Hi kathy39,
I'm sure you realize teaching a puppy is a lot easier than teaching a
grown dog. But, result can be had with consistency from you, and
praise and reward for the dog. Sometimes teaching an older dog is a
bit easier because all the puppy craziness has long gone! :)
Any and all suggestions would apply to any breed. Biting/nipping from
behind is a common problem. You can teach your dog not to do this
anymore. The bad news is, if he is not doing this behavior with you,
it's going to take some co-operation from the people he is 'herding'.
Because he's not applying this bad behavior to you, it's fairly
apparent that you have established with him that you are the Alpha Dog
in the pack. That's the good news!
Also, I'm sure you're aware that all undesirable behaviour is best
'nipped in the bud' (excuse the pun) when you're training a puppy.
However, you can teach an older dog not to bite, nip, growl, etc.
What you're going to do is NOT react.
When the dog perceives a reaction, and that means positive or negative
from it's human - the dog has accomplished what he has set out to do.
And that's get attention. If you ignore the dog the behavior will
stop because he's seeing no one cares to play, no one is interested in
how he's acting.
I know this sounds weird. But it works. Don't punish the dog,
because to a dog punishment is better than ignore. Also positive
reinforcement works best with animals. They love to please!
What should be done is a very quick and loud "NO BITE!!!!" Once. Then
walk away from the dog, basically ignoring him for a period of time -
say 15 minutes. Or, crate the dog for a period of time when he
misbehaves.
Or, a loud shriek or scream coming from the human being nipped at.
Acting mortally wounded.
Don't play 'chase me' games with the dog. Probably best not to play
tug-of-war games also at this point.
Do exercise the dog daily so he can work off doggy tensions. Also
provide lots of chew toys because they also release doggy stresses.
Do teach your dog to sit, lie down, and come on command.
Make sure he's getting an over abundance of love, praise and attention
when he's acting like good dog...
===============================================================================
Dog Training in Southern California by Karen Price This is a Forum
page: play biting - non stop - everything everyone
http://dogtraining.xp.com/read.html?postid=848&replies=10
Question: "help my lab/bassett mix will not stop bitting he does not
bite hard but play bites, he bites at our ankles., hands, pants, jumps
on us and bites, bites when we pet him, my god we cant pet him he just
tries to bite at our hands ..i need some help what to do...i held his
mouth shut, tried the "NO.BAD DOG",spank with paper..please help"
10 Replies from a variety of dog owners.
just walk away from your dog. point, say NO! ever time do that.they
don't like to be left along for to long. try that for awhile.
[edit]
"You could try this, it worked for me. Every time he bites yelp like
it really hurts. It stopped my dogs in their tracks, but I have had
mixed feedback from a few people who said that this made the puppy
more excited and bitey, so if that doesn't work you could try saying
"no bite" everytime he does, have a treat ready to give him if he
stops biting and praise him and give treat for stopping when told to.
If it's any consolation all puppies do this and eventually do grow out
of it, but obviously we have to give the message that biting is
unacceptable. You could also try grabbing his muzzle when he bites and
say "no bite" or you could look away from him when he bites and fold
you hands away from him, he may then get the message that biting will
get him no attention what-so-ever. Others have tried having someone
else in the same room as you and the pup to spray with a little water
when bites you. This way he won't associate the water with you but
will associate the act of biting with an unpleasant shock of cold
water coming out of nowhere. Try them all, one of them is bound to
work!"
===============================================================================
Dumb Friends League - Dealing with Normal Puppy Behavior: Nipping and Rough Play
http://ddfl.org/behavior/pupnip.htm
Jumping Up
"When your puppy jumps up on you, she wants attention. Whether you
push her away, knee her in the chest or step on her hind legs, she?s
being rewarded for jumping up (even though it?s negative attention,
she?s still getting what she wants).
When Your Puppy Jumps Up:
Fold your arms in front of you, turn away from her and say "off."
