Help With Training Issues?

DukesMom · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject:

Hello Joel,
So nice of you to join us Smile

I am a bit confused by a behavior my female Gracie has been doing lately. Gracie is 11 months. When she gets excited when I come home or am just out in the yard or walking through the house she tries to grab my arm in her mouth and growls and barks at me and a few times has actually broken the skin. I'm not quite sure if she's just playing or trying to show dominance by stopping me from walking away or what? Since I can't tell if she's just playing or being dominant/aggressive I'm not quite sure how I should react to this?

joelsilverman · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject:

I am always so hesitant to make any guesses on anything that that may be aggressive related, unless I am able to see the dog. I will tell you that based on the breed, and the fact that they are such a friendly breed, it seems to me that the dog is just playing rough. Either way, what you need to do is put a leash on the dog when you come home, because I am sure this is the time the dog is most excitable. Once the leash is on, and the dog opens his mouth on your arm, you are then able to correct him. Hope this helps.

DukesMom · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks Joel, I'll give it a try. I really don't think it's aggression but could be a bit of dominance. Right after I posted this I walked out to the living room and she started doing it and I thought if I had a recorder I would record this and I'm sure it would help. She is very very verbal when she's playing with my other Weim so I think you are right. Although she does the same think and attacks my purse when I'm getting ready to leave and that is definitely an attempt to stop me. And by putting a leash on and correcting you mean exactly what?

singsmom · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject:

My issue is, I just rescued a puppy that is now 17 weeks old and for his first 12-14 weeks he was never handled by people, just raised on a farm. I have had him now nearly 3 weeks and he is great with me and acts fairly normal and plays and comes when called, but really scared of my 17 year old son. (We think the farmer who raised him was a man and maybe some threatening or abuse might have occurred). My son really wants to be his buddy too and spent all of yesterday with treats every time he approached. Today he is still hiding under the table when he comes near. Tonight he took him for a walk and he met lots of scary things, so it didn't help. Do we just need more time?

joelsilverman · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject: Putting the Leash On

I'm sorry..

That is how you are going to have the control to correct you dog when he does what he does. Here is an example of how that would work.
1. You need 2 people
2. You come home
3. Before you come in your husband puts the leash and chain collar on the dog.
4. As you walk in he is able to correct with the dog with the leash and chain collar as he goes to start mouthing, accompanying it with the word "No"
5. Just try this for a few days and you should see some changes. less corrections and so on...

joelsilverman · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

Yes.. you just need more time.. and yes you are so right, it is essential that your son does not expose him to anything negative. I totally understand that it was out of your son's control. But the trust is a huge factor right now, and your dog is going to need to rely on your son for that.

My other recommendation would have your son do everything... the feeding of the dog, the walking, just spending as much time with him as possible. Also if there are treats that the dog really like, it is essential that they come from your son.

joelsilverman · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:53 am Post subject: Hoochmamas

I didn't get a chance to respond to you last question. Yes, you want to make sure that on the day of the move you keep the dog someplace away from the commotion. Dog that can be a little high strung, like this breed can get a little stressed out, even picking up on your vibe too. But good move an keeping the dogs away.

highlandscot43 · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:17 pm Post subject: Dog Restraints.....

Hi,
I am the mistress of a Weim. Several months ago I purchased a "Dog Safety Harness. He rides in the front seat of my pick-up truck (no where else to put him). While driving the car in front of my truck SLAMMED on their brakes. Of course the dog was thrown forward...and without the harness he would have gone thru the windshield. As a safety precausion, for the dog'ss sake owners should purchase and use a Dog Safety Harness.

Weim Owner

joelsilverman · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject:

Amen to that!!

highlandscot43 · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:43 pm Post subject: Thank You....

Thank you Joel,
I am very pleased at your positive response to my using of a Dog Safety Harness.
All living creatures need our care and concern for their safety.

