Fine UNTIL he sees another dog!!!

[bustermom]

It usually goes something like this...

Stranger: "That dog must not be nice since he's wearing a muzzle"

Me: "It's not a muzzle, it's actually a head halter like you'd use on a horse. He can open his mouth as wide as he wants. (If I have a tennis ball on me, I toss it to him to catch - that always gets the point across). All it does is give me control over which way his head goes, and his body follows."

I've found that comparing it to a horse's head halter usually works best as most people seem to agree that halters on horses are acceptable.

I try to be brief and have decided that most people who make comments fall into two categories - those that just don't know any better and those that don't WANT to know any better. I can usually have a friendly conversation with the first group (and have had some people walk away with an "I gotta get me one of those"), and I don't stress over the second group.

If people show half an ounce of interest in what I'm saying, I also mention that because he walks so nicely with the GL, I can bring him everywhere so he gets lots of exercise and gets used to all sorts of situations. This line of logic works well on people in PetSmart who don't bring their dogs because they can't control them. :p

My hubby thinks I'm crazy because I always take the time to politely discuss comments people make - there are no strangers in my world, just people that I haven't chatted with yet!

 

[adeinert]

Hi Kristin!
I also have to explain to people when I am using the halter. I also tell that it is much like a horse's halter and better than pulling on their neck if you have a dog that does that.

Dan's advice will work!:D Oh sure the first few times your dog will try not to obey, but I am working with one of mine and it has gradually started to makes changes in behavior! Before there was a quick sit and some whines. Now, a longer sit without much noise. Hang in there! Mine would love to act crazy when another dog approaches, I loudly say, "it's not time to play," and explain that I am training still to the other owner.
And yes, an obedience class is a wonderful place to practice!

Best of luck!
Ashlie

 

[eisidor]

Hi. I have a rescued boxer. A girl, about 4 years old. Sweethart with people, but bad with other dogs. The only thing that I found that helped was a doggie daycare facility that I found near me. At first, I had to pay extra because she needed extra supervision, but not anymore. She still is a little dominant, but she's much improved. Oh, and obedience school is great, only because it puts your dog around other dogs in a controlled environment, and by the end of the class they're not as scared.

 

[Risa]

I'll put in my two cents as well. Let me preface this with I have a very-stong-solid-muscle-70lbs-incredibly-lovable-beyond-your-wildest-dreams-Boxer. WHEW!

I DID use the prong collar for awhile, and granted it did work, but I just couldn't stand the idea of something poking Sam in the neck. The first time I got home and saw that his neck was all red I threw it in the trash.

We now use a halter that goes around his body (not his head) - not sure of the "politically correct" name. This is much more humane and he doesn't have ANYTHING pulling around his neck (and believe me his big-ol chest can handle any pulling he decides to dish out!).

Sam has never been agressive AT ALL. It saddens me sometimes because people (especially kids) that don't know the Boxer breed just assume a dog of his size and looks (beautiful I might add) is going to eat them alive so they don't talk to him. (They aren't exactly the "oh, he's just so cute and fluffy.")All he wants to do is play w/every dog and human he comes in contact with. Most people pull their dogs away like they are afraid of him and it REALLY pisses me off (ok, sorry, got a little out of line there).

Not sure where I'm headed w/this now, but all-in-all, they love to see the world and are going to pull you if they know they can get their way. Let them know who's boss (at least 90% of the time)!! :D

 

[Bella'sMom]

Chloesowner! You are too funny about the song and dance when your dog is lunging! I will try that with Bella, I don't mind if passerbys stare at me

 

[natrhymer]

I, too, have the same lunging problem with Dieter and other dogs/people. He "sits" in the house and the yard like a champ, and we're working on getting him to sit and stay when other dogs/people go by. In addition to getting him to refocus on me with noise, praise and getting in between him and the distraction, I'm trying a "holistic" approach. This might sound crazy to some, but it helps a little:

A neighbor taught me how to realign his chakras (sp?). You place one hand on the front of his chest (his heart), and one hand on his backside in front of his tail. You rub/massage him with the hand near his backside, trying to re-direct his energy out his tailbone. This is supposed to calm him.

I don't know if I'm doing anything for his chakras, but the mere fact that he's sitting and getting a little butt rub does make him calm down a bit. Hey, anything that helps!