Possesive Dog to Dog aggression. Please Help.

**MonicanHonda** · 11-11-2009, 07:51 PM

Try the Nothing In Life Is Free deal. Whenever she does anything for Strummer, your mother in law should make Strummer do something to receive whatever she is receiving. Sit before eating, going outside, putting the leash on. Tricks before eating, being pet, laying down and snuggling.

Along with Karen's suggestion of course. Basic obedience will be a good thing. I would try and get both owners to go too. It's a nice bonding time.

**Christen1285** · 11-11-2009, 08:53 PM

Strummer apparently used to live happily with two chihuahuas, so it's not just small dogs... Will obedience class help the possessiveness? I know it'll definitely be beneficial in other areas for Strummer, but right now the possession she displays for her owners is my main concern... since it seems to escalate her to violence. And how does a dog get so possessive over owners she's only known for 6 hours?

**Karen** · 11-11-2009, 10:56 PM

Yes, it will absolutely helps the possessive behavior. She decided within arrival that she was top dog, your mum-in-law was hers to protect and rule, and no one has told her otherwise! Obedience training will certainly help that, and will help your mum-in-law and you deal with the aggression when it happens.

**Christen1285** · 11-12-2009, 12:35 PM

Okay, good.

If I for some reason cannot convince my in-laws to do an obedience class with her, what can/should I do when this happens? And what can I do to prevent it from happening.

My Mother-in-law is certain that if they play outside a few times it'll be fine, I don't think she sees how Strummer has become possessive of her, not just the house and toys. However Strummer oddly enough didn't mind when my dog was at her food...

**Karen** · 11-12-2009, 01:43 PM

Sign her up - and go with her a few times, make it a "fun together" time. It is hard, but as she is the one Strummer is focussed on, I don't think there is anything you can do without her participation.

**Miranda_Rae** · 11-13-2009, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by MonicanHonda

Try the Nothing In Life Is Free deal. Whenever she does anything for Strummer, your mother in law should make Strummer do something to receive whatever she is receiving. Sit before eating, going outside, putting the leash on. Tricks before eating, being pet, laying down and snuggling.

Along with Karen's suggestion of course. Basic obedience will be a good thing. I would try and get both owners to go too. It's a nice bonding time.

Oh i totallly agree with this post. Its VERY helpful. I did it with my dog when we were having some dominance issues and it worked wonders! Another good idea would be to make sure Strummer does not sleep in the bed with your MIL. I had Heidi sleeping in bed with me and she started to show dominance issues and I kicked he out of my bed and she now sleeps in her kennel and that practically solved the dominance issues, just by doing that alone! I think the Nothing in Life is free program is wonderful and I agree that obedience classes are very good. That way Strummer can get used to other dogs being around your MIL and your MIL petting other dogs! Good luck! keep us posted!

**Christen1285** · 11-20-2009, 12:03 PM

Well, my in laws won't do obedience class - we even offered to pay for one as a christmas present - they think strummer is doing fine and is the best dog they've ever had.

Strummer doesn't sleep on their bed, so that's already done.

She was better with my dog the second time around - but still their just something there that I can't quite put my finger on - I don't trust the dog...
My dog just isn't visiting on days when I can't be right there to prevent any injuries - which is sad , my dog loves going over my IL's, but her safety and possible vet bills come first!
Strummer is a great dog - especially as a walking partner for my MIL, and my MIL is absolutely in-love with Strummer (which is a big deal - she hasn't liked the past 2 dogs they had at all) I hope that as she settles in more and more that she'll be okay - when my husband and I have children we want to feel confident that they can run up to grandma and not get hurt.

My MIL is reading a book by Caesar Milan and is currently working with Strummer to walk beside her instead of ahead - she says Strummer is doing very well with it and doesn't pull to go ahead.

So on the outside Strummer is better trained than our dog currently - our dog won't walk nicely on a leash - she just wants to run and run... she get's so hyper - any ideas for her? We can't use a gentle lead (the kind that go behind the head and around the nose...) because she doesn't have a long enough nose... haha We tried using the leash the way Milan does - sort of as a soft choke collar, but that didn't work she just kept choking herself... If you tell her "wait" she waits for you to catch up, but then takes off running again... we usually give in instead of holding the leash tightly to our side because she will keep pulling and choke herself... it sounds so horrible as we're walking because she's wheezing as if she were dying... people stare and I feel like they think I'm harming my dog...

My next attempt was going to be to put peanut butter on my hand so she'd stay near my side looking up at my hand, then when she's walking well I'd lower my hand and give her a lick of the peanut butter. But she's so short it'd be pretty awkward to do so I'd actually have to stop to give her the treat.

**Karen** · 11-20-2009, 12:33 PM

Have you tried a harness instead of a collar with her? Then, it is all up to you. The INSTANT she starts to pull, stop walking, and tell her to sit. Then walk to where she is, and start walking again. But as soon as she starts to pull, do it again. You will feel completely ridiculous, but she will eventually get the message: if she pulls, she doesn't get to walk. Make sure everyone who walks her does this. Be consistent, do this every walk, every day, and she will learn!