Hector
Well-Known Member
I am happy to say I have stopped using a prong collar on Hector and do not plan to go back on it. I realized that my techniques and communication with Hector needed improvement. We are only using a comfort flex martingale collar and a double handle leash. I have been using the loose leash walking methods I read on Sophia Yin's site and have made huge progress on our walks. Zak George videos on youtube also provided a lot information and techniques to try. The walks are fun for both of us and he really doesn't mind having to pay more attention to me. He does not react to people on our walks and every time I see him focused on something or start to pull ahead, I give him the command "turn" and turn and then turn again towards my original destination and that usually snaps him out of his distraction. I am slowly working on reactivity on the leash when he sees another dog hit their fence line. It is very difficult to control him when that happens as he becomes excited and highly distracted. I've been stuffing him with evangers wet dog food for every step he takes with me or every look he takes on a non-reactive dog in their own yard. If he gets too focused, we'll back up and turn and do it again from a different angle.
Another exercise we've been doing is this human interaction thing. Yes, he might be a fila, but I see him as a dog that needs more socialization than a normal dog needs. Today is the second time visiting a vet place down a couple of streets and I am so glad that the people that work there are not idiots and actually understand dogs. It's funny how Hector will obey commands given by the receptionist who's not even looking at him. He'll do all the commands and take the food and then it's like I'll do the tricks, but I still hate you lol. They can tell that he's just nervous and not aggressive and I really appreciate them for allowing us to go in there whenever we want because I really don't trust anyone around here to understand how to act around him. I finally got to know how much he weighs after his last vet exam 9 months ago. He is 122 lbs and hopefully no more than 150lbs lol.
Another exercise we've been doing is this human interaction thing. Yes, he might be a fila, but I see him as a dog that needs more socialization than a normal dog needs. Today is the second time visiting a vet place down a couple of streets and I am so glad that the people that work there are not idiots and actually understand dogs. It's funny how Hector will obey commands given by the receptionist who's not even looking at him. He'll do all the commands and take the food and then it's like I'll do the tricks, but I still hate you lol. They can tell that he's just nervous and not aggressive and I really appreciate them for allowing us to go in there whenever we want because I really don't trust anyone around here to understand how to act around him. I finally got to know how much he weighs after his last vet exam 9 months ago. He is 122 lbs and hopefully no more than 150lbs lol.