I have had my dog, Shorty, since September 13 of last year and I have been trying since then to get him used to wearing a harness for when he goes for rides in the car and for walks. He will actually try to run from me and cringe and cower when i try to put his harness or collar on. I have tried letting him wear it around the house so he gets used to the feel of it, but it hasn't worked. I have also tryed praising him as i put it on and after i manage to get it on him. But he continues to act afraid of his collar and especially of his harness. Any ideas on how i can get him to think the harness is a good thing?
2007-02-01 18:25:31 · 6 answers · asked by dogluver8906 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I found him as a stray, the vet told me he is two years old, i doubt he had any training before he came to me because i had to start from scrath with him, like training a new puppy. I walk him at least 3 times a week for at least 45 min. and he is not scared when he's outside, he loves it, he just hates putting the harness on.
2007-02-02 18:42:29 · update #1
Got to petsmart and buy a clicker at the cash registar for $1.50.
Go to www.dogscouts.com and read their easy and informative link about using the clicker .
After you follow the instructions so your dog learns the clicker means he will get a treat..you are ready to *desensitize* him to the harness.
First, just hold the harnes (or collar) near him. Click and treat. Do this a few times a day. (he needs to see the collar or harness when doing this).
After a few days..touch him with the harness or collar..then click and treat. Do not put it on him yet...Do this a few times a day.
Next step: For collar: Put it on, click and treat.
For harness, just put it over his neck, click and treat.
For a harness....you need to work each step separately..first over the neck..when he's used to that...add one buckel..click and treat.
And so on..till he's used to the harness.
This will teach him that good things come with it.
It is easier for people who don't have yards..and just walk their dogs...because the dog quickly learns that the harness/collar...means outside...and that is the only time they go outside.
So once you get to this point, it will help if you put on the collar even when he is just going out in your backyard.
There is also something called *jack potting*.
This is like winning at the slots machines. What it is...is when your dog overcomes a really hard step, you (click) and say JACKPOT!
You have a pile of treats in one hand..and you quickly, one at a time take one treat out of your hand, with the other hand, and bring it quickly to his mouth.
You do this several times in quick succession....like bullets out of a gun. (Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom..or treat, treat, treat, treat, treat, as the case may be). Treats should be tasty but small..the size of your fingernail.). You don't want him to get fat!
*Jack potting* is like throwing a party at your dogs mouth.
It makes them pay attention..and think," Hey, what's happening? What did I do to get this? How do I get this to happen again?"
Thus, it leaves an impression on him. *Jack Pot* him whenever he makes a crucial step..such as showing no fear of the harness or collar...or not trying to pull away when bringing it near him...ect.
After your dog is used to the collar/ harness...then you start walking them with it.
Hope this helps.
2007-02-01 18:48:52 · answer #1 · answered by KarenS 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When dogs are afraid of something, it is because they associate a bad experience with it. the experience doesn't have to be that the harness hurt him once, but could be something as abstract as being frightened by a big dog when he was wearing it once.
to relive his stress factor, feed him a bit of Chamomile tea.
Chamomile tea works very well, and is safe for him.
Dump it out of the teabag, and use 1 teaspoon (dry) for small breed, up to 1 tablespoon for a large breed. Mix it in a little canned food, such as Mighty Dog, or Cesar's, and give about 30 minutes before he needs to relax. It will keep him happy, but reduce stress. It can be given as needed.
If you do this a few times before putting on the harness, he will associate the harness with a relaxed feeling of well-being.. and likely be content in the future when you put it on him.
It may take 5 or 6 days of feeding him the chamomle 30 minutes before dressing him in the harness.
2007-02-01 18:42:19 · answer #2 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is your dog afraid of the harness or leaving the house? Maybe he's associating the harness with going outside where it's scary. How often do you take him for walks? He should get 45min. walks 5-6 days a week.
2007-02-01 19:35:40 · answer #3 · answered by lordiz95 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
is your dog a rescue?
i've had my rescue dog for over 4 years and she stills shys at anything looped going over her head (from what animal services use to catch dogs).
make sure the harness is properly adjusted and that he has no sores where it would sit.
get a really yummy treat (sausage, RollOver, etc) and basically hold the harness in your hand with the treat. let him take the treat with the harness there, once he's comfortable with just the harness in your hand slowly work up to giving him a treat while putting the harness on. once the harness is on grab his favorite toy and play his favorite game - hopefully distracting him. leave it on for 5min at a time, and work up the time slowly.
hopefully that helps
2007-02-01 18:35:01 · answer #4 · answered by RB 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
put it on him everyday and be consistant dont let him out of it . Make him wear it everyday . did you start putting it on him when he was a puppy? if you did not then this is going to be a problem . It will take longer now cause of not starting when he was a puppy. Just put it on him every day .
2007-02-02 00:48:08 · answer #5 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would just leave it on him 24 hours a day until he finally submits to wearing it. True, he's gonna protest you putting it on him at first, but he'll eventually get over this after awhile -- once he's had it on for 24 hours. He'll forget he's even wearing it by then.
2007-02-01 18:31:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