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Just got Jagger

Sunnydays

Member
We just brought our 1.5 year old neutered male home yesterday. We stopped hoping for a rhodesian ridgeback because they seemed so high maintenance and after meeting a sweet pup in town named Edyn who was so calm and gentle with kids at the pet store her master owns I was excited about the breed.

We thought an adult would be easier to manage then a puppy for our busy family. The story of Jagger is unsure as I think the people who sold him to us were dog-flipping because his story is so full of holes. We are taking him in Monday to scan for a microchip. The story is he came from a couple living on a farm in Athabasca area that were going through a divorce. The family in Edmonton we bought Jagger from said they had him for 3 months before realizing their baby was allergic to him. I did phone most of the breeders in Canada hoping to learn more about his past. He is certainly exhibiting behavior to show he is not used to the city/town noises - scared of vehicles and their sounds and the hum of outdoor noises of dryer vents etc.

I also am quite certain he has been abused as he is terrified of a broom, the guitar - any stick like thing. My son with a mask on. It is only his second day so we are going to work hard with him and his issues. He is fantastic meeting other dogs and humans outside - no problem. He is more tense meeting people inside but is friendly with everyone (unless holding something that frightens him. He knows only a few basic commands and walks amazing off-leash - stays within 10 feet from me, but on-leash he pulls and when close to other dogs pulls out of control to see them.

We will look for dog classes in Calgary and will read as much as possible for training him (Cesar Milan? - or something better for this breed). Kind of just looking for reassurance that there is hope for him to live with us. He might need a family more experienced with his breed and his problems. Such an amazing fellow though.
 

Geisthexe

Banned
Congrats on your rescue.
Since you just brought him home leave him be on his issues. Let him start to get a feeling about the house and figure out problems by himself for now. Every time he goes to something you see him spook from IGNORE IT no good or bad to be said. DON'T patronize him either like oh it's ok, dogs don't understand so to them you are marking a wrong behavior by a voice or touch.
In a couple of weeks start him on focusing (watch me / look) on you so he starts to understand to pay attention to you. If he is paying attention nothing else will matter. Have everyone in the home do it but at different times. Ex: mom in the morning before he get his food, take out 8 pieces of kibble and say name and look (or whatever you choose the word to be), have child(s) do it in mid day use treats, have dad do it before dinner again with kibble .. So his reward from parents is his food. Before long you'll have a great focus for the family.
If you search my username and find the thread "Motivation / Focus Heeling" you'll find how to do it & video I posted.
Once you have this you can do anything on getting him over issues to training his obedience.

Please if you do not understand or have more question please feel free to ask. I am happy to help
 

Sunnydays

Member
thank you - thanks you! Will definitely be asking questions - just looking for good food for him right now - he won't eat the stuff he was sent with - decided on Acana Pacifica based on other comments on the site.

---------- Post added at 03:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:34 PM ----------

ok - good to know - do you reccommend other reading on his training?
 

Sunnydays

Member
Just going to pet store - do you reccommend a halti or gentle leader to help with incredibly strong pulling - having a tough time leash training - any type of leash in particular to use?
 

Geisthexe

Banned
Neither... Harness gives them more pull ability. Gentle leader (head harness) snap hard enough you can put strain on there neck.
At the moment use a pinch collar, they do not harm the dog and when pull the dog will realize he does not want the stimulant of the prong in a nerve ending.
Once you have a trained dog you can go back to a flat collar.
When you are training use the flat collar only bc we want no punishment/correction at this point
 

stephanieb

Well-Known Member
Hi;

Just saw this. I am in Calgary. If you get an Easy Walk Harness they work remarkably well. It pulls from the middle of the chest so that they turn instead of continuing to pull. I can also tell you that if you go to Urban Dog Market in Marda Loop, the owner has had EM's, DDB's and Neopolitan's so they are great with Giant Breeds. Global here in the Loop is also really good with having stuff for the giant breed dogs, and if they don't have are happy to order it in for you.

There are a few of us in Calgary so don't hesitate to reach out.

Oh and welcome!!! :)
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Welcome aboard~ Thank you for rescuing Jagger. FYI: it can take a rehomed dog 8-12 months to fully trust their new owner. He will require TONS of patience, consistency in training and lots of love.
 

Sunnydays

Member
I've been looking at some training videos since he only knows a few commands - sit, lie down, shake a paw - and will only
perform them when presented with a treat for incentive. A "clicker" was recommended on nearly every website. Is that
suitable for his breed? Will it be helpful?
 

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Most of us on the board do not use clicker training, we use incentive training. Once they have mastered the training, then I no longer treat.
 

Geisthexe

Banned
Most of us on the board do not use clicker training, we use incentive training. Once they have mastered the training, then I no longer treat.

I agree and disagree with this .. When you are out with your dog say pet store on a walk etc then no treat necessary but when you are practicing your training you should always want to pay them just as you go to work to get paid they should too. Keep in mind some of the best trainers still and always will train with food on a newbie dog to a perfectly trained dog.