their food. It is a good thing that they love it and eat it right away. I would suggest going cold turkey and cut him down to twice a day. You can still feed him the.same amount, just split it to 2&1/4 per meal. If you are worried about him needing something during the day, you can give him a bully stick or something. It sounds like he is a very big boy, so you will want to watch his weight as well. If he is not very active and you start to see his belly flatten out, you may want to cut his food down. For a dog that size, the thinner the better.

    Well I hope that helps and feel free to ask any other questions.

    Thanks Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    October 6, 2011 at 8:07 pm in reply to: Tug Toy question
    0
    6
    53

    Hello,

    Both are very beneficial…but can be used for different things. The fleece tug is great for training a release command and mild play. But if you have constant tough tug games with max it will wear down and eventually rip. The French linen is more durable so if max likes to play tug and really get into it may be helpful to have both.
    Here is a tug blog that goes into why tug is such a great and important game to play withour dogs.
    The Power of Tug!!! « Friends of Putnam Humane Society

    Good luck!

    Thanks Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    March 9, 2011 at 5:33 pm in reply to: correct dog play
    0
    6
    53

    Hey guys! How have you been? How are the dogs doing?
    Have you noticed any trend when slate snaps at her? Toys around, food or even maybe he is resource guarding on of you two. Pay attention when happens, maybe it something that you can pin point to avoid problems ib the future.
    Well I hope all is well!
    Thanks
    Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    March 9, 2011 at 5:21 pm in reply to: Really hate egotistical trainers/decoys….
    0
    6
    53

    Thanks Maureen! We will miss you and Toro as well!

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    January 25, 2011 at 5:08 pm in reply to: I really can’t control my dog!
    0
    6
    53

    Hello,

    How is your leadership with her? Are you following everything in the pack structure section..level. 5?
    I would start with making sure you are strict with that. Then start to manage the problem for now until you are done with the training.
    The e-collar is a great tool and will help you get control..however make sure not rush right to the e-collar.
    It is very important not to skip phase 1 and 2.. Work on those first..then move to the e-collar. Let us know if you need help with on the training.
    You will have to be patient working with her.

    I hope that helps for now!

    Thanks
    Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    December 2, 2010 at 12:30 am in reply to: New here
    0
    6
    53

    Hello Hayne,

    That is what make this style of training different. we use possitive reinforcement, with the most minimal amount of correction. We use the least amount of a correction that is needed to get a result. Dogs that are trained by “Foundation Style” dog trainers will never show that lack of playful spirit you talk about. We do not over work the dogs and we always make it an enjoyable expierence. When a dog comes to see a “Foundation Style” dog trainer they come in with a low wagging tail and get all excited. RESPECT comes first for our dogs. Unlike the Koehler method, we even introduce a warning “No” to give the dog a second chance to avoid the correction and no matter what, they always get praise..
    You will never see a “Foundation Style” dog trainer disrespecting dogs and over correcting them. In fact, we usually have owner’s practice on us first, so they don’t start over correcting their dog.

    Read through the triangle first, and then move on to the videos.. if you stick with this style of training, Charlie will keep his spirit throughout his training and his life.

    Keep us updated and always feel free to ask questions if you need to trouble shoot something, etc.

    Thanks
    Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    October 26, 2010 at 8:07 pm in reply to: Toro’s son Yoda and his long distance lover(LOL)
    0
    6
    53

    Yoda looks good! He is gonna be a handsome boy!

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    September 2, 2010 at 3:19 pm in reply to: POSITION OF PROTECTION DOG WHEN WALKING
    0
    6
    53

    Hello,

    Thank you for the message, it sounds like you got a nice dog there.
    In regards to your question about the heel, you really should work on putting him in the correct heeling position. Reason being, if he is in front of you to start is going to be a lot easier for him to lunge at someone and less easy for you to control. If he is starting put in front of you, you lost already. Just start at phase one and work through the phases and you should have no problem correcting his position.
    To your second point about the halt, typically you Want him to sit when you stop so you have more control either at an intersection or in front of people or dogs, etc.
    The whole idea with the heel, is so that you can have the most control in the most difficult of situations and highest distraction areas.
    Just be patient and don’t skip steps and you will him doing a correct heal.

    He can walk infront of you while you are just on a casual walk and not in heel if you want.

    I hope that helps!
    Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    September 2, 2010 at 2:53 pm in reply to: Aggression towards people outside of family
    0
    6
    53

    Hello,
    Start with knowledge and understand what you have with a GSD. They are natural protectors and resource guarders, so you will definitely have to manage what you have.
    Lunging a little girl is a serious problem and potential issue for you. So the first thing I would suggest you start working on is getting your GSD used to a muzzle. Check out the blog section, Mike actually just did a really good blog on muzzles and how to get the dog used to it. Start with this and make sure he has this one whenever around strangers and even on a leash. Especially while you are this early in the training.
    Next, I know you stated you are doing good with the leadership stuff in the pack structure section. Maybe re-read it again and make sure you are very technical with everything in it. With a aggressive dog, you will want to make sure there is question in the dogs mind as to who is leading.
    Next you will have to make sure the dog doesn’t have any restless spirit, so make. Sure to read that section and work that out with your little buddy.
    Question for you is, was there anything around that could have caused resource guarding (I.e. Food bowls, toys, bed, or just maybe you or or kids.) was this first time it happened and is just with your kids friend? What did you do when this happened?
    Any information you can provide us will help pin point what is happening.

    Start with the obedience as well, so this way..once it is completed, you will have more control of the situation. Just remember that this takes time, so do not rush through or skip steps. That will only set you back in the wrong direction.
    For now, manage the problem as much as you can now with the muzzle or even putting him in the other room for the time being.

