Need help w/ disciplining Lefty

**Smilla** · 01-21-2004, 12:20 PM

This a.m. I caught Lefty on our bed--again (I posted a thread previously, saying that he'd been getting up on the bed with more frequency ever since we brought him home from the kennel). I said "Off!" twice; when he didn't move I reached for his collar. He snapped at the air--nowhere near me, but the meaning was quite clear. I grabbed the blanket out from under him, and when he hopped off the bed, I held him by the collar and said, "Don't you EVER, EVER snap at me again!" I then gave him the silent treatment for the next 10 minutes while I got ready, and also during his walk. When we were done with the walk I opened the door to let him in, grabbed my stuff, and left, leaving him with snow still on his fur (I usually wipe him down, which he loves) and giving him no treats as I usually do before I leave.

All you dog behavioralists out there--do you think he "got it?" Is there something else I should have done, or something different? How should I behave when I get home from work?

Thanks!

**aly** · 01-21-2004, 12:25 PM

He won't relate your behavior when you get home to what he did this morning. Dogs have a 3-5 second association time, so everything you do needs to start within 5 seconds and not continue throughout the day.

You could put him on a tie down as a time out after he does something. I wouldn't put him in a crate so he doesn't start associating the crate with punishment.

It sounds like you have an extra issue though. Have you talked to an aggression specialist about his snapping? If he is snapping at you, it is REALLY good that you're not letting him on the bed. In fact, I wouldn't let him on any furniture. Also, make him work for EVERYTHING you give him so he knows YOU are alpha. Since he loves being wiped down after a walk, have him do a sit or a down even before you wipe him off. Don't let him initiate play or anything else either - you should stop and start every game.

I know I strayed from the topic a bit, sorry! I don't know if you talked about his snapping before so sorry if I'm just babbling for no reason.

**K9soul** · 01-21-2004, 12:41 PM

I'm no expert on this type of behavior, but it's obvious he's feeling a bit higher up in the pack than he should be. I would really recommend a book I have that I have always found to be very good in dealing with various problem behaviors, "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend" by the Monks of New Skete. It really goes into how to assert yourself as the alpha by using the language wolves use in the wild.

If interested in finding more out about it, here's a link from Amazon that has the description/reviews etc.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

They heavily emphasize eye contact and the role it plays between the alpha and the other members of the "pack."

I wish the best of luck with Lefty. It might be a good idea to contact a behaviorist as well for some advice or even your vet, but then it seems everyone has different advice on how to hanlde these things. In the end you have to decide the course of action that you feel is best for you and Lefty.

**Smilla** · 01-21-2004, 01:48 PM

I guess I'm a little upset because I thought we'd made so much progress in a really short period of time (I got him as a 6-year-old in October). Over the holidays, I even bragged to my family that I couldn't IMAGINE him snapping at me anymore.

I've got the New Skete book but haven't read it yet--I sort of "relaxed" a bit when I saw signs of progress. I certainly glared at him plenty this morning. I actually didn't even feel that mad (more disappointed), but I didn't want him to have any doubt that I was displeased.

I've been doing the "Nothing is Free" routine about 75% of the time recently. A lot of the time he's been doing things before I'll even ask (sitting while I make his dinner, etc.) Maybe I should move it to 100%, but frankly I'm worried that it'll be as little fun for me as it is for Lefty. I LOVE petting him--even when he initiates it--I LOVE having him cuddled up next to me on the couch, etc.

He probably wiped all the snow on his fur off on our bed after I left! I should start closing the door.

I think tonight I'll cut up some turkey hotdogs and make him do "puppy push-ups!" (Sit/down/sit/down on and on for treats.)

**lv4dogs** · 01-22-2004, 09:37 AM

yes i would do the nothing is free 100% of the time, also if he is already sitting before dinner than change it & make him lay down instead, or shake paws, anything as long as he has to work for it.

Also like stated before I wouldnt drag out the punishment all day long just catch him & discipline him withing a few seconds of the act & do not drag it out longer than 10 minutes or so. Then make him obay a command & then release him from punishment.

Personally sa far as the snapping thing I would of dragged him off the bed right away & made him lay on his back while I kneeled over him making him in the most submissive position.

Like you probably noticed, (he did too), you thought he was progressing so you let you guard down a bit he saw this as a perfect time to challenge you. I would continue with 100% nothing is free for at least 6 months or so before you go back down to 75% of the time. No matter what always continue this for the rest of his life, yes you can eventually lower it but never stop it for good.

**Smilla** · 01-22-2004, 10:21 AM

Aieee! I see how this is absolutely necessary, but it goes against all of my instincts. I'm barely able to walk by him without bending down to hug him, or grabbing one of his soft, warm ears...

I've been making him work for everything since yesterday. He either acts frustrated, like he thinks I should be handing him these things freely, or he looks at me like I'm a tyrant. Sometimes I wonder if he's doing it ONLY because he realizes that if he goes through the motions he'll get his food, etc., but that he doesn't truly believe that I'm dominant. Maybe over time he'll begin to see me that way.

I didn't drag him off the bed because to be quite honest, I'm a bit afraid of his big mouth and teeth. Maybe he can sense that.