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Author Topic:   dog thinks he is the boss
lovelots
Member

Posts: 17
From:missouri
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-06-2004 08:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lovelots     Edit/Delete Message
my little shih poo who is 4 months thinks he is the boss he comes only when he wants he has bit me (not hard)when i tried to pick him up he does everything when he wants to how can i let him know i am the boss and he is not any advice would be great

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NewLabOwnr
Member

Posts: 169
From:New York, USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 03-06-2004 08:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for NewLabOwnr     Edit/Delete Message
Start making your dog work for everything. They call this "nothing in life is free" Before you feed your dog make him sit, before you put his leash on make him sit. Some say don't let your dog go in or out the door before you or up the stairs. My dog is 10 months old now and we've been working on Come for a long time on leash, but off leash he still doesn't come. It's a real hard command to teach because you need to offer something more exciting then what they are after. You should only work commands with your dog on the leash where you can correct him if he doesn't listen. Give a command wait a few seconds for him to respond. If he doesn't do it repeat command quick tug on rope. If he STILL doesn't do it, repeat command and help gently to show the command. 4 months old is stll a big learning time though make sure your puppy knows how to do what you are asking him to do. There is a whole big thing to do about biting, yelping OW in a sharp tone and ignoring yoru puppy. Or saying don't bite and gently holding the muzzle shut. Good Luck!!

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Maisey
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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 03-06-2004 09:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Great post Newlabowner...lovelots thats really good advice.
I think many people make the mistake with little dogs of thinking "but he's so cute" or he's so little". You do have to remember that he is only 4 months old, BUT it's really important that you make it clear to him that you rule the roost. Doing little things like making him move when he is lying on the floor in your walking pathway rather than stepping over him sends a clear message. Make him get off the furniture for no apparent reason, no going out the doors first, you can ask him for a sit/stay (help him hold it at first if you have to), then open door, wait a couple seconds and say "Ok" and let him go. Don't let him dive into his food bowl the minute you set it down, make him wait nicely then release him. The idea is YOU say when. There is a lady I know who has a 12 week old puppy that already sits, stays, downs, knows "quiet" and comes pretty well. It's never too early to start on good manners...she taught this puppy all of that with positive methods, is very patient and rewards generously with praise and treats. There is huge value in praise for good behavior, concentrate on the good things your dog does. Do like labowner suggested.."nothing in life is free", that approach sets you up to be very important in your little dogs life. You control the purse strings so to speak and to get anything he must come to you.

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lovelots
Member

Posts: 17
From:missouri
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-06-2004 07:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lovelots     Edit/Delete Message
thanks for your advice i have started today on making him work for everything i hope this works couse i want him to be a well behaved little dog not some bossy dog who thinks he owns me

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 03-06-2004 10:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
My mother has a chi like that...thinks he is tough stuff until he comes to my house, then he acts like an angel because he knows I won't put up with it. My mother says .."I know I spoiled him and let him get away with things...but it's too late for me to start changing things now" The truth is she likes his snotty little additude to other people and doesn't WANT to change it. Either way...as long as he behaves at my house and doesn't walk all over me, it's fine. They are so little and cute..it's easy to fall into carrying them everywhere and not expecting much of them in the way of manners. How many times have you seen a video clip on Americas Funniest Home videos of a dog growling at an owner or snapping at them....and everybody thinks it's cute and harmelss....until the dog bites a child in the face...then it's not funny anymore and it's "bad dog". It's really not fair. I'm glad you are wanting to make a dog with good manners your companion!

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susan_cude@hotmail.com
Member

Posts: 813
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-07-2004 10:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for susan_cude@hotmail.com     Edit/Delete Message
Well said! Maisey... that is what I was talking about with my sisters dog. They think it is so funny when he growls at people when they try to hug my sister, it just ticks me off!!!

Great advise you all had there, nothing to add except good luck! and hope it all goes well with you....

Susan

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Nik
Member

Posts: 115
From:UK
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-08-2004 04:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Nik     Edit/Delete Message
Isn't it funny how we can't see the things our dogs do that appear 'wrong' to others?

Before I got Floob I was forever saying how my brothers dog was a nuisance. He would jump up, scratch, chew EVERYTHING on the floor, steel things and chew them, not listen to a word said to him... now I have Floob and he's doing all those things lol.

At least Floobs still learning, and does listen most of the time. but still, I know his little pesty thing must annoy others.

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susan_cude@hotmail.com
Member

Posts: 813
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-08-2004 10:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for susan_cude@hotmail.com     Edit/Delete Message
Nik, Don't get me wrong, I love thier dog! He's the Daddy to my Shi tzu. And I know my dogs have many "and I do mean many" faults.

What I meant by that is: someday a child is going to get bit because they never curved that bad behavior, he's already bit my Brother in-law several times. Even my sister a few times.

I think that sort of thing needs to be nipped in the bud before they get out of control.

Susan

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MaryNH
Member

Posts: 240
From:Campton, NH USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-09-2004 05:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MaryNH     Edit/Delete Message
I have a friend who has the ShihTzu from hell...and it's cause she lets the dog tell her how life is gonna be. This dog has bitten her many times - even sent her to the ER twice yet she continues to let him rule her day!!!!

She won't change either. He bites her when she rolls over in bed - I told her crate the little bast**d she won't cause he whines. He falls asleep on her lap on the sofa and if she touches him he bites her - I told her don't let him on the furniture she won't stop him cause he whines.

He's bitten her many times, bitten a one year old child, bitten her nephews and she finds excuses each time for his behavior which she has allowed to escalate.

Start making your dog realize just where he stands in the pack before he gets much older and it'll be much easier. I keep telling this person I know that I'm bringing my son over so she can pay for his college education after her dog bites him. Now if my GSD acted like that I'd lose my homeowner's insurance and would probably lose everything else after I got sued for her biting...but cause she has a little dog it seems to be more acceptahble - I really hate that.

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