Leash Training A Two Yr Old Lhasa

[bina]

hi folks, my turn to ask for ideas:

ever since foofoo ( alhasa apso) was mauled by two large 'junk' dogs (not owned by anyone on the kibbutz ) , i dont like to take him with me anywhere, since he only walks unleashed. on kibbutz leash laws are not enforced and there are several rhodesian ridge backs with highly developed hunting instincts, not to mention a few neutered males that still remember how to be males, running loose. it is useless to enforce dog laws here so...

i need for foofoo to walk with me on a leash so i can pull him up and out of trouble from unleashed dogs... he walks by my side, but if a dog goes for him, he turns and streaks for home, apparently that last time he just didnt run fast enough. also, if he is leashed and attacked, then i can present the vet bill to the perp if i can id one.

however, i have tried with collar, with harness, all to no avail... he absolutely freaks out, actually having his tongue turn blue from his hysteria and attempts to release himself from the leash. he wears his collar /harness in the house with leash trailing, no problem. he walks at a heel if i use a voice command. but if he wants to move left or right, and i tug even once, he freaks out to the point where he tried to bite throught the leash and cut his gums on the nylon.

i've tried all the methods: postitive reinforcement (food works best for him, lhasas are independant and difficult and stubborn and small and dont really want to please ), de sensitizing him, whatever. all to no avail.. he gets hysterical and attacks his leash (never me), litteraly frothing at the mouth from the effort.

he's never been on leash and has other doggy behavior problems having been taken at 4 wks from dam, raised and spoiled rotten with no boundries in behavior until he came to us.... he has some separation anxiety (with husband), and some latent aggressivenss (attacks my son's feet, really biting. we succeded in stoppin this behavior with us and other female adults and he never attacks young children visitors, he gets sent to his bed as a time out (the dog not the son). he often attacks, stops himself, and runs to his bed. but with my sons gigantic feet mostly barefoot or in sandals, they are a real trigger. the same behavior he shows towards the leash when we are outside and walking. as a guard dog he is superb, he is well behaved if antisocial when not on his own territory (doesnt approach people, doesnt react in fear if approached, just avoidance, or if he recognizes them, allows them a few strokes, and then walks away. )

its a real puzzle, and to all the people that say i should just use more force, ive checked with the only few lhasa owners in this country and they all say the same thing: stubborn, territorial, hard to train if they dont want to cooperate, food is a good incentive, NO FORCE EVER SHOULD BE USED. THEY REMEMBER AND WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK WTIH.

any ideas?????

bina (and foofoo)

israel

[Mossfinn]

I obviously can't help bina, but I hope Nienke or someone else can.

Good Luck

Moss

[Nienke]

Bina,

As this is not just a bit lead training, but a complete case-study I've send you a pm.

Nienke

[bina]

pm'd u nienke

if it was just leash /lead training i wouldnt be bothering with the post... i think in this case only possitive training will work and not any kind of force at ll... sent long email....

but u can always post some of your comments her for things thta others might find useful (just copy and post here the excerps, i certainly dont care, u can also post from my email parts that are pertinent if u think it will be useful to people

bina and anon and foofoo

israel