-
Disclaimer: Hello Guest, Doberman Chat Forums presents the opinions and material on these pages as a service to its membership and to the general public but does not endorse those materials, nor does it guarantee the accuracy of any opinions or information contained therein. The opinions expressed in the materials are strictly the opinion of the writer and do not represent the opinion of, nor are they endorsed by, Doberman Chat Forums. Health and medical articles are intended as an aid to those seeking health information and are not intended to replace the informed opinion of a qualified Veterinarian.”
11 month puppy super reactive to cars very suspicious of strangers
- Thread starter Josette
- Start date
-
- Tags
- aggression anxiety training
Has she ever really threatened to bite? Muzzle training is yet another thing that should be trained as a fun game, never let on that it's for something serious. I'd clicker train so it's her choice to get it put on - they learn to stick their nose in it on their own. Also know that some people think dogs with muzzles on are even more dangerous and may be more afraid around your dog rather than feeling safer. But if it makes YOU feel more in control and safer then by all means, do it. It is harmless to the dog. Ray Allen website has the biggest assortment of muzzles I've ever seen. E-collars can be used for every thing but you have to use it very clearly. Asha has barked through it on a high setting, but knowing what's coming would flatten herself on the ground like a pancake. That suggests to me that she just "couldn't help herself" to the reaction, but was immediately sorry she reacted. Every dog is different and you have to read you dog carefully. Willful disobedience to me is worse than reactivity. I jump or startle at loud sudden noises. Every freaking time. I don't mean to and I instantly recover but it is reaction. I'm not afraid of it, I just startle easily. So I don't think punishment would cure that. However, with the dog, it is a self rewarding thing and they have to learn that even if the first reaction is just that, it has to stop immediately. And they do learn. Some faster than others, some will be totally cured. I also found that with these emotionally sensitive dogs that the e-collar is not very personal and sometimes a good correction with the prong and getting right in her face (yes, I'd kind of lost my patience) - I mean I got about 3 inches from her and the spittle was flying when I told her she'd better straighten up and fly right. Well, the look in her eyes told me she'd just had a Jesus come to meeting moment and she really changed after that. The e-collar was a bother, no matter what level, but when I got in her face it really seemed to sink in. I'm only saying this because I think your dog is much like mine, and it might help you to know that I'd never used a prong collar or an e-collar before this dog, that I'd never had a need for these tools. Age has helped a lot, along with non-stop training and reinforcement of what's allowed and what's not. And tons of fun stuff. Don'f forget the fun stuff!
Kswoodssue
Hot Topics Subscriber
Just an update. Ever since mentioning here that she stayed down for me during a meal, Sasha has refused! Sit yes, but stay down, no! She circles me like a turkey buzzard until we remove her.that flashing light!!! Yes! I have been working on her staying in a down position by my chair while we eat, anticipating the patio at our fav ice cream shop opening! She gave up tonight and stayed down, BUT she started whining and moaning and grumbling! Hilarious!
