Complex Training cases - When a Good dog can go Bad
 

I have spoken with this situation to another member here, as part of the complexity in my household is a sister who is brain damaged/developmentally delayed - and the nub of the problem is here and her responses to our puppy Dara.


My sis has been trained for many years on how to deal with our large dogs, including commands, and command voice, protecting herself, (iw what to do when a dog charges) and our small one for that matter. But each dog has a different personality, and different needs...


So about one month ago, I observed a very distressing interaction between my sis and my young dog - just a little over a year old now.


My sister when in her firm command Voice said NO, and Dara did not move out of the way, she lifted her leg to *kick* my dog.... I was out of my seat in a flash - I was so very angry. Albeit Judy said NO and not the Command Move - Judy could not understand why the dog did not Move...


So after I settled down some 7 days later, I had a heart to heart with my sister. In no uncertain terms I said you will never kick out at any dog of ours unless your life is in danger! First of all it is cruel and instills a fear response in a young dog. Secondly the kick is ineffective as dogs easily avoid the kick. Instead stand still, cover your chest with your arms, turn slightly sideways to the dog, and have your back up against the wall or the countertop. That is your response if you feel threatened, and NOT if the dog has not immediately obeyed a command of yours.
Repeat the command, and if she still doesn't obey, ask for help. Both Dave and I were in or near the kitchen on this incident and you did not ask for help
We now have another rule, never if my sis gets home early, is she to let dara out of her crate, Magic and Razzle fine, but not Dara.


She has been reminded to call for help if she needs it. We are almost always around.


As a family we need to create safety for *all* members of our family. For my sis that means it is an absolute no no for any dog of ours to jump up on her. My sister has balance issues, and a fall would not be very great for her health and well being.


Our dogs are strictly schooled in this from young puppyhood. But puppys are well puppys.


But now I have to deal with Dara, and my hope to build her confidence back up again. on that I await further instructions from my trainer when she gets home again.

Sorry meant to add the conclusions:


1. Almost always the family situation creates the bad behaviour


2. REcognize when you need help and get it.


3. Never train a dog so that it is hand shy or voice shy, or foot shy.


4. A fearfull dog over time will act out in one way or another. Recognize fear responses and then deal with them.


5. All family members no matter their age, or situation are automatically Alpha - or above the dogs status.

Hi Gemy!

Just checking for any updates on your sis and Dara and hoping things have been worked out.

I was also wondering... did Dara become foot shy from this experience?

This is a great post and a reminder that family should be trained as well as the pups so everyone is on the same page re training. Some family members may be a little more challenging than others.

This is a little different, but I have a problem with a family member who enters the house excitedly and squealing for the pups to come greet him, creating separation anxiety in the pups. I have to remind him every time not to do that. It gets frustrating at times.

Thanks for thinking to post this.

I'm a little confused by the thread title. Do you think Dara could go "bad" because she didn't move on your sister's command or will have a confidence problem from a one-time raised leg that didn't connect?

Foot shy - no I don't think so. But definitely she shies away with a fast movement forward to her.


I agree the title was unclear - but I suppose my points were; in a multi person household you don't always get to know/see how other members are treating/disciplining your dog(s), and of course the potential problems that could ensue.


The other point is I have no idea if this was the first and only time my sis did this. Of course I asked her, but she doesn't always tell the whole truth - sometimes she will tell you what she thinks that you want to hear.


Dara is already shying away from quick movements - like if you get up from a chair quickly and move at fast pace towards her.

Bless your heart - sounds like you have a lot to deal with & I'm sure your sis presents all the more problem with a young dog. I'm glad you don't have a problem with her going bad or anything! Obviously, if Dara's shying away from quick movements, there have been other episodes that apparently connected or almost did - at least she read your sister's intent and connected that with her own safety. You hate to make a game of kicking out at a dog in order to change fear into fun but it works to help them get over over-reacting to it. As long as you know Dara isn't left alone or near Sis again without supervision, you could try that.

I had a dog that was gesture-shy(not just sudden gestures) when I got her and when you just moved your legs out before getting up from the couch, kicked one of her toys on the floor out of the way or gestured expansively with a hand, if she were nearby, she would run off. We made kicking out and expansive gestures, near hits, into a fun game that got her treats, smiles, praises and party-time fun with fist-pumping, handclapping, etc., and she began to see sudden gestures of all kinds around her as time for excitement and anticipating a treat or party. Eventually, she just ignored them like any dog. haha. I hope you find a way that helps Dara feel confident and trusting again around trustworthy people.

Thanks for those great suggestions Jeanie . I will try her out, on me kicking a big ball along the floor and she how she responds.


Wish it was summer and we could do a football out in the park.


Umm taking the pups swimming, if I could find my old big floatable toy - I might be able to kick that into the pool for her....