Continue to turn away from her until all four of her feet are on the
ground, then quietly praise her and give her a treat. If she knows the
"sit" command, give the command when all four of her feet are on the
ground, then quietly praise her and give her a treat her while she?s
in the sitting position.
When you begin to praise her, if she begins to jump up again, simply
turn away and repeat step two, above. Remember to keep your praise
low-key.
When your puppy realizes that she gets no attention from you while
she?s jumping up, but does get attention when she stops jumping up and
sits, she?ll stop jumping up. Remember, once you?ve taught her to come
and sit quietly for attention, you must reward her behavior. Be
careful not to ignore her when she comes and sits politely, waiting
for your attention.
What Not To Do
Attempts to tap, slap or hit your puppy in the face for nipping or
jumping up are almost guaranteed to backfire. Several things may
happen, depending on your puppy's temperament and the severity of the
correction:"
[edit]
===============================================================================
Very good article: Dog Crazy
http://mikaylakennels.com/newpuppyinfo/info7.htm
"When she nips at ankles, say a stern No!, pick her up, and put her in
the crate for 10 minutes. If she persists in the behavior upon
release, repeat the discipline."
[edit]
"... will respond to sit and down, you can use those commands to calm
her down and avoid the ankle-biting that occurs when she gets
excited."
[edit]
===============================================================================
AusPet Message Boards
http://www.auspet.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000189.html
Question: "I have a Lapsa Apso that is 1 yr old. She is always bitting
on peoples socks as they walk. It doesn't hurt but is very annoying
any awnswers on how to make her stop?"
Answer posted by Glori (copy and pasted as written)
"it is not a ood idea to play games like tug-of-war or hand games with
your dog as he/she may think that it is ok to bite or nibble on a
human. your dog sees your pant leg or hands as a part of your body. in
order to stop this annoying behaviour, and to stop aggression from
escalating, it is best to stop playing these games with your dog.
Also, if you catch your dog doing this, such as biting on ur pant leg
or nipping at your heels, gently, but firmly grab him by the muzzle,
look him in the eye and shout 'NO BITE' in a firm voice. wait until he
has calmed down and then let him go. I have tried this with my dogs as
i have a husky that will chew on ANYTHING. i asked a trainer for tips
and this is what he told me. After awhile, a firm 'no bite' will let
the doggie know that it is not alright to do so. don't be worried
about being 'inhumane' as this is what mothers do to their pups in the
wild.
another method would be to scream like a pup when ur dog does this.
when pups play bite, and one screams, immediately the other pup will
stop as he knows that he is biting too hard. do so everytime he nips
at your feet and hands and this behaviour should stop as well."
===============================================================================
Puppy Play-Biting
http://www.wagntrain.com/PlayBiting.htm
"Young puppies are notorious at biting your hands - and those sharp
puppy teeth can be very painful! But rest assured that this is a very
normal thing - it doesn't mean that your pup is aggressive, just that
she is young. If you watch a litter of puppies interacting with each
other, you'll see them biting each other all the time. The problem is
that they often mistake our hands and clothes and ankles as being just
like their littermates."
===============================================================================
Another one of my animal questions I've answered can be viewed here.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=214780
The advice given was animal behavior training. As a last resort, this
might be what you'll want to do. The benefits are amazing. As for
cost, this can vary depending on where you live, size of class, length
of classes, etc.
===============================================================================
In closing, I'm wondering if this was something you posted in Sep 2002?
"This is my problem: my 1 1/2 year Shiba-Inu, named Tatsu, has a
strange behavior(s) (there are more), the only way I can describe it
is to say it looks like he is stocking my mother's feet. That is to
say it is like he watches her feet (as well as other females' feet)
then tries to get behind her and nips at her heals or the calves of
her legs. It reminds me of what I have been told a Border Collie does
when herding sheep or goats. He really loves my..."
[edit]
"At times my mother is ready to give up on Tatsu because the foot
thing is frightening. My fear is that Tatsu may accidentally trip my
mother (she is 81 years old) with his "foot stocking" and especially
the nipping as seniors sometimes do heal as quickly."