Josette
New Member
That is such an excellent and helpful clarification about reactivity and whether to use the e-collar for it. And pitiful that Asha would flatten herself in anticipation yet not be able to help it. That hurts my heart for her. I think some of the time that is how it is for Daisy with cars. I'm not sure she can help it SOME of the time. I have to keep in mind that I have seen improvement, and I definitely have, but that's hard to keep in mind when even with the prong collar on she is lunging and acting like a complete lunatic and embarrassing me in front of my neighbors who are just driving down the street. I haven't walked her on the leash at night but a couple of times and when I did a few days ago it was even worse. No more nighttime walks until that is better in the daytime.Has she ever really threatened to bite? Muzzle training is yet another thing that should be trained as a fun game, never let on that it's for something serious. I'd clicker train so it's her choice to get it put on - they learn to stick their nose in it on their own. Also know that some people think dogs with muzzles on are even more dangerous and may be more afraid around your dog rather than feeling safer. But if it makes YOU feel more in control and safer then by all means, do it. It is harmless to the dog. Ray Allen website has the biggest assortment of muzzles I've ever seen. E-collars can be used for every thing but you have to use it very clearly. Asha has barked through it on a high setting, but knowing what's coming would flatten herself on the ground like a pancake. That suggests to me that she just "couldn't help herself" to the reaction, but was immediately sorry she reacted. Every dog is different and you have to read you dog carefully. Willful disobedience to me is worse than reactivity. I jump or startle at loud sudden noises. Every freaking time. I don't mean to and I instantly recover but it is reaction. I'm not afraid of it, I just startle easily. So I don't think punishment would cure that. However, with the dog, it is a self rewarding thing and they have to learn that even if the first reaction is just that, it has to stop immediately. And they do learn. Some faster than others, some will be totally cured. I also found that with these emotionally sensitive dogs that the e-collar is not very personal and sometimes a good correction with the prong and getting right in her face (yes, I'd kind of lost my patience) - I mean I got about 3 inches from her and the spittle was flying when I told her she'd better straighten up and fly right. Well, the look in her eyes told me she'd just had a Jesus come to meeting moment and she really changed after that. The e-collar was a bother, no matter what level, but when I got in her face it really seemed to sink in. I'm only saying this because I think your dog is much like mine, and it might help you to know that I'd never used a prong collar or an e-collar before this dog, that I'd never had a need for these tools. Age has helped a lot, along with non-stop training and reinforcement of what's allowed and what's not. And tons of fun stuff. Don'f forget the fun stuff!
Good advice about keeping the muzzle training a game, which honestly, I stink at
I will try. I tend to play when I'm thinking of it as play time and no nonsense about the "let's just do this" stuff. I don't really know how to make that a game. The only time I want to use a muzzle is a new person entering our home (just until she calms down some) or taking her to the vet. When we went for her recent visit the vet had me put a muzzle on her (one they had) before he sedated her for stitches (because of how she reacted when he walked in the room). It was their closing time or he might not have been as quick to recommend it, but it made me feel better too. It has been several months prior to this since she had been to the vet and the time before this she calmed down after a minute (although still wary) and they were able to give her shots with me holding onto her comforting her, keeping her attention on me. On this day for stitches, even if it hadn't been about stitches, she was more amped up, not sure if it was because she was injured (she otherwise seemed completely unbothered by it though) but I think it was more about that she has just gotten more reactive to people over time than less. She has never had a negative experience so I don't understand why that is other than she doesn't get enough practice. For walks, we can easily just keep our distance. I try to be 15-20 feet away (that seems to be what she deems a safe distance) and she mostly, now, doesn't react at that distance. Most people , if they try to walk closer, they change their mind, no muzzle needed.
A few days ago, one of my daughter's friends came over. This friend had not been to our house since we got Daisy. Daisy does lunge forward when she barks very loudly, with the hair standing up on her neck, and its not a true growl, but a growly kind of bark if that makes sense. This friend has Down syndrome (so she has some cognitive disability) as does my daughter, and I wasn't sure if she would be overly afraid of Daisy, so I had her on the leash, which I feel pretty sure made her reaction worse. This friend spent the afternoon at our house. Daisy would smell her and a couple of times licked her but react wildly again if she dared move. I did crate her for a short time and I stayed in another room with her leashed to me with the door open some of the time so she could hear that our guest was still here. I could not go about the things I needed to do in the house. I knew that when I would be taking the friend home, Daisy would be crated for a few hours, so I didn't want to crate her all afternoon but I was then completely unable to do anything I needed to do. Daisy would react every time the friend got up to move around the house. Her reactivity really did last longer that day than usual and I feel like the leash was at least part of the equation (maybe the whole reason) but I sometimes don't feel 100% sure she won't get scared when the person moves and then bite before I can anticipate it. I felt like a muzzle would help me feel safer about letting my guard down just a bit.
I am 100% open to trying whatever you tell me might work
The way you described getting in Asha's face, that you had enough, that is how I felt that day. I was able to start fresh after a few hours away from home, but, man, I was fed up with her. If I say this person is OK, she IS OK.
Josette
New Member
Like a turkey buzzard until we remove herJust an update. Ever since mentioning here that she stayed down for me during a meal, Sasha has refused! Sit yes, but stay down, no! She circles me like a turkey buzzard until we remove her.
