2 yr Old Boerboel will not walk with Me only My husband

[Tammy]

Hi Everyone, Very excited to find this website. Amazing information. We are currently fostering to adopt a 2 year old Boerboel, Amber. We have only had her for a week so I understand that her and I still have a lot to learn from one another. So far, most things are going quite well. She already had good background of training. She will listen to commands and is very food motivated so treats work well for training. But the last couple of days, we are experiencing some "pushing the limits". My husband was home for the first week she was in our home. He did take over most of the caregiving because I was at work. When I did come home, I would try and spend some time with her and participate in the training and walking. Yesterday and today, I attempted to take her for her walks and she began to fight back. She would stand still and not move to follow me no matter my attempts with commands, treats and correction. I understand that Amber is new for us but I would like some help in beginning to correct this problem before it gets worse. My husband being home with her will not be the true reality. He works more then I do and I will be home much more then him. So the care taking will be more my responsibility. I would love any help and information anyone can provide. Thanks!!

[Lee May]

Hi Tammy, and welcome. first off there may be many issues going on there so be careful. Any history you can find out about her would be a great help.What type of corrections are you giving, how does she respond to those corrections? does she look you in the eye, where is her tail position when your working with her? Very important questions. BB's can be very independent and not require a lot of affection and food may only go so far aswell. I would try excessive praise first on body with verbal support Good girl, thats my baby. Again watch body language, she may not trust you fully, esp. if you have any reservations as to her actions. While walking in heel position keep talking in a sweet and happy soft voice with every step, as she does what you want give body praise, not head praise. Keep talking if she stops pat your leg and tell her come on girl, act as if your going to runto help get her attention and change her mood to want to work for you. Start there and get back to me please. Good Luck and Peace. Lee 

[Julie Bailey]

Hi Tammy,

 

I think she feels you are taking her away from the person she has bonded with.... your husband. 

 

Take her outside right in front of the house and just sit for a few minutes, offering her high value treats. Go back inside. Repeat until she looks forward to going outside with you. Then increase the distance away from the house slowly, doing what Lee mentioned, pat your leg, talk in an easy but comforting voice and treat for any forward movement. Don't rush the process. If you only make it to the end of your yard in the first week, don't rush the process. Also, don't let your husband pet her or look at her while you are leaving the house.

 

Take it slow, really slow. Like Lee said, there may be issues there. If you have a fenced yard, spend time with her outside just doing yard things so she can see that being out with you is fun and easy. Also, remember, it is HOT out and you might experience more success if you walk her early morning or after 8 pm when it's a little cooler. You might also try feeding her one meal outside so she is more eager to go out with you.

 

Best,

 

Julie

 

[Mark Fallis]

If she is responding better with your husband, I would try working with her and your husband together. If that is the case he will be able to assure her of your place as an authoruty. I would suggest 30 to 45 mins together for 4 or 5 sessions and in the mean time spend some extra time with her to bolster her trust in you as well as your trust with her. If your schedules allow, this will be a 7 to 10 day proccess Once you have earned her trust and you exude confidence she will walk through fire with you.

[Tammy]

Hi Everyone.  Thanks so much for your help.  All were such great responses!  I will definitely be trying your suggestions. The correction I do is an "Ah Ah" in a firm tone when she doesn't respond to my commands.  This works most of the time.  I have never paid attention to the position of her tail.  I am very interested in knowing what I should be looking for.  And I would say she does look me in the eyes but how often, again, I am not sure.  Both these points intrigue me as to what I should be expecting from her.  Should she always be giving me eye contact?  And I understand her tail should not be between her legs.  Should it be upwards?

When I am home, I do go on the walks with my husband and I am the one holding the leash.  She was doing quite well with that but its when I take her on my own that the issue came about.  She always listens to me inside the house and I have been the one feeding her since she has come into our house.  Its the walk that has become the biggest hurtle.  We have been only walking her in the morning and then later in the evening when it cools down as we were told and have read that they are not fond of hot weather.

 This is our first experience with this breed and we are so excited to learn and grow with her.  I do appreciate any advice you give!

