Here we have "Odin" my Alaskan Malamute.
He is a handfull and a half.... Strongest dog I've ever tried to walk.
thats because he thinks you are a sled and that it is what you want..
watch the Dog Whisperer he would have your dog walking beside him in 15 min.
dogs really do not understand human talk and we dont speak 'dog' very well. the key is just being calm and staying at it until they yield. Once you give up and let your dog drag you .. its over. you have to be more stubborn than they are, but in a calm assertive way. The reward for proper walking is a loose leash. And please dont tell me you are using a harness-- they are made for sled (and owner) dragging. Get a chain choker but never choke the dog- that is the worst name for that collar ever. If the dog goes out the door ahead of you--game over-- if you have to catch your dog to put on the leash or collar- game over.
I have 'walked' dozens of dogs that thier owners could not. No dog ever drags me for very long--calm assertive-- it flows down the leash and into the dog.
if your dog gets on the bed or couch uninvited you are already done-- they own your stuff not you. thats a beautiful and very loyal breed- but you must be the 'dog' that leads
. He is a handsome guy-- big paws too--good for walking on snow.... does he have a job??
they are a wroking breed and need a job- you could get a wagon and harness- put a backpack on him and put some bottles of water in it--I bet he would enjoy a run with you while rollerblading or riding a bike- they can run for days on end its a hard dog to wear out--a treadmill can be an excellant tool. ( he may not be quite so headstrong if you get him spayed and he would less likely to run away and would live longer too) Most people do not know that male dogs go into a type of 'heat' twice a year or more--just like a bitch-- they have that 'need to breed' built into thier genes- they can smell a bitch in heat several miles away and that is when many males run away and end up dead. for every human born 7 dogs/cats are born-- do the math-- every puppy bred intentionally can have the potential of taking away a home for those born by accident. The shelter in Austin is the biggest in texas-- EVERY DAY they must put down 37 animals 365--every litter hurts..
last advice-- never yell your dogs name-- not if you want him to like his name or come when you call him..
they are NEVER too old or young to learn.
best luck to you
hak SPCA
