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Post by joannej on Feb 16, 2005 22:31:35 GMT -5
I am new around here, but not new to dog keeping. I have never had a problem with any of my dogs before, but I recently adopted an 8-yr old sheltie from a rescue shelter. I love George, but he is presenting a problem. If I do anything he doesn't like, his first reaction is to snap, then growl fiercely. I was brushing him for the first time the other day, and after about 2 strokes, he almost got me. Another time, I took him by the collar to move him from the foot of my bed (so I could make the bed), and he snapped at just the slightest pressure. The dog is deaf, so scolding him does not help, yet I do not want to strike him and cause more fear and confusion. On the other hand, he cannot get away with this type of behavior- soon he will rule the place!
Is this fear? Dominance? How best to handle?
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Post by Brooke on Feb 17, 2005 1:30:46 GMT -5
Clarify something for me...Is this consistantly the way it happens? Is he snapping and then growling? Does he snap (more like a warning) or does he actually try and bite or nip you? Does he seem to give you any warning prior? You haven't mentioned him catching your skin at all and thats a good thing... It sounds like he's just warning you... bringing us to, bark is worse than bite. For now anyway. It has to stop. Is there any reason you feel this would be fear related? Anything you notice about his body language regularly... Is the tail often tucked? Ears back? Ducked head? Avoids eye contact at all? What is it exactly that you observe overall about his confidence level? First things first... I do feel you are having dominance issues. From what you've mentioned so far I'm not seeing much to think this could be fear related. I think the deafness may be the result of some communication issues he may have learned over the years. It sounds as though he just needs to learn better ways to communicate because he hasn't been taught properly. He's using what has worked for him so far. I would not allow him on the bed or furniture. When a dog challenges you over something... you remove the the access. You have to show him you are in control and what is expected of him. He needs to start working for and earning what he gets/wants. I would start an NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free) program with him. We have a few good threads you can find in our Training Index on the subject. You can also do a search for some more discussions on it that may not have been added. I would keep him on a leash at all times you aren't crating him if you are at all so you can correct by popping the leash. Just pop it enough to get his attention. A pinch collar may actually be a good tool for you. I'm really happy to hear that you haven't been striking him. I would never do that with any dog, but especially with a deaf dog. You want him to trust you and you can't build trust with a canine by striking them. You don't want an element of surprise with a hearing impared dog either because that will only cause more problems.
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Post by Laura on Feb 17, 2005 1:33:54 GMT -5
Joanne, first off, welcome to the board . While you may not be new to dog ownership, if this is your first hearing impaired dog, it will be a whole new ballgame . From the descriptions you have given, it does sound as though George has two types of aggression, fear and dominance. The fear based aggression, in all likelyhood, stems from George being deaf, and the dominance probably stems from his former owners allowing George to get away with just about anything to make up for his deafness . First off, obedience training to help with the fear. An excellent site to help you get started training with a deaf dog is here www.deafdogs.org. Once you have taught him at least one command, then it's time to take control back using NILIF, or Nothing In Life Is Free. Here are a few links on our board that will explain NILIF dogden.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=Questions&action=display&thread=1079736429. No beds, couches, chairs, dog stays on the floor. He is to work for EVERYTHING, pets, play time, walks, food, etc. Go over the material and ask all the questions you want .
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Post by joannej on Feb 17, 2005 8:13:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies- my previous dogs were extremely compliant (shelty-crossses), and we never had issues like this, so I am back at square one! I will read up on the NILIF method- new to me.
To answer your questions, Brooke, he usually snaps with no warning, then growls. Once or twice he has growled first. He has made contact one time, broke the skin just a little bit, so I think he means it. I was wondering if it was fear-related because he associates brushing with pain- he was in a shelter for 4 months, and I'm not sure what kind of treatment he got. I can "brush" him with my hands pretty successfully.
Anyway, it sounds like making a way to communicate will be our ticket. THanks for your help.
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BeTrue
Trained
Banned
Posts: 217
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Post by BeTrue on Feb 17, 2005 19:54:30 GMT -5
I think most shelties that are found in shelters won't appreciate being brushed either because their owners failed to brush them (and then got brushed through with the mats at the shelter...ouch), or they just aren't accustomed to it and it takes time. I'm sure you know quite a bit about shelties and mats though, simply because you've owned them in the past... I don't have any advice on the aggression issues, but have you considered clicker training her? Not exactly for the aggression issues, but I've heard it helps with obedience and such. Instead of using a clicker (for sound), you'll use a small flashlight pen, but all the methods are the same. Flash, treat; flash, treat. www.clickertraining.com has more info on it if your interested...
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