3 questions I need advice on

txgurl19 · New member Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Texas

Ok I have a mutt. He looks german sheppard but he looks husky. Anyways....How do I get him to stop barking at complete strangers? I mean how do I teach him to tell the difference between people who are friendly and people who will harm him or I? 2nd of all.... how do I get him to stop eating my cats food? and lastly he likes to get in to the litter box.... to eat poop... what do I do??

Mary_NH · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:26 am Post subject:

you'll probably never get him to stop eating cat food or its byproducts.
Move both out of reach. I have to feed my cats on my counter it's the only spot I have available. I know people who put the cat food on their dryer or washer to keep in out of reach - mine is in the basement so that would be a pain.
Same with litterbox - keep it out of reach or put somewhere the dog can't get to it. I have baby gates up to both bathrooms (litterbox in each) and th other litterbox is on the workbench in the basement.
On the barking at people....I'd suggest a behaviorist. I had to with my Molly cause she's an anxious dog and treated everyone like they were out to get her. I have a lot of work to do with her on her trust issues and it's taking awhile.
When we go for walks and she starts to react to people we have to turn around and go in the other direction - she needs to think we have control of the situation rather than her thinking she has to take control by barking at strangers.
She comes in the house after us (and out after us) rather than before us - we take on the job of "scanning" for danger before allowing her outside rather than letting her do the "scanning" for danger.
I give her permission to get or out of my car rather than letting her just hop ing.
She has to work to play - when she brings us a toy she has to sit to play. If she won't sit she doesn't get the toy back - it becomes mine.
Treat - she has to do something to get her treat.
NILF - nothign in life is free. The dog has to see that YOU are in control, especially around strangers, rather than him controlling the situation

txgurl19 · New member Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Texas

I understand what you are saying but I want him to be protective over me in bad situations but not in good ones...Does that make sense?

Mary_NH · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:

you might want to seek the advice of a trainer then. Your dog will need to learn the difference between situations he needs to protect you and those he doesn't.
and you need to be sure he knows the difference too

Nik · Member Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 258 Location: UK