ReggiesMom, while I do believe in teaching pups to calm themselves, I believe in doing it using positive methods. I would never growl at my dog as they consider that to be playing on our part and it usually heightens the excitement. I will never again grab my dog by the scruff of the neck - a move like that tends to increase defensiveness and fear and, in the end, cause more aggression in the dog. Not what you are trying to accomplish at all!
From VeterinaryPartner.com:
Oh, stop that alpha rollover! That is making her more and more defensive! Even the people who originally wrote that book and recommended that maneuver changed their position on it some years later, but unfortunately people keep teaching it, and doing it. It is extremely harmful to the relationship between dog and owner in many cases.
__________________  FirstYorkie
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