This might be a long post but I feel the details might be of some importance. I have a very loving, yet stubborn, and extremely smart 9 month old cattle dog mix. I have house broken her, and taught her the basic commands. (sit, stay, wait, rest, come)
She was a star pupil in the beginner puppy classes that I had her in, but when we entered intermediate classes she decided she did not like the lack of control she had. She began to hide under my chair, and not obey ANY command I gave her during class. She was fine at home, so I dropped the class for now, giving her a little space to outgrow this "phase" she is going through.
I realize that all of her issues are a dominance problem. She wants to be the boss, and does not like being controled. So, I am looking for advice on how to fix the 3 problem area's (not explanations on why it is happening).
# 1 - She will not stop chewing on our hands. I thought it was a playful puppy thing that she would outgrow, but I am worried she will end up an old dog that still chews on people. It is not biting, but it does hurt after a while. I tell her "no chewing" all the time, but she always tries to chew on you while playing. Any suggestions?
# 2 - She jumps up on you to say "hi" when she is real excited to see family members. (at least she doesn't do it to everyone, but still...) When she see's you for the first time in the morning, on when you come home after going out, she is so happy to see us she jumps up to greet us. I have tried telling everyone here NOT to pet her while she is up on you, and to say "stay down", but I am sure some of us give in every once in a while. Any new suggestions here?
# 3 - I have to force her to go on walks now. She sees me while the leash in hand, and she hides from me. I hide the leash, clip it on when she least expects it, and she lays down. I carry her to the front yard, and once we are out there she is fine. We go for our walk, but she has always tried to be the leader. I have never been able to keep her by my side unless she is on a very short leash. I want to use a pinch collar, but the trainer in puppy classes said not to. How do I make her like walks?
Therapy Dog Training, Helping the Infirm
Recommended Answer: 1 - She will not stop chewing on our hands. I thought it was a playful puppy thing that she would outgrow, but I am worried she will end up an old dog that still chews on people. It is not biting, but it does hurt after a while. I tell her "no chewing" all the time, but she always tries to chew on you while playing. Any suggestions?
Answer: When ever she does this you can either squeal like a puppy and turn your back and cease all play, or you can grab her snout hold it tight and say no biting, hold till she cries and then release, the second method worked for me.
# 2 - She jumps up on you to say "hi" when she is real excited to see family members. (at least she doesn't do it to everyone, but still...) When she see's you for the first time in the morning, on when you come home after going out, she is so happy to see us she jumps up to greet us. I have tried telling everyone here NOT to pet her while she is up on you, and to say "stay down", but I am sure some of us give in every once in a while. Any new suggestions here?
Answer: Your dog jumps because she is dominant, pack members don't jump on pack leader. She also does this for attention, because when she does it you give her attention, you give negative attention "stay down" it's attention. You ALL have to ignore the dog completely, pretend she doesn't exist, she isn't jumping up, ignore no talk no touch no eye contact [yes even eye contact is attention] when she stops jumping and has all four paws on the floor, greet her, if she jumps walk away. Do not greet until all four paws are on the floor, she must learn that she has to be down before she will get any attention.
# 3 - I have to force her to go on walks now. She sees me while the leash in hand, and she hides from me. I hide the leash, clip it on when she least expects it, and she lays down. I carry her to the front yard, and once we are out there she is fine. We go for our walk, but she has always tried to be the leader. I have never been able to keep her by my side unless she is on a very short leash. I want to use a pinch collar, but the trainer in puppy classes said not to. How do I make her like walks?
Answer: What has changed? what has happened on walks to make her not enjoy them any longer? think about something that has freaked her out where you over reacted and now she's fearful? This might take some time but what you're going to do is make a positive association between her and the leash. I suggest holding the leash on your lap or with you and reward her when she comes over, get all excited and say what's this, what's this and when she sniffs reward her. Leave it lying on the floor, let her become desensitized to it. Next try clipping it to her collar and leaving it on her to drag around the house, until she becomes desensitized to it. Then take her outside and play or throw a ball or do whatever to make her associate the leash with something fun. Do you have a dog park you can take her to, my dogs know when the leash goes on they are going to either day care or the dog park and they go NUTTY running to the door in excitement because the leash represents something fun, something positive that they enjoy, there is nothing negative associated with the leash at all. As for teaching to heel, that takes time and a lot of work, have you been practicing and yanking her around and not made learning fun? I always work on heel then I end the training with a nice romp off leash. Whatever training you do always end on a postive note or your dog will learn to hate training.
Good luck I hope I helped in some way.
Therapy Dog Training, Helping the Infirm
- Find a new trainer, and get a prong collar.
All of your issues can be solved with using one. Keep her on prong and leash whenever you are supervising her, and take it off when crated (when you can't supervise her).
#1 - Every time she chews, yank the leash (will automatically correct her with the prong).
#2 - Every time she jumps, yank the leash...
#3 - Since she will be on leash, she can't really get away from you when its time for a walk. Grab it, and GO. WALK. She WILL follow - it is better than being dragged, of course! Stop carrying her outside. You are catering to her.
Follow through with your demands of her, and be consistent.
Add: Yes, give me TD, but - my advice above WORKS. I have used it, I know of many others that have used it. Just because YOU don't understand what a certain training aid does and how it is used, doesn't mean you should condemn it!
Add: And no, the prong collar DOES NOT hurt the dog, like another answerer claimed. ANY training aid that is used incorrectly can be cruel, even a flat nylon collar! That is why you need to find a trainer to show you how to use it!
- You do not have a dominant dog, you have a dog with behavioral issues. as for the chewing and jumping problems those are basic obedience problems, when the dog bites, stop playing with her. But you have to do this every single time. For the jumping as soon as she jumps up turn around and do nothing with her. When she sits down that is the time to pet her, and repeat.
- 1. Try alittle cayenne pepper on your hand do thisas often as possible and she will relate the unpleasant taste with chewing on hands. That is as long as your dod does not like spicy! Bitter apple may work as well!
Good luck on the other issues.
- First, I think you're making a huge mistake allowing a dog who wants to be dominant sit out the next round of classes. This dog really needs them. Instead, she's going to really think she's won - and she has.
1. Each and every time she puts her mouth on anyone, whether it hurts or not, yell "ouch!!!" really loud. The object here is to startle her but good. She's way, way too old to still be allowed to put her teeth on a person! And if everyone doesn't do it, and do it consistently, she will be an old dog who still hasn't learned bite inhibition. If she persists, you'll also have to leave the room and leave her alone for a few minutes. If you totally withdraw your attention from her each and every time, she'll get it quickly.
2. Jumping on people - again, everyone has to totally ignore this behaviour. No eye contact, no talking to her, totally ignore her, walk away from her like she doesn't even exist. If she doesn't get any reward for it, she'll soon quit. The second she sits nicely to be greeted, she gets a ton of QUIET praise and a few treats. It needs to be quiet praise or you'll be encouraging her to start jumping.
3. I don't know why she doesn't like her walks, but don't ambush her with her leash and don't carry her. Just be very matter-of-fact, clip her leash on and say let's go. Make her walks fun, carry a pocket full of treats and she'll get over this quirk. Lots of praise for walking with you, pat your leg, talk to her, give her time to sniff, etc.
I believe her instructor would tell you she needs to work through this phase, not sit it out. If she sits it out, she'll only get worse, not better.
- I'll do my best. I also own dogs of high intelligence and so I know how manipulative these ultra-smart herding breeds can be. :) Here's my advice:
#1 - Mouthing. This could be tough, because it might just be that she is saying hello; it's how wolves greet each other in the wild, by grabbing another wolf's muzzle briefly. If you want to break her of it, though, you can try pitching a fit. As soon as her mouth is on your hands, yell "Ouch!" in a short, sharp, gruff voice - like a dog's sharp bark. Get up and stomp out of the room. Really stomp. Make a big production out of it. Go into the bedroom or bathroom and slam the door, hard. Wait there for 10 or 15 seconds and then come out calmly. If she repeats the behavior, repeat the tantrum. She'll soon figure out that her chewing displeases you.
Remember, she's a social animal and wants to be part of your family. This is an important step to take in reestablishing your dominance.
#2 - Jumping. Man, I know this one. My border collies have had the most difficult time mastering "four on the floor." But they're finally getting it, after lots of patience and repetition. They absolutely do not get any attention at all unless all four feet are on the ground. Sitting is even better. I'd advise standing straight when she begins her greeting jump, and either turning your hip away so that she can't get near your face, or even timing it so that you walk straight past her the moment she begins to jump. You're essentially cutting her off.
Again, be patient and consistent. My female dog is finally get this one down pat, and it's so funny and rewarding to come home after leaving her alone for four or five hours and see her rush to my feet and sit down, tail waving madly, eyes bulging from her skull in her excitement and the effort of self-restraint. And she gets more love and praise for sitting down like that than she ever did for jumping. I hope you can work this one out!
#3 - Walks. Do you live in an area where you can go on off-leash walks? It's an idea. Say, a state park or hiking trail, and walk there on a weekday morning when no one else is around. You could also try putting the leash on her and letting her drag it while you follow. I think what you want is to give her the mindset that walking with you is not about being controlled and bossed, but having fun.
