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Original poster

Anyone Who Knows LOTS about Dogs!!!!

15 replies

MellowMa · 03/05/2007 16:14

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ConnieDescending · 03/05/2007 16:20

She's re-establishing her hierachy.

Try getting your children to put her food bowl down for her. If they are too young, make a big deal about feeding your children before her.

If your children, or the cat come near you when pup is sitting there, make the dog move so they can be closer.

Give her lots of praise for appropriate interaction.

Does she have a place of her own in new house yet? She needs to know where her sleeping/ relaxing place is....put water next to her basket so she knows.

Do not tolerate any futher growling. Remove her from room if she does this.

Wags · 03/05/2007 16:28

Hi MellowMa..... so you have left BIGMALE dog behind then!!

It does sound like she has become unsettled and maybe trying to establish a place above you and the children. Maybe her season and the move haven't helped. How long ago did the season start? She may be going into a phantom, is she carrying toys around sleeping with them more or getting possesive about her toys? Do her teats look a bit more swollen or if they could be filling up with milk?

You need to do everything to keep her bottom of the pile as it were. So this pretty much means not allowing her into a 'higher' position that the children. So DC come up for cuddles but not her, don't let her on the furniture, don't let her upstairs or on your beds etc all this helps keep her in her place. When you come in from a walk with her you all go in the door first and she waits then comes in, not her charge in first in front of all of you. Certainly I am guessing that her hormones and the move won't have helped. Were you a bit more precious with her whilst all this was going on, this may have led her to think that she is creeping up the pecking order. Just ideas really, very difficult to know without seeing the situation. If she came from a reputable breeder would they be able to give you advice? Anyone else you know from the breed that could help. Local dog trainers. When I had problems with my dog I went to the vet who recommended someone. I phoned them and they gave me phone advice and would have also visited if I had needed it. The phone advice was free but the visit would have cost, but its well worth it.

If you do think she might be having a phantom, then she needs to have the toys taken away from her (I had to hide all of my DC's dolls and cuddly toys when my bitch had a phantom else she tried to feed them), cut her food down a bit and get her out for loads of walks to take her mind off it.

Original poster

MellowMa · 03/05/2007 16:28

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hebetalbot · 03/05/2007 16:30

It does sound that she is trying to assert herself above other members of the 'pack'. Our dog has done this on occasions. We do things like making her sit and wait for food. We feed the cats before her. We also put her food bowl down and will not let her go to it until we say so. The command is 'eat up'. If she wants to go into the garden (she will stand by the door) we won't just let her out but make her do something like sit or lay down and tell her to go when we decide. We try not to let her be the first down the stairs - we make her go last. We also encourage dd (3yrs) to give commands. All this helps her realise that her place is the bottom of the pack. Because of the way packs are structured dogs are constantly trying to establish their dominance so it is something that you have to constantly work at. I also read that when dogs greet you after you have been out it is best to totally ingnore any manic behaviour or jumping up. When they have calmed down then say hallo to them. Jumping up and generally being in your face is another way dogs try to assert their dominance. That tip has certainly helped us as our dog is the size of a german shepherd. I hope it make sense and helps. Im sure I can come up with other stuff if you need any further help

Wags · 03/05/2007 16:31

My bitch gets very hungry and becomes more of a food thief than she already is when she is approaching a phantom.

Original poster

MellowMa · 03/05/2007 16:39

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hercules1 · 03/05/2007 20:00

Actually the whole pack theory has pretty much been discredited now. I am no expert though on how to advise and suggest you get some expert advice from a behaviourist.

oops · 04/05/2007 00:47

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Original poster

MellowMa · 04/05/2007 07:44

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WriggleJiggle · 04/05/2007 22:19

Sounds like you're doing everything right. One of our dogs was very unsettled for a while afer moving house and new baby. She started being aggressive towards other dogs. We did exactly the same as other people have suggested - re establishing routines, listening to commands, extra walks, and teaching her some pointless new tricks, just to give her some sort of firm but positive guidance. She is now much better, although she now wears a muzzle when likely to meet new dogs until she gets to know them.

magnolia1 · 12/05/2007 11:11

Our eldes dog alwasys got like this after her season. Lasted a few weeks and was quite worrying. We took her to the vets who reccommended getting her spayed which we did and no problems since..... well apart from pee'ing everywhere but thats a seperate thread

Nbg · 12/05/2007 11:15

You can get a plug in thing from the Vets which give off pheremones in the air.
Its supposed to settle dogs when they are like this.

My BIL had one when their 2 dogs started to fight and it worked.

Think they are about £20. Ask about them when you see your Vet.

hellobello · 13/05/2007 17:59

How's your dog, MellowMa? I think the vet would be the best place to start. If you have a behaviour or training issue, I've found the people who write in Your Dog magazine helpful. It's easy to forget that just because someone contributes to a magazine that they are real people! Robert Alleyne is brilliant and very kind, but it all depends on what the problem is and where you live. Hope it's ok though.

Hopeitwontbebig · 23/05/2007 12:16

Hi, I haven't read all of the posts, so apologise if I'm repeating what others have said.

But it sounds like she is struggling to establish her place in the 'pack'. Dogs feel unsettled and insecure if they think they need to be top-dog because they believe they need to be very protective of certain family members.

Here's my advice for what's it's worth!!

Feed dog last
If entering or leaving a room/house, don't let dog push through first, the dog always must follow.
Don't allow the dog to be in a position to look down on anyone, ie standing at the top of the stairs etc.
Try and ignore any requests for attention, YOU control the times when you want to play, and YOU stop playing before the dog decides it gets bored.
If you notice any unwanted behaviours, immediately remove the dog from the room closing the door - she'll soon get the message.
Maybe get a 'clicker', timing is everything, as soon as she shows desirable behaviour click and reward with a treat immediately. Eventually you can drop the treats, and she'll find the clicking sound rewarding by itself.

Like I said before, I am sorry if this has been written already!!

Good luck x

Hopeitwontbebig · 23/05/2007 12:17

I've just had a flick through the rest of the posts, and apologise as I've seen lots of suggestions regarding hormones..... could be !

Good luck.. again!!

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