Attention dog people, got a question & need help

[framing fowl]

I would hang in there Okie, Ohiofarmgirl was really helping me with my dogs and she's on vacation or something right now but I'm sure she could make some great recommendations. She recommended Being Your Dog's Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete, I'm 1/2 way through and finding it really good. You may want to see if your library has it. They also have a puppy book out that I would check into.

 

[hwillm1977]

She's adorable... are they sure about the mix? She looks like a slimmer version of my pit bull x lab mix.

When we first adopted Carrie we had problems with aggression, to the point we had to keep them completely separated when we weren't in the room to supervise. Marley (the original dog) was hugely defensive of his toys, his water, his food... etc and Carrie would fight back when he snapped.

It took a few months of consistency before they could eat in the same room, or play with a toy and not try to kill each other.

Are you sure she's charging with aggression, or is it just a puppy who hasn't been socialized and doesn't know what's appropriate in play? When my dogs play, even now, it sounds like we are running a dog fighting ring in the backyard... but it's just how they like to play and they have never hurt each other.

Here's a thread about doing a 'two week shutdown' with a new dog (expecially timid ones) to help them adjust to a new home. We do the two week shutdown every time we get a foster dogs.

http://blogs.dogtime.com/happy-tails-animal-advocacy/2009/10/-two-week-shutdown

I wouldn't give up on her in such a short time... it can take a dog up to a month or two to find their place in the house. Consistency is key, don't treat your original dog as the alpha dog if she isn't naturally... but really it just sounds like Regan is an unsocialized puppy that has NO social skills. It's your job now to teach her to be a well behaved dog

Don't ever acknowledge her when she's scared or acting timid, NEVER pat her or comfort her in that state of mind... it can teach her it's a good thing to be scared.

Also don't acknowledge her existence when she's jumping on you... turn around and walk away, walk into a bathroom and close the door if you have to, just don't let her get any reward for being bad... and you yelling 'no' at her can be a reward, to her it's attention... good or bad doesn't matter, she's still getting attention. Of course you have to manage that, if she's going to jump on 96 year old aunt Ethel then you'll need to correct her, but otherwise, it does work really well to just ignore it. When she doesn't get attention, it will stop.

I really liked 'The power of positive dog training' by Pat Miller. They usually have that in libraries, that's where I found it first, but now I own it.

This is my girl Carrie

 

[Javamama]

Not sure if this will help you, but when we brought our new dog home I kept her on a leash at my side for awhile. She could barely breathe without my permission. It taught her who was in charge. We also kennel our dogs at night as well as when it is inconvenient for us ie: company, small children who have no experience, etc.

 

[okiegirl1]

I don't think she's got pit (but obviously, my knowledge is limited) because her body is very thin and sleek. When she is at a dead run, she takes very long strides. She's more barrel chested with a very thin waist. Her feet are HUGE.

she's done alot better today. She is trying very hard to be a part of the family. She hasn't shown any more aggression, but does seem to guard whoever is playing with Emma. She hasn't shown her teeth or charged, she just has to be in the middle of whatever Emma is doing. They played outside for along time today. When it's just the two of them (or we aren't playing with either) she wants to play with Emma. She tries to lick Emmas face.

 

[ducks4you]

She's adorable... are they sure about the mix? She looks like a slimmer version of my pit bull x lab mix.

Yeah, I saw a heavier face, too, and there are a lot more pitbull mixes lately. Don't worry, though, my Pygma is 1/4 pitbull, but super affectionate. She, too, continues to be shy with strangers, but lays over everybody that she knows. She's now 2 years old.

Are you sure she's charging with aggression, or is it just a puppy who hasn't been socialized and doesn't know what's appropriate in play? When my dogs play, even now, it sounds like we are running a dog fighting ring in the backyard... but it's just how they like to play and they have never hurt each other.

My two dogs, Rose and Pyg "wolf" whenever they can--that is, they mouth each other, snarl, chase, play submissive and play dominant.

I wouldn't give up on her in such a short time... it can take a dog up to a month or two to find their place in the house. Consistency is key, don't treat your original dog as the alpha dog if she isn't naturally... but really it just sounds like Regan is an unsocialized puppy that has NO social skills. It's your job now to teach her to be a well behaved dog

Agreed. It took Pyg until she was a year old before we could raise our voice with her without hearing her yelp, and wetting the floor. We got her as an 8 week old puppy from an abandoned litter. Now, I can smack her on the rump if she doesn't sit right away, you know, like when someone's driving in/pulling out of the driveway?