I feel like training on the hard stuff is always 2 steps forward 1 step back.
Josette
New Member
Has she ever really threatened to bite? Muzzle training is yet another thing that should be trained as a fun game, never let on that it's for something serious. I'd clicker train so it's her choice to get it put on - they learn to stick their nose in it on their own. Also know that some people think dogs with muzzles on are even more dangerous and may be more afraid around your dog rather than feeling safer. But if it makes YOU feel more in control and safer then by all means, do it. It is harmless to the dog. Ray Allen website has the biggest assortment of muzzles I've ever seen. E-collars can be used for every thing but you have to use it very clearly. Asha has barked through it on a high setting, but knowing what's coming would flatten herself on the ground like a pancake. That suggests to me that she just "couldn't help herself" to the reaction, but was immediately sorry she reacted. Every dog is different and you have to read you dog carefully. Willful disobedience to me is worse than reactivity. I jump or startle at loud sudden noises. Every freaking time. I don't mean to and I instantly recover but it is reaction. I'm not afraid of it, I just startle easily. So I don't think punishment would cure that. However, with the dog, it is a self rewarding thing and they have to learn that even if the first reaction is just that, it has to stop immediately. And they do learn. Some faster than others, some will be totally cured. I also found that with these emotionally sensitive dogs that the e-collar is not very personal and sometimes a good correction with the prong and getting right in her face (yes, I'd kind of lost my patience) - I mean I got about 3 inches from her and the spittle was flying when I told her she'd better straighten up and fly right. Well, the look in her eyes told me she'd just had a Jesus come to meeting moment and she really changed after that. The e-collar was a bother, no matter what level, but when I got in her face it really seemed to sink in. I'm only saying this because I think your dog is much like mine, and it might help you to know that I'd never used a prong collar or an e-collar before this dog, that I'd never had a need for these tools. Age has helped a lot, along with non-stop training and reinforcement of what's allowed and what's not. And tons of fun stuff. Don'f forget the fun stuff!
Has she ever really threatened to bite? Muzzle training is yet another thing that should be trained as a fun game, never let on that it's for something serious. I'd clicker train so it's her choice to get it put on - they learn to stick their nose in it on their own. Also know that some people think dogs with muzzles on are even more dangerous and may be more afraid around your dog rather than feeling safer. But if it makes YOU feel more in control and safer then by all means, do it. It is harmless to the dog. Ray Allen website has the biggest assortment of muzzles I've ever seen. E-collars can be used for every thing but you have to use it very clearly. Asha has barked through it on a high setting, but knowing what's coming would flatten herself on the ground like a pancake. That suggests to me that she just "couldn't help herself" to the reaction, but was immediately sorry she reacted. Every dog is different and you have to read you dog carefully. Willful disobedience to me is worse than reactivity. I jump or startle at loud sudden noises. Every freaking time. I don't mean to and I instantly recover but it is reaction. I'm not afraid of it, I just startle easily. So I don't think punishment would cure that. However, with the dog, it is a self rewarding thing and they have to learn that even if the first reaction is just that, it has to stop immediately. And they do learn. Some faster than others, some will be totally cured. I also found that with these emotionally sensitive dogs that the e-collar is not very personal and sometimes a good correction with the prong and getting right in her face (yes, I'd kind of lost my patience) - I mean I got about 3 inches from her and the spittle was flying when I told her she'd better straighten up and fly right. Well, the look in her eyes told me she'd just had a Jesus come to meeting moment and she really changed after that. The e-collar was a bother, no matter what level, but when I got in her face it really seemed to sink in. I'm only saying this because I think your dog is much like mine, and it might help you to know that I'd never used a prong collar or an e-collar before this dog, that I'd never had a need for these tools. Age has helped a lot, along with non-stop training and reinforcement of what's allowed and what's not. And tons of fun stuff. Don'f forget the fun stuff!
Josette
New Member
After telling how psycho she is I felt the need to share a picture that shows her sweet side
This is true, hard stuff AND easy stuff! Best news is you are always moving forward, so don't get discouraged!
