Dog problems-

[Nephythys]

I have 3 dogs-

Comet is a chihuahua mix- small, about 12-14 pounds
Carlea is a mini-weiner dog 8 pounds maybe

Raylie is a lab/shepherd mix- easily 65-70 pounds

-and lately she has been attacking the little ones. Most likely out of jealousy-but the only real difference between her and the others is that they fit on laps.

She sleep with us, just like them
Gets fed the same as them
Goes on walks when they do
Gets lovin's and pets

-but she has attacked them over a bowl on the floor, she attacked again for nothing more than Carlea being on her side of the car-and she has attacked several more times for reasons unknown-she has become very territorial and it scares me to think what she could do to them.

I have neither time nor experience at training a dog out of this behavior-and I fear she may need a new home.

Thoughts?

[mousepod]

I have nothing to offer you other than my hopes that you'll get this situation remedied - I'm sure Lisa will have more constructive ideas.

Hang in there - I'm sure you're a great doggie mommy.

[Betty]

My MiL swears by a TV show called the Dog Whisperer. I've not seen it but she's got her lil doggie wrapped around her finger.

[Moonliner]

I have 3 dogs-

Comet is a chihuahua mix- small, about 12-14 pounds
Carlea is a mini-weiner dog 8 pounds maybe

Raylie is a lab/shepherd mix- easily 65-70 pounds

-and lately she has been attacking the little ones. Most likely out of jealousy-but the only real difference between her and the others is that they fit on laps.

She sleep with us, just like them
Gets fed the same as them
Goes on walks when they do
Gets lovin's and pets

-but she has attacked them over a bowl on the floor, she attacked again for nothing more than Carlea being on her side of the car-and she has attacked several more times for reasons unknown-she has become very territorial and it scares me to think what she could do to them.

I have neither time nor experience at training a dog out of this behavior-and I fear she may need a new home.

Thoughts?

Other than the aggression, how is Raylie? Is she gaining/losing weight, drinking more or less, urinating where she should not, etc?

[Stan4dSteph]

My MiL swears by a TV show called the Dog Whisperer. I've not seen it but she's got her lil doggie wrapped around her finger.Yep, that show is awesome.

Sounds like the lab mix thinks she's the alpha. You need to reestablish your dominance at the top of the pack.

[alphabassettgrrl]

What changed in the household? That can often cause dogs to try and move up the pack-ladder.

I agree that you (or Ria) should make sure you let the dog know *you* are the boss, not her. I'll make the dog sit, just randomly, or something similar, just to make sure she's in the habit of obeying me.

[Morrigoon]

What kind of "attacking" Is it just a growl and a snap or serious fights?

[Not Afraid]

Raylie has decided to become the Alpha in the pack - and that pack includes the family. She may be feeling that there is currently no Alpha and she is forced to be it. A pack can only have one leader and that leader needs to be a person for you to have any control over your dog. Raylie is assuming the position of leader and is displaying her self-proclaimed Alpha behavor by starting first with the other dogs. If you don't train her out of this behavior, she will continue with her alpha behavior with the rest of the family - and it could get dangerous.

Dogs really want to please their leaders. They just have to know that YOU are the leader. They don't learn to be obedient to their leader through voice commands - so don't yell at her - but through non-verbal commands.

I'm not a fan of Cesar Milan (or the Dog Whisperer) because he's a little TOO domineering for my taste. He doesn't train through love but through being overbearing. For some dogs, this might be necessary, but most of the time, it isn't. I prefer Kathy Santo's methods.

Get a good book so you can understand dog psychology and esteem. Once you learn what motivates your dog, you can easily train her away from bad behaviors. In the meantime, feed the small dogs away from her.

[Betty]

Ok doggie experts - this thread has inspired me to ask my own question.

Why does our chihuahua try to make a break for it every time the front door is opened? He'll slip out and run at breakneck speed stopping only to pee on the way... and he'll stop only long enough for one of the kids to close in on him and he's off again. I'm afraid he's going to get run over on one of these escapades.

Is he not getting out enough? not enough excersize? He's just a little guy and I know he doesn't need as much excersize as a big dog does. I swear - he's a little lap sitter / couch sleeper for the vast majority of the day.

[JWBear]

Ok doggie experts - this thread has inspired me to ask my own question.

Why does our chihuahua try to make a break for it every time the front door is opened? He'll slip out and run at breakneck speed stopping only to pee on the way... and he'll stop only long enough for one of the kids to close in on him and he's off again...

OK... Did anyone else start hearing I Want To Break Free by Queen in their head while reading this?


Anyone?


No?


Just me then...

[Not Afraid]

Ok doggie experts - this thread has inspired me to ask my own question.

Why does our chihuahua try to make a break for it every time the front door is opened? He'll slip out and run at breakneck speed stopping only to pee on the way... and he'll stop only long enough for one of the kids to close in on him and he's off again. I'm afraid he's going to get run over on one of these escapades.

Is he not getting out enough? not enough excersize? He's just a little guy and I know he doesn't need as much excersize as a big dog does. I swear - he's a little lap sitter / couch sleeper for the vast majority of the day.

He does it because playing chase is a FUN game! He loves it when you chase him and he has no idea that a car tire is going to smash him one day.

He needs to learn the "come" command. This is a touch one for dogs that are easily distracted. Thurston STILL doesn't always listen and Kimchi - well, we're working on her.

You may need to keep him on a leash in the house for a while and, when you open the door, step on his leash when he tries to make a run for it giving a command at the same time.

[Betty]

You may need to keep him on a leash in the house for a while and, when you open the door, step on his leash when he tries to make a run for it giving a command at the same time.

This is a great tip! We'll try it.

[Morrigoon]

Lisa's right, they enjoy playing chase. The leash training sounds like a great idea.

If you have trouble catching him some time when he does get out... try getting his attention and then running away from him. Often, they'll turn around and chase YOU. I've done this on occasion when I couldn't catch up to my dogs. But try it at a dog park or somewhere safe first, because it's not 100%. You need to see if he'll react to that.

[Betty]

Lisa's right, they enjoy playing chase. The leash training sounds like a great idea.

If you have trouble catching him some time when he does get out... try getting his attention and then running away from him. Often, they'll turn around and chase YOU. I've done this on occasion when I couldn't catch up to my dogs. But try it at a dog park or somewhere safe first, because it's not 100%. You need to see if he'll react to that.

My daughter has tried this trick actually - and it works about 1/2 the time.

Do you have any recommendations on teaching him to come when called?

I'm a cat person. Always have been. He's cat sized - and clearly not a cat. He sits on command most of time time - that's about it. We got him from a kennel as an adult dog and he's pretty well behaved - but not very trained.

I've got a book on dog training (for dummies even) - I suppose I should just read that instead, huh? ;)

[Morrigoon]

Just what others have suggested already.

Randomly calling them over for no reason and rewarding them for obedience, just to maintain your position as top dog. Also, it's easier to reward them in a timely manner when you call them over for no reason other than to reward them than it is when you actually NEED them to come to you. Always call them to you when you have treats, etc.

[Not Afraid]

Get a 6' leash and some really yummy, smelly soft treats (liver or chicken or Natural Balance sausage rolls are great). Break the treats into TINY pieces, put the dog on a leash and take him out to the hard. Say "(name) Come", pull slightly on the leash until he comes, then give his a treat. Repeat over and over for many days until connects the command with coming and getting a treat. Move to doing this off leash in the backyard until he gets it. Always give him a treat until he does it on command without a treat then taper off of the treats.

[Betty]

Thanks for the advice everyone. VERY much appreciated. And we'll go check out the natural blance sausage rolls because he's fairly picky eater. Most of the treats we've bought he doesn't want anything to do with.

[Morrigoon]

Apparently I must spread some before giving it to NA again... VNAM!

[Nephythys]

Ria-

My 9 pound dog was attacked yesterday, very likely by your dog. You turned yourself into knots trying to find a reason to excuse your dog- but the fact remains that my dog is injured, frightened and sick.

MY dog had to go to the vet-and got a shot. A 24 hour pain killer. We got papers telling us how to treat her-and you did not bother to look at them when you gave her the meds this morning-you see, she was not supposed to have more pain meds til 3:30 this afternoon. But you gave them to her at 7am-

Thank you for overdosing my dog with pain meds-no wonder she is so sound asleep. You better hope she wakes up. The vet is very concerned and now we have to do everything we can to get her to drink and hope she does not react violently resulting in a trip to the ER.

And when this is pointed out-you try to pass the blame and say WE told you to give them both to her at 7am-which I didn't. Plus, one would think that an adult would check the instructions before giving a tiny dog pain meds- but no......you don't bother and now my dog is under yet another threat to her health.

Damn you and your willfull stupidity.

-Me

[alphabassettgrrl]

Poor little baby. I hope she recovers quickly and well, Nephy.

[Betty]

Hang in there Neph.

[Not Afraid]

I have tons of dog knowledge but I can't give much advice on marital issues.

[€uroMeinke]

Oh oh, I know this - first buy a 6' leash for Ria, step on the leash should he try to bolt. Use the "come" command while tugging on the leash and reward him when he comes - or did I get that mixed up? At any rate a firm hand, gentle praise, and tasty treats will get you all you need.

[JWBear]

V€M! :snap: