Big dog too big to walk.. :[

[Kimberlee_20]

I have a 70+ pound (he was 78 pounds at his last appt. about a year ago so he MUST weigh more now) siberian husky, from the time he was a puppy until about a year ago he got walked EVERY NIGHT by my dad, no matter the weather, and ever since my mom and dad split up, and left her with the dog, he hasn't gotten walked, my mom has a shoulder problem and she cant lift or pull on a 70+ pound dog, and I'm pregnant, and my OB won't let me walk him. Since he hasn't been walked he's been sooooooo depressed, he doesn't do anything, he just sleeps and eats, or just sits there and stares into the house, we've tried to change it up and put him on a run leash on a different side of the house but he ALWAYS breaks them, no matter what the material, chain, whatever. And I can't very well go in the cage to play with him because he's a jumper and I'm afraid he'll jump on my stomach - any suggestions on making him happy? I don't want to give him up but I'm thinking it might be my only option right now so he has a happy home :[

[Jaybay]

This situation just cries out for a trainer to help you.  Your dog's behavior issues - like the jumping - can certainly be dealt with if you have the right tools.  Check with your vet for a reference.  Many trainers are happy to come to your home, and you may only need two or three sessions to send you on your way to a better-behaved and happier dog.

On the exercise issue, have you thought of hiring a dog walker?  It needn't be a professional.  A teenager who does well with dogs would probably love to make a little money by taking your dog out once a day.

[Kimberlee_20]

I never thought of that! If I hired a trainer could they also train him not to pull?? He gets excited and pulllllls, or if he sees another dog or a cat, he'll pull towards it, if I could get him to be more calm I could probably walk him, if not it would at least help someone if I do hire them to walk him everyday! Thank you so much! :]

[Ghilly]

If money is tight right now being you have a baby on the way, maybe think about getting him a no-pull harness or a Gentle Leader head harness.

The no-pull harnesses come in several different styles, but they all work basically the same way.  When the dog pulls, he actually activates a chain of events that causes the harness to stop him instead of allowing him to continue pulling.

The Gentle Leader head harness is like a little horse halter for a dog.  It works on the principal that if you have control of the dog's head, you have control of the dog.  If he pulls while wearing the head collar, instead of being able to forge ahead, he will actually end up turning himself around to face you, which will totally negate what he is trying to achieve by pulling.  

There is also a no-pull harness that does double duty as a no-jump harness.  If you and your mom work in tandem with each other, or can get a third person to work with you, maybe you can use this harness to teach him to not jump on people as well.

Both of these items are under $20, so if money is tight, I would give them a try before having to shell out money for a trainer, at least until the baby is here and things are on an even keel again.  I would definitely go ahead with the trainer when money allows, though.  The gadgets do work, and they work well, but they are no substitute for real training.  I think, though, that if you use them for a while, by the time you do hire a trainer, lead pulling will not be a problem since dogs that get used to walking with these things teach themselves not to pull.  :)

Ghilly

[Kimberlee_20]

I've never heard of those either, could I get those at any pet store? Like petco (I don't know if you have one of them where you live haha)??

[Ghilly]

I would think that Petco should have them, as would PetSmart and probably any well-stocked pet store.  WalMart might even have them, I'm not sure.  Our WalMart has a fairly well-stocked pet department and, while I wouldn't swear to it, I THINK I have seen them there.  I bought mine (both my no-pull/no-jump harness and my Gentle Leader halter) online.

Ghilly

[peekawho]

Petco will also let you return the item if it doesn't work out, as long as its still in pretty new condition.

I walk a 120 pound Great Dane on a Gentle Leader.  Without it, he'd pull me down.  With this, he's no problem.

[Kimberlee_20]

I'm going to try this before I get a trainer - hopefully it works out, I feel horrible that he doesn't get to leave his cage! :[

[dogmom192]

Do what is best for the dog.  Chaining is horrible for any dog- no way to live.  You can find a good home for your dog.  My neighbor just got a 2-year old dog from a military family being deployed.  She didn't want a pup, so it took her 6 months of searching at numerous shelters with no luck for a female doby.  Finally she found the perfect dog on Craig's List of all places, and drove 5 hours to go pick her up.  And it's a perfect match for both owner and dog.  There is someone out there who can give your dog a great home, so I'd encourage you to start looking.  Don't give your dog away free, though. Charge something- $200.00 would be very reasonable, while detering the riff-raff. Screen carefully, ask lots of questions, and make no promises- wait until you find the right person for your dog.