Weim Owner

amazonstarlight · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 7:48 pm Post subject:

Okay, I'm jumping the bandwagon, or shall I say the Joel-wagon. Very Happy

I adopted my 3 yr old weim, Scooter, in February from a family who left him out in the backyard and did absolutely nothing with him. When I got him he was very skittish and literally had no clue about anything (being inside, other dogs, vets, leash walking). I have worked really hard with him and he is doing amazing, partly to the fact that he does what my other trained dog does. But my problem I'm trying to work on with him is getting him to jump into my Xterra for when we go driving. He is a big dog and I'm 6 feet tall, so I can lift him up to put him in the SUV but it's still a huge pain. He basically seems to think he cannot jump up into the truck. He's not afraid of it at all and really loves the car rides. How is the best way to get him to realize he can in fact jump by himself to get into the Xterra?

simis · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

Joel, thank you for starting this thread - what a great idea!

What suggestions do you have please to gain my weims attention back to me when she becomes distracted? For example, when in training or everyday life, if she sees another animal on the TV she is unfamiliar with, she almost becomes fixated on it - how can I snap her attention back to me and keep her calm so she doesn't go into a trance or barking frenzy? I have tried calling her name, and get no response. Then I have moved up to a slight touch on the shoulder, and sometimes, but not 100% of the time get a quick look and she'll begin to think and either do the behavior with less intensity, i.e. she'll sort of mumble at the TV now, or I can redirect her to sit, lay down, etc. which then I praise her greatly.

I guess while we're at it, how can I encourage calm behavior in everyday greeting situations as well? When the doorbell rings Rosie will not stop barking no matter what I do until she has seen the person's face on the other side of the door. I might add here that she knows the command QUIET with one finger up to the mouth as well (if I'm lucky enough to get eye contact in a situation like that) Once she has acknowledged that person and I have welcomed them into the house, she is quite excited, but has stopped the barking behavior. I understand her need to find out if there is a threat or not, but I do wish sometimes when I know who is on the other side of the door that I could get her to quiet down prior to the ruckus that inevitably happens! This also happens frequently if she recognizes the park or another dog/car for her play dates as well. In those situations I tell her to be quiet and then ignore her if she doesn't respond at first and do my best to endure the head throbbing howls until she realizes that we aren't getting out of the car until she stops her anxious behavior! I do like that she announces when someone is in the driveway/at the door, and also that she tells me so enthusiastically that she's excited, but I just want to be able to tell her enough is enough when Mom says so, not when the pooch is satisfied!

ange165 · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:16 pm Post subject:

Great post simis.. I would like to have help with these issues too. We have a 9mo who we can't do obedience with ie: formal training with other dogs because her attention is just horrible and we don't learn anything except how to hold on tighter.

We are also having a problem with Ruby's exuberance with other dogs. We are trying to get her more and more socialised.. the thing is she is just so in your face with other dogs. I am afraid that she is going to get attacked from fear aggression. She bowls little dogs over and just gets so wound up from them.
We have tried introducing on lead but as soon as I let her off to play she is all over them.. She just wants to love and play, but like I said I am afraid she is going to end up being attacked.

singsmom · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:36 pm Post subject:

I just wanted to say I totally agree with a safety harness in the car too. I have been using one for years. It keeps them safe even if you have to slam on the brakes and they can't bolt out the door if there was something to tempt them until you have a leash on and I feel safer about having the windows down a little lower since they can't stick their head out or climb out by accident.

joelsilverman · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject: Amazonstartlight

Ok... you need to first figure out why the dog is not jumping in. I know that one of the reasons is that some dogs just cannot figure it out, and sometimes it is because they just may hurt a bit. I know this dog is young so that is probably not the problem, but I do like to mention it.

When I was training Bear, who played Dreyfuss on the TV series EMPTY NEST, he could not jump in my truck. I trained him to put his feet up and then I lifted his hind end. I put an arm under his stomach and the hand under his tail on the backs of his legs. It was much easier. I did the same thing with my dog DUKE, (the dog all over my website). I like doing that with some of the larger dogs that may be a little prone to hip problems. Hope this helps.