Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Nikko's_human I got the book Cesar's Way by Cesar Millan, and I have been reading it to better my relationship with Nikko and make him a "happier, more balanced dog". One of the things I just read was that dogs that run to the door when you come home are not really happy to see you, they are exerting dominance. Huh? I always looked forward to Nikko's little happy dance when I came home but the book says to ignore them until they calm down. I tried it yesterday and it tore my heart in two when my little boy was desperately trying to get my attention and I had to ignore him. The book also says to limit your affection only when the dog is calm. I spend the whole day hugging and kissing Nikko.  The worse one was when I read that energetic and hyperactive dogs more than likely are unhappy and not healthy. I always thought Nikko's extra playfulness and never ending energy was normal yorkie behavior. What gives? I feel like the worse dog-mom and feel like I have caused my dog to have behavior issues. And here I went thinking I had a super friendly, sweet, loving and playful dog. Anyone else read the book? Am I not understanding him correctly? I really admire his work with dogs and I know he knows what he's talking about. |
I dont believe this is true in all cases. But I do think you should leave them alone when you walk thru the door and they jump all over you as it makes it bad when you have company come in. I got from a trainer, that its best to ignore them till all four feet are on the floor, then reach down and pet them and give them a treat right then. When they jump on you they are trying to get attention, which is not always pleasant for company that comes to the door. Believe me, I know this has been true with Kizzy. Now I always tell company totally ignore her if she jumps up on them. She gets so excited when company comes in she is all over them if they pay her any attn. But once they ignore her usually she will calm down in a few minutes. Then they can pet her while she is on the floor. This teaches them jumping on people does not get attn, but staying on all 4's will work better. Dont even say get down or anything, just stand there still and ignore until all 4 feet are on the floor, then bend down ,speak to them or treat them and praise them. They do it for any attn, good or bad. Saying get down or no, or anything is showing attn and that is what they are looking for. Just best to teach them they get attn better on all 4's from the beginning. I wish I had known this when I first got kizzy as now at 6 months I am scared its gonna be harder to break her, but I do ignore her now if she jumps on me when I come in the door and it seems to have helped with me. But i do have problems with kizzy jumping on company thats why i said, not in all cases but in cases like this.
I dont know about being unheathy or unhappy making them hyper, she can be hyper sometimes but she is healthy as a horse and seems very happy to me. lol