[Lee May]

Hi Tammy, if her tail is full up all ther time inside and out she is a proud girl and either dominate or wants to be, in most cases. If she keeps her tail mid position all the time normally she would be more centered, mild tempered willing to follow. ofcourse down or esp. between legs not very much confidence with possible other issues. (short points) If she does everything you say in house, but will not move outside check tail position, it kinda sounds like she doesn't trust you enough to protect her, she may be scared of something on your walk route. Does she pull away and go towards home? Work at home in your yard on lead. Try to add a tug toy for reward, get a big one and watch your fingers. Practice your No correction, it should come from your diaphragm, it doesn't need to be deep just powerful from your core. Practice in the miror if you have to. Work her without food, meaning before meal time. 1hr. a day + 15 min. if you can a few extra times a day. Always end training on a positive note to give praise even if it's a simple sit. And praise verbally and body often as she continues to do what you want. If correction, no praise never end work on a correction. If you want to continue to use treats thats up to you. I would try to switch to a rope or tug. Esp. if it is a trust issue out in the world. Watch that tail, let me know. Peace Lee

[Julie Bailey]

If she doesn't praise after the dogs complies, even when a correction is required to get said compliance, the dog won't be clear on when she has successfully completed what is asked of her. 

 

Respectfully,

 

Julie

[Lee May]

Not sure what you mean Julie. Are you saying praise after correction? Peace Lee

[Phil Harris]

First you must learn what it means to be a "Pack Leader'" Caesar Millan will help. I think his video "people training for dogs" is a good start. 

I would have you take over all feeding, giving water, toys, and treats. Make the dog work for everything. Make your dog wait in a calm sit to go out, make her "earn" all the things she wants, and YOU be in charge of metering out all the good stuff. I personally would restrict all food for at least a day and when I started feeding again I would hand feed for probably 1 month. Making Amber earn every morsel of food. I would give praise with all compliance, and if there was no compliance I would put the food away and begin again later.

Unfortunately the questions you have indicate that perhaps a BB is not the dog for you. Being a Pack Leader is something that should be developed before you become a BB handler/owner. I also recomend scouring the "leerberg" site.

I would also begin working the dog 3-5 times a day, first in the house and then turning the training session into a walk, which would be you leading - her following at all times. Walking very quickly in a heel. These walks/training sessions should work their way up to at least an hour per day as a walk, and a couple of fifteen minute training sessions. Remember to stay calm, and make it fun for both of you, not forgetting that it is serious work. Have a look at "Chriscreateharmony.org" for a lession in becoming grounded before working with your girl. I do this exercise a lot esp when working with a new dog. Good luck. 

[Tammy]

Hi Phil.  Thanks for the advice.  I am fully aware of what a "Pack Leader" means.  We have been huge fans of Caesar Millan not only watching his shows but also reading his books.  I am a big believer of NLIF and we have begun that the moment Amber entered into our house.  We, as a family, were of a complete understanding that Amber will work for everything.  We wanted to make sure we were prepared before we allowed a new dog to become a member of our family. Although I do not have a huge knowledge or experience with large breeds, I am excited to begin the challenges of Boerboel.  This is why I was happy to find this site and to be able to ask and receive advice from those of you have had the experience.  I will happily take your advice you offered and give it a go.  Thanks!

[Jennifer]

Hi Tammy,

 

I was disapointed to see the accusation made against you in one of the previous posts, simply by you asking a question about getting your new dog to walk with you.  I think that considering you have had the dog only a week and because you are fostering (I am assuming she is a rescue), that one would only expect some bumps in the road. I also think that by you asking questions and your willingness for advice and to learn, that it sounds to me that you are dedicated to her.

Do you have other dogs or could you borrow one?  If so maybe walking her and another one would help her in moving forward.  I have a total of six dogs that enjoy very much walking together and have all learned from one another on the appropriate way to walk (no stops, looking foward, no pulling, ect.) 

 

Also I think your confidence is vital with both dominant and scared dogs.  When I am walking my dogs and especially in training I hold my head high and I  try to always invision how the end result is going to be no questions asked.

 

I had a rescue a few months back that was terrified of a leash and had no idea how to walk.  But with a lot of help from my pack as well as all the confidence I could give her within days she was a different dog.