===============================================================================
Google search:
stop dog nipping feet
prevent dog nipping at ankles
dog herding feet
aggressive biting and nipping feet
Best regards,
tlspiegel |
Request for Answer Clarification by
kathy39-ga
on
24 Dec 2003 06:06 PST
Thank you for your prompt answer. Yes the question below re 1 /2 year
Shiba-Inu is mine. I got Tatsu when he was 1 yr old, so I had had him
6 months. He is almost 3 years old now and I have had had him for 2
years. The problem has excellerated greatly! Your answers make
sense, but seem geared for puppies. Also he is biting (breaking the
skin) more than nipping, which I should have emphasized. Please
provide some "solutions" for adult dogs. One other thing, I can
rarley catch him after he has misbehaved. I have tried using a
muzzle, when I can catch him, just for biting and barking.
|
Clarification of Answer by
tlspiegel-ga
on
24 Dec 2003 09:53 PST
Hi Kathy39,
Thank you for the information verifying the dog is Tatsu. I'll be
replying to your clarification as soon as I can... pre-occupied at the
moment with holiday stuff! As soon as I'm finished (won't take too
much longer) I'll be posting here again.
Best regards,
tlspiegel
|
Clarification of Answer by
tlspiegel-ga
on
24 Dec 2003 10:21 PST
Hi kathy,
I'm sorry your experience has escalated. While I'm tying up some
loose ends here I have a several questions to you so you can help me
understand more of what's going on.
OK... let's start with the basics. Dog is biting and breaking skin.
This is much worse than implied in your original question. Do not
tolerate any biting EVE. NEVER tolerate a dog biting, EVER.
Dogs need to be socialized. With other dogs and most importantly with
humans. Tatsu has never learned what is proper and what isn't.
I'm posting several questions to you so you can help me understand
more of what's going on. I'd like you to clarify:
- Is the dog up to date on his vaccinations?
- When has the dog last had an exam by the veterinarian?
- Does the biting start when someone enters your house at the doorway
and continue on into the house?
- Or is he following people around in the house and behaving badly just at random.
- Is he getting a good mental and physical workout every day. By
mental, I'm referring to commands such as sit, stay, lie down, etc.
Things commanded by you without a treat given. The dog just does what
you ask it to do. You only have to command once, and the dog obliges.
By physical, I mean walks/runs in a park, long walks with you. Play
time where you throw a ball and he brings it back for more play.
Physical exercise is mandatory for a dog. Not only for health
reasons, but to work off tensions.
- Is he getting enough rest, because a tired dog is going to be less tolerant.
- Does he have a crate? Or a place he can go to when he wants to
escape from the world. Even if he never goes into it willingly, can
you place him somewhere for a 'time out'. (Which is done calmly and
without any emotion on your part.) The crate can be a lifesaver.
I'll be posting more soon, but for now - if Google Answers sends you
email notification, please reply if you have the time. (back to
workies in the house!) :)
Thanks,
tlspiegel
|
Clarification of Answer by
tlspiegel-ga
on
24 Dec 2003 11:00 PST
Hi kathy,
You can train an older dog. Most everything done in training a puppy
- will apply to an older dog.
But, YOU cannot train the dog to stop biting. Since you're dealing
with an aggressive behavior you cannot do this yourself, the answer is
to get him in doggy school.
In other words, it's time to ask the professionals. If a dog is
biting it is NEVER good, and it must be stopped yesterday!
My advice is to take the dog to the vet, get an exam and current
vaccinations for your pet. While there, ask the vet for the name of
an animal behaviorist.
Please remember, if the dog is biting and breaking skin - there's a
possiblity he can be taken away from you.
===============================================================================
Some hints on training - but these do not apply to biting!
Training sessions should be short but frequent, for example 10 - 15
minute periods three times a day. This is much more effective than
long tiring sessions, which not only are tiring but boring.
You are building a relationship with your dog. Try to train before a
meal, because after he's not going to want to exert himself. He'll
begin to look forward to training session and look forward to them.
