Gentle Leader

Chuffy

You know what?  I would ditch the toy.    Sounds like he is EXCITED and the toy is adding to it, not helping to channel that excitement in a constructive way.

I did!!!   Just for the reason you said.

Chuffy

Is he on Learn to Earn?   It is IMPORTANT that he starts looking to you for things that he wants, rather than trying to find fun and rewarding things on his own.  Make him sit for any privelege at home, if you are not doing that already.  ONLY give the word once, give him time to think and respond and if he doesn't comply... he doesn't get that privelege.  When he has that down really well, up the criteria by waiting for eye contact as well.  This part is crucial.

I do have to work with this.   It seems that we have soo much to learn...so much to work on....  we are working hard on the LEAVE IT command..which he does at home..but it didn't work on the dead baby bird today on our walk.  I do make him sit or lay before anything at home.  But I will remember that "give him time to think and respond" I don't think I do...I keep saying SIT until he does.  I will work on this mainly...with a little "leave it!"

Workingdoglover

Same thing with a "watch me" command.  If you have make a really strong "watch me" you shouldn't have a problem with meeting other people or dogs on your walks.  As soon as you see someone coming, tell him "watch me" and feed him those special goodies while the people or dogs pass. 

I really haven't used a "watch me" command. I was treating him for when he looked at me....but somehow that got lost in the shuffle.  But we never used the WATCH ME command. 

Think this is really good to do???   Believe me...I am open to ANYTHING.

Do want to say something I figured out though..... bought a chain leash...and when he starts the jumping and biting at the leash...I switch leashes on him.  His mouth slides right off the chain!!!  

dyan

But I will remember that "give him time to think and respond" I don't think I do...I keep saying SIT until he does. 

I really had to train MYSELF... to stop doing that!  I've noticed such a difference since I made that change.  That kind of thing teaches the dog to "sit" when you have said it several times.  And when the same thing applies across the board with other cues, it creates a real problem, because the dog has a hard enough time concentrating when its "walkies time" ANYWAY.  If you're not careful your cues and your voice and can turn into so much meaningless white noise.

dyan

I really haven't used a "watch me" command. I was treating him for when he looked at me....but somehow that got lost in the shuffle.  But we never used the WATCH ME command. 

Think this is really good to do???   Believe me...I am open to ANYTHING.

It's a great thing to do!  It should be REEEALLY solid before you take it on the road, and initially take care to use it a great enough distance that you are sure he will respond properly and not "poison the cue".

dyan

Do want to say something I figured out though..... bought a chain leash...and when he starts the jumping and biting at the leash...I switch leashes on him.  His mouth slides right off the chain!!!  

WHHHYY didn't we think of that sooner??  Sometimes it's the simple things!

Workingdoglover

I haven't kept up with the entire thread, but I did have an idea for you (unless this has already been said).  Does he have a leave it command?  If I were you, I'd really work on that for a while before I went on a walk with him again.  Make that something that's super important and reward him with something obscenely delicious...then go on a short walk, take the same treats, and see what happens. 

Same thing with a "watch me" command.  If you have make a really strong "watch me" you shouldn't have a problem with meeting other people or dogs on your walks.  As soon as you see someone coming, tell him "watch me" and feed him those special goodies while the people or dogs pass. 

Again, sorry if something like this has already been mentioned. 

Great suggestion.  Leave it, combined with "come", can be very helpful, especially for neighbors who are so ignorant that they wouldn't just simply LOVE Gibby.

If you need help teaching the "leave it" - PM.