It took me a long time to get a photo of Asha looking sweet unless she was asleep.
Work on a down on a *place* for Daisy. I use a dog bed on the floor. Call it the bed, or place but give it a name. A Down-Stay on her Place she will come to understand should be non-negotiable. One of those net beds on 6" feet up off the floor is even better so she won't be tempted to creep out of it. When guests come over, place her there and don't allow her off of it. BUT don't try this until it's trained and worked up to those 3 D's. Distance (you go out of the room eventually, out of sight), Duration (she stays there 3 min, 5 min, 20 min), Distractions (have someone knock on the door, a toy on the floor close by etc. eventually adding the hardest thing - a guest coming in). Until she can do this she should be in a crate or in a room with the door closed with no contact regarding the guest.
Leashes and barriers can make reactions worse. Once your dog knows what the down and place is, you can use an e-collar from anywhere in the house to reinforce it, but she must know the rules.
When she flattens down on the ground because correction is coming she isn't barking so I don't correct her. It's like an "oh, sh!t, the collar's on" thing. AND half the time she's still grumbling at the person, so no, she's not afraid, and most importantly she is back to task (walking, training, whatever we were doing) instantly. She flattens down because I always told her to down if she did explosive barking. They can't lunge forward if they are laying down, and being a submissive position they can't display fierceness, which is what this aggressive/defense barking is all about. So that position was taught, then re-inforced so it became automatic. Don't feel bad for her, the only time she really seemed sorry for her actions is when I got in her face.
It DOES get better! They will not hate you for your discipline, in fact the respect for you will show in an even more loving dog.
I'll try to make a video of training a muzzle in game mode.
Instead of crating her the whole time when you have company that she is not comfortable with, have you considered keeping her behind a gate in a room? So she can "see" you all, but unable to get to you? Our very first dobe was too reactive with people who came over (and did nip once)That is such an excellent and helpful clarification about reactivity and whether to use the e-collar for it. And pitiful that Asha would flatten herself in anticipation yet not be able to help it. That hurts my heart for her. I think some of the time that is how it is for Daisy with cars. I'm not sure she can help it SOME of the time. I have to keep in mind that I have seen improvement, and I definitely have, but that's hard to keep in mind when even with the prong collar on she is lunging and acting like a complete lunatic and embarrassing me in front of my neighbors who are just driving down the street. I haven't walked her on the leash at night but a couple of times and when I did a few days ago it was even worse. No more nighttime walks until that is better in the daytime.
Good advice about keeping the muzzle training a game, which honestly, I stink at
For walks, we can easily just keep our distance. I try to be 15-20 feet away (that seems to be what she deems a safe distance) and she mostly, now, doesn't react at that distance. Most people , if they try to walk closer, they change their mind, no muzzle needed.
A few days ago, one of my daughter's friends came over. This friend had not been to our house since we got Daisy. Daisy does lunge forward when she barks very loudly, with the hair standing up on her neck, and its not a true growl, but a growly kind of bark if that makes sense. This friend has Down syndrome (so she has some cognitive disability) as does my daughter, and I wasn't sure if she would be overly afraid of Daisy, so I had her on the leash, which I feel pretty sure made her reaction worse. This friend spent the afternoon at our house. Daisy would smell her and a couple of times licked her but react wildly again if she dared move. I did crate her for a short time and I stayed in another room with her leashed to me with the door open some of the time so she could hear that our guest was still here. I could not go about the things I needed to do in the house. I knew that when I would be taking the friend home, Daisy would be crated for a few hours, so I didn't want to crate her all afternoon but I was then completely unable to do anything I needed to do. Daisy would react every time the friend got up to move around the house. Her reactivity really did last longer that day than usual and I feel like the leash was at least part of the equation (maybe the whole reason) but I sometimes don't feel 100% sure she won't get scared when the person moves and then bite before I can anticipate it. I felt like a muzzle would help me feel safer about letting my guard down just a bit.
