Pete.the.dog

I actually find this quite offensive and hurtful huski. I'm not sure whether that is intentional or not, I may not be an expert but I am trying my best, and there are definitely more tactful ways to make your point.

Thanks corvus, no I don't think it would change what I was doing with him, because I feel like I'm doing absolutely everything I can at the moment to improve his behaviour, unless someone had any more suggestions. It was just a verge of tears moment where I thought 'what more can I do!?'

Please tell me this isn't a dominant thing!! Since the snapping incident - see http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...80359&st=30 if you managed to miss it Pete's been great, there has been no furniture allowed, he's worked for every 'good dog' or pat, been very well behaved and coming along well in the targeting training. He has been leaning into my legs when he gets pats - which I thought may have been affection but read it could possibly be a sign of dominance also. I took him to the vet yesterday and discovered he had a skin irritation/eczema, have been putting cream on it but the vet said it was a pretty mild case. I got home from work this afternoon and after I let him in he settled well has just been sleeping on the floor, I was in and out of my room a couple of times he wouldn't have been in there for more than 5 mins and each time I came back he was lying down calmly. then I walked over my dirty pj pants which were scrunched up on my flood (yes I forgot to make the bed this morning ) only to find they were soaked in Pete's urine. He is toilet trained and hasn't had an accident in about 6 and a half out of the 7th months I've had him! I don't understand and I'm scared you'll all say it's dominance but thought I shouldn't ignore it... Sorry about all the posts guys, I really appreciate the input

Yeah that's a great a idea thanks!

Thanks Ravyk - It sounds great! I am very interested but unfortunately have already booked into a 2-day suicide intervention training for that weekend for my work at Lifeline! You'll have to tell me how it goes though!! Thank you for that Wire, I did run across Mark's name when I was looking into the professional, but didn't stumble across his forum. Thanks for the info on him too, I appreciate it :nahnah: Glad your pup learnt his lesson - hope mine does too I just got back from the vet, he said it wasn't hot spots (my bad) it's actually a skin irritation/eczema from some form of allergies, probably seasonal - gave me some cream for it. Interestingly, did find a big eczema scab on his neck, right under his collar... Probably not a good enough excuse for the snapping though.. :D

Steroids and antibiotics as an automatic 'must have' ? I wonder. Do they really? Or has this just become a common place standard prescription? There are more natural treatments that can be used that are also anti-bacterial. Sure - in some major cases these sorts of this just might be necessary, but in this case we don't know how bad (or not) it is, so there's a chance that the application and administration of drugs may not be necessary, do you not think? Maybe I'm wrong, but I am really becoming very concerned about how swiftly (especially) anti-biotics are suggested and administered without question. No not all hot spots require antibiotics - but most do. Most dog owners leave it until the infection is very deep (because they have tried to treat it themselves). My dog gets hot spots regularly, I catch them very early and start her on a course of steroids and antihistamines and have never needed antibiotics because I havent left it the infection untreated. I only prescribe antibiotics if there is a confirmed bacterial infection - especially with ears. A culture and sensitivity is a must. Most of our hot spots up here are ringworm, with secondary bacterial infection. Usually require a course of antifungals as well. Went to the vet and he said they weren't hot spots - didn't quite fit the description, he said they were skin irritations caused by allergies, probably seasonal, and gave me some cream

Sorry I'm not sure quite what you mean by resource guarding? Like how he won't get off the bed when I ask? He used to do it occasionally when he would sneak onto the couch but he doesn't even go on the couch anymore. He sometimes gets off the bed when I tell him to, mostly even, but when he decides against it he is pretty stubborn. Also not sure what you mean by touch a target with his nose? He is big, so he can easily touch the bed with his nose? Sorry if I've misunderstood. Wolfsong correctly answered your first question, the "resource" was the spot on the bed that he was occupying. Touching a target is simply touching something with his nose, whether it be a stick, or a plastic disc (yoghurt lid), or your fist. If he touches something with his nose, his body isn't going to be far behind it! Assuming they are still connected, that is... It's a very easy trick to teach, instructions are here: http://positivepetzine.com/target When you have taught him to follow the target, you can move him to where you want him to go with the target. You can move him off the bed, onto the bed, wherever. This is a no force, +R approach to moving an animal. The point here is that your dog is making the choice to do it, making the choice to do what you have asked him to do. There is no conflict between you, and it puts you in charge of the resources. It is easy to transition from using a target stick to no longer using the target stick, but the target is good, clear communication in the early stages and very easy to teach. I use targets a lot when dealing with fearful dogs, even in their fearful state most dogs will follow a target where they wouldn't follow a lure or verbal cues. Seeing as you have no other resource guarding issues your prognosis is excellent, but the next step up from a snap is a bite so consider seeing a professional who can assess your dog in person as no-one on-line can see the whole picture. There are many things that can cause a dog to snap, it pays not to make assumptions about how serious it is or it isn't, but to seek an informed opinion. Thanks for the explanation and the link, will have a proper read of it when I get home from work

On that point Corvus we are in complete agreement. The dog gave a warning.. which should be heeded. Now its time to figure out where this behaviour is coming from. This is not new behaviour for this dog. He displayed similar warning behaviour when the OP's boyfriend tried to lift him off the bed in June. I would be recommending an in home visit. However as money is an issue, the OP needs to find ways to motivate the dog to do what she wishes, to keep him off the bed and not to try to "punish" this behaviour in ways the dog doesn't understand. I think Pete probably thinks he was within his rights to warn the OP off. What the OP needs to do, in a non confrontational manner, is disavow Pete of the notion he has such rights. Thanks for that poodlefan you're on the ball. He did do this before, in June Sorry quick edit - probably means nothing but Pete growled at boyfriend when he tried to lift him of PETE'S bed, to take him outside, not off my bed. Not sure if that makes a difference just thought I'd clarify

Thank you for that corvus, I have battled with him before - he went through a phase of everytime I put his blanket in his kennel he'd drag it out onto the grass and leave it there to get wet over night. It was a long saga... He is stubborn, and I'm not keen on trying it with something he snaps about. Like I've said, it is out of character for the way he behaves about anything else - food, other dogs etc. AND for the record, I have discovered hot spots on him and have an appointment for the vet for him tomorrow, but not sure that it's related as I have brushed him today without any problems? EDIT - I discovered Hot spots - I THINK! Going to the vet tomorrow so not a confirmed diagnosis yet

Collar grab game sounds like a great idea (In addition to all the other great ideas I've got here too ) thank you for that, I will give it a go

If my dog did this (refused to get off furniture sometimes, let alone snapped when being moved), she would lose all furniture privileges. In other words, I'd be telling her to get off as soon as she got up, and redirecting her to her own bed. I'd only let her in the house when she was being supervised, like a little puppy, so I could interrupt her when she went to get up on the furniture. I'd also be attaching a 4 or 6 foot line to her collar to drag behind her whenever she was in the house. The line allows you to enforce your "off" command by gently tugging the line, if your dog ignores you when you tell them to get off, without risking getting bitten and without starting a direct confrontation with the dog. By nose targeting, I believe Aidan means to teach him to run over and touch your hand (for example) with his nose, in order to get a reward. It's a useful behaviour and pretty easy to teach with food rewards or even just praise. It can be used to get dogs away from places you don't want them, such as off beds - just hold your hand out and ask the dog to target, they have to jump off the bed to touch your hand. If it were my dog, I'd still use a line in the house, though, as I would want to have the ability to enforce the dog getting off the bed 100% of the time. I have been letting him up on my bed more often lately, I'd say this is the cause of the increased bed jumping. I totally agree the behaviour he is exhibiting is unacceptable, and there will be no more getting on my bed, and I will close off access to the spare room. (NB He doesn't get on my bed while I'm in the room without me saying ok - occasionally when I leave the room he will jump up but mostly I hear the thud of him geting down as I open the door to return) Thanks for the clarification on nose targeting and all the other tips, helpful stuff I'd like to be able to call in a behaviourist for the snapping, but as a student on a very limited income, I just don't have that kind of cash. I don't want people to assume this makes me a bad or incapable owner, but I just want to try to work through it myself first and exhaust other options. Thanks again Staranais

Am booked in for tomorrow afternoon Will take all the bettadine advice on board for treatment, but better make sure of the cause

He's an unknown cross. Possible mixes include: Wolfhound, Deerhound, Poodle, Bearded Collie etc etc... I live in Adelaide, but don't know where I'd find the $200 +

Really? I don't know that it is all that serious though. I mean, I'm all for trying to fix the problem, which is why I'm on here searching for advice. But I think there are people on DOL with the expertise to give me some tips to try before I go down that route... Thank you for your opinion though

Thank you both, will make an appointment with the vet!

