OT: working dogs

If its a breed that is likely to be problematic, you start by hand-feeding them from their bowls when they're babies, so that they're used to you being around while they eat and they're used to your hand in their bowls. When I was younger, I had a cocker spaniel and lots of nieces and nephews. Easiest thing is to keep the kids away from the dog, but in a household the size of my parents' that's not always possible. I taught my dog to tolerate having his bowl taken away by doing it and giving it back immediately. You can also give it back with something really yummy in it that wasn't there before. If the dog expects that you'll add something, he's less likely to complain about giving it up for a second or two. Satin never growled at me over his food, but he would sometimes put his nose in the bowl and pin it to the floor to keep me from taking it. *giggle*

What I did with Cash, I don't really recommend. It didn't occur to me that it would be a problem, so when he growled at me at 6 months, I spoke harshly to him, took the bowl away, and made him do doggie sit ups to get it back (sit, down, sit, down, sit "good boy!"). Just taking the bowl away like that is risky, but I was pretty perturbed that he'd growled (I also at that point had a reliable sit and down on the dog and knew he'd do what I asked). I then made a habit of approaching him while he ate, taking his bowl, telling him how good he is, and giving it back. He doesn't like it, but he doesn't threaten me anymore, either. In fact, he usually pulls his head up as soon as I approach and waits for me to go away. If he does that, I don't bother to touch his bowl. I just tell him he's good and go on about my business.

Harry growled at me once when he was in his crate with his bone. I made him come out of his crate by speaking harshly to him (I would have tipped the crate over if I'd had to, but NEVER reach into a dog's crate after him - that's a guaranteed way to get bitten), then took the bone from him and made him do sit ups. He's never growled at me over anything again. But as I said elsewhere, Harry has an almost perfect temperment and he's smart. Cash is neither as perfect nor as smart (but I love him better). *grin*

Elizabeth

Thanks. It helps to know I'm on the right track and to have additional ideas. Never thought of making Parker do a work out when he's done a behavior I'm not fond of.

Dianne

It's not so much for when you don't like the behavior as it is for reinforcing who's boss. DH used to just hand out treats and then wonder why the dogs paid no attention to him. When he started sheep herding with them, he had to change his relationship with them, which meant no more free treats. You want a biscuit? You have to do something for me. You growled at me over your bone? Well, it's now my bone and you have to do something for me. Since you growled, you have to do multiple somethings - hence the doggie push ups.

If you google for Nothing In Life is Free or Regimen for a Recalcitrant Rover, you'll find this better explained than I've done here.

Elizabeth

If only the same thing worked on cats. There is an ongoing battle over whose house this is, and who makes the rules about who gets to sit on the bed. Miss Kitty has Emilie persuaded "my house, my bed, my rules" to the point that Em hesitates to get up on the bed, even when I tell her it's OK.

I'd love to be able to make Kitty "drop and give me 50" when she gets that attitude, but trying to give a cat an order....

I can just see you standing there, clad in leather, ordering sit ups and cracking a whip lol RDH

You've forgotten the old saying "dogs have owners, cats have staff"

My cat takes orders. People who say that you can't train a cat simply don't know how to do it.

Everyone has the pet they deserve.

Elizabeth

Everyone says I have the perfect pet (except for his being high maintenance) and if what you say is true, I'm poifect too; said she modestly.

Oh how I wish that were true. ;*))

Bucket appeared to pay attention - if it suited him - if he thought it was worth his while - if those factors were absent, he went about his way.

Kitty will take CERTAIN orders. If someone is here who is allergic to cats, she will obey "go to your room", but not when I'm here alone. And she'll usually obey "come here".

But she'd never obey "drop and give me 50", just like she won't obey "stop swatting your sister".

If he's high maintenance, then it's because you like him that way. If he's perfect, then it's because you deserve perfection.

Elizabeth

Well, sure and there are dogs who wouldn't drop and give you 50 without a fight.

I'm always amazed at people who get certain kinds of dogs and are then surprised when the dog won't do X. I have herding dogs - they tend to listen to me. But it's foolish for my tenant to expect her Siberian Husky to behave the way my Tervs do. Different breed bred for entirely different characteristics.

Elizabeth

se.- Hide quoted text -

I must be hallucinating. Why is it newsworthy when a dog gets eaten by a gator.

mk5000

" You know, Lois, I'm really not comfortable talking about this amelodically"--. Brian Griffin: Family Guy

I must be hallucinating. Why is it newsworthy when a dog gets eaten by a gator.

mk5000

" You know, Lois, I'm really not comfortable talking about this amelodically"--. Brian Griffin: Family Guy

One--As a warning to irresponsible owners that pets shouldn't be allowed to roam free when you know there are big gators in our waterways.

Two--It could just as easily be a small child and that's been known to happen.

Three--We do have a major problem with alligators here in Florida, especially in the dry season, and it serves as a reminder to stupid people that they exist and that they will grab anything they can reach.

and finally,

Just to remind people that alligators are big, scary, stupid and extraordinarily dangerous beasts and they shouldn't ever be tangled with.

That idiot came here from another group, it was cross posted. Add to your remarks for those of the Darwin leaning that 'gators are extremely fast when they strike, they deserve a lot of respect.

I've only ever been in states where they feed them marshmallows, so I sort of figured they weren't the badasses you sometimes see in the news "Over the years, I've been able to name the gators. I've seen the same ones. I feed the alligators marshmallows," Billiot said, holding up a bag of the white puffy treats he keeps for his reptile friends. He explained that alligators stay hidden during the cold winter months. In early spring and summer, tourists usually spot numerous alligators during the swamp tour.

"My gypsy biker's coming home Whoa! La la la la La la la la"--bruce sprinsteen

Orlando is the home of tourist attractions and you'll find plenty to do.

But do make sure to learn to respect the alligators. They are big and they are bad and anyone who feeds one marshmallows is purely and simply an idiot.>

This is being cross posted, we do not want another 'puppy' episode !

Right you are. I'll be more careful. :-((