Don't ever acknowledge her when she's scared or acting timid, NEVER pat her or comfort her in that state of mind... it can teach her it's a good thing to be scared.

Also don't acknowledge her existence when she's jumping on you... turn around and walk away, walk into a bathroom and close the door if you have to, just don't let her get any reward for being bad... and you yelling 'no' at her can be a reward, to her it's attention... good or bad doesn't matter, she's still getting attention. Of course you have to manage that, if she's going to jump on 96 year old aunt Ethel then you'll need to correct her, but otherwise, it does work really well to just ignore it. When she doesn't get attention, it will stop.

Agreed. Sometimes we overlook the use of withholding attention as a way to discourage behavior.

This is my girl Carrie

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b83/hwillm1977/Gorgeouscarrie2.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b83/hwillm1977/Carriehiding.jpg

Such a cutie!!!

 

[steve_of_sandspoultry]

All 4 of our dogs are rescues. It takes them time to settle in and trust you. Our latest addition Lucky had zero dog pack skills and major issues when we got her. We have had her over a year now and it took her a long time to trust and settle in. She went from this at the shelter

to this now - some people have little bundles of joy we have a bundle of teeth.

Keep working with her and she will come around. They want to please and be loved but sometimes they just don't how.

Steve in NC

 

[okiegirl1]

even tho' we've only had her since Friday, she is already very possessive with me. She doesn't like Emma having any attention. If we play with Emma, Regan has to stop what she's doing and either give Emma the evil eye, (she just stares her down) or she has to get in the middle of it. Last night DD was playing with Regan and I was playing with Emma. All of the sudden, both stopped, Emma stood very rigid, and Regan started staring. We just watched. Regan walked up and licked Emmas mouth, but after Emma tried to smell Regans mouth, Regan snapped at her again.

Emma seems to be acting very sad since we got Regan.

I can't walk out of a room without Regan at my heels. Another concern is if she's already this possessive with me, what about when we have company? what have people over all the time.

I hope she's not pit, I can't stand pit bulls!

 

[ducks4you]

I hope that you don't give up on her. Does she have a crate? A long time ago ("in the far-away times") I used to think that crates were cruel. They're not. A dog feels very safe to have his/her own "den". It's an excellent place to send them when their behavior is dangerous or unacceptable.
If you take this dog back to the shelter it's her death-sentence. I don't mean to criticize, but perhaps you should have thought a little harder about taking on an abused animal that will require care not unlike an abused child WHILE you are already raising a child at the same time. If you're determined to do so, please don't repeat this. There are plenty of puppies from unwanted litters that are NOT yet physichologically messed up to give a home to.

 

[ScottSD]

Nice looking dog.

I'm partial to labs, so i don't know if the advice I'm going to offer works for your dog's breed(s) or not.

On the jumping just raise your knee up every time he wants to jump up on you. If that doesn't work bump a little harder.

Anything that is done to correct it needs to be done at the time it occurs.

Pecking order, is important here.

The dog needs to figure out it is at the bottom of the totem pole. One thing that I did with my lab (who is currently in my avatar by the way) and my kids is have him lay down on his side and have each of the kids lay down on top of him. Not to the point hurt him, but to show him they are above him.

Another thing, is to put your hand on his shoulder. This is done in wolf packs by the dominant one in the pack.

Also done is the grabbing of the scruff of the neck and shaking.

Another thing that has worked in the past is the intelligent use of an e-collar.


Just remember something a wise trainer told me once: "Train. Don't complain."

 

[FarmerChick]

OK I watch the Dog Whisperer every now and then.

You are allowing this behavior.

When a dog stops and stares it means it is "thinking and going to do something"

when that dog stares you must throw a small hit with your fist like teeth....a small jab and a SShhhtttt. It moves the stare onto you...it takes it off the other dog ---you are saying to the dog, nope, you will not do this behavior. Period.

You must watch for changes in her demeanor. When the fixation starts you must stop it. A small jab to catch the dogs attention with a voice SShhtt and that is it. Nothing to hurt, but to re-direct that unwanted behavior.

google the Dog Whisperer and see if he has any info on his site.

honestly this guy fixes the most evil dogs. it is a matter of "speaking pack"--LOL


Works for the dog guy all the time..LOL