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How Would You Stop This Behaviour?


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My friend asked me if my obedience instructor could help her. I suggested I give her 2 names of good local behaviourists. Ones I've used and had recommended.

I am not looking to diagnose on the net but I am curious. We were talking about her dog and I was wondering what you'd do?

Little background- STUNNING German Sheperd, male 4, not dog or people agressive, walked daily in leash free, doesn't get in any trouble, very pampered and owner admits he thinks he is King (!!!!). Well behaved generally but does walk in doors first, get on lounge and eat without any wait command etc. Went to puppy school but not obedience trained. (I would add here that he does jump up on her for his things/ball/attention)

Behaviour- Owner says when visitors come he gets excited, not agro but wagging tail. But he barks constantly. He does not approach the visitor and is content if he knows visitor and gets a pat. He continues to bark until visitor is sitting and then he sits/lies down. All quiet until visitor gets up to leave then he barks madly again.

If the dog is told to "go to bed" he does go to his mat inside but seems chastised and subdued. The owner wants to get him to relax without the sad pitiful looks from the dog.

I thought it was good he goes to mat and suggested its her house and if she sends him to mat he will cope. But I know there will be a underlying reason or issue (leadership). How would you train quiet relaxed dog at visitors. I have some ideas but would like to learn what others suggest.

Thanks for any opinons.

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Where to start :confused:

Leadership Leadership Leadership Leadership Leadership Leadership Leadership Leadership

Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline

What more can I say. This dog is way too big to be king. The owner needs to be king. As he's already going to a behaviourist they should pick this up.

Your friend needs a very big dog education. :cry:

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Sad looks dont work in this house. Too bad I say !!!! As far as I'm concerned I have told you to get on the mat so you get on your mat regardless of sulking and sad looks.

The owner needs to be a bit tougher and realise she is the leader and the dog is to obey her.

These ones make me laugh. When people see a sad look on a dog they feel awful, guilty etc. I like to compare it to children. If you ask your child to brush their teeth and they dont want to or start sulking the reaction would be too bad, your brushing your teeth whether you like it or not. What do dogs make people feel so much more guilty ?? :confused:

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eadership Leadership Leadership Leadership Leadership Leadership Leadership Leadership

Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline Discipline

:confused:)

Dog is currently 'king'

Human is slave :cry:

Press the 'ROTATE' button :p

Try TOT..FREE and will probably help get the human back in control :cry:

Also, as mentioned on here a lot..The N I L I F approach...

There are some humans who need a bit of help understanding what is happening...hope it all works out well.

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On the strength of the info supplied, I agree with everyone else's sentiments here.

Leadership. Your friend will be doing your dog a favour.

And your friend needs to recognise that she is mis-interpreting the "sad" looks and falling right into her dog's paws ..... which is not doing her dog any favours.

Imagine how confused her dog is - on the one hand she sends messages which convey to the dog that he rules (and as such, must govern). Then on the otherhand she says no to her dog doing the things her dog thinks he is not only supposed to but is entitled to do. No wonder dogs get rattled and go off the rails at times. Wonder it doesn't happen even more often than it already does.

Tell your friend she is doing well by engaging a trainer/behaviourist to help her out. Her dog will be relieved of the load and far less confused than he presently must be. :confused:

Edited by Erny
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  BC said:
Sad looks dont work in this house. Too bad I say !!!! As far as I'm concerned I have told you to get on the mat so you get on your mat regardless of sulking and sad looks.

The owner needs to be a bit tougher and realise she is the leader and the dog is to obey her.

These ones make me laugh. When people see a sad look on a dog they feel awful, guilty etc. I like to compare it to children. If you ask your child to brush their teeth and they dont want to or start sulking the reaction would be too bad, your brushing your teeth whether you like it or not. What do dogs make people feel so much more guilty ?? :eek:

Totally agree :D

As far as my dog is concerned I'm going to hell for being a big meanie :cry: Sad looks get him nowhere and he knows it. I guess it's a good preparation for kids some day...

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Thanks everyone.

I'll see what happens. I did learn before that a dog who sees itself as the alpha also takes on the role as protector. Feels it is their "job" to scare off danger.

I will give my friend this info.

A while ago I had to look at my own leadership as my chi x was getting a little protective. Such a little package to carry such a burden.

I think I will do some more reading on NILIF.

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  skip said:
Thanks everyone.

I'll see what happens. I did learn before that a dog who sees itself as the alpha also takes on the role as protector. Feels it is their "job" to scare off danger.

I will give my friend this info.

A while ago I had to look at my own leadership as my chi x was getting a little protective. Such a little package to carry such a burden.

I think I will do some more reading on NILIF.

Triangle of Temptation http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=64101 is great, too :).

I'm sure all the "meanies" out there are nothing of the sort :).

Good leaders aren't mean- good leaders are both loved and respected.

Dog is happier because this "stress" of being leader is taken off them. They're no longer getting confusing messages.

Applies to dogs of all sizes.

Smaller dogs tend to get away with a bit more as they can be controlled physically.

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