Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: ellery; WHATNEXT?

I'm glad yours is better. I wanted to follow up because the poster said fear may be a part of this dog's misbehavior, in addition to the territorial or possession issues.

Sometimes I get lazy and don't say everything that should be said. I also hate to over-advise because I am not sure we really know the situation this owner is faced with...

...But I think you would agree, when a dog is fear-aggressive or even fearful and fractious, peeing all over themselves, it is no help to be harsh or punish, but the last thing you want to do is reward it with any kind of "ooh honey it's Oooookaaaay" kind of soothing or petting. Don't beat them for it, but certainly don't REWARD it... simply take them abruptly away (it has to feel like a direct consequence) from you and everyone else every time until keeping themselves together is the only way they get to stay in the group.


139 posted on 01/09/2005 2:56:51 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 137 | View Replies ]


To: HairOfTheDog; WHATNEXT?

Absolutely, great point and I totally agree. You can't cuddle them to soothe their fears, or they will quickly learn that bad behavior is how you get cuddles. We just calmly say "no" (but we don't yell, hit or make any threatening motions) and drag him into time out. The key with our dog when he behaves badly is not to interact with him (makes it worse), but instead to just give him some quiet time for a little while. It's still punishment because he is dragged upstairs against his will (reinforcing our physical dominance)...but it also just calms him down.


142 posted on 01/09/2005 3:53:33 PM PST by ellery (Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty. - Ronald Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 139 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson