Phoenix is in big trouble big trouble :(

[lv4dogs]

You're on the right track by starting with a behavorist.

I agree with the others. sasvermont ha some excellent advice.

I think your husband needs to be more involved with Pheonix. I'd start the NILIF (nothing in life is free) and make sure everyone in the house obeys by the NILIF too.
I'd have your husband feed the dog more often, spend some fun time together too. See if he can take 10 minutes twice a day and play a little fetch or go for a short walk with him.

I'd also enroll into an obedience class and have your whole family go & participate.

[Den Anne Pen]

UPDATE........

Well i thought i'd give you all an update on Phoenix.
I have been looking around for a very good trainer in the area and found one : )

He's kinda like a boot camp dog trainer of sorts i guess He's very expensive 750.00 but it's for 6 days a week and for 2 mths minimum.

He comes to the house to do the training. So he and i can do it in the envorment that he needs it in Phoenix had already shown improvement and it's only been a couple day.

The first thing he did when he came in the house was take the leash off and said that's not going to do anything except tell him it's not ok to do the stuff just when he's on leash. Where working hard on the cat issue but the domaince in Phoenix has decreased alot.

He has me do this wierd kinda thing i've never heard of before but when Phoenix is nipping to lay him down and put my mouth over his throat not hard just hold in there till he stops trying to get away.

I know my dogs play like that and he said that when the dogs play and the dog does that to the other that in dog terms there saying I WIN and the bottom dog will except that at the moment.

I have done it a few times and it has worked he gets up and looks at me like ok ok you win

So he's doing great with training so far just the big issue right now with the cats.

I'll keep you all updated on his progress thank you all for the resonses

[lv4dogs]

Thats great news! The price actually seems a little cheap considering how often & for how long he's going to be working with you. Around me trainers charge by the hour, about $75/hour, 1 hour a day, 6 days a week for 8 weeks is $3600!

I'm glad to hear he is improving! I don't like the leash idea either for any type of that training, like you said it only teaches the dog to behave when he's on the leash.
I hope he continues to improve! I'm looking forward to seeing updates & training secrets!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

So he's doing great with training so far just the big issue right now with the cats

Glad he's doing so well - would love to hear how to cope with the cat issue!!