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08-07-2017, 05:46 PM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 143
| Confusing behavior Hoping someone can give me advice! Wall-e is 8 yrs old. He and my MIL adore each other. When they would visit he would follow her everywhere, and he would be sad and look for her when she left. Wall-e has issues when either myself or my husband are holding him and unfamiliar people approach us to hug or something similar. Wall-e will growl and snap at them. We've worked on this with a trainer and he is getting better with his "protective" behavior. The issue now is that in the past week, Wall-e has snapped at my MIL, twice when I was holding him and once when my husband was holding him. We have been living with my MIL since January, so he's been with all three of us on a daily basis. He has never snapped at her prior to this week. We can't figure out what his problem is! He still follows her around the house and kisses her like nothing has changed, but gets mad when we hold him and she comes near us. I'm so confused, and it's breaking my MIL's heart. Any ideas??
__________________ Here comes Wall-e! and now Daisy too! Last edited by Wall-eWorld; 08-07-2017 at 05:47 PM. |
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08-08-2017, 09:52 AM | #2 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Could he be having a health issue or be in pain?
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
08-08-2017, 12:32 PM | #3 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 499
| Hmm… Is Wall-e being protective of the person (you or your husband) that is holding him, or it doesn’t matter who is holding him, he tries to protect you both simultaneously. Does he snap when he’s on the ground? What did the training tell you and what did they advise you to do?
__________________ "What I do is wag my tail and lick your face until you feel better!" Guinness and Penny: |
08-08-2017, 01:07 PM | #4 | |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| Quote:
I literally think the fun of NILIF reminds them of their innate genetic ability to forage for food - seek and track it, catch it, kill it and enjoy the fruits of their labor - the meal. Tibbe's favorite way to eat is from his forage toys/food bowls that require him to move a lever, move a sliding door, etc., to get a piece of kibble and will ALWAYS choose those over his regular bowl of food every time. Dogs love a job, love to work for what they get, love your praise when they obey and in the process, come to see you as their loving, giving alpha leader - whom they trust above all and will NEVER snap at in the normal course of daily living. Only a dog thinking he is or somebody in his little pack has to be alpha will snap, so if he has a strong, confident, loving leader, his very own built-in rules of hierarchy will prevent him from this type of behavior. You also need to kindly teach him respect. Anytime you are holding him or beside him on the couch or bed,etc., and he shows ANY type of aggression, immediately say 'uh oh!', glare into his eyes and AT ONCE put him down on the floor and quickly get up, walk away. Don't look back and forget it - it's over. If he's on the floor when he shows aggression, say 'uh oh', loudly clap your hands and then point into his face, glare into his eyes and walk into his space as you continue to glare and point, forcing him to give way. The very moment he turns away, it's over. Turn and walk off, forget it. He'll soon get the message that that behavior is unacceptable and learn that the moment he involuntarily or voluntarily gives up his place of power, it's over.
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis | |
08-08-2017, 02:04 PM | #5 |
♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas
Posts: 22,140
| For the second part of his retraining, you will need very high value treats - something he absolutely adores, such a bits of warm turkey hot dog or whatever he literally drools over. And B4 you do this training, be sure he's very hungry. Then, find out what his 'hot zone' is - what distance he's uncomfortable w/MIL at and begins to tense up, alert/focus on her, show teeth, growl, etc. Once you learn that, have some training sessions where she comes into the room with a treat, and just B4 she gets to his 'hot zone', have her drop a high value treat on the floor and stand there until he leaves you all and comes and gets the treat. Once he turns to leave, she can, too. But he has to come to her to get his treat and leave first. B4 long, he will associate her coming into his 'hot zone' with getting his wonderful treats and together with his other training when he actually snaps, start to lose his need to feel territorial and should grow to totally accept her anywhere near him.
__________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |
08-08-2017, 05:14 PM | #6 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 143
| Thanks, all! We will definitely have him work more for his treats. MIL likes to spoil him and sneak him a treat every now and then. Probably more "now" lol. I don't believe he's in pain, he's kind of a wuss and cries over any little discomfort. But I love him and his sensitivity. The trainer we had worked with him as I was holding him. She would come close to me and talk to me, then pat me on the shoulder, working up to a full hug. The trainer was more of a stranger than my MIL is though, that's why it was weird. Thanks for all of your replies!
__________________ Here comes Wall-e! and now Daisy too! |
08-09-2017, 07:59 AM | #7 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Canada
Posts: 1,903
| Quote:
I'm in total agreement. My two follow NILIF to a tee. And it's so true. They love to forage for their food. Their favourite activity is "find it" when I hide their food or treats at home and they go crazy "hunting"! I also do the exact same in teaching them respect. It's really important to let them know you're in charge.
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