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03-17-2011, 07:12 AM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas
Posts: 100
| Scary new issue Bilbo is going to be two next week (March 23), and he is in the process of developing a new behavioral issue that really concerns me. He has started growling at me. When we eat, he goes to his special spot on the back of the sofa. He has a nice sheepskin there, and he is able to look outside and to watch us while we are eating. For the past couple of weeks, he has started growling at me when I tell him "up" before we sit down at the table. I understand that he isn't pleased with me when I don't allow him to beg, but he has to understand that he isn't the boss. When he stays up there until we finish (or even if he gets down and has to be reminded) he gets a reward. Another time he will growl and bark at me is when he goes into the backyard for a potty break. I'm not always able to go out there with him (for example if I need a potty break myself), and I never leave him out there for more than 5-10 minutes. Again, he gets a reward when he comes back in. Any ideas about what I'm doing wrong? I'm afraid that the growling may eventually lead to snapping. |
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03-17-2011, 07:29 AM | #2 |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Missouri
Posts: 358
| That's very frustrating isn't it? You are right to be concerned and to look at fixing this before it gets worse. One thing I thought to ask right away - is your boy neutered? Sometimes hormones can make a dominate dog worse and he is at the age where dogs sometimes think they can challenge the "pack leader". If he isn't neutered I would suggest you check in with your vet about getting this done as well as making some changes in your home. #1 if you are able enroll him in an obedience class and do either # 2 or #3. #2 work with an animal behavorist or #3 Teach him that you are the "pack leader" and do the Nothing In Life Is Free (NILIF) program. You can google this program and find sites that tell exactly how to implement the program but basically it means acting like a good "pack leader" so he will respect you. (Growling is a show of disrespect or trying to take over leadership). Some things you do is making your dog work for everything - food, attention, exercise, etc. I.E. he has to sit before you put his supper bowl down. Make sure you eat before feeding him (pack leaders always eat first and lower ranking animals eat after). Always make sure you are the one who allows him outside and you go out before him, he has to follow you. For the time being don't allow him to sleep with you or be higher than you on the couch. Allowing him to precede you out the door, be higher than you on the couch, sleeping in your bed, eating when you eat are all signs that he is equal to you or higher than you in the pack and just enforce his right to be disrespectful or to let him think he can take over. A dog that knows his place in the pack is much happier and feels more secure. After all, it's your job as pack leader to provide food and keep the pack safe and he won't have to worry about it. If you have a spouse or children make sure they participate in the program as well. The dog should always be below them in pack ranking also, otherwise he will try to push the kids/spouse around too. Good luck with your boy, you can PM me if you have any questions about this program. It works wonders with dogs. Teresa |
03-17-2011, 07:43 AM | #3 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas
Posts: 100
| Thanks, Teresa. I adopted him when he was four months old, but he was neutered at two months. I think the fault is mine, because I've kind of let the discipline slip and he is my "baby". Plus, my husband thinks it's cute when he misbehaves. I'm going to look into the NILF program, and be a little more assertive with him. I know he isn't happy or he wouldn't be acting the way he is. |
03-17-2011, 08:13 AM | #4 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Rocky Mount, VA
Posts: 229
| We used the Nothing In Life Is Free (NILIF) program with our German Shepard and it worked wonders for us. Hubby had raised him from a puppy when we met Winston was already 10 years old and not happy at all with a woman moving in lol. He started pushing me around almost immediately and we used this program and got him to respect me. He passed away about 4 years ago at the ripe age of 15 without any further issues with dominance. We became very close after I started using this program. |
03-30-2011, 07:41 PM | #6 | |
YT Addict | Quote:
I have had to start crating him again while we eat dinner. It is something I never had to do with Gizmo so I felt it was mean in a way. It has helped some though. It is definitely a balancing act when they are little ~ we are trying to learn their language and they are trying to learn ours. Sometimes we miss the cues and sometimes they do. It takes patience from both sides. Wishing you much success!
__________________ Sharon, David, Teddi & Angel GizmoDarling We Miss You Darling...Our Hearts are Broken... | |
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