Dog Calendars, Dog Breed Information, Training Aids & Everything Else |
 Profile Logout
|
 |
|
 Forum Pics Shop Ask a Trainer Find a Trainer Adopt a Dog Dog Websites |
|
|
Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Fran grew up teaching everything from chickens and goats to dogs and horses. These days, Fran works with DOG GONE IT rottweiler rescue, is registered with AKC as a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and continues to train dogs in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also writes a canine question & answer column for a local news paper, The Hilltop & High Desert Shopper News.
Click here to join Fran's mailing list and receive an email each time a new
column is published.
printer friendly
email this column
comment on this column
 |
|
Fran Williams
|
[Edit]
7/29/2005
I have a rescued Doberman pinscher. He is wonderful with adults (though not so good with small kids, even quiet ones). He is sweet, affectionate, good natured to a fault. He gets along with my cat. He welcomes guests (after they are invited in). So good in fact that we have adopted another, this time a female red dobie who also was in desperate need. She also has a great disposition and is very loving and friendly.
Trouble is, the first dog is sulking. We are talking sibling rivalry with an attitude. I have 4 adult children and know how to deal with this in kids (a well aimed smack across the butt coupled with a very loud voice when they are out of line usually does the trick and lots of loves when they are good), but they don't normally snap and bite at one another. The first dog just stays on his bed and pouts. I am very careful to include him in all our activities, just as before. He gets just as much attention as before.
The dogs food bowls are far apart, so there's no food aggression. She doesn't care for toys, so his precious "babies" are safe. I am at a loss as to how to get him back to himself and incorporate our new little girl into our family without her getting traumatized in the process. Today he was all over her growling, snarling and snapping (no blood, thank God,) but it sure scared the daylights out of her and me also! Sarah (paws4arub, Florida)
Thanks
for getting two rescues, that’s just great. You seem to have a great handle on the problem-just a few things I would correct here #1 when and if he even thinks about the bad behaviour I would POP him on the head with a empty 2 liter 7 up (or what ever) bottle - never hit him with your hand - you want only trust to come from those hands never any thing that will make him cowl away. A empty bottle gives just the right amount of getting the attention without causing any real trauma and you are right to start this at the git go.
Do not keep them away from each other put them out side alone together as much as possible and it will not take to much time before he understands she is there to add to his life. As for the pouting so what? Let him be a stupid head if he wants that will soon change when he sees life will go on with out him-if he makes that choice-DO NOT coddle him or coax him when he is doing this just go play or feed or do what ever and then when he comes to see what’s going on greet him as thought your happy to see him.
In other words pay attention to the wanted behaviour and snub the bad. You sound like a good doggy parent so I know this will all work out. Please give the dogs time alone to work through this, there is very little chance with you humans out of the picture that he will actually hurt her and more than likely they will soon start playing and all will be well. Take Care Fran Dog Gone It
|
Are you a trainer? Interested in being involved in the Ask a Trainer column? Click here!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
