Pulling on leash and not obeying

I've got a blue Staffy (with such adorable hazel eyes <3) and he's just continually tugging on walks any anywhere for that matter. I know he's not doing it on purpose or out of frustration, he just wants to explore and yes i would let him! Only if he would just stop attacking dogs on sight. It's only been 4 Days since i first got him and he has already tried to fight 3 dogs in our local dog park! He's constantly tugging so i have to slightly run to keep up with him and he's quite a strong health dog . He also does not respond to his name..... He does respond to sit however (when i have a cracker which is his little crunchy treat but do staffies even eat crackers though).

Any help would be appreciated, he's Blue, Male and he's 1 year old. If i can take care of him now i may finally be able to get my own dog (my step dad is just using this as training for me). Please someone help I need info quickly as i'm short on time

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It seems like he is motivated by food. To get him to respond to his name try calling him and rewarding him with a treat when he responds to his name.

For the pulling I would suggest not taking him around other dogs for a bit. Take him for a walk and if he is pulling turn around and walk the other direction. This will have to be repeated alot of times but he will catch on eventually. You can also hold a treat in your hand to get his attention and have him look at you while you are walking.

If i put food near him he will become interested but if i pull it back even the slightest he's not interested. This is making me pull my hair out GRRR

Have you tried training him right before mealtime? They like to feel as if they have a job to do and earn their food. It would also likely increase his desire to follow the food.

Good luck with him but at least he is motivated by food which will make training alot easier. Try and find out what type of treat he will go crazy over to really get his attention - I use dried liver, chicken or cheerio sausage peices. As jstaff suggested, get him used to his name using food. I would say his name then as soon as he looks at you give him a treat. Then repeat, repeat, repeat until gets the idea of it. My staffie instantly becomes fixated on me when I say his name now lol in case he gets a treat!

Turning around and walking in the oppersite direction when he pulls does work wonders, although you might feel like an idiot out in public to begin with! I basically ended up going in circles until Henry got fed up with it and clicked that pulling gets him in the opersite direction than where he wants to go. As soon as Tyson starts to get the idea give him a treat as soon as he settles and starts to be nicely by your side and say 'heal'. Alternatively there are special harnesses and halti's on the market that stop them from pulling.

I would avoid dog parks for now as he needs to learn basic commands so you have control over him first, as well as building up that bond and trust. Its also easier to do training at home first where there is no distractions - a 5-10min training session once or twice a day is all you need for teaching commands.

Staffs are pretty high energy too so exercise will help him to settle down alot. All dogs are different but I find my boy needs a good half hour walk before work then an hour long walk in the evening. If he doesnt get it boy does he let me know as he is just about boucing off the walls!

@starling89 & @jstaff. I have used the U turn technique when he is pulling. Maybe i need to be a bit more firm when doing it. The slighest pressure and I will turn straight around. He is a bit stubborn though so what do you suggest I do as i do not like pulling him with me by his collar just to get him to do what i want so food is the best choice?

Food does work wonders most of the time. You have to build a trust with your dog. He really just wants to make you happy. If he is hard to walk try playing a game of tug before you go out so he isn't full of energy. It will take him a little time to get used to a new handler. The key is being consistant with your training. They like to have a routine and if you can keep to the same schedule they will settle in.

Hello and welcome , have you tried a head halti type collar

I have had a much more successful walk today U-Turning on even the slightest pressure and he seems to be much more obedient and if tyson feels any pressure, sometimes he may stop and wait for me to walk up to him although most of the time he wants to wonder off. If i could just address another problem or actually a whole load of problems. Tyson has not done a poo for 4 days (or at least to my knowledge). He also constantly does small concentrated urinations while next to a tree (he won't stay for longer than 2 seconds)

blue went through a period of pulling and lounging.i now walk him with a harness and a double lead.seems to have done the trick.

DistincT_Tempest wrote:I have had a much more successful walk today U-Turning on even the slightest pressure and he seems to be much more obedient and if tyson feels any pressure, sometimes he may stop and wait for me to walk up to him although most of the time he wants to wonder off. If i could just address another problem or actually a whole load of problems. Tyson has not done a poo for 4 days (or at least to my knowledge). He also constantly does small concentrated urinations while next to a tree (he won't stay for longer than 2 seconds)

The urination is very normal. He is just marking his territory by leaving his smell so other dogs will know he was there. As for the poo you should ask other people in the house if they have seen him go in the last 4 days. Going that long without poo can be a sign of a serious medical issue and he could have a blockage in his intestines. Is he still drinking normally?

Thanks for the urination info. And unless he has been pooing in the grass i can't see where he has been pooing (for a non-trained dog he should be pooing in the walkway but to no avail :S). Nobody else has seen him poo in my house

Oh and one more thing, can crackers give the dog constipation or is his stomach acid too strong for that? These crackers in particular as i've fed him about 3 on one day and another 3, two days before so im really worried so sorry about bringing up all these topics

I wouldn't think they'd give him constipation, not from such a small amount, anyway.

I'd be keeping a very close eye on him for the next few days, tbh. Watch him like a hawk when he goes outside, whether it's in the garden or for walks. He should be pooing at least once a day, and if he isn't then there could be something wrong.

Is he drinking & eating ok? What are you feeding him?

I'm Feeding Him :

Forthglade Natural Lifestage Adult (Chicken with Brown Rice, Vegetables, Seaweed and Herbs) <- Semi moist food

Chicken Meal (Dried) <- Hard, Crunchy food

I mix these two up into a bowl and serve it to him and he loves it.... Well apart from the Dried Chicken Meal. He eats the Forthglade Natural Lifestage (I even gave him the tray and he completely wiped it when it had only crumbs left) without a doubt but unless the Chicken meal is mixed up with the Forthglade, he just spits it out and goes for the Forthglade. Using this to my advantage i cut a slice and i reward him for good behaviour (I taught him to sit by putting some food above his head and putting his backside on the floor).

As for the drinking part he goes and licks his bowl of water a few times (maybe 10 - 20 times) before shortly returning to my door and just sitting/staying there OR going back to his food

D: BAD NEWS. I Found Blood on a bone I gave to tyson to chew on overnight to clean his teeth. When i found it i was actually crying. I want to check his gums to see if he's bleeding. Thing is that he's been acting like he always has the whole time so i don't understand. He also just won't stay still for me to lift up his lips oh man please help. Things seem like they just keep getting worse and worse

Good News I found 9 Bags worth of poop in my garden.... huh.... to think i didn't look behind my outdoor fishtank Jackpot Heres the picture of the 9 bags and Tyson looks innocent as always :