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Topic: Similar Post: Help with barking
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preciousjeni
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posted May 02, 2004 12:46 PM
I have a seven to eight week old pound puppy that I got a week ago. At first, he seemed depressed, so I loved on him, fed him well and exercised him. Now he's a spunky and headstrong little man. However, he has taken to barking at me when I look him in the eye. I was told to make SURE to look him in the eye by my trainer to let him know that I am in command.
Not only does he bark viciously, but he also growls (and his little lips quiver), he turned his head to the side and cuts his eye at me and he sits with his haunches up and his front paws down.
I don't know if this is something he'll grow out of!! Help!
The only thing that has worked (I live in an apartment and he can't just bark all the time) is to confine him to the bathroom until he calms down. As soon as I don't hear him anymore, I'll let him out. That has worked so far. But, can anyone tell me why he's doing this and maybe a better way to train him? We're going back to see the trainer a few Mondays from now.
[ May 02, 2004, 12:47 PM: Message edited by: preciousjeni ]
Posts: 9 | From: Athens, GA USA | Registered: May 2004
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lou3
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posted May 02, 2004 02:50 PM
try growling back!
make sure your growl is deeper and louder than his - then roll him over and hold him on his back. He'll soon get the idea that you are in charge.
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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Moo
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posted May 02, 2004 02:54 PM
Growl back, crouch over him and bite his nose. I did it a couple times and gained complete respect.
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Kirby's Homepage
Posts: 9 | From: Vancouver, BC | Registered: May 2004
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ellierat
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posted May 02, 2004 03:19 PM
When you look at a dog straight in the eyes, to them it is a sign of agression, hence his response. It is the most direct way of gaining control over a dog, so long as you are bigger and can take them on. He is just unsure whether you are about to attack or mucking around, do as Lou has stated, but I wouldn't advise biting his nose, not only will it put him off, but you can get heaps of germs.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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dogluva_nz
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posted May 02, 2004 03:26 PM
Please don't bite your puppy on the nose. Do a search with google for NILIF. (nothing in life is free) Your puppy is only young. I hardly think it would be a dominance issue or anything like that. To me how you are trying to explain how his body posture is, it may well be trying to play. ?? If your puppy is trying to play and you Alpha roll it and bite it on the nose, you could end up with one very fearful dog. Are you aware of the "Play Bow"? Some puppies do have a Play growl. Your trainer is right that you should be able to look your dog in the eye. Even if he barks, stand tall and confident, the instant your puppy looks away, praise it. Start some firm leadership with him now. You eat first, walk through doors first etc. Your trainer has probably made you aware of the leadership role. It is good you are putting him for that confinement period, and your doing right by not letting him out until he settles down. If you let him out while he is barking and carrying on, it will only make him bark all the more next time. I think it would be a good idea to talk to your trainer about all of this. Perhaps your trainer could see your puppy in your home?
Posts: 41 | Registered: Mar 2004
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Barbara Smith
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posted May 02, 2004 04:41 PM
You got some good advice from Dog Luva! There is only one thing she didn't mention and that is that your pup may have fear aggression. That means that your pup is afraid of things and noises. He doesn't know what to expect so he barks at everything and anything.
I have a dog with fear aggression. She wants to attack the brush if I brush her hair, she is afraid of the towel when I dry her, she is afraid of strangers until she gets used to them after a few minutes, she barks at noises. In order to help this problem, you have to learn to desensitize your pup. You really need to buy a good book on how to train your dog or buy a tape.
We have been working with our dog for a long time. She has gotten alot better but still has a ways to go before she will feel almost totally confident. The reason it is taking us so long is that we got her at 7 wks. old. That is much too young for a pup to leave the nest. I wish I had known then what I know now.
Good Luck and may you have lots of patience!
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Barbara Smith
Posts: 127 | From: Norf.,Va | Registered: Apr 2004
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preciousjeni
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posted May 02, 2004 09:19 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Barbara Smith:
You got some good advice from Dog Luva! There is only one thing she didn't mention and that is that your pup may have fear aggression. That means that your pup is afraid of things and noises. He doesn't know what to expect so he barks at everything and anything.
I have a dog with fear aggression. She wants to attack the brush if I brush her hair, she is afraid of the towel when I dry her, she is afraid of strangers until she gets used to them after a few minutes, she barks at noises. In order to help this problem, you have to learn to desensitize your pup. You really need to buy a good book on how to train your dog or buy a tape.
We have been working with our dog for a long time. She has gotten alot better but still has a ways to go before she will feel almost totally confident. The reason it is taking us so long is that we got her at 7 wks. old. That is much too young for a pup to leave the nest. I wish I had known then what I know now.
Good Luck and may you have lots of patience!
OH NO! That's what I was afraid of! I got him at six weeks old. Before that, he had been in the pound, then adopted. In that home was an adult chihuahua (spelling?) that yipped at him constantly. His previous family brought him back to the pound because he couldn't get along with the other dog. He was there for a while before I got him. It really worries me because if I got him at six weeks of age, what horrible things did he experience before he came to live with me?? ![[Frown]](frown.gif) Poor baby!
By the way, thanks for all the responses! You've really given me some great things to try out!!
Posts: 9 | From: Athens, GA USA | Registered: May 2004
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DaxAriel's toy
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posted May 03, 2004 06:27 AM
You are doing the right things... Placing him in an area away from you signals that he can only come out if he behaves himself.
As for fear/aggression the key is to give the dog confident & security. However, you will still need to work on dominance. There are lots of games, exercises to do with him to establish your dominance without fear. Holding him in your arms while he is on his back (Cradling) shows him you are dominant. Tug of war games that you control.
You don't say how long you've had him but bonding takes time. I wouldn't do the stare down to prove you are dominant - YOU HAVE THE FOOD & CONTROL YOU ARE DOMINANT. Your every interaction with him should tell him that.
If you go back you will see I was concerned about my little Ariel but it's amazing the difference a month makes. I am no longer a stranger who she has to defend her food from. I am the giver of all good things!
He is young and easily frighten so for fear I would go down to his level and check out everything that he is nervous of. Once he learns you as the pack leader will always protect him, his confidence will build. Be sure to expose him to lots of new experiences and make them as pleasant as possible.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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sambucca/whiskey
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posted May 16, 2004 01:38 AM
Well we have a alot in common. I unfortunatley didnt know better than to get my puppy at 6 wks.
Hate to say it if it is you he is barking at and such this definitley sounds like dominance. I made the same mistake again being so young I coddled him, luved on him, left food out, played when he wanted to.
So here are the basics on NILIF.
1. You control food on a schedule.
2. You decide when to play or cuddle otherwise ignore him.
3. No couch, bed privelages until he has earned them if you want him there.
4. You only walk when you want to once again on schedule every hour as a puppy 1/2 hr after water or food.
5. Begin basic obedience right way. Sit, down, leave it. (Make him do one or all of these before he gets anything.)
i know if you havent heard of these methods they seem harch but it really doesnt take long most people told me months my puppy got the idea.
DO NOT DO THE ALPHA ROLL OVER. You do not show dominance just scare him and if you cant do this as an adult and control the situation you will be brought down in the pack order or worse.
You may place your self over him on his stomach in a down position, do growl , if he bit or nipped you nip his ear not nose just enough that he yips not freaks a small squeel and you have given him a natural dog leader correction.
If he is just barking pin him down till he is calm or teather and ignore him.
Hope this helps worked wonders for Whiskey
Posts: 246 | Registered: May 2004
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