When you give commmands, make them as short as possible always using
the same word. Heel, sit, stay, come, lie down, No BITE. Some
trainers recommend saying the dog's name - for example "Tatsu SIT".
Speak your command in a strong voice, letting the dog know you mean
business, but don't speak harshly. Don't become impatient. You must
be in control or the dog gets confused at your confusion.
Always praise the dog for his prompt obedience. Positive
reinforcement is so important, I can't emphasize enough how much a dog
relies on praise. Good Dog! Good Tatsu! Good Boy! Put enthusiasm
and a smile into the praise. Let him know how very important this
means to you.
Love Praise Reward.
Punishment is not effective. Period. End of subject. :)
Patience, Persistence and Praise. Make him feel wanted and loved.
Corrections can't be made after the fact. This means an immediate
reaction from you when the dog mis-behaves. At the moment, otherwise
it means nothing.
I can only imagine how frustrating this has become. It's not fair to
you, Tatsu, members of the family, or guests who enter your home.
I hope this has helped. :)
Best regards,
tlspiegel
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
kathy39-ga
on
24 Dec 2003 16:49 PST
Thank you so much for your time requesting clarification. I'm tied up
with Christmas too and will answer tonight.
Thank you!
kathy39-ga
|
Clarification of Answer by
tlspiegel-ga
on
24 Dec 2003 18:01 PST
Hi kathy,
I'm here. :) Would you believe I'm cleaning my house? hehehhe
Have a very Happy Holiday. Enjoy!!
Best regards,
tlspiegel
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
kathy39-ga
on
24 Dec 2003 23:12 PST
-Is the dog up to date on his vaccinations?
-YES
-When has the dog last had an exam by the veterinarian?
-ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO
-Does the biting start when someone enters your house at the doorway
and continue on into the house?
-NO, IT?S AFTER THE PERSON HAS COME IN AND HAS STAYED A LITTLE AWHILE.
-Or is he following people around in the house and behaving badly just at random.
-SOMETIMES FOLLOWING PEOPLE AROUND AND WATCHING THEIR FEET. BEFORE HE
TRIES TO BITE HE HAS A HIGH PITCHED SORT OF SQUEAL.
-Is he getting a good mental and physical workout every day. By
mental, I'm referring to commands such as sit, stay, lie down, etc.
Things commanded by you without a treat given. The dog just does what
you ask it to do. You only have to command once, and the dog obliges.
-NO, BUT I WILL TRY THE COMMANDS. HE WILL USUALLY SIT, LIE DOWN, STAY
IF HE IS IN THE HOUSE, NOT OUTSIDE. HE WILL SOMETIMES "COME" IF WE
ARE IN THE HOUSE, BUT USUALLY NOT OUTSIDE.
By physical, I mean walks/runs in a park, long walks with you. Play
time where you throw a ball and he brings it back for more play.
Physical exercise is mandatory for a dog. Not only for health
reasons, but to work off tensions.
TATSU HASN?T HAD AS MUCH PHYSICAL EXERCISE AS HE DID IN THE PAST. I
HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PHYSICAL PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WALK
HIM AS FAR AS I USE TO. INFACT I CAN ONLY WALK FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES
AT THIS TIME. I CAN TELL HE MISSES WALKING BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE IN THE
CAR HE LOOKS AROUND OUTSIDE THE CAR AND CRIES.
-Is he getting enough rest, because a tired dog is going to be less tolerant.
-YES
-Does he have a crate? I JUST SOLD IT. Or a place he can go to when
he wants to escape from the world. YES Even if he never goes into it
willingly, can you place him somewhere for a 'time out'. YES (Which
is done calmly and without any emotion on your part.) The crate can
be a lifesaver. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN HE HAS DONE SOMETHING BAD I CAN?T
CATCH HIM TO GIVE HIM A TIME OUT, HE?S VERY FAST AND DODGES VERY WELL.
