Hi All
I could use a few pointers with my new family member, Molly. She is a 3 year old french mastiff. She is half-trained - poor recall, poor leash manners, sit and down when you actually push her down but not otherwise.
She is a good girl, a little bit stubborn but very affectionate. I reckon that with a dog like this I need a really good recall, decent leash manners and good manners where sitting/staying/down are concerned, as she is quite a powerful dog.
I am making progress with her leash manners, thanks to a combination of an anti-pull harness, the kind that goes under the legs, and left-over roast chicken. She now starts to look up when I say her name to see if any is forthcoming, and is generally starting to pay attention and is getting used to walking at my knee.
Her recall is improving as well, but I am wondering how much is her reacting to chicken and her reacting to the command.
Does anyone know a good method of training a bright but rather independent dog, whilst avoiding her simply obeying when there is chicken?
I could use a few pointers with my new family member, Molly. She is a 3 year old french mastiff. She is half-trained - poor recall, poor leash manners, sit and down when you actually push her down but not otherwise.
She is a good girl, a little bit stubborn but very affectionate. I reckon that with a dog like this I need a really good recall, decent leash manners and good manners where sitting/staying/down are concerned, as she is quite a powerful dog.
I am making progress with her leash manners, thanks to a combination of an anti-pull harness, the kind that goes under the legs, and left-over roast chicken. She now starts to look up when I say her name to see if any is forthcoming, and is generally starting to pay attention and is getting used to walking at my knee.
Her recall is improving as well, but I am wondering how much is her reacting to chicken and her reacting to the command.
Does anyone know a good method of training a bright but rather independent dog, whilst avoiding her simply obeying when there is chicken?