How can I get Simba's collar on him more smoothly?

Do you only put his collar on when you're about to do something he really enjoys (aka-walks)?  If so, it could be that he's getting himself all worked up because he's associated the act of his collar getting put on him with "Oh boy!!  We're going for a walk!!"  And he might be mouthing because that's what puppies do when they're excited.

If that's the case, then if it were me, I'd try putting his collar on at various times throughout the day, not just when something specific is about to happen.  This would desensitize him from the association with exciting things.

The mouthing is another puppy issue that, as I'm sure you know, requires diligence at all times, to teach him it's not appropriate to mouth on people.

punkchica321

I can't keep using carrots for the rest of his life, right?

Why not?  Carrots are great treats.  Mine get them any time I make a salad, lol.  Besides, by giving him a yummy treat when you're doing something he might be unsure of, you're creating a wonderful positive association for him.

There are a few different things I would try:

First of all, does he only have his collar put on for walks?  If so, what I would do is, attach the lead to the collar first.  This is to make it easier on the puppy, by only expecting him to sit sti and calmly once

Assuming he is doing this from excitement (because he is going for a walk) I'd go ahead and do your "getting ready to go for a walk" routine.  The moment he mouths you - STOP.  Put the lead and collar down nearby and walk away.  Take your coat and shoes off again, go and have a cup of tea or something.  Try again in 5 or 10 minutes.

If you don't have a garden, it might be that you NEED to take him out for a walk so he can pee, and as he's still a puppy, I wouldn't want to put him in a position where he might have an accident.  So, if that's your situation, I wouldn't want to do that... on the other hand, I wouldn't want to reward with a "walk" when he is being mouthy.  You could do something similar, but when he mouths (again, assuming it's because he's excited) I'd FREEZE.  Put the collar behind your back, refuse eye contact and wait him out.  Wait for him to calm down, maybe watch out the corner of your eye for that "huh?  what's going on?" look.  Try again, each time stopping and putting the collar behind your back if his teeth touch your skin, or if he gets too worked up.

The other suggestion is, ***practise*** putting his collar on, while rewarding heaily for any calm, non-mouthy behaviour.  A clicker will help a lot.  Get the collar out and just put it down next to you.  CT many times for non-mouthing.  Hold it in your hand and repeat.  Hold it NEAR him (not near enough to trigger the mouthing) and repeat again.  Gradually work up to putting it round his neck without fastening it.  Jackpot!  Then come back to it in a little while and do it again, working up to actually fastening it if you can, but always stopping BEFORE any mouthing takes place.  Baby steps get you there faster.

Lastly, is there any reason you can't leave the collar on full-time?  I would want to do that for two reasons: 

1) If he got out, a collar and tag is the fastest way for him to be returned to you

2) Even if it were only a short term measure, it would mean you could take it off and practise putting it on only at times when you have the time and inclination to work with him on the issue, rather than HAVING to gather your patience EVERY time you want to take him out somewhere.

Chuffy

There are a few different things I would try:

First of all, does he only have his collar put on for walks?  If so, what I would do is, attach the lead to the collar first.  This is to make it easier on the puppy, by only expecting him to sit sti and calmly once

Assuming he is doing this from excitement (because he is going for a walk) I'd go ahead and do your "getting ready to go for a walk" routine.  The moment he mouths you - STOP.  Put the lead and collar down nearby and walk away.  Take your coat and shoes off again, go and have a cup of tea or something.  Try again in 5 or 10 minutes.

If you don't have a garden, it might be that you NEED to take him out for a walk so he can pee, and as he's still a puppy, I wouldn't want to put him in a position where he might have an accident.  So, if that's your situation, I wouldn't want to do that... on the other hand, I wouldn't want to reward with a "walk" when he is being mouthy.  You could do something similar, but when he mouths (again, assuming it's because he's excited) I'd FREEZE.  Put the collar behind your back, refuse eye contact and wait him out.  Wait for him to calm down, maybe watch out the corner of your eye for that "huh?  what's going on?" look.  Try again, each time stopping and putting the collar behind your back if his teeth touch your skin, or if he gets too worked up.

The other suggestion is, ***practise*** putting his collar on, while rewarding heaily for any calm, non-mouthy behaviour.  A clicker will help a lot.  Get the collar out and just put it down next to you.  CT many times for non-mouthing.  Hold it in your hand and repeat.  Hold it NEAR him (not near enough to trigger the mouthing) and repeat again.  Gradually work up to putting it round his neck without fastening it.  Jackpot!  Then come back to it in a little while and do it again, working up to actually fastening it if you can, but always stopping BEFORE any mouthing takes place.  Baby steps get you there faster.

Lastly, is there any reason you can't leave the collar on full-time?  I would want to do that for two reasons: 

1) If he got out, a collar and tag is the fastest way for him to be returned to you

2) Even if it were only a short term measure, it would mean you could take it off and practise putting it on only at times when you have the time and inclination to work with him on the issue, rather than HAVING to gather your patience EVERY time you want to take him out somewhere.

I agree with Chuffy, reward the good calm/non mouthy behavior ( Zoey does this too!!),  ignore/take a break when he wants to mouth you. Zoey knows the only way she gets out of anything or goes anywhere is to sit quietly. She has her moments where she foregets though, I swear it takes SOO much patience with a pup!!