Good luck to you with everything! Hope some of this advice is useful.
- Please no prong collars. They are barbaric and hurt the dog.
For chewing on the hands, do not allow it. Don't get angry but just if he even starts doing the play biting, stop it by either pushing her off the couch, or get up and walk away. Let her know its not alright.
When you see her start to jump step into your space, not to hit her with your leg, just to let her know that its your space and not hers. If she still jumps then turn your body and lean in when she jumps to throw her off balance. If you ever come in the door and she doesn't jump on you then praise right away. Its all about correction.
Don't hide the lease from her, The showing of the leash and putting it on shows her its walk time. Keep an upbeat voice and praise her when you put it on. If she tries to run and hide grab her by the collar and put the leash on. She will eventually get that the leash isn't something to fear.
Remember: Everything you do you need to have a calm but assertive manner. No more letting the biting go. You need to be assertive with that and let her know it will not be tolerated. Watch Cesar Millian and he demonstrates the "bite". When you see her getting agitated, give her the "bite" to snap her out of the mood.
- Good info!
#1 When she starts chewing immediently tell her "no" firmly and stop all contact for 5 to 10 minutes. She will soon learn chewing will not be tolerated.
#2 When she jumps up tell her "No" firmly, turn your back and fold your arms. Tell her "sit, stay" When she is in a sit, stay then greet her. If she does not know those commands it is a good time to teach her.
#3 I agree with your trainer. I would never recommend a pinch collar. Instead learn to train your dog with positive training. Dogs respond better to that anyway. You have to establish that you are alpha. Your dog wants to be. Talk to your trainer about this issue and ask for advice. Some tips on establishing being alpha are:
You go through doors and up / down stairs first. Alphas are always first.
You eat first, again, alphas are first. When you feed her first put her in a sit, stay. put her food down but make her wait for a count of 5 to 10 before releasing her to eat. Alphas control the food
Never let her above you, even in play. Alphas are always on top, higher.
Please let me know how you do. Good luck
- 1 - When your puppy is biting and jumping up, try crossing your arms and looking to the sky without speaking, or leave the room. She needs to learn that behavior will not get her any attention. OR
Try filling a spray bottle full of vinegar or lemon juice. As soon as the puppy's teeth come into contact with your skin or clothing, give her a squirt in the mouth and say "NO BITE!".
#2 - When she jumps up on you, don't say "down" or "getdown"...say "off". The "down" command is used to make her liedown and can be confusing her. Put her on a leash, as soon as she jumps up on you, pull her down with the leash saying "OFF!" in a firm voice. Have her sit, and give her a treat. She needs to learn no matter how tempting it is to jump up, that it is not ok, unless envited to jump up. You should teach her both commands. Teaching her how to jump up and get off of you so she really learns the difference.
# 3 As for hiding before walks...that is strange. I would offer her a treat and call her into you and sit. Play that game anytime of day, anywhere in the house, then introduce it while you have the leash in your hand....then to the point you can put the leash on. You are going to have to sortof trick her into going out with you. Change your pattern of things you are doing before walks. Because your dog is part Cattle dog, they can have sortof obsessive behaviors, and like to do things the same. As for the pulling, I would use a gentle leader instead of a pinch collar. Pinch collars are unecessary. Take lots of treats with you on your walk and reward any good behavior you see. Teach her that pulling will always take you a step back, not forward, Have her sit every time you stop and dont expect her to be heeling nicely at your side for the entire walk, make sure she has some free time either on or off the leash,
TIPS TO SHOW YOU ARE THE LEADER:
- you always out the door first,
- dog must sit and wait before she eats.
- not allowed on furniture.
- if the dog is lying in the way...don't walk around her, get her to move for you.
- when she is sitting beside you, dont let her lean into you.
- put her on a 20ft lead and run with her, stop and start suddenly,it will teach the dog to watch your body language and pay attention to you.
- train your dog everyday for at least 20 minutes.
Good luck and try and have fun with your dog, even though it can be frustrating sometimes, try and stay positive:)
- 1 Yip very loudly and sharply each time her teeth touch any part of you and then cross your arms and turn your back on her for a few seconds. After doing this a few times she will understand that her behavior results in you not looking at her or playing. When she was a part of her litter the other pups would yip if one got too rough. It works for my Doxie.
#2 Sit and stay is a great command to work hard on and get your pet to obey. It may take lots of treats but its worth the work.
#3 It sounds like something has happened to your dog during a walk or while on lead. Try to teach your dog to heal and then walks can be taken without a lead.
Watch "It's me or the dog" on TV. Its a great show with a dog trainer from Britain. She has great advice and her shows include all varieties of pets and their problems.
