I'm 13 weeks pregnant and currently on restrictions because of a sub chorionic bleed. I can't push, pull, or lift more than 20 pounds, and I'm supposed to be on gentle activity only.
My husband is an LEO and works 12 hour shifts, rotating from days to nights. I already feel like I'm not doing enough to pitch in with the restrictions but now husband has to pretty much do everything with our dog because he's so difficult to handle, but he doesn't have a lot of time.
Pup is a 3 year old a husky/malinois mix, about 50 lbs, so not overly large, but he has SO much energy and a very independent/obstinate personality. Very smart, but pretty much has the attitude of a bengal housecat.
He's also got a lot of torque, and has pulled me over plenty before I got pregnant just by sudden takeoffs when walking on the leash. Before I got pregnant I did a lot of things with him, we would go on runs, car rides, go to the dog park (even though people are very snobby here and he has a humping problem they don't appreciate, and neither do I, but we just can't figure out how to break the habit).
Nothing phases this dog. He only cares for certain treats as rewards, which I've been trying to use to train him to walk loosely by my side on walks so I don't have to do the whole pulling thing where we switch directions every time he pulls – which, by the way, is constant, he's like a sled dog and he has a compulsive need to be all the way in FRONT. Especially when walking in a group. But the problem with treats is that he will do the command for a little bit, and then just start blocking me from walking forward by getting in front of me and stopping until he gets the treat.
If there is another dog in the picture he is not motivated by treats at all. He jumps, spins, walks on his back feet, anything to get to the other dog. In a friendly way, but still. When we stop him from getting to the other dog, he starts to growl and make weird noises in frustration, which makes him come across very aggressive.
He's not toy motivated either, he won't even play tug of war or fetch at the park, he just runs around, kicks dirt, and then wants to go home.
In the house he can listen perfectly and do so many tricks, but once we step foot outside he no longer cares that I exist, apparently. When he was a puppy it was so easy to take him on walks, he behaved in public places, we got asked all the time if he was a service dog. I miss those days a lot right now.
To top everything off, when I got pregnant I suddenly stopped feeling as bonded to him. Everything he does slightly irritates me and I don't really want to be around him, let alone fight with him on walks. He's also shedding like crazy and I'm not even allowed to vacuum, it's just all piling up and I hate that I feel this way but apparently it's the hormones. We live on the second floor and I'm scared I won't be able to safely take him down stairs soon. He's very bad at stairs even without the pulling.
Does anyone have any tips?? Do I just need to hire a trainer or go to a class? He's so dog reactive I don't know if he'd be good in a group class. People have recommended a pinch collar but I don't even know if he'd react to it, he seems to feel no pain or care about consequences lol. I'm at my wits' end here. I just want my dog and I to enjoy time together again.
submitted by /u/Fun_Winter2173
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