the dogs....take over...on the walk...help..?

Question

my puppies are: 4month old border collie mix (35 lbs), and 6 month old jack russell/beagle mix(20 lbs).
They went through petco puppy training (i know...not the BEST)
They were well behaved inside and try to please.
Then................you go outside (dundundunduuunnn)

The jackrussell/terrier is like a jack rabbit. The border collie is..a border collie herding the jack rabbit.

I have tried stopping the walk. I have tried turning in the other direction. I use bribary (a special dog treat only for walks). I TRIED to make them lay down on the walk when, they willnot do it.
they need to be walked 2 hrs a day total. separate walks are NOT ideal..PLEASE HELP ME!!!! i dont want to spend another $100 on training..i want to take them to agility classes when they can behave..HELP!! thanks.

i chose puppies because I fostered senior dogs, and before I did my mother did. I wanted a puppy and ended up with 2 because they were going to euthanize the 2nd pup in 5 days since he had health problems. My day is devoted to them. they get 2 hrs of walks each day, and longer at parks on weekends. I teach the BC mix how to catch discs but slowly his coordination isnt developed all yet. There is no lack of time put in them at all.

Answer 1

Terry's response is excellent advice...they are pups....PlayPlayPlay everything is a game...
Having two pups nearly the same age is never idea and you have 2 of the most energetic dog breeds in the world.
Individual training is the only way...I know, it's alot of hours out of the day for exercise and training....work on walking and when when it tires a bit then work on a sit or down while you are out....don't be too demanding other than asking for it to follow or walk at your side..
two at once isn't working and won't until each is trained. Hey, what friend wouldn't want to go for a walk with you and a dog. Great exercise, fun, fresh air, companionship...sounds like you need to call a buddy to walk with you. And actually, the more the dogs get used to the routine the better everyones mood will be.
When you are in the house, measure out their food portions and use it as a training tool. Make each work for sits, downs and stays while you are in the kitchen.
One trick I learned when training my dachshunds for show was to have the dog sit, hold it's collar and have a pile of goodies in front of it -just barely out of reach. The second the dog stopped leaping for the food it received a kibble. This bonded the dog with me immediately. I went thru the whole pile of food and by the time it was gone the dog was making eye contact, waiting and not pulling. I have used this training on 8 week old pups and they connected just like the older dogs I bought from other owners. Bringing a kibble in front of your face will make the eye contact which is the only way you can really communicate with the dogs when off lead also.
Good luck kiddo....don't give up in exasperation. You've got a lifelong pair of fun and challenge.....

Answer 2

You spent the money on training so keep training! You have young active dogs. Imagine if someone told you that you were going to get exercise by holding the hand of a 3 year old and walking for two hours. Ugh. I'd go crazy and that's likely how these dogs feel. Training dogs to walk on leash when they have lots of energy and are excited is nearly impossible, especially with more than one dog. I'd find a place where the dogs can be off leash and RUN. I used to bring my dog to a tennis court that wasn't being used and was fenced. He could chase balls and play with other dogs.

Your dogs will not learn behaviors unless they get to practice them and you're asking a lot from some young dogs. It's only going to get more important for these dogs to have a real exercise outlet as they get older.

Dogs need to be trained around distractions, it's called 'proofing' and no one would expect that even a one year old dog would be fully proofed in the big outside, interesting world. Just cause the dogs 'know' behaviors when they're inside and you're the most interesting thing around, they don't know those commands in different places, that's how dogs are, they don't generalize well.It takes time.

www.fearfuldogs.com

Answer 3

Hi,

even though you finished classes in a controlled environment, you need a lot of practical experience out in the real world with each dog before you can expect them to pay more attention to you than each other and all the good sights and smells out there in the world.
Take them for individual walks and really solidify their obedience training. Only when they are doing very well with all aspects....sit, heel, down, etc, - can you try to walk them in tandem.
You will be most successful in this if you get another person to help you at first, meaning you each take one pup and do the obedience on their walks together.
One they've got it down, you can go to step #3, which is walking them both by yourself. I f you need a little help with control, try a pinch collar if necessary - they aren't sharp and allow a dog to self-correct....if they pull too hard it becomes uncomfortable (not painful - try one on your arm), so he stops. Much more effective than choke colllars.
You are dealing with pretty young dogs who need a little more maturity and more formal training to be successful walking together.
Petco training teaches the basics, so you have the tools you need, you just need more practice.With time you'll be doing it like a pro.

Answer 4

You will need to "retrain" them.
This is what is considered backyard trained meaning htey were trained in only one place and one area. It woudl be best for teh beginning to try to take each one out for about a half hour walk sepertely but not just a walk but start from scratch with what you did learn and retrain them in different areas. when they start to pull you walk into them withthe heel also a lot of very short heel take about 5 steps and stop and make them set. since htey have been trained htis shouldn't take to long. Then when you think you have better control start with both.
Good Luck

Answer 5

If you are unwilling to make the time to walk them separately, then you will have to hire a dogwalker to assist you. You took on these dogs; their health and well-being are your responsibility. You have two babies and it will be quite a while before they are able to focus and calm down. Their attention span is just like that of little kids; extremely short. It's not their fault, they're just young! So since you decided you had to have a puppy instead of a mature dog, now you have to pay the price. Babies of any species require more care. What you "want" is immaterial. What's important is what they NEED for their physical and mental health.