I have a 4 1/2 month old yorkie/chihuahua mix. She is an indoor dog. However, when I take her out for a walk if another dog or person comes near she goes nuts trying to get to them to play. She's practically airborn while I'm restraining her with the leash. She does where a halter so as not to choke her. Any ideas on how to calm her. I've tried telling her to heal or sit, but she is so excited she won't listen to anything. She will even jump all over dogs that look like they could eat her as a snack in one bite. At home she only gets attention/meals/treats if she sits on command first.
Since I have a lot of family she has been socialized since I got her at 8 weeks of age.
2006-09-12 03:35:30 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I can't find any classes in my area that I can afford. Does anyone have a book or internet site suggestion? Thanks.
2006-09-12 03:42:18 · update #1
At only 4 1/2 months your puppy is too young for anything except puppy socialization classes. It's also because she's so young and is an outgoing dog that she acts the way she does. This is something she'll learn to control as she gets older, but for now, what I'd suggest is when you see another dog or person coming toward you, pull her leash in until she's very close to you, talk to her in a very calm voice (if you get excited or nervous she picks up on that right away and tells her she has a reason to be excited!), and try to get her to just stand beside you. Don't worry about sitting for now. Reward her with very quiet praise and/or treats if she starts to control herself. You can crouch down to her level and help her stay still - at this point you just want her to get the idea of what correct behaviour is.
Praise her for every little improvement and as she gets better, you can work on keeping her walking quietly beside you - right now she's just beside herself with exuberance. I had a beardie who thought every dog and person in his immediate area was there to play with him, and you just have to control them so they don't get hurt until they get older and can learn to control themselves.
2006-09-12 04:58:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't allow her to meet the person or dog unless she is calm. Try asking her to sit when the stranger is far away, when she is more likely to respond. When she does, praise her then tell her it's okay to say hello. Once she understands this (she'll probably start to sit when she sees someone, before you ask her), have her sit when the dog or person is a bit closer. Over time she will realize that acting like a nut doesn't get her what she wants.
Attending a training class is a good idea, too, as she will have to learn to focus on you in a class full of dogs and people.
Books: Positive Puppy Training Works by Joel Walton; either training book by Pat Miller; Puppy Primer by Patricia McConnell; Before and After Getting Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar
2006-09-12 03:46:09 · answer #2 · answered by melissa k 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best thing to do is be persistant and consistent. No one is to approach her until you get her calmed down and sitting behaving herself. Eventually she will learn to relax and sit or she wont get the hellos she is so desperately looking for. After awhile dont be afraid to get after her by yanking and pushing her little bottom down and firmly saying "stay". Warn oncomers that want to give that hello to please not approach until she behaves. People respect that and if they still approach say sorry we must go. This is your dog that you are being responsible w/not theres so do what you need to do. This is a very familiar problem and in no way do I allow my dogs to get away w/this. Dont ask of them...Tell them. She is only 4.5 months old so maybe run her or play ball some before going on the walks to calm her down some. This does work. Its hard to teach a pup when they have stored up energy. They wont focus and then the training gets frustrating. Good luck and keep up the great ownership.
2006-09-12 03:45:12 · answer #3 · answered by Ivory_Flame 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take a half of a hot dog, cut it half lengthwise, then cut little slices. Put them in a plastic bag in your pocket. Take the dog for a walk and every house you walk by, pull out a piece. If you want to make her sit, do so. The puppy will learn you are the most important being on the walk. She'll pay complete attention to you in a couple of days.
2006-09-12 04:09:34 · answer #4 · answered by RAR24 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She will grow out of this as she gets older but to ensure that she does you should take her our as much as you can. When she gets use to being around other dogs and matures a little she will calm down. It may also help to have something that you use to get here attention with out shouting. I snap my fingers when I have my dog on the leash. When he hears me snap he knows that I he needs to calm down and pay attention to me, not other dogs, people, cats, or what ever else may be distracting him.
2006-09-12 03:46:26 · answer #5 · answered by BeenThere 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Contact Cezar Molan the Dog Whisperer. He could help.
2006-09-12 03:39:31 · answer #6 · answered by TIA 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You answered your own question,didn't you??
A "halti" is a POS!!!
Put a COLLAR on it & MAKE it behave!!!
Try a regular buckle collar first(***TIGHT ENOUGH****)but I'll bet you'll need a slip/chain/choke.YOU aren't BOSS enough to make a 4 lb BABY listen!!
I sure can see that dang thing RUNNING your life.What a shame,ruining a perfectly nice pup!
2006-09-12 08:29:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
enroll her in an obedience class to learn social skills and to be
obedient around people. it works wonders!
2006-09-12 03:40:07 · answer #8 · answered by caesarsmom2 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