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This Out Of Control Dog Has To Be Walked With 2 Leashes - Cesar 911
Dog Training Expert Cesar Millan intervenes to rehabilitate a powerful dog that has to be walked on 2 leashes to prevent aggressive outbursts!
Once upon a time, Joe and Diana’s daughters brought home a sweet rescue puppy named Tosha. At first, Tosha was the actual epitome of sweetness and loved everyone. But, everything changed when Diana fell sick. Diana was out of the home receiving treatment for more than a month, when Tosha decided it was her job to protect the home and Diana at all costs.
Unfortunately for Joe and Diana, Tosha takes her role as protector much too seriously. Tosha aggressively lashes out at anyone who comes near the home or Diana, causing her owners to walk her on 2 leashes out of fear they will lose control of Tasha and she will hurt someone. In fact, Tasha already has attacked a family friend, named Rose. Rose initially called the humane society to have Tosha put to sleep, but thankfully changed her mind and called Cesar Millan to intervene instead. If Cesar isn’t successful in rehabilitating Tosha and she attacks again, the consequences may cost Tosha her life. Watch what happens on this episode of “Cesar 911!”
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Concerned that Tosha’s owners say that her behavior is completely unpredictable, Cesar decides that the first step in Tosha’s rehabilitation is for Cesar to understand how her owners interpret her body language. Cesar explains that “dogs are rarely unpredictable. The owners just need to understand what Tosha’s communicating.” In order to test their communication, Cesar uses his own dog, Junior. He asks Joe and Diana to evaluate how Tosha responds to the presence of the other dog. It’s clear that they do not understand what Tosha is trying to communicate when they think she is being submissive and she is actually poised in a hunting position.
Cesar then moves forward in the training by introducing Tosha to Junior himself. At first, Tosha pulls on the 2 leashes and lashes out at Junior. Cesar tries again using just his own leash, and this time Tosha allows Junior to sniff her with no reaction, which proves to Cesar that she is not aggressive. Cesar concludes that the problem isn’t aggression, but rather Tosha’s owners allow her to become too excited and create tension, which is what causes the aggressive outbursts. Cesar says he “knew from the way Diana was walking her, pulling on 2 leashes full of tension and letting her lead makes Tosha excited and go into protector mode. That’s why she acts out with aggression.” Now that Cesar has identified the root of Tosha’s problem, he is able to rehabilitate Tosha and her family with proper walking and communication techniques.
While walking your dog with 2 leashes is far from proper dog walking technique, this is only one of many common mistakes pet owners make when taking their dog for a walk. We want to help improve your experience walking your pup and turn your walks into relaxing quality time together instead of something stressful. Here are 5 tips you need to know to make sure you are walking your dog correctly and encouraging good behavior.
Be a leader.
When Cesar is called to rehabilitate dogs who are misbehaving during their walks, the most common reason is usually that the dog doesn’t see the owner as a leader. One of the easiest ways to designate yourself as the pack leader is to walk in front of your dog. You should be the first person in and out of the door, and you should continually walk in front of your dog for the duration of the walk. When the walk ends, don’t stop being the leader. Show your dog you come first and are in charge by making your dog wait patiently while you take off your shoes or keys, and take off his leash.
Know when to use a leash or a harness.
Choosing whether to use a leash or harness to walk our dogs has long been debated in the pet parent community, and both options have pros and cons. In Tosha’s case, Cesar used a slip lead to have the best control over Tosha to make the most effective corrections during his training. Attaching a short leash at top of your pet’s neck is usually most effective for guiding, communicating, and correcting your dog during walks. However, it is important to note that Cesar Millan is a dog training expert, and knows how to use the slip leash correctly so as to not injure the dog. Especially for small dogs, putting too much leash pressure on their throat can cause injuries or trigger their trachea to collapse.
While short leashes are great for communication between you and your dog, using a harness instead of a collar will prevent injuries to your dog’s throat. Many harnesses have additional benefits, such as being designed to prevent pulling or are made with reflective material for increased visibility that can protect your dog from traffic accidents when walking at night. Ultimately, you will have to decide if the control from correctly using a leash around your dog’s neck is more important for you and your dog, or if the safety benefits of harnesses are better for your unique situation.
Allow your dog to have recreation time.
If your dog is acting out on walks, it’s important to question if he is getting everything he needs from his time outside. According to The American Kennel Club, dogs have 300 million scent receptors in their noise and have a sense of smell that is at least 10,000 times stronger than their human counterparts. Dogs experience life through their noses, and depriving them of chances to sniff and explore will irritate them and make the walk less mentally stimulating. Allow your dog those moments to just be a dog instead of constantly dragging them past interesting smells. Teach your dog cues, such as “leave it” and “watch me,” to gently bring your dog’s attention back to you and the walk when it is time to move on.
Similarly, don’t rush your dog through bathroom breaks. Dogs use their urine to signal their presence to other dogs and send messages. You’ll likely see your dog sniffing and scratching at the ground where other dogs have used the restroom as they interpret these messages and send their own. This process takes concentration and time, and allowing your dog to do so will help him reap the most benefits from his walk.
Reward your dog during and after walks.
Just like we correct our dog when he behaves badly, we should also reward him for exhibiting good behaviors. One way to do this is by allowing him opportunities to sniff and explore when he is being good, and taking those opportunities away when he misbehaves. If you have a reactive dog, you can also train them to sit and lay down when other people or pets pass. Carrying small, high value treats to reward your dog for their sit and stay is essential.
Lastly, feeding your dog after a walk is usually a good idea, as your dog has now “worked” for their food and water. For some dogs, this creates the structure and leadership in the home that they need to thrive.
Dedicate enough time for your walk.
Make sure to dedicate enough time for your walk so you can spend quality time with your dog without feeling rushed. For younger or high energy dogs, you may want to set aside a half hour to a full hour. Doing this in the morning is a great way to set you and your dog up for a successful day!
In addition, don’t zone out, or spend the whole walk on your cell phone. Your dog wants to feel connected with you, and you should use that time to be together. In addition, your dog looks to you for guidance. If you are too distracted to lead, your dog may try to be the leader instead.
Even a dog that seems as uncontrollable as Tosha is capable of enjoying peaceful walks. Sometimes, all you have to do is change your tactics, or look at things from a new perspective. With clear communication, relaxation, and leadership, your dog will be a pro at walks in no time!
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