I am 100% open to trying whatever you tell me might work
He was an adult when we got him, and was not crate trained...so before I was able to get him comfortable in a crate, we would put him in a room, where company would NOT pass by, and he respected the gate. He didn't even bark while behind the gate, he just seemed to feel more comfortable that no strangers were in "his" space. He only got to know my mother in law & my own mom and one couple we had over often. Everyone else, he had to go behind the gate. They make some nice 32" tall wood gates that work out nicely.
Just a thought
Josette
New Member
This is true, hard stuff AND easy stuff! Best news is you are always moving forward, so don't get discouraged!
It took me a long time to get a photo of Asha looking sweet unless she was asleep.
Work on a down on a *place* for Daisy. I use a dog bed on the floor. Call it the bed, or place but give it a name. A Down-Stay on her Place she will come to understand should be non-negotiable. One of those net beds on 6" feet up off the floor is even better so she won't be tempted to creep out of it. When guests come over, place her there and don't allow her off of it. BUT don't try this until it's trained and worked up to those 3 D's. Distance (you go out of the room eventually, out of sight), Duration (she stays there 3 min, 5 min, 20 min), Distractions (have someone knock on the door, a toy on the floor close by etc. eventually adding the hardest thing - a guest coming in). Until she can do this she should be in a crate or in a room with the door closed with no contact regarding the guest.
Leashes and barriers can make reactions worse. Once your dog knows what the down and place is, you can use an e-collar from anywhere in the house to reinforce it, but she must know the rules.
When she flattens down on the ground because correction is coming she isn't barking so I don't correct her. It's like an "oh, sh!t, the collar's on" thing. AND half the time she's still grumbling at the person, so no, she's not afraid, and most importantly she is back to task (walking, training, whatever we were doing) instantly. She flattens down because I always told her to down if she did explosive barking. They can't lunge forward if they are laying down, and being a submissive position they can't display fierceness, which is what this aggressive/defense barking is all about. So that position was taught, then re-inforced so it became automatic. Don't feel bad for her, the only time she really seemed sorry for her actions is when I got in her face.
It DOES get better! They will not hate you for your discipline, in fact the respect for you will show in an even more loving dog.
I'll try to make a video of training a muzzle in game mode.
Josette
New Member
This is true, hard stuff AND easy stuff! Best news is you are always moving forward, so don't get discouraged!
It took me a long time to get a photo of Asha looking sweet unless she was asleep.
Work on a down on a *place* for Daisy. I use a dog bed on the floor. Call it the bed, or place but give it a name. A Down-Stay on her Place she will come to understand should be non-negotiable. One of those net beds on 6" feet up off the floor is even better so she won't be tempted to creep out of it. When guests come over, place her there and don't allow her off of it. BUT don't try this until it's trained and worked up to those 3 D's. Distance (you go out of the room eventually, out of sight), Duration (she stays there 3 min, 5 min, 20 min), Distractions (have someone knock on the door, a toy on the floor close by etc. eventually adding the hardest thing - a guest coming in). Until she can do this she should be in a crate or in a room with the door closed with no contact regarding the guest.
Leashes and barriers can make reactions worse. Once your dog knows what the down and place is, you can use an e-collar from anywhere in the house to reinforce it, but she must know the rules.
When she flattens down on the ground because correction is coming she isn't barking so I don't correct her. It's like an "oh, sh!t, the collar's on" thing. AND half the time she's still grumbling at the person, so no, she's not afraid, and most importantly she is back to task (walking, training, whatever we were doing) instantly. She flattens down because I always told her to down if she did explosive barking. They can't lunge forward if they are laying down, and being a submissive position they can't display fierceness, which is what this aggressive/defense barking is all about. So that position was taught, then re-inforced so it became automatic. Don't feel bad for her, the only time she really seemed sorry for her actions is when I got in her face.
It DOES get better! They will not hate you for your discipline, in fact the respect for you will show in an even more loving dog.
I'll try to make a video of training a muzzle in game mode.
