Water bottle fix!

Question
QUESTION: Delores, I contacted you last week about our Cocker biting our legs when we walked.The spray bottle worked like a charm. We haven't even had to re-fill the bottle!I have another one for you.....Do you have some tips on getting him to walk with us instead of constantly pulling and weaving? We are making him stop and sit for a second. Any other tips? And any house breaking tricks?

ANSWER: It usually only takes a few sprays..then they back off if they even see you pick up the bottle.

Now..the walk !  I need to know how trained your pup is?  What commands does he know?  Has he been to training classes?

You're doing the right thing by stopping dead and making him sit.
Then, keeping him on a VERY short leash..you say "let's go"..he'll pull again. Say NO. Do a leash correction by stopping and gently but firmly pull the leash straight "up"..this puts him in sit position.  Then "let's go" - do that 104 times :)  Seriously, it takes patience.
Try it in the house first with less excitement & distractions.

When training/teaching never raise your voice - never get mad - just perservere calmly.  By doing it over and over you're wearing down their resistance until it's kind of "Oh allright already".

And do take him places on walks where he can run around..intersperse freedom with training.

My own two know they walk beside me until I say "okay".  Then they can have the full extension lead.  I live downtown so it's key they behave on busy streets.

And, of course, they always behave perfectly.  Yeah, right ! :)
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We work with him every day on commands like sit,stay,shake(just us, not formal). He will sit and stay at open doors to be told to enter. He retrieves as long as he wants to:)We'll continue with what you said on the walking. Just get him housetrained and we'll be just fine:)

ANSWER: Talk to me about the housebreaking problem.  When - where - how often and how are you teaching him?

You may need to back up and start from square one.  That means you "take" him out - not put him out - wait till you see he's about to go and THAT is when you give your command. "Go potty" or whatever.
When he does go - huge praise and a treat.

Repeat every 2-3 hours.  It doesn't take long for them to associate the command-action-reward.  Stay on it 24/7 and he'll get it within a week.

But..if he's urinating too much I'd take a first-morning urine sample in to the vet.  A urinary tract infection is a common thing and can make housebreaking a trauma.

And you sound like you're working really well with him.  This is a good boy if he'll wait for an "enter" command.  That's a hard one.
I'm impressed :)
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My fiance is the one with all the patience.I generally hush and do what she says...hehe.House breaking= We take him out alot just to hang out with him, after meals and before bed (he is crate trained) (he never goes out by himself,for a variety of reasons) We havent, however, done the treat. I think we will focus on that. He doesnt frequently urinate. I just dont think he goes outside " on purpose" We take him out so much, it would be almost hard for him to have an accident but if he has to be left alone for a period, the training is not there to make him hold it for a bit. thank you so much. You have no idea how much you have helped two people on polar opposite sides of dog training ideolgy here!!

Answer
I personally adore men who just "hush up and do what I say". :)

Now..the "command" is important.  So pick one.  I use "make a tinkle" but it doesn't matter.

When you take him out - WATCH for the signal and give the command.
Huge praise..over do it...and treat.  Treat is important.

If you don't catch him "in the act" at home - forget about it and just clean it up.  He won't have a clue what you're ticked off about.

And do explain what "polar opposites" of dog training means.  You two need to get together and give one message.  Consistency is important.

If it's specifically a problem when he's left alone for a short time (a few hours) then crate him.
He will not soil his own crate and if he does, get that urine sample in to the vet.

One of the most important components of training is "Anticipation".
So command "before" the tinkle.

And he's only 4 months old (?) so if you two have managed to teach him this much in that time...very unusual...he's a smart boy and you're doing a good job.  Just get all over the housebreaking.
And let's make darn sure this isn't a UTI (urinary tract infection).
It's unbelievably common in puppies this age. Easy test - easy fix.
Urinalysis and a round of antibiotics.  Done!

I can't tell you how many people have been frustrated beyond belief over housebreaking and then find out this is the problem.
Delores