IT?S VERY STRANGE, THE PEOPLE HE CHOOSE TO HERD AND BITE. SOME HE
REALLY LOVES LIKE MY MOTHER OR ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER. I HAVE NEVER
SEEN HIM DO IT TO SOMEONE HE DOESN?T KNOW. ALTHOUGH I WOULDN?T LET HIM
GET THAT CLOSE TO SOME ONE HE DIDN?T KNOW OTHER THAN GOING UP TO THEM
IF THEY PUT A HAND OUT.
HE DOESN?T LIKE MOST OTHER DOGS ALTHOUGH HE IS FAR LESS AGGRESSIVE
THAN HE WAS 2 YRS. AGO. HE DOES HAVE ONE DOG FRIEND. HE DOES NOT LIKE
ANY CHILDREN.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!
KATHY
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
kathy39-ga
on
24 Dec 2003 23:21 PST
Just in case you are interested, I am the third owner Tatsu has had.
I bought him from a breader (she raised him) who had sold him to 2
other families. The 1st return, I was told was because the family had
several old cats and Tatsu didn't like cats. Return #2, I was told
that Tatsu was bought for a 10 year boy. The boy and Tatsu didn't
bond and Tatsu put his teeth on the boys are (I'm not sure what this
means, there was no reason given).
Best Regards,
Kathy
|
Clarification of Answer by
tlspiegel-ga
on
25 Dec 2003 00:51 PST
Hi kathy,
I'm sure Tatsu has no clue you've asked a question about him at Google
Answers! :)
I'm sorry about your physical limitations. Perhaps you could enlist a
neighbor or an older child to walk/run him in the park (of course
you'll want to wait until he's been socialized) but that might relieve
the doggy tensions.
I do thank you for all your replies. In my opinion the next step is
to enroll him in doggy school. Ask your veterinarian for
recommendations... they're very familiar with socialization problems
with animals and will be able to assist you with what school or
trainer is right for your Tatsu.
In a perfect world a dog should be able to be around other dogs,
children, adults, and situations where he is comfortable and acts
correctly. Tatsu needs professional help at this point in his life.
He's been tossed around from owner to owner only because he's not been
in the appropriate setting for him. And never socialized.
His first experience - not liking cats. Here he was brought into a
home where cats ruled. They'd been there before he arrived and they
weren't leaving. It was up to the owner to make the decision to work
with the dog, so dog would be happy, and cats would be happy. Perhaps
this was an impossible situation.
His second experience - substitute young 10 year old boy for cats and
you have almost the exact same scenario. The bottom line is no one
has taken the time to work with Tatsu and socialize him so he's able
to act like a good dog in all situations.
It's not too late for you to start working with him. Trainers and
doggy schools see and deal with all types of behavior problems. A
well behaved dog is a delight to have around, and on the opposite side
of the fence - a dog behaving badly can be a real pain in the butt for
all concerned. Frustrated owner, frustrated dog.
Since he's up to date on all his shots, and the vet has given him a
clean bill of health you don't have to worry about that.
If you intend on keeping him - try to obtain a nice size wire crate
that he can comfortably stand up in and lay down with a little bit of
extra room. The kind I have is a cage and not portable... dogs can
see out and I can see in. I've laid a nice soft fleece large piece of
material in the bottom tray. The crate doors are open all the time -
and one of my dogs likes to go inside without any coaching from me.
He enjoys this. It's his place away from the rest of the world. My
other dog won't go in on his own, but he will on command.
Here's 2 links to the type of wire crates I have: (Pet stores carry
them and they will help you figure out the right size for Tatsu.) The
object is to have it be a place he can call his. Not too roomy...
just enough for him to not be cramped up in. Always lay a padding
over the tray. I keep mine in a place where the dogs can still see
what's going on in the house. They're not isolated from me.
The crate is also a good thing to have when you're entertaining in the
house, and don't want Tatsu in the way. Crate training is invaluable
when you have a dog.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=540&Ne=40000&R=1144&N=2001+113494
http://www.petsmart.com/dog/shopping/carriers%5F%5F%5Fcrates/wire%5Fhomes%5F%5F%5Faccessories/products/product%5F33712.shtml
Remember I posted I was cleaning my house? Well, guess where the dogs
were. They were resting inside their individual crates while I
slopped water and soap and dusted and vacuumed and did several loads
of laundry. Not a peep out of them. :)
If I recall, you had mentioned a barking problem? This also can be
addressed at school or with a trainer.
You mentioned he does respond to a few command from you? I wasn't
clear on exactly how well he's obeying. For your perusal I've placed
some instructions that might work both inside and outside. Hint...
Believe it or not, the words you say mean nothing to a dog. What
matters is the way you say those words and the message delivered by
your body language.
How to teach a dog to sit
http://txtx.essortment.com/howtoteachdog_rshr.htm
"Training can begin as early as eight weeks but even an older dog can
be taught the simple command of sit.
As with any training, it is important that you use correct training
methods. Most puppies don?t respond well with forceful training or
physical correction. In fact, physical and harsh verbal corrections
can cause a timid, fearful dog, as well as ruining the bond you have
with your pet. The best motivation for a puppy to learn is positive
reinforcement."
[edit]
"It is often easier to keep the treats in a belly pouch where it is
easily accessible but hard to drop. Place this pouch on your right
side so it will not be a constant temptation for your student. It can
be irresistible to larger dogs when their head level during a sit is
right beside the goodies.
In addition to the edible treats, you will want a sturdy web leash and
training collar for your dog. This will prevent him from running away
in the middle of a training session.
If you leave your dog some slack in the leash while standing on the
opposite end, it will allow you to keep both hands free while still
remaining in control.
It is also recommended you conduct training sessions in an enclosed
quiet area. Backyards are best because there aren?t any distractions
by other pets, people or moving vehicles.
When you start training your dog to sit on command, it is necessary to
start with him in the standing position. You will also want to start
him on your left side with his shoulders parallel to your left leg.
To begin the command, simply say your puppy?s name followed by Sit in
a firm but friendly voice and hold the treat between thumb and
forefinger of your right hand. Reaching across your body with your
right arm may feel awkward at first but it will allow you to use your
left hand if needed to force the hindquarters down.
After you have said the word sit, slowly move the treat upwards over
the puppy?s head so the sniffing nose will point straight up. This
will shift the puppy?s balance more into the sit position. If he sits
on his own, reward him with effusive praise and an edible treat.
If he doesn?t assume the sit position on his own, repeat the verbal
command to sit, again raise the treat but while doing this, run your
left hand across the hindquarters and under the rump. This maneuver
will force your dog to sit. Again it is important to give praise and a
reward even force was needed to get the proper response from your pet.
As will any command training, always end on a good note..."
[edit]
===============================================================================
Teach Your Dog to Sit by by Susan Daffron
http://www.pet-tails.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=162
"A recent study by The National Council on Pet Population Study and
Policy (NCPPSP) discovered that 96% of the dogs surrendered to animal
shelters had not received any obedience training. What this statistic
boils down to is a lack of communication. Training doesn't mean
classes or dog shows or tedious exercises. If people take 5 minutes to
teach a puppy to sit, training happens and communication occurs
between the dog and owner. Teaching the sit command is absolutely the
most important thing you can do to improve the relationship you have
with your dog. It doesn't matter how old your dog is; he can learn to
sit. And every time you give the command, you quietly, humanely, and
positively establish your leadership over the dog. For this reason,
many behavior problems can be helped or even solved if your dog knows
the sit command. For example, here's an obvious one: your dog cannot
jump if it is sitting down."
[edit]
"If you have a small puppy, teaching him to sit is easy thanks to
natural puppy curiosity. Keep your training sessions extremely short
(5 minutes) and always keep it happy. Say your puppy's name and "sit"
and hold your hand above the puppy's head. When you say "sit" move
your hand slightly behind the puppy's head. The puppy will raise its
head to watch your hand and his rear end will lower. When the puppy's
rear begins to go down, say "good sit." Repeat 3 or 4 times or less if
the pup loses interest. After a number of repetitions, the pup will
start sitting without the hand signal.
Teaching an older dog to sit is almost as easy as teaching a puppy.
The only difference is that the dog is larger and may need a little
more encouragement to put his rear on the ground. The principle is the
same however. If the head goes up, the rear goes down. Depending on
your dog, the puppy technique may work. If he won't focus on you,
leash your dog and get the dog's attention, so he is looking up at
you. Say the dog's name and "sit" and pull up on the leash and push
down on the rump with your other hand. As he starts to sit, say "good
sit." Don't pet him until he sits all the way. Then pet him briefly
and remain still for a few seconds. Then say "okay" or "free" to
release him from the sit. Teaching your dog when to stop sitting is
almost as important as the sit itself. Gradually make the sits longer,
try 20 seconds up to a minute until the..."
===============================================================================
Teach Your Dog to Stay by Jennifer Degtjarewsky
http://www.ivillage.com/pets/dogs/pages/0,,166998_546692,00.html
The problem: Teaching an adult dog to ''sit'' and ''stay'' on command
The solution: Use verbal commands, hand signals and lots of praise
Time spent each day: 10 minutes
Total training time: 4 weeks
"Our dog Calvin was not trained as a puppy, and when he grew to 116
pounds at four years old, it was evident that training was in order.
We did the typical dog-training class through our local parks and
recreation service, and although he did improve, he still could not
master the sit/stay command. This command seemed like the final
chapter in his training, so with a little reading and a lot of
determination we set about teaching him on our own.
Over the course of the next two weeks, I would place Calvin in the
''stay'' command by making eye contact and raising one finger. To
Calvin, this meant ''sit,'' which he would do every time. (Any sit
command signal you use will work; the key is to get them to sit.)
Hooray, we were halfway there!
Now the hard part. I would hold my hand out to him with an open palm
and say ''stay.'' Then I would walk away, and at first, he would trot
off after me every time. I would return..."
[edit]
===============================================================================
Training Your Dog Not To Jump
http://www.hartz.com/experts/trainer/dognotjump.asp
===============================================================================
Barking Dogs - BARKING DOGS CAN BE A NUISANCE
http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/animals/dogs/barking_dogs.php
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How to put a stop to excessive barking
http://www.pedigree.com/NR/exeres/C9E0F8B0-942E-4032-B222-4B990D8938F7%2C813F0A28-0246-4740-881A-A67DCAA8206C%2Cframeless.htm?Section=Behavior
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Well Kathy, that's about it. You can do some things at home. Other
more aggressive behavior like the herding/nipping/biting is going to
take some work, more than you and Tatsu can accomplish on your own. I
do wish you the best of luck, and hopefully "life with Tatsu" will be
enjoyable for you and he.
To lighten your mood when you have some time, you might want to take a
look at a very popular and hilarious website about animals. Harold
Reynolds, the site owner is a good friend of mine. His site is
amusing and can entertain for hours. Probably the only redeeming
value from visiting his site is you'll realize You Are Not Alone! :)
Many people have Bad Pets.
The title of his site is The Bad Kitty List. But if you browse around
you'll see everything from dogs to iguanas, birds, bunnies, horses,
ferrets, and other assorted creatures of this Earth. I was a frequent
contributor to the Bad Iguana page!
The link to his main page:
http://www.badpets.net/BadPets/BadKitty.html
But the Site Map page is a bit easier to navigate:
http://www.badpets.net/SiteMap.html
Best regards and much good luck to you,
tlspiegel
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Clarification of Answer by
tlspiegel-ga
on
25 Dec 2003 15:06 PST
Hi kathy,
I hope your enjoying the holidays. :)
I found 2 more links that make for very interesting reading.
http://www.stormpages.com/bravewolf/shibainu.html
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/shibainu.html
Best regards,
tlspiegel
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