This made me laugh. I'm sorry. If it weren't for Daisy being so incredibly sweet at times I think I would have given up. But I don't know what giving up would look like because they would just terrorize you more
It does make me think though that Asha has Daisy beat in the difficult dog department, even though I find Daisy challenging. I'm going to start working on down and stay with Daisy today. I'm having a hard time deciding where. Might not have "her" spot right away but I'm going to start working on her staying in down position. She will down but gets right back up. I had worked with her a little on stay but never progressed very much and had not kept working on it. I see how this could really help us! I'm getting back on it. She has an old, too small bed in our living room she has sometimes liked to still lay in (she has a really nice bed in her crate) but she is often on the couch with my daughter in the LR and in my craft room she has my reading chair she loves so we don't really have beds. She has still liked the too small bed at times and I'm not asking her to stay there all day so I think I will start with that. We also have the little mat from obedience class but I haven't worked with her a lot on that at home. I did at first a little and fell off te wagon. I have thought about getting her what I think you might have meant in an earlier message when you said mesh bed (kind of trampoline like material). We have never had one of those but I had wondered/thought they looked like they would be comfortable and thought one of those might be good for when we transition her from her crate at night in our room. Is that a kind of bed Asha likes? Asking this question feels silly. My husband laughs at me and says he wants my dog's life . Not A dog's life, but my dog's life. He would never give this much thought to choosing a dog bed, he would just buy one. In my defense, they're too expensive to just buy one and keep changing your mind.
Please know I wasn't thinking you were being harsh with Asha when I said that about it hurting my heart. I thought you meant she expected correction from the collar but couldn't help herself. I knew you didn't zap her for her sudden fearful response just if she kept on. Now I see you meant because you always command down when she explosively barks. Your clarification though about her continuing to grumble made me laugh. She still has to express her opinion
I do see that she will not hate me for discipline but be a better more loving dog when she knows where the boundaries are and that they will be enforced. She is still a mess, but I see that when I don't let her get away with things she is less often challenging for the purpose of being challenging (like she wants to be the boss), it's just the things she genuinely struggles with. I saw that pretty quickly in obedience class. I find so much similarity in raising dogs and kids
I see your heart here in every bit of advice. Fairness, commanding respect but for Asha's own good. Nobody can lovingly live with a completely out of control dog. We have to help them become dogs we can lovingly live with is the way I see it. Some people could even take that statement and mistreat a dog, but I can tell the difference here. I'm sure there are some that incorrectly or harshly use prong collars, e-collars and lots of other things. I know that isn't the case here. Lots of dogs don't require such tools. Asha and Daisy aren't like a lot of dogs
Josette
New Member
That is a really good idea. I just don't have a great place to gate. Our LR and kitchen are open with too wide of an opening for a gate. The only place I could gate off where she could see me is our bedroom and I would have to put up and remove the gate each time (so that i would still be able to shut my bedroom door, I mean). We have a gate between our kitchen and another room to keep Daisy out of the cat food and litter box and unless there are gates made I haven't tried I don't think any of the ones we've had are easy enough put up/take down to want to do that on the regular. Thanks for offering help though! I appreciate itInstead of crating her the whole time when you have company that she is not comfortable with, have you considered keeping her behind a gate in a room? So she can "see" you all, but unable to get to you? Our very first dobe was too reactive with people who came over (and did nip once)
He was an adult when we got him, and was not crate trained...so before I was able to get him comfortable in a crate, we would put him in a room, where company would NOT pass by, and he respected the gate. He didn't even bark while behind the gate, he just seemed to feel more comfortable that no strangers were in "his" space. He only got to know my mother in law & my own mom and one couple we had over often. Everyone else, he had to go behind the gate. They make some nice 32" tall wood gates that work out nicely.
Just a thought
Why does she have to see you? Sometimes if I know someone is coming and I don't want to hassle with dog discipline I just put her in the office or my bedroom and shut the door. At Daisys age, I thought every visitor had to be a training opportunity (and it was) and that she would get use to it until it was no longer a training issue. Nope, she still ugly barks at every car that arrives, every person, even when my housemate drives in after being gone for the weekend. I put her behind a closed door when I don't want to deal with it.