    We will look for your response with the details so we can get you on track.

    Thanks
    Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    August 14, 2010 at 11:58 am in reply to: should i cut out the wet food???
    0
    6
    53

    That’s Great Jeremy, I am glad to see the videos interested you. You will find this site to be very helpful.
    However, I can’t take credit for those videos, they were mad by Mike D’Abruzzo, the founder/creator of this website and the “Foundation Dod Training System”. He is also the trainer you will see in the training videos that you will be watching as you move along. He really is an amazing dog trainer, you will see this as you move along. 🙂

    well keep us updated and always feel free to ask us questions!!
    Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    August 13, 2010 at 7:37 pm in reply to: should i cut out the wet food???
    0
    6
    53

    Hey Jeremy,

    I have 2 pitbulls and I feed them Life’s Abundance.
    TrilogyOnline.com
    But there are lots of good foods out there. Evo is another one that is good.
    Shop around and see what you find..if you are unsure about something give us a name and we can check it out for you.
    Remember when looking at good food, the price will be higher, but look at the quantity required. You will probably have to give your dog half the amount because there are no fillers. It tends to equal about the same..so don’t get scared by the price.

    Good Luck!
    Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    August 13, 2010 at 3:27 pm in reply to: should i cut out the wet food???
    0
    6
    53

    Hello Jeremy,
    Welcome aboard!

    To answer your question, yes you can take him off of the wet food, dry food is enough.
    Don’t feel you have to over feed them while they are younger, with the right amount of food, they will naturally grow.

    If you want to make sure they get the right nutrition and a healthy meal, you may want to consider switching food.
    I know marketing has made us believe that Pedigree is a healthy diet for our little buddies, but unfortunately that is not always the case.
    I looked up the Pedigree nutritional facts for you and this is what I saw for the first four items listed. (Ground whole corn, Chicken by-product Meal, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal)
    In case you didn’t know corn is the number one allergen for dogs and it has absolutely no nutritional value to the dog. Actually the dogs stomach has to work extra trying to break it down and get a protein source out of this. So for it to be listed twice in the top four things that consume the foods weight is not good. Think of it like this, you never hear of wolves raiding a farmers corn field, that’s because they know that is more harmful to them than beneficial.
    The second problem is “Chicken by-product meal” that could be the feet, beaks, etc..probably not too much meat. You want to look for just chicken meal and not By-product.
    One more thing that you want to look out for that this label has is animal fat, this is to vague. This can be rat fat, or even dog fat for all you know. You want to look far something specific like chicken fat.

    You can just shop around for a good food, typically you will not find one in the supermarket. When you are looking, just try to stay away from corn, wheat and soy.

    Let us know if you have any other questions.

    I hope this Helps!
    Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    August 10, 2010 at 1:27 pm in reply to: stealing food
    0
    6
    53

    Hello,

    There a couple of things you can do to help manage the problem. However, rather than trying to go against mother nature and try to make dog not interested in food, you can use it for your advantage. A dog that is very food motivated is actually a good thing especially when it comes to training. Your training will become a lot easier with a dog that is so food motivated like your lab.
    In regards to them picking up crumbs that you drop, unless you told him to leave it, it is expected for him to go for it. It is a unclaimed possesion..its like when a wolf pack gets a meal, the Alpha gets the main piece, but if little pieces fall off the other members of the pack have right to it. If you do not like this, the best thing to do is set the dog up for success and manage it. You can have him out of the room when you eat and let him back in once you clean the area. As you move through the training, you can just send your little buddy to a place while you eat.
    To your problem about, him stealing food the moment you leave it.. This goes to same thing I said up top. The moment you leave something, it becomes a unclaimed possession and it is natural for the dog to think he has a right to it unless trained otherwise. The best thing to do is set the dog up for success and not leave him alone with unclaimed food until trained. This will be part of the housebreaking section on the triangle how to manage this. I would suggest reading this section to help cure the problem and on how to work with dog gods.

    If you feel that has a health issue like you said up top, get that checked out before you go any further with the training.

    I hope that helps for now!
    Keep us updated!
    Chris

  • Chris Duonola

    Member
    August 5, 2010 at 4:51 pm in reply to: distraction/socialization??
    0
    6
    53

    Hello,
    I’m glad to see things are moving along good for you! If you are getting ready to move on to phase 2, remember to stay gentle especially being that your GSD is only 4 months old..they are not fully developed yet and you can harm them if too rough, especially when moving onto phase 2. Also, I know Mike is going to put a updated video soon on leash manners, but especially with a phase 2 collar, you don’t want to drop the loop because the dog can over correct themselves. Basically you will just put light resistance without dropping the loop. The video should be up soon, so you will be able to work off of that.
    To answer your questions:
    1.) about the jumping, just keep on doing what you are doing with no showing any attention until they are sitting at least all four paws on the floor. If possible, have anyone that comes to meet her do the same thing. With kids, just be careful and watch that she doesn’t hurt them. Over time she will just start to sit automatically. If not then through obedience, you will be able to put them into a sit or send them to a place, etc. Right now you are very early in the process to expect too much. Just manage it as much as you can for now and stay consistent.
    2.) I wouldn’t worry about distractions right now, it is way too expect them to listen with distractions. That will come over time. Also about letting them sniff around and stuff, yes this is fine, just when you are ready to go, just say there name and start to put a little resistance and go, don’t even drop the loop, just put resistance.

    I hope this helps!

    Keep us updated!
    Chris

Page 1 of 2