I need help...

[dmouse66]

After Raistlin caused my fall my husband bought a pinch collar. Not fond of it but since this isnt the first time he has fought & pulled me and I'm still having a leash battle with him at the end of the walk I figured 'give it a try' Well, works great for my husband... he doesnt even try to grab at the leash... not for me. Tried to walk him with it today and he just rolled to the ground to get a hold of the leash and kept dragging me around... stop, sit were completely ignored... if I reached for his collar to force a sit he would bite at my hand... I need to have discipline from this dog...

 

[Caleb]

Sounds like this dog needs to be put into its place!....by you! What kind of bite are we talking about? Is the dog just placing its teeth on your hand, or actually aggressively biting you? If it's a real bite, I would give the dog a good stompin'!!!! That's just completely unacceptable! If it's just a soft, unaggressive bite, that's a different story. I personally would hate a big dog that behaves like a terrier. No offense please....but a large, biting dog....not good!

 

[dmouse66]

so hard to tell... it seems like he's trying to play, but there is growling involved as well as a few body slams where he leaps up and slams into my chest... when he bites he doesnt puncture, but it does hurt! If I yell OW! he stops for a moment but then right back at the leash & body slams! 99.9% of the time it's in our driveway... at the end of a walk or when we take granddaughter to or from the bus. Last week I had to pin him down ceasar style just to get him to settle. Everywhere else he obeys... it's just my driveway! He's still only 6 1/2 months and under 100 lbs so I still have strength to handle him... but that wont last much longer... but right now with a mild concussion & whiplash, not safe for me... it was this disobedience and my wet driveway that caused that...

 

[STEVSH]

Do you have the pinch collar way up high on the neck? If not, make sure it is. And get the smallest size prongs that will fit the most amount of them around the neck. Sorry if you already know all this - just trying to help if I can.
Topaz fought me about the 3rd time I put the pinch collar on her, and we just battled it out (in the driveway too) until she figured out that it wasn't going away. I just stood there and waited for her little performance to stop and then moved forward.

 

[Cody]

Hmmm that sounds like he doesn't have a lot of respect for you.
It is play, but dominant play. If he was serious, young as he is, you would have been in the hospital.
Pinch collars can be great, depending on the dog, and you MUST know how to use them correctly.
Have you taken him to any OB classes? That would be my first suggestion. Get in a basic OB, find a trainer who is familiar with mastiffs/working breeds. These are dogs that need jobs, they need strong leadership and respect. I would make this your number 1 priority.
Please be careful when attempting to "roll" Raistlin, I know on TV Cesar does it and all the troubles go away. However you will NEVER see Cesar Milan attempting to roll a mastiff or any working breeds. There is a reason for that

 

[Appa'sMom]

Dmouse, I'm worried this is what I'm gonna end up with! Appa is only 5 months and just hit 70 lbs but he literally drags me if he sees or smells something he wants. Appa also does the "biting" my hands and arms. I think it's time to call in a professional trainer before this gets too far out of control!

 

[dmouse66]

I wish my schedule allowed for a trainer... It wasn't a roll really, he was just so hyper and jumping around I had to use my weight to get him calm... just layed across his shoulders some and told him No, relax... it worked...Realized after I posted that it is a respect issue and there are things I can do in and around the house to re-establish myself as above him in the pack. First and foremost I need to ignore him when I get home... also need to work on basic obedience training daily... and not feed him (or the cats) until I have eaten...hubby can use the pinch collar, the Easy Walk harness works better for me... I'll let you know how things go! Thanks for the input!

 

[Cody]

There are many trainers who will come to your home and do one on one training sessions.
Even if it is just one it will give you the tools you need.
I am not trying to be rude, but you need to find the time. I know it is hard at times, as life gets hectic, but that is part of owning these dogs. Raistlin is a Neo x EM correct? He is going to be a really big powerful dog. Whether or not he meant to, he has already hurt you, luckily you are not in the hospital. I know it sounds like I am lecturing, but it is really important that he gets the proper training. Using tools like a pinch collar are ok, but in some dogs they can be used to increase the drive. They need to be used correctly, and if he can still pull you on one then it is not.
Again, don't take offense please, I am just saying this out of concern for both you and Raistlin.

 

[Bentley]

I agree completely with what Cody is saying, an EM/Neo cross is likely to be on the top of the scale for mastiff size and male Neo's can be a challenge if dominance issues aren't nipped in the bud.

 

[Kandie]

There are many different places that offer training, so maybe one of them will fit with your schedule. Do you think you could switch anything around to make it fit? It's a pretty big deal. To have a 100+ lb dog that doesn't obey is very dangerous. And as Cody suggested, there are many who will do in-home training.
I hope you can figure out something.

 

[dmouse66]

I may have someone I can call... did some pro-bono artwork for his mother a few years back... He's a certified dog trainer.No offense taken... I did ask. My last dog was only @50lbs and was very aggressive... got worse with age... dont want Raistlin to go down that path!

 

[Kandie]

I hope your friend can help you. Please keep us updated and Good Luck!!

 

[Danté Vivi & Bella's Mom]

I may have someone I can call... did some pro-bono artwork for his mother a few years back... He's a certified dog trainer.No offense taken... I did ask. My last dog was only @50lbs and was very aggressive... got worse with age... dont want Raistlin to go down that path!

Best of luck with him. You're taking the right steps and have the right attitude toward fixing the issues and heading off potential new ones! That's a very good start from this point!

 

[dmouse66]

I learned the hard way that canine behavior issues start with their humans... Have made some minor changes myself (have read everything I could on dog training with last dog) and am already seeing a difference in him. Have also discovered that if I grab him by the shoulder piece of the harness BEFORE he gets it in his head to grab the leash I am in control! He tests me of course, but can do nothing and gives up! Just need to wait till I've healed from the concussion to test this on walks... for now we play fetch in the house with an over sized tennis ball to burn his energy!

 

[Zyp]

Pinch collar = power steering... if you understand how to use it.

Fit it high and very snug on the neck. Don't wait for dog to "tug" on it. When he starts forward, give a quick jerk and, you, turn and walk the other direction.

The collar by itself will not correct a dog. It's all about fit and use.

Here's a link to proper fit. http://leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm

 

[Cody]

Have also discovered that if I grab him by the shoulder piece of the harness BEFORE he gets it in his head to grab the leash I am in control!

He is in a harness? May I ask why? Not to be rude, but walking him in a harness will make him pull more not less.