Sometimes I just want the easy way out. I think she was probably about a year and a half old when I started doing this occasionally. She usually wouldn't bark with no visual to bark at.I'm posting a little advice in a new thread for you & others here, it expounds on the timing thing with training reactive dogs...
Josette
New Member
I feel permission now to do thatWhy does she have to see you? Sometimes if I know someone is coming and I don't want to hassle with dog discipline I just put her in the office or my bedroom and shut the door. At Daisys age, I thought every visitor had to be a training opportunity (and it was) and that she would get use to it until it was no longer a training issue. Nope, she still ugly barks at every car that arrives, every person, even when my housemate drives in after being gone for the weekend. I put her behind a closed door when I don't want to deal with it.
I'm posting a little advice in a new thread for you & others here, it expounds on the timing thing with training reactive dogs...
If I didn't want to put her in the crate I felt like I had to be hands on with her and felt like she would never get better if I didn't. In the kind of situation like I described last week, I'm gonna give myself permission to do this. What I think she will do is bark and maybe jump on the door at first and then after a bit go lay down on my bed. If she were to get past me at some point when I open the door I don't think she would just run bite someone although she might scare the bejeebers out of them. I was so mad when my entire afternoon was hijacked by managing her on that day. Next time, in that situation this is a good option.
A. Leave a collar and a short tab on her (a 1 foot leash) and don't let it happen. B. Do this occasionally when nobody is expected. Put her in your room, shut the door, go fix dinner or mop the floor or watch TV for a while. Let her experience this without the added 3 D's! Let her learn it's OK before you add the Distance, Duration and Distractions.
The thing about training is you keep an open mind. Try different things. If something absolutely doesn't work or you see things going the wrong direction, stop and try something else. Don't push something just because it was suggested - my words included! - Do what works for both of you.
I just wanted to say, you don't have to have a Place to start this. You can add that later. Remember the 3 D's! When she will lay down when you ask, you should reward with a treat. When you do start adding D's, try for a few seconds, not minutes! Try walking away 3 feet, not 10! When it's successful - even very tiny bits of D's - return and treat (make sure she stays down for the treat reward when you return - you returning is not a signal to get up!) I use a clicker (or word "yes") to MARK the correct action, not to release the action. So if she stays down while you walk away, turn and face her, she is staying down, mark it, return, treat, then release and have a small party! Hope this makes sense.
Later you can have a place where she goes. Furniture is not a real good idea with a strong willed dog. I didn't let mine get on any furniture until 1 1/2 years old, and then it's only my bed. She is still not allowed on any other furniture in the house. I consider it a privilege not a right. Daisy may be fine with it, this is for you to determine, but still, better for her to have her own place that is not shared like a couch.
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
This is a great point because I found Kaiser was way easier to manage if he could SEE what was happening. He didn't need to be free/loose in the house, he just had to be present in some capacity, even if it is looking through an open window (not a closed one or he'll bark!), or from behind a gate.
Kswoodssue
Hot Topics Subscriber
Sasha just gets over excited when someone comes. We literally slide the box her crate came in across a doorway and she is such a chicken shite, she will not knock it down. Instead she has a chance to get used to someone new in the next room. When she calms down, we let her come through to greet them.
Hey, whatever works, right?!
Josette
New Member
I'm re-reading back through some of these threads. Less sensitive to correction should be part of Daisy's name. We about had a knock down drag out last night. A certain time of the evening (most days) she is pretty consistently purposefully annoying. Like kids have the witching hour while you're trying to cook supper.....she is wild a bit later than that in the evening when I'm wanting to settle down and be still. Sometimes, she may not have had enough exercise but other times I don't feel that's the case. She doesn't like my attention being occupied elsewhere. After about 10 times last night trying to get her to "stay" in the chair in my craft room I put her in the kennel. She was just being hardheaded. I was correcting her and she kinda didn't care. So for both our sakes I put her in the safety of her kennelI was going to suggest she looked Euro and then I see you’ve already mentioned this. I’m pretty sure the extra crazy you’re seeing is due to the Euro typeThe stubbornness too. And they are less sensitive to correction. Exercise can make a huge difference in their obedience too.
Similar threads