Sorry I'm not sure quite what you mean by resource guarding? Like how he won't get off the bed when I ask? He used to do it occasionally when he would sneak onto the couch but he doesn't even go on the couch anymore. He sometimes gets off the bed when I tell him to, mostly even, but when he decides against it he is pretty stubborn. Also not sure what you mean by touch a target with his nose? He is big, so he can easily touch the bed with his nose? Sorry if I've misunderstood. Resoure garding is when the dog has something it wants, ie bone or in this case the spot on the bed and wont give it up without a hassle Oh ok thank you. No he's not like that with anything else (like I said he maybe was twice with the couch) he's really good with food and toys, and generally the most gentle dog ever, so I found this bed thing very unusual for his normal demenour

Yeah I was worried about that, but I also didn't know how else to get him off the bed! I didn't want to pull him if he was snapping at me - I don't think he was going to bite me, I think it was just a warning sort of. Bed privileges will be rescinded. I only ever let him on my bed with the ok but the bed he was on today was in the spare room. Thanks, it can be hard to remember it's not personal sometimes!

Sorry I'm not sure quite what you mean by resource guarding? Like how he won't get off the bed when I ask? He used to do it occasionally when he would sneak onto the couch but he doesn't even go on the couch anymore. He sometimes gets off the bed when I tell him to, mostly even, but when he decides against it he is pretty stubborn. Also not sure what you mean by touch a target with his nose? He is big, so he can easily touch the bed with his nose? Sorry if I've misunderstood.

Well I left him tied up for about 5 mins, and then took him off. About 10 mins after that (just then) I went out and did some training with him (with treats), and he responded really well to it. It was all positive and fun and he did well. I don't know if that was the right way to do it? He has done the snapping thing before if I have tried to physically move him. He's really good with obeying to come inside and for dinner etc, also if I am putting the bins out or something he will stay inside the front yard if I tell him to, so he can be pretty good, that's why I'm so confused about what to do!?

I've had him for about 7 months, and he's about 14 months old. He's a bit 'independent', i.e. he does sometimes decide to do his own thing. We do training nearly every day with him have to sit and or drop to get his food, to come inside, for pats etc. We used to go to training but my car died and I can't afford a new one so I can't get us there. I try to do NILIF with him pretty much all the time, and am starting the TOT thing too. But I just had a shower and came back and he was on the bed. I told him to get down and he just looked at me and ignored me!! After a little while of this happening, I went towards his collar to drag him off and he snapped at my hand!! Didn't get close but his intention was clear. So I went and got his lead, to which he jumped off excited (like he always is with the lead) and I tied him up outside. It's probably the completely wrong way to deal with it, so some advice would be fantastic!

Hello, When I was grooming Pete the other day I noticed a patch of wet fur on his leg like he'd been licking it lots, when I got close to groom it I noticed there was a patch about 1cm square that was raw, no hair on it and was a bit bloody. This morning I found another similar spot at the top of his tail and on the top of his foot next to his toe. I tried to take a photo but the flash was ruining it and I couldn't get it to work. Does anyone have any ideas what this might be? Do you think I should take him to the vet? Thanks

ok thanks I'll give it a try

wow really!? Pete can only see their feet though in a small gap under the fence, so it's not like he has a full view by any means, was it the same sort of situation? He doesn't back much but its just a nuisance and unfair on the neighbours with the quiet dog!

Hi, my dogs about 14 months old - had him for about 6. He is very quiet usually, doesn't bark at strangers and rarely will bark at a dog when they are playing but when my neighbours dog is outside, and runs along the fence, pete will run along as well and bark at the dog - the other dog doesn't bark back. I really wish I could get him to stop cause I don't want to annoy the neighbours. Any suggestions would be great!

It's sort of long and bumpy, laying across the skin. I think it's probably a scab I just got a bit paranoid