Dang Cleveland!

[melonie]

Ok, so dealing w/ Cleveland is over all pretty easy.
He is obedient, listens well, isn't too naughty. He truly is an easy
dog to have in the home.
*but*
He is a pushy little fart. My main way of dealing w/ him has been to ignore him when he butts his way into my space, or I get up and move. Lately I have resorted to having to push him away before he backs off. I crate him if I want serious one on one with Winston because otherwise he's a pain in the butt.

I've tried ramping up the Nilf, which he is a champ at and doesn't seem to make much difference one way or the other. He thrives on that attention, so does everything on cue like a good dog.

Instance that is NOT acceptable, pushing his way between the baby and the person holding her. Taking items away from baby. He gets crated when the baby is visiting.

Call another dogs name, and he will get up and push his way into the mix.

Will do his best to sit next to you even if that means laying on top of the other dog until he moves. If the person is doing something like reading, surfing on the laptop, homework etc. he will shove his fat head between your face and the other object.
He gets crated for this, or put off the sofa.


I need some ideas on what else I can do w/ him to get him to ease up on the rude behavior.
To me he's acting like a spoiled bull dog, but I'm getting frustrated with him. I don't want to be frustrated!

[emilys]

when he does something pushy, just take him and put him in his crate, without saying anything.
Either he'll figure out what behavior is giving him the timeout or.. even if he doesnt... he's not bugging you, which is the end that you want.

[melonie]

Ok, we'll do doggie time outs... and see who is more stubborn. How long should I leave him in the crate?

[emilys]

Feb 28, 2012 21:52:42 GMT -5 melonie said:

Ok, we'll do doggie time outs... and see who is more stubborn. How long should I leave him in the crate?

heh.. the essence of dogtraining is to be more stubborn than your dog!

I think just a few minutes at first.. but he will initially resume his behavior, so you'll probably have a pretty disruptive evening as you keep putting him in and taking him out...

[melonie]

I imagine it will be like teaching a 2 yr old to stay in time out... takes a few days at least!

[loverocksalot]

I recommend no couch at all. And train him to go to his spot. This has worked for our eating time and being right there. When you are on computer have him go to his spot and once there for a second toss him a treat. When you are all done give him his attention. Rocky is 6 and we are just now allowing him some couch time. But recently had to take it away again because he was taking up the whole couch. He only is to go up if his blanket is there. we were not ever going to let him on the couch but once we let him do it a few times that was it.