Hello from Baron

bsides2 · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 12:15 pm Post subject: Hello from Baron

Thank you for this site. We researched Weims for a year before deciding on our pup who is now 4.5 months. After just our short time with him, I have come to realize that people who have never lived with a Weim have no idea of what it is like. Even experienced dog behaviorists, unless they have OWNED one are clueless. We paid $100 for someone to come to the house, teach us to use a water bottle on him, and then told us he may have to be sent back to the breeder due to some dominance issues with our 10 year old daughter but before that we should spend $500 to send him to their doggie boot camp. Sorry, no thanks, but nice try.
Has anyone had any experience with dominance issues? He loves my daughter to death and can't stand to be away from her but sometimes (only in the evening) he growls, and bites at her if she tries to stop him from doing something he shouldn't be doing. Grounding with a leash seems to have helped over the last few days but I'm not entirely convinced he considers himself below her in the "pack" yet. Plus we have a 4 year old who doesn't challenge him yet, but will eventually. It is not as serious as some dominance issues but still needs to be nipped in the bud. We are NOT sending him back to the breeder. Thanks for any input.

emily · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject:

I highly recommend that you put your pup on a strict NILIF(nothing in life is free) program. Basically this means that if you dog wants anything he has to perform a command.
For example:
-when he eats he must sit for his supper before his bowl is put on the ground
-when he wants you to throw a ball he must do a down
-when he wants to go outside he must do a down or sit etc.

Literally any priveledge must be earned. While your dog is still young it sounds like he is confused about his place in the pack. And that place should be below any human in the family. I recommend that EVERYONE in your family participate in this. Obviously your son is a bit young yet, but your daughter surely can participate. When your daughter does this kind of training with him have her give him a command in a short firm tone. If the dog does not obey on the first command you(the adult) place him in the position. Do not say anything to him as the dog needs to understand that when your daughter give him a command he either has to do it or he will find himself forced to do it(but not meanly of course). Do you still have contact with the breeder? If so you might call and ask them for some advice as they may have dealt with this before. If the breeder is not helpful I recommend finding another professional trainer and getting their opinion. Its difficult because many weims temperments are stubborn but they do not take harsh training techniques very well. Try and find a trainer who uses positive reinforcement. I would also recommend that if your dog is allowed up on furniture that you no longer allow it until his behavior is in check. Disallowing furniture use will help to distinguish that you are in charge and the bed/couch/chair are your domain(which is above him) and that his place is on the floor(as a subordinate). And you may have to come to terms that he will never be allowed up on furniture. Luckily he is so young and if you work diligently this problem can in most cases be resolved. Best of luck to you. And please keep us up to date on his progress. And if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

h20fwlkillr · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 11:49 pm Post subject:

This may sound crazy, but I've used this technique myself. When the dog is trying to assert dominance over a family member, he needs to be taken to the floor on his back. Then firmly shake him by the fur on his neck and growl. He should tuck his tail and avoid eye contact. This is best performed by someone who the dog sees as dominant and the person the dog doesn't respect needs to be involved. If nothing more than the growling or just touching the dog. It shows the dog, just like it would in a pack situation who is boss.

GrayGhost · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject:

All very good advice given here. Welcome and I hope that you get the dominance issues under control.

bsides2 · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:10 pm Post subject: Thank you for your input

Thanks to all for your input. We are already doing th NILIF routine. He has been sitting for his meals, watches us eat and then gets his dinner, and is always last in and last out of the house. All of this from day one. He has never been allowed on the couch. Although sometimes he just gets up there, curls up and lies down and looks at you like "What?" Just to see if the rules might have changed in the last five minutes. He obeys commands from my 10 year old daughter just like he does with me. We did start with the grounding by the scruff/collar but didn't growl at him. It didn't work and if anything was too confrontational if he was in a grumpy mood. The grounding with the leash (putting it under your feet and creeping up on it until you reach the silver clasp and he is forced to lie down seems to do the trick) We watched the litter closely and chose the pup with the sweetest disposition, and avoided the dominant pups. I was hoping that we would have also avoided this in the process. He is still a sweetie, loves to meet people, and loves us. Thank you for confirming that we are doing the right thing, I guess it will just take some time.

Casper · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject: A lot in common...

Bsides2-

We are in Richmond, as well.
Our Pup is 4+ mos. old also.
Sounds like K9 Consultants training/discipline ritual. We've had many (all) of the issues you've had. Our son is 5.5 years old and the pup had become quite 'mouthy' with him. I have to say that the grounding, spray bottle + "leave-it" technique & NILIF have worked magic for us. Let me know how Baron progresses.

Best regards,
Brenton

Duchess · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:28 pm Post subject:

Great advice here and welcome to the forum. You will love it here!!! Very Happy

heathr · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:30 pm Post subject:

I had a similar problem when Riddick was a puppy, but it was with my boyfriend (he is a big guy at 6'2" and 240 lbs). We did much of what has already been said, but also enrolled Riddick and Andy in obedience classes (positive reinforcement). I also made sure that Andy was the one feeding Riddick, giving him his treats, and playing a lot with him. If the dog doesn't see where their place is in your pack they are always going to be challenging to move up in the pecking order. It is hard because your daughter is still pretty young... but establishing pack order and dominace over the dog will make everything else in the future that much easier.
Even though Andy has worked really hard at becoming dominate over Riddick, I am still seen as the pack leader. If Riddick does something and Andy tells him "no" and he still does it, all I have to do is walk towards Riddick and say "NO" and he will either lay down or sit with his head low . Some dogs need a more forceful leader than others. Our other dog, Riley, is a total softie, you say his name sternly and he just melts.

Hope this helps and best of luck!!! They can be such handfuls.

PS- As cheesey as this sounds I have really learned a lot from watching the Dog Whisper. He is always helping people overcome dominance issues with dogs. Just an idea. Can't hurt, right??