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Post by yvonnedono on Jan 12, 2005 16:52:43 GMT -5
We have two five month old sibling sharpe'/lab mix puppies. They are completing puppy training and we take them to pupppy day care for day long socializing with other puppies and people. They are both improving quite a bit (from their scared of people, sounds and other pets phase). The other day, however, I was returning from a walk with one of the pups (Lucca). (We do most things separately so that the pups learn to be separate). We were at our front door with the pup (on the leash) when a couple friends approached us. These are friends that the Lucca has been around since 8 weeks old. Lucca began growling, parking, showing teeth at my friends. He was protecting me and his home. I took him off the leash and he still did it. I then went over to my friends, stood between them and showed him that they were OK and he immediately started kissing them. How can I change this behavior? I do not want a dog that is going to be so protective. I figure he is still at that trainable age. Anyone have some techniques I can try? thanx a lot Yvonne
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BeTrue
Trained
Banned
Posts: 217
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Post by BeTrue on Jan 12, 2005 17:47:48 GMT -5
Your dog is showing territorial aggression. Its common that once the dog discovers the people visiting are welcomed and friendly, he'll settle down and enjoy the company. However, by his showing this aggressive behaviour, he's showing you that HE is in control. He's being the alpha dog in the way he's looking out for his 'pack'. Although, there are some territorital dogs that do it only because they're afraid. Your pup is 5 months...the same age that my lab puppy was when he started to exhibit fear of certain situations or people/animals. Boost up the amount of socializing he gets, and have people offer treats while out on your walk. Theres plenty of 'dog lovers' that will come up to pet him, but try to get the people that seem a little hesitant about your dog to offer treats. Dogs can sense fear, which can set a dog off on a 'barking and growling spree'. I found this website that offers a whole BUNCH of information...I'm sure you'll find some advice and info here: dogdoright.com/dog-aggression-treatment7.htm
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Post by sibemom on Jan 15, 2005 9:43:07 GMT -5
****Lucca began growling, parking, showing teeth at my friends. He was protecting me and his home. I took him off the leash and he still did it. I then went over to my friends, stood between them and showed him that they were OK and he immediately started kissing them.*** Well a red flag goes up for me anyway when you describe this behavior and then say you left the pup off leash I would not have done that. I realize that some dogs act aggresive on leash, but the thing you never do is let them loose while the behavior is present. If I am misunderstanding this please correct me. You take controll of the stiuation, by giving a VERY firm leash correction and a verbal dissaproval which can be, LEAVE IT, KNOCK IT OFF, NOOOOO etc... Now this is just my opinon but to leave the dog off leash hoping that will help is sending a mixed message like HEY IF I DO THIS I GET TO RUN UP AND ATTACK PEOPLE, or HEY IF I DO THIS THEY LET ME OFF LEASH AND I WON. They must stop the unacceptable behavior FIRST before I would even consider lettting them loose. A dog must earn the right to be off leash and I guess this behavior to me did not earn that right, and at 5 months old IMHO a puppy has not earned the right to be off leash at all. Just because this is a 5 month old pup did not mean it would not run up and bite your freinds, when it was already aggitated by them being there. Whether this was territory response, protection response makes no difference it is UNACCEPTABLE behavior. I am glad it turned out ok, but keep in mind the behavior you wittnessed, and please do not leave your pup loose at the onset of it again. Controll it, stop it, THEN when your pup behaves you can leave it off leash.
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Post by yvonnedono on Mar 24, 2005 17:03:20 GMT -5
Your right, that was a bad move - taking him off the leash - it was my friend's idea though (the one who was being barked and growled at) A couple months or so have gone by and they still get protective when they are in the house. But it seems like after the person is in the house a few minutes and interacting with us, they soften right up and get all "kissy". Is there a way to get them right to the "kissy" point? Is it best to keep them out of the room when people come into the house and they let them into the room after a while?
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Post by yvonnedono on Apr 21, 2005 10:13:41 GMT -5
Well, a recent update. We had a friend over (who is also a trainer). Lucca, one of the two pups - the one who tends to be alpha of the two - growled and backed up for the whole four hours. She worked with him but didn't have much luck. She felt that he was fearful - more than aggressive.
any hints on how to break Lucca of his fears. (which don't seem to happen as much out and about - mostly in his home).
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Post by Aussienot on Apr 22, 2005 23:00:07 GMT -5
Have you put both dogs on Nothing in Life is Free? Having a strong pack structure helps both fear and dominance aggression. And I would agree with Amyjo's advice in another post. If visitors at the door trigger his fear, then the knock on the door should be followed by putting Lucca in his warm, welcoming crate with a distractor. Couple the arrival of people with something he finds rewarding, like a filled kong or a bone. Don't let visitors in before he's crated.
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Post by yvonnedono on Apr 26, 2005 10:50:05 GMT -5
I hadn't heard of the NILF program - but just now found it on the board and read it.
I think we have utilized some of these techniques. Recently I've really started doing it alot with Lucca. I did find the " demand attention"concept very interesting and not one I had used before (other than ignoring his barking). The " demand attention" concept ties into something that happened after a recent incident when I tried to give Lucca a bath.
I gave him a bath and when I got to his face he showed all his teeth, growled and basically stopped me. I tried pushing back but he didn't give. He was also sort of doing a funny whine. I wasn't sure how to deal because of his fear issues.
That evening, he acted very funny. Would get in front of me, demanding attention, whining and sort of jumping at me. Once I gave him pets and attention he seemed to settle down.
So, three questions:
Does this mean that he would be a good candidate for the NLIF program because he was demanding attention after a power struggle in the tub? (or am I misreading this scene)?
Also, I noticed that this program is meant for dogs "of sound mind and stable temperament". Does Lucca fit into this description? Having not had a dog with these difficulties before, I'm not exactly sure how unusual or unstable of a temperament it is.
And, finally, we have trained Lucca to ring a bell at the door when he has to go out (he was having a difficult time communicating with us and for some reason, his need to pee and poo always seems urgent). The bell is working perfectly - except, of course, he now abuses the privilege by using it whenever. He really whacks that thing!!! Does the power he has with the bell at the door feed into his dominance/alpha and work against the NLIF?
Thanx so much for all your help -I'm really trying to get this figured out but feel as if I'm looisng the battle right now.
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