being the leader

rachelp · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject: being the leader

My weim is wonderful, and I wouldn't trade her for anything, but as all weim parents know ,every day brings a new challenge. My dog is almost 3. I have been having a real problem lately with her not listening to me. It is almost like she is two different dogs. She listens to my husband perfectly, but as soon as he walks out of the house, she becomes a terror. She frantically searches for something to grab (that she knows she is not allowed to have) and runs from me. She eventually drops it but it takes a while. When I tell her "NO", "Come", or pretty much any other command, she completely ignores me. One of the biggest problems is her jumping. She used to jump on everyone. We finally got her to stop jumping on people except for me. I know she is just testing me, but I can't figure out why. I do everything the exact same way as my husband. I have taken her to two different training sessions and actually taught my husband the new methods that we learned in training, so I know she knows what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions, I could really use some.

NenaGunther · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject:

Are you familiar with NILIF - Nothing in life is free.
Check it out. http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

versatilek9s · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject:

Good suggestion. I think NILIF would fix it.

If it were me:
Rack your brain to think about anything that's changed in your life or your dog's life. Why did she suddenly start being a brat? Dogs sometimes decide that testing you is simply a fun game. They do it b/c they are bored, b/c they want to see what they can get away with, just b/c it's fun to make you yell and prance around chasing them.

Run her hard every day and start doing basic obedience every day--even for a few minutes. Start by making her sit and stay when you put her food down until you say go. These two things alone should make a difference if it's really a dominance or boredom thing.

Kiarazoom · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:13 am Post subject:

Hi there

I cant recommend the Jan Fennell method enough so far, Ive only been doing it since Sunday (with the help of a teacher) but its shown big changes. Kodi used to go mad and steal stuff etc, right now he takes something once I say no and put it back and he doesnt do it again cos he knows the next step.
Next step is I hold him by his collar by my side in silence and very calmly time 2 minutes, if hes quiet at the end of 2 mins I let go without acknowledging and go about my business. If it needs longer till hes calm and quiet so be it.
First few times he repeated whatever naughty thing he was doing but by the third he went off to lie down!
I dont know if it can help as a method all on its own but as part of the JF process its worked for us.
Good luck, im sure you will get there in the end x

rachelp · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject:

I am definately going to give it a try, but what about the jumping? It is kind of hard to ignore an 88 lb. dog jumping on you.

ange165 · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

Ruby was beginning to jump quite badly a few months ago. We went away on holidays for a week and left her with my MIL. When we came back she no longer jumped and has only done it a couple of times since (when SUPER excited). She said that when the dog jumps up you make the experience for them unrewarding. She puts her knees up to stop the dog from getting to her and they are met with an offbalancing leg which will make them stumble.
Also everyone has to do this.. if someone in the family, friend, visitor lets the dog jump up on them and they are rewarded with pats, they will continue to do it.

Kwalz · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject:

My mom is a vet and she handles jumping dogs by ignoring them. She will never pet a dog unless it is sitting. It worked very well for her boxer, and so far it has worked very well with our Gracie. If she gets super, crazy excited, she forgets and jumps up, but she lands sitting down and stays there.

Another trick I read online is to lean over them when they start to jump. It's intimidating and gives them no where to go.

Kiarazoom · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:45 am Post subject:

GailB · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:10 am Post subject: