He doesn't do anything. Lead, whoa, here, no, etc...
I have the Delmar Smith/Bill Tarrant book and several others as well as a few DVDs. I have not had time to review them yet. It's been a while since I've even cracked the books open. I've veiwed the DVDs once.
I know it's all on my shoulders to get him started, but have any of you ever gotten an older dog that has had zero training? If so, I thought I'd go with leading first, but he pulls so freakin hard and does not even hint at a response to a good yank on the lead. He currently has a leather collar only and I'm not greatly fond of choke chains/collars. I've even tried looping the lead around the loins to no effect.
And a side note, he may have been abused by the previous owner. He's a loving animal but if I have something in my hand, be it a treat, lead, check chord, tape measure, glass of tea, anything, he cowers down like I'm going to beat him. This part is getting better as I try to love on him and handle him alot so that he trusts me.
We have cats. He has chased them upstairs numerous times. I have just started to get him to respond to a loud disapproving grunt of aaaaaayt ( like the first part of the pronunciation by the duck in the AFLAC commercials ), but "No" seems to have no effect at all.
He does not respond to any treat that I've found. He does respond to cheese. I don't want to lube him up with alot of oily cheese.
When I try "sit," he tries to run away when I approach. "Stay" is not an option either.
If you all could just tell me your opinions of where I might start, maybe I can find the right thing to get him headed in the right direction. I don't think the Alpha male thing is a problem, and maybe it's too far to the other end. He knows I'm the boss, but he's acting like the dumb coward. I hate to put it that way, but that about sums it up.
He also has separation anxiety. He's improved in the last few days, but sleeping in his crate has been a task for him. He fears the crate. I want him to like the crate and see it as his sanctuary. I have thrown cheese into it and he will go get the cheese. It's plenty big. The largest you can buy I guess. It's for a dog up to 65-70 lbs. He can lie down without being cramped up. I do feed him in his crate. I want him to assocaite the crate with rewards and good things.
Our vet gave me a prescritption for ALPRAZOLAM to help with the anxiety, but I have yet to fill the prescription. I'm not much on medicating the dog into submission but it is an option available to me.
Sorry to ramble all, but I appreciate your input.
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