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Post by Tigger's Mommy on Aug 28, 2006 11:28:59 GMT -5
We've had Tigger since April now and have never had any issues with him (besides the housetraining, which never seems to stick). Lately thou, he has seem to have a problem deciding who is Alpha here... Mommy has been Alpha since day one, but Tigger doesn't seem to like daddy. He has started to growl, snap and attempt to bite my husband anytime he tries to make him do anything... like get off the bed, move, sometimes he does it to my husband while they are walking. My husband has never done anything to Tigger to bring this on. We only use positive re-enforcement for discipline and training, and we have tried so hard to stop this behaviour but I am running out of options. Today Tigger climbed in the bed and I tried making him move and he did the same to me... this is the first time he has ever growled at me out of anger. Does anyone have any ideas on how to help us fix the problem? I dont want to have to think it but I don't know what to do if it won't stop.....
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Post by stylishhound on Aug 28, 2006 12:17:48 GMT -5
I'd start by making Tigger work for everything - feedings, waiting to go outside, you go out the door first, get him off the bed and onto a pillow beside the bed. He needs to realize that he is at the bottom of the pack in your house before he does actually bite. What did you do when he growled? If you backed away he's now learned that "hey, if I do this I can still do what I want". I can email you a lot of info on pack leadership and changing the roles back to how they should be. I do dog training and my good friend is the canine coordinator at the Toronto Humane Society so I've got tons of resources to pull from should you want it. The sooner you get on this the better and the happier Tigger will be.
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Post by multiplicity on Aug 28, 2006 15:48:40 GMT -5
If his behaviour has changed and his growling is only recent it is possible that there is a medical reason. A thyroid disorder can cause a change in behaviour and temperament in dogs (and people!). You may think about bringing Tigger to the vet. If it is truly an alpha thing then Stylishhound has lead you in the right direction. You have to show him who runs the show. Many people on Greytalk strongly recommend NILF (nothing in life is free) training. Here's an article on NIFL www.pets.ca/articles/article-dog_nilf.htm. Good luck!
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Post by Tigger's Mommy on Aug 28, 2006 23:22:53 GMT -5
Mutiplicity, thanks for the greyt link. I'm starting it bright and early in the morning! I'll let y'all know how it goes!
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Post by jiffer on Aug 29, 2006 8:37:10 GMT -5
Good luck with NILIF... it has kept a lot of homes very happy! We've used it here for some of our more pushy boys
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Post by sdsandiford on Aug 29, 2006 11:32:19 GMT -5
Hi There. Very good advise above, and I think a similar situation has cropped up recently on this board. Someone recently made a comment about how pets can be good "practice" for raising kids.. We don't have any (kids, that is) but I agree. Sometimes, I think Lew and I are too restrictive with our boys. We strictly use the NILIF. They were taught to sit just so we could use it. They have to sit (either willingly or with a gentle nudge) before any meals, before being allowed to play with a toy and even before they are allowed to go outside. We don't free-feed, nor are their toys left out for them to play with at will. Most importantly, none were allowed on the bed until we had enough time to fully assess their personalities/dominance. We are at the point now where Jack and Stu are allowed to snuggle on the bed or sofa with us, but ONLY if they are invited up. They are not allowed to spend the night there, and are expected to comply when we ask them to get down (they always do). Dave has simply chosen not to get up onto the bed or sofa (doesn't like heights if you can believe that) - and that's fine with us. Now that I've made Lew and I sound like the worst dog owners ever.. We couldn't be happier with them. They are happy (we think) and respectful. Occasionally they get angry with one another, but they have NEVER (knock wood) challanged either Lewis or myself. My point is (and, I am getting to one that you should consider not letting Tigger onto your bed at all... (at least for now). I know... the thought of not snuggling with your buddy feels like torture... after a life at the racetrack, they deserve a soft bed to sleep on. Lewis and I went through that for a while, but some dogs feel that as soon as they are higher than you physically, that they are head of the household. Other than a possible medical condition, he is likely growling at you because he now feels as though the bed is HIS, and that you don't have the authority to move him. There's a really good book by Brian Kilcommons called "Good Owners, Great Dogs" and I live by it. He explains that left unchecked, growling almost always progresses to teeth baring, to a quick snap in the air close to you, to a bite that slightly punctures the skin, to worse. I don't believe that all dogs need such heavy restrictions, but in our home (at the moment) "it ain't broke" Good luck!
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Post by Tigger's Mommy on Aug 29, 2006 12:06:43 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice! I was starting to think I was the worst dog owner ever, not even being able to control my dog! Day one of training is going good... Tigger has learned quickly not to get on the bed. And he's picked up sitting for everything much better then I thought he would. We used sit because it is the only trick he has been able to pick up on. We do free-feed for now, trying to bring the pup's weight up, and he quickly learned to sit before eating and waiting for permission. I will say he is a quick learner. But I'll see tomorrow, his new attitude may change...
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Post by rprovost on Aug 29, 2006 15:43:07 GMT -5
Just to add a little something... we were watching this TV show about dog training a couple weekends ago and he said a few things that made sense. First, when telling the dog NO or not to do something, say it slowly and with a deep voice. When praising you want to use a higher voice and say it faster. We've tried it with out two, mostly with Zooks' constant need to chew any stuffie he finds, even if they aren't his. He also said you can use scents to help train dogs. For example, if you want him to play with only his toys, spray or put a scent on his toys (like mint or lavender - a scent you can stand too!) then get toys that arent his and hold two in front of him. If he takes his own that are scented, give him a treat, if he takes the others, say NO and dont give him a treat. He also said you can use scents to teach them where they are welcome, ie. what furniture they are allowed on, or what rooms then cann go in, by spraying the scent where they can go. Maybe you could try it with spraying his bed, but not yours, hehe. Good luck, I hope it gets better for you!
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Post by romansmom on Aug 29, 2006 16:52:44 GMT -5
I'm glad to hear Tigger is responding to the NILF! It's very common for them to test the alpha after a few months when they are getting more comfortable with their surroundings. Roman did the exact same thing to me - growling on the bed. He is compliant and eager to please in every other situation, but he can't handle being higher than the alpha on the human bed. He becomes aggressive, so needless to say he no longer is allowed on our bed, only his! It's very common, so as long as you don't give in to his growling and inappropriate behaviour and handle the situation as you have been, I'm sure it will work itself out!
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