Tammy said:

Hi Phil.  Thanks for the advice.  I am fully aware of what a "Pack Leader" means.  We have been huge fans of Caesar Millan not only watching his shows but also reading his books.  I am a big believer of NLIF and we have begun that the moment Amber entered into our house.  We, as a family, were of a complete understanding that Amber will work for everything.  We wanted to make sure we were prepared before we allowed a new dog to become a member of our family. Although I do not have a huge knowledge or experience with large breeds, I am excited to begin the challenges of Boerboel.  This is why I was happy to find this site and to be able to ask and receive advice from those of you have had the experience.  I will happily take your advice you offered and give it a go.  Thanks!

[Sweet Pea]

I too am disappointed at Phil's accusations. Phil, that is how people learn, by asking questions and I don't think you're qualified to tell someone they shouldn't have a Boerboel based on one paragraph. Good owners are those that are willing to learn and ask questions, not assuming they know everything. Besides there is SO MUCH MORE to dog training than Cesar Milan. One thing I wouldn't suggest is Milan's confrontational methods on a Boerboel you don't fully know yet. As Phil stated the Leerburg site does have a lot of good information on it.

 

Tammy, first of all, thank you for helping the breed out by fostering Amber. It sounds like you're already doing a good job. It's great that Amber is food motivated because that should make the transition so much easier. I think Julie had some good information in her post.  My first Boerboel didn't want to go for walks as a puppy and we used a very similar method to what Julie described with success. Make sure she's getting feedback and lots of praise and treats for doing what you want her to do.  It good that she's making eye contact with you. That is definitely something you should encourage and reward. It's much easier to train when the dog is focused on you and engaged. Also, it's important to watch her body language and how it changes when you take her out. Does she seem confident? Or is she unsure or timid?  She may just need to build up a trusting relationship with you. As far as tail position and other body language, this video will be helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00_9JPltXHI

Good luck with Amber!

Phil Harris said:

 

First you must learn what it means to be a "Pack Leader'" Caesar Millan will help. I think his video "people training for dogs" is a good start. 

I would have you take over all feeding, giving water, toys, and treats. Make the dog work for everything. Make your dog wait in a calm sit to go out, make her "earn" all the things she wants, and YOU be in charge of metering out all the good stuff. I personally would restrict all food for at least a day and when I started feeding again I would hand feed for probably 1 month. Making Amber earn every morsel of food. I would give praise with all compliance, and if there was no compliance I would put the food away and begin again later.

Unfortunately the questions you have indicate that perhaps a BB is not the dog for you. Being a Pack Leader is something that should be developed before you become a BB handler/owner. I also recomend scouring the "leerberg" site.

I would also begin working the dog 3-5 times a day, first in the house and then turning the training session into a walk, which would be you leading - her following at all times. Walking very quickly in a heel. These walks/training sessions should work their way up to at least an hour per day as a walk, and a couple of fifteen minute training sessions. Remember to stay calm, and make it fun for both of you, not forgetting that it is serious work. Have a look at "Chriscreateharmony.org" for a lession in becoming grounded before working with your girl. I do this exercise a lot esp when working with a new dog. Good luck. 

[Tammy]

Thank you so much Kimberly and Jennifer!  Since I first posted my questions more then a week ago, Amber is doing so much better on the walks with me.  She's no longer afraid and comes along with me with no hesitation.  Lee's post was a great help in letting me know to watch her tail position and eye contact.  Her tail is straight out when we are on our walks and when I give her a command she turns and looks right at me.  I do reward her with treats and lots of praise when she responds to me.  One thing I did take from Cesar is to always show confidence towards her.  She is still pulling at times but I consistently give her commands and correction if needed.  I know we are going to need to continue working on it but I am up for the challenge.  I took Julie's advice and took it very slow the first day and was patient not to push her.  She is no longer timid when we go out.  She is showing great confidence.

She is a rescue dog and has been foster care for over a year.  We are the third foster home she has been in and our hope is for her to stay with us forever.  

Unfortunately Jennifer, we do not have another dog.  In fact, our next obstacle with Amber is she is dog aggressive.  She is not a dominant dog by nature but unfortunately one of the foster homes she was in had a dominant dog who bullied her.  Because of this she does not respond well to introductions with dogs and becomes aggressive towards them.  It takes quite awhile for her to become calm with the other dogs.  We have not taken that challenge yet.   Our plan and hope is to take classes to help us in correcting this problem.  If anyone has any advice for this challenge, I would love it, lol!.

Tammy