Little tantrums

[kjc]

Hi Doc! Thought I'd offer an alternative method of hopefully stopping the snarling. My Tinkerbell went through a stage doing this with me and I was at my wit's end as to how to correct this behavior. My final trick was to show my feelings to her. When she last snarled at me, I acted hurt, crying and sobbing, and carried on a bit about how I just couldn't believe that she would be so nasty to me... Lol and to my surprise it worked! She looked at me and her expression had changed from a nasty dog ready to bite to a thinking dog wondering what had she done to her Mom to make her so very sad... She gave me the most tender kisses trying to make me feel better... and has never once snarled at me again!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by kjc

Hi Doc! Thought I'd offer an alternative method of hopefully stopping the snarling. My Tinkerbell went through a stage doing this with me and I was at my wit's end as to how to correct this behavior. My final trick was to show my feelings to her. When she last snarled at me, I acted hurt, crying and sobbing, and carried on a bit about how I just couldn't believe that she would be so nasty to me... Lol and to my surprise it worked! She looked at me and her expression had changed from a nasty dog ready to bite to a thinking dog wondering what had she done to her Mom to make her so very sad... She gave me the most tender kisses trying to make me feel better... and has never once snarled at me again!

That is actually a great idea! I once sat down in the middle of the street crying because Cookie was out running around like a wild child and I could not get her to come to me. I was SO afraid she was going to get hit by a car. (Didn't think about my own backside...lol). Anyway....she came right to me and started kissing me! Also of note is that when my pups play and one screams from an unintended extra little nip. the other always settles down immediately and checks on the other one! They are smart little ones!

[ladyjane]

Oh, but if you try this Doc, please have someone video it for us!

[gemy]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Oh, but if you try this Doc, please have someone video it for us!

LOL LOL. Does he need to sit in the street too

Another idea, my grumbly boy when he was a boy, some of the things I tried was laughter, yup I laughed at him. The other thing I tried was to sing our little bath song, believe it or not he likes to be sung to. It relieves for one thing my tension or worry. I have also used Enough, or Go away with you.

For the hand nibbling; a high pitched squeak ouch, will often work, or I've used the tickle the top of the roof of the mouth, I offer alternatives like Kiss Kiss, (she knows Kiss Kiss), I catch the tongue in my fingers. Now all this is going to be relative to the size of your fingers, and the size of her mouth. I have small hands and fingers, so it is pretty easy for me.

The bath song is a great training tool for letting your dogs enjoy bathing. It also helps to teach them their name. For example: My name is Magic, My name is Magic, and I'm a very handsome boy. My name is Magic, my name is Magic, I love my Mommy, I love my Mommy, and \Mommy loves me too and so on. You can do the tune to a ditty type song, or a crooning lullaby, or a martial drum beat, what-ever floats your boat

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by gemy

LOL LOL. Does he need to sit in the street too

Another idea, my grumbly boy when he was a boy, some of the things I tried was laughter, yup I laughed at him. The other thing I tried was to sing our little bath song, believe it or not he likes to be sung to. It relieves for one thing my tension or worry. I have also used Enough, or Go away with you.

For the hand nibbling; a high pitched squeak ouch, will often work, or I've used the tickle the top of the roof of the mouth, I offer alternatives like Kiss Kiss, (she knows Kiss Kiss), I catch the tongue in my fingers. Now all this is going to be relative to the size of your fingers, and the size of her mouth. I have small hands and fingers, so it is pretty easy for me.

The bath song is a great training tool for letting your dogs enjoy bathing. It also helps to teach them their name. For example: My name is Magic, My name is Magic, and I'm a very handsome boy. My name is Magic, my name is Magic, I love my Mommy, I love my Mommy, and Mommy loves me too and so on. You can do the tune to a ditty type song, or a crooning lullaby, or a martial drum beat, what-ever floats your boat

No, I don't recommend sitting in the street.

Looks like you need to do some videos as well!

Maybe we can start a video of YT Training Tips for Yorkies

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by kjc

Hi Doc! Thought I'd offer an alternative method of hopefully stopping the snarling. My Tinkerbell went through a stage doing this with me and I was at my wit's end as to how to correct this behavior. My final trick was to show my feelings to her. When she last snarled at me, I acted hurt, crying and sobbing, and carried on a bit about how I just couldn't believe that she would be so nasty to me... Lol and to my surprise it worked! She looked at me and her expression had changed from a nasty dog ready to bite to a thinking dog wondering what had she done to her Mom to make her so very sad... She gave me the most tender kisses trying to make me feel better... and has never once snarled at me again!

It works! my wife was once a Film actress (cut 26 titles in Russia) and she behaved exactly as you suggested, me with the deckchair and clapperboard directing. Crystal's head went from side to side, like a clockwork toy, completely stunned. After a few seconds of the 'you cannot be serious' look, there followed bucket loads of licking and then by way of a communal rejoinder, general blubbering between the two of them!

Well, what was I to do, I ask you, confronted by such a performance? Responding quickly, I gave a quick rendition of Nessun Dorma, set to the lyrics of 'Old McDonald had a Farm', complete with an accompanying Highland reel, over two ceremonial swords, (heirlooms from a long gone and well stiff relative relative)! Probably because of delayed shock at both her parents losing it at the same time, she's since been as good as gold and even did did some knitting later on.

I think we've had a milestone moment here this evening - oh yes. Growling and snapping can really bring the 'X' files to life, Mulder and Scully move over! To calm her down for bye bye's later, I started a new 'goodnight story' as bedtime approached (she won't sleep without her story).

In a quiet narrative tone, (reminiscent of Morgan Freeman trying to do Winston Churchill) we've commenced the first chapter of 'The Wind in the Willows', - with so far only the Mole's character voice speaking, which aroused her instantly. So much so, that I got a 'hat trick' of sea-lion nose bump kisses, before she nodded off on my lap.

Later when I moved her to the other side of the bed there were no resulting snappies or grrrrs! Distraction is the way forward it seems, believe me folks - I'm a Doctor!

[MauiGirl]

Congratulations Doc. I am laughing so hard hearing the recounting of your training experience, that I am at a total loss for words.

I only wish we were able to watch it on a You Tube movie. Thanks for sharing your wonderful stories.... it's the best entertainment on the internet these days.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

Congratulations Doc. I am laughing so hard hearing the recounting of your training experience, that I am at a total loss for words.

I only wish we were able to watch it on a You Tube movie. Thanks for sharing your wonderful stories.... it's the best entertainment on the internet these days.