collar agesstion

Question
QUESTION: I got a 6 month old unnuetred male purebred rottweiler. I got him from good breeder at 10 weeks. We always used collar on him but now he strating to nip when we try to put it on. We use treats and try to huury in time before he finshes. He alsolunges at cars on walks- Im gonna get a prong collar for that. But we also use positve expericne for collar- praise and treats. After we get the collar on him its no problem- that too postive experince- parks, walks, pet store etc. what can be causing this and how do i stop this? He also more resisant to commmands on walks than in the house. I wanna curb this ASAP before he grows older and bigger. thank you

ANSWER: Dogs should wear a buckle collar at all times with your ID information.  It shouldn't be something that comes off and on.  Leave it on and there's no struggle.  However, you should get the dog used to being handled around the face.  Reach toward his collar, gently touch it, then give a treat.  Only when he's really comfortable with this, move up to putting a couple of fingers inside the collar, then giving a treat.  Then grabbing the collar with your entire hand, treat.  If he shows any signs of being uncomfortable with this, slow down and go back to just reaching toward his face and treating.  You want to make a positive association between your hands coming toward his head and good things happening.

In order to control him on walks, you don't want a prong collar.  Get a front-hook harness that will give you control of the front of the dog's body.  There are a couple of examples (the Freedom and the Halti) on this website:  http://www.petexpertise.com/barbgadola/.  I really like the Freedom Harness for strong dogs.

For lunging at cars, get him on his harness, take his best treats, go to a place where you can view cars at a distance enough that he doesn't lunge.  When he notices a car and doesn't react, say "yes!" and give him a treat.  (If he DOES react, you have to back up some more.)  These treats should be no bigger than a pea and something he really loves.  Gradually move closer to the traffic (just a couple steps at a time) and do the same thing over and over until he looks at you automatically when a car goes by.  This is a desensitization process and should go very slowly.  Don't rush.  Let him tell YOU when he's comfortable enough to move closer.

Many dogs are so distracted just being outside they seem to forget all the things they know in the house.  Work on this by practicing his skills in the back yard, then in the front yard, then just in front of your house.  Again, you should have the highest value treats with you when you work outside for a reward.  

I would highly recommend getting your dog to a training class where you can practice your skills and get him under control before he gets much bigger.

To find a trainer who might be offering group classes in your area, check here:

http://www.karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer
http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx
http://iaabc.org/consultants

Good luck with your dog.  Let me know if you have further questions or need clarification on anything I've suggested.

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

QUESTION: Thank you for quick reply- but my dog sleeps in his crate at night which is attached to a doggie door on wall with one door on crate removed- so basically he goes in his crate in  and out all the time day and night. It was advised to remove collars of any kind before being placed in crate because the dog might get the buckle or ring caught on the crate parts/ hooks and strangle/ hang to death. This is why we put on the collar and leash for walks and to go places only. We have him microchipped with a 6ft high fence and chicken wire running under it to prevent digging/escape. Id rather have a struggle than a dead dog. That being said being said...any other suggestions? Thnks.

Answer
Make the collar a good thing.  Position yourself so the dog is facing you.  Have the collar behind your back, then bring it in front of you - just hold it in front of your body.  When he notices it, give him a treat.  Gradually work toward putting the collar near his face. If he shows any sign of apprehension, back off a couple of steps and slow down the process.

This video is an excellent example of desensitization to a piece of equipment.  This gentleman is working with a muzzle, but the concept and procedure would be the same for a collar.

http://www.youtube.com/user/DomesticatedManners#p/search/0/1FABgZTFvHo