Dog Behaviourists.....Why I have a Problem With Them

[kendal]

glad it went well at least they have a starting point and should help sort out other problems too.

i don't know how every one ells stopped there dogs from being food possessive but with our two, right from the beginning we would give them there food then take it away again. so that they knew that it was our food and were giving it to them, but had the right to take it back again if we chose too. we did it with every thing including chews and toys which was good because my wee brother can be quite rough and sometimes takes toys and chews out of there mouths. they just let him then look as if to say 'so am i getting it back?.... no OK '
has any one else done any thing similar or different that worked.
_________________
microchiping and grooming www.chipnclip.co.uk

[marcella]

yes, we've done similar things. I have taken chews, toys etc from our dogs. Just to let them know we are in charge, not them. Never had a problem.
If either of us approach our dogs when they are eating it's not a problem, I can talk to them and pet them and they will leave their food for a minute to greet me then go back when I walk away.

Another thing I do too is when giving them a treat (when I don't make them work for it), I pretend to eat part of it first ......... so they think they are having my leftovers .......... basically reinforcing the issue that I'm the boss.

[kendal]

thanks Will do that.
_________________
microchiping and grooming www.chipnclip.co.uk

[kendal]

i remember seeing that on its me or the dog the girl had to reassert her dominance to this husky and was told to eat out of a bowl like his before he was given his food. so he would understand both his and her place in the pack.
_________________
microchiping and grooming www.chipnclip.co.uk

[kerry]

we have been doing all that with his food, i seen that program with the husky so we are trying our best to prevent this happening with ours, we also make him sit and stay(practising the stay ) before he gets his food. he does growl a little bit with his carot, not aggressive but saying he doesnt want us to take it, but he is now dropping it when we ask him. Im just scared that because i am out all day and paul is with him all the time that he ends up not listening to me.

[marcella]

Keep at it Kerry. Remain firm and he will always listen, as long as he is getting the message you are his boss he won't question you.
We had a Husky at the dog club that was very food aggressive. The dog itself became hard to handle and the owner was having serious issues with it. When John was asking all about feeding etc he discovered that the dog was being given food and the food was allowed to remain with the dog all day. This is NOT a good idea.
When feeding your dog take some simple steps to make sure he knows his place.
Make the dog think you have eaten something from his bowl before you put it down to him. He thinks he's getting your leftovers .........
Touch is food with your hands........ not pleasant I know, but it places your scent on his food, once again reinforcing the pack order.
And the MAIN thing .......... put the food down to your dog. Give it 10 minutes MAXIMUM. then remove the bowl of food. (Note though that water should left available at all times!) If the dog has not eaten it leave him without. He will soon learn that he eats when you tell him too. And do not give him anymore until the next feeding time.
All this reinforces the pack order and keeps them in their place.

[Lindy]

thats pretty much what we have done with dora and Lizzy, we both pretend to eat the pigsears and out of the bowl the take tous away from them etc and they are fine with us taking food away from them, another good tip is to never never feed them from your plate when your eating it's best to keep them out of the room you eat in when your eating, that way they don't learn to mooch either, I used to have to tell alan's gran off like a child constantly when we first got dora as she would sneak her food from her plate and moan if i put her in another room.

[kerry]

should you pretend to eat out of the bowl at their level?? he is good at letting us take away his bowl, and touching him while eating, he just really like the carrot we gave him and that was when the wee growl came, so we kept giving him it for a bit then taking it away, asking him to drop it, he eventually didnt bother with us touchin it.

[Sheryl]

Again I am no expert but from books I have read programms that Ive watched all agree that if a dog has something in its mouth you should never try and get it back off as they may bite! If they manage to steal something from your dinner plate never try and get into their mouth let them have it but make sure they know you are not impressed with that behaviour!!!
_________________
Kindest Regards,
PRINCESS Sheryl, Keano and Coby.

[Sheryl]

I understand that there are bad behaviourist but to be honest when Keano and Coby were at there worst I would have paid any amount and probably any person to come in and try and help me!!!

I still feel like sometimes I could be doing with a live in behaviourist for the 2 of them (and Chris)

x
_________________
Kindest Regards,
PRINCESS Sheryl, Keano and Coby.

[Lindy]

why not try and take a bite of the carot beofre you give it to him or eat the whole thing right infront of him so he gets the message IT IS YOUR CARRORT you are the boss and won't accept any growling over food, just keep doing it until the growling stops

Lindy

[shirley c]

I see a lot of that too Sheryl on TV about not taking food from them, but I dont agree, I will take what I want from my dog, after all im (or allan is) boss so I say weather they can have it, also I can take their bowls away if I want, its not something I would do all the time, must be annoying getting your food taken away and given back, but as long as I know I can do it if I want

That just me an Allan though, what works for one doesnt work for everyone

[kendal]

i know what program your talking about nit was the cocker on its me or the dog, it had a relay problem and was biting the kids.
my two can have there teeth clamped round the toy or chew and my we brother will literally tare it from there jaws and they don't bother.
_________________
microchiping and grooming www.chipnclip.co.uk

[Cassandra]

The impression I get from 'dog behaviourists' is that they interpret dog behaviour from a human perspective and not from a dogs.

The other problem I have found too in the general dog community is that if you have a percieved problem with your dog, not only do you need to look at general pack leadership and order but also the specifics of the breed you own. If you have a crossbreed, you need to look at both breeds. So you need to look to people who know their breed. Alot of common problems can be addressed by tapping into the dogs natural instincts and using them to your benefit.

Trying to specialise in every breeds quirks and specialities is a high requirement for any behaviourist let alone a pet owner.

Would like to point something out to you John, it may just be the way you worded it and you know this however...

[John Thomson]

Cassandra,
I was not suggesting that amount of exercise just pointing out the genetics and instincts of the breed..........without enough exercise a BC will slowly go mad............add in lack of mental stimulation and it will happen quicker.
I certainly am not an expert but they are perceived to be 'easy to train' and they indeed learn quickly and are so keen to please BUT you need to be committed and be aware of their quirks........they naturally want to herd........if no sheep are available then people will do........they can be prone to nip at ankles from behind as they would a sheep. These are instincts to be aware of and as you say used to the handlers advantage.

But as I said for someone to tell you to get rid of your dog after a brief telephone conversation without even seeing the dog or handler in the flesh is at best irresponsible.
_________________
John Thomson
www.cumbernaulddogtraining.co.uk