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melissatoppins · 12-19-2005, 09:56 AM

Hello all! I hope that everyone is gearing up for a fantastic Christmas! I wanted to give all of you that helped me after I posted a plea for help for my little Molly. She was giving us alot of trouble and attacking our sweet doxie Lucy.

Over the weekend, we had a behaviorist come to the house and give us 3 hours of training and attention for Molly. He did not feel that Molly needed any medication (thank goodness) and felt that we would have no trouble getting her under control. She had a MAJOR attitude adjustment! She really had no idea what was going to happen when he arrived, but she slept for about 10 hours straight after he left! She was pooped!

He started by doing what she hates the most, holding me "belly-up" in his arms. He held her very tight and did not let her bite him (she was trying) and did not let her go until she loosened up her tense little body and layed there without moving. It took about 5 minutes. Then he put a collar and leash on her and we starting walking her and giving her basic commands. He gave her NO ROOM to "talk-back". She bucked and cried and he just walked and walked and walked! After about an hour, he layed down and she layed down and he started touching her feet, SHE WENT CRAZY ON HIM! He got over her on all fours and started growling at her. She dropped and rolled over to her belly immediately. He then touched her feet and examined her (like a vet would) without her moving. Then they spent about 5 minutes cuddling and loving on each other. He then spent another hour observing us with her doing what he had been doing. We were unsure at first, but then she started waiting for our commands and started listening to us! It was really working.

The hardest thing for me was to hear that I had been talking all of my maternal instincts out on the dog and letting her run all over me. I was always givng her love and food and toys, instead of guidence and security. I thought that I was giving her those things by just loving her and giving her a good home, instead, it made her feel like she was the boss of me! He told my husband and I that we might think about having Children to care for like Children, instead of having Dogs to treat as Children. We are also supposed to train the Doxie the same way and time that we are working the Yorkie, so that they have the same manners. The problem now is that the Doxie is getting her feelings hurt and sulking from all of it and Molly is thriving and behaving better. Go Figure!

During the next 6 weeks, we are only supposed to give attention to the dogs when they do something deserving of attention. Sitting on command, coming over for petting and sitting to receive it. Or going to the back door and waiting to go out instead of scratching the crap out of it. Things like that. Also, during the next few weeks, we are not supposed to let them on any furniture, because that encourages their bossy behavior. Also, we are supposed to restrict feeding them to 2 times a day for 10 minutes. That way, they know that the food has to come from me.

It all sounds crazy, but it is already working. We are to work them on thier leashes 2-3 times per day and the behaviorist will come every week.

I am hoping that this will help my little family be happier!

12-19-2005, 09:56 AM	#1
melissatoppins YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 6	HELP!!!UPDATE on Molly Hello all! I hope that everyone is gearing up for a fantastic Christmas! I wanted to give all of you that helped me after I posted a plea for help for my little Molly. She was giving us alot of trouble and attacking our sweet doxie Lucy. Over the weekend, we had a behaviorist come to the house and give us 3 hours of training and attention for Molly. He did not feel that Molly needed any medication (thank goodness) and felt that we would have no trouble getting her under control. She had a MAJOR attitude adjustment! She really had no idea what was going to happen when he arrived, but she slept for about 10 hours straight after he left! She was pooped! He started by doing what she hates the most, holding me "belly-up" in his arms. He held her very tight and did not let her bite him (she was trying) and did not let her go until she loosened up her tense little body and layed there without moving. It took about 5 minutes. Then he put a collar and leash on her and we starting walking her and giving her basic commands. He gave her NO ROOM to "talk-back". She bucked and cried and he just walked and walked and walked! After about an hour, he layed down and she layed down and he started touching her feet, SHE WENT CRAZY ON HIM! He got over her on all fours and started growling at her. She dropped and rolled over to her belly immediately. He then touched her feet and examined her (like a vet would) without her moving. Then they spent about 5 minutes cuddling and loving on each other. He then spent another hour observing us with her doing what he had been doing. We were unsure at first, but then she started waiting for our commands and started listening to us! It was really working. The hardest thing for me was to hear that I had been talking all of my maternal instincts out on the dog and letting her run all over me. I was always givng her love and food and toys, instead of guidence and security. I thought that I was giving her those things by just loving her and giving her a good home, instead, it made her feel like she was the boss of me! He told my husband and I that we might think about having Children to care for like Children, instead of having Dogs to treat as Children. We are also supposed to train the Doxie the same way and time that we are working the Yorkie, so that they have the same manners. The problem now is that the Doxie is getting her feelings hurt and sulking from all of it and Molly is thriving and behaving better. Go Figure! During the next 6 weeks, we are only supposed to give attention to the dogs when they do something deserving of attention. Sitting on command, coming over for petting and sitting to receive it. Or going to the back door and waiting to go out instead of scratching the crap out of it. Things like that. Also, during the next few weeks, we are not supposed to let them on any furniture, because that encourages their bossy behavior. Also, we are supposed to restrict feeding them to 2 times a day for 10 minutes. That way, they know that the food has to come from me. It all sounds crazy, but it is already working. We are to work them on thier leashes 2-3 times per day and the behaviorist will come every week. I am hoping that this will help my little family be happier!