halo snapped at me?

[susan]

Halo is now 14 months old, yesterday she was having a weird day. IT started out 2 times she barked at people walking down street. First time I thought hmmm she just didnt like that person. Second time I was sitting outside she was inside with door open 2 girls was walking down side walk across the street, she started barking at the. SHE only has done that a couple of times long space in between.
She also got a little over agressive with cat yesterday not biting just playing roufer than she has done before. trying to knock him over. pinning him against wall. no biting. But what really blew my mind at bed time I told her time for bed n grab her collar to just get her up off couch to get her headed that way. we crate her in our room at night n give her treat when she goes to crate at night. no problems. When I grabbed her collar she growl snapped at me 2 times. I picked up rolled newspaper swatted her but twice n told her never do that again, who do you think you are. now get your but upstairs to bed. she instantly got up n went upstairs to her crate. I shut the door told her she was bad n she got no treat.
Im worried! Was that agression or just being sassy? What if it happens again?

[Dave]

First thoughts, no need for the newspaper. It doesn't help anything. Telling her what she should or shouldn't do is like telling a rock, she just can't possibly understand what you expect of her. What she understood of the whole ordeal was "hey I was just protecting us from the strangers. When you grabbed my collar by surprise I let you know not to do that, I couldn't help it! Then you yelled gibberish at me so I went to my bed like you said." Gotta look at it from a dog's view.

It sounds to me like she's maturing and beginning to make her own rules. Getting mad and beating her for it solves nothing. Start with NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free), here is but one explanation of thousands... k9deb.com/nilif.htm Simply, by making the dog work for every bit of attention she will look at you as her goddess. And, the best advice I've gotten about training from anyone came from Mary... keep your emotion out of it.

One other thing... if there is anyone else in the house giving her training, you must all be on the same page and be consistant.

[johnr]

Be careful with collar grabs, ESPECIALLY if the dog is acting aggressively.

[loverocksalot]

My advice similar. TRY HARD NOT to that way when dog snaps at you. Grabbing collar can be unpleasant to dog response is to snap at you. then when you yell and hit they now associate it to be a real bad thing. Her snapping at you was just a response that she did not like you grabbing her collar. Rocky dislikes it too since a pup. I had to desensitize him to the collar touch. By making it a good thing as opposed to a bad thing. In other words touching the collar gently and treating him. Eventually dog will associate it to be an ok thing. Problem with scolding a dog snapping at you for grabbing collar is the next time the dog sees it as a worse thing to have collar grabbed and might actually strike the next time. It was a warning she was actually being polite and telling you she does not like her collar grabbed. And Dave is right about everyone being on the same page. I know it is difficult, I even have family members who often do not do as I ask with training and screw things up. But with me reinforcing things this helps Rocky and he usually looks to me for guidance and approval. NILIF is definitely in order google it. She should not be allowed on bed or couches until she will get off without you having to grab her collar. At this point I would not be too concerned about it especially if she just air snapped. Was she on a leash while barking at the people? What do you do when she growls barks at People?

[johnr]

A rapidly delivered "upupupupupup!!!" "freezes" most dogs' behaviors to where you can regain control of the situation. I also like to stand up way straight and look at them with arched eyeborws. This communicates all you ever need to re who sets the rules here without actually upping the confrontational ante. The more YOU remain in control, the more the dog will maintain control. While I have seen a lot of people screw up by not being assertive enough, I have also seen a lot of things go wildly out of control when the human forgot who the more rational member of the partnership is supposed to me. Many of my own most regretted moments (on many levels) came when I myself lost sight of this critical point in the heat of the moment.

[maryellen]

strict NILIF, NO furniture at all anymore, and keep a 1 foot lead on her at all times, this way instead of grabbing her collar you grab the lead instead.

[suziriot]

Ditto to what others have said. Responding to aggression with more aggression (grabbing the collar, yelling, hitting, etc) is the worst thing to do. I strongly recommend doing Nothing In Life Is Free with Halo - definitely follow that link in Dave's reply. Halo is going through her adolescence right now, and needs to know that you are in charge - in a POSITIVE way. As Dave said, making her work for everything, making her earn everything (couch time, play time, attention, treats, everything) will make her trust you as the Provider Of All That Is Wonderful.

I also strongly recommend clicker training. It's fun for you and the dog, it engages the dog's mind, helps build a positive relationship between you and the dog, and reinforces positive behavior. Here's a link: www.clickertraining.com/

[susan]

I didnt forcefully grab collar, i more less grabbed it to lead her off couch, not to be forceful or punish, at the time she didnt do anything wrong. I have been doing it since she was a pup, i grab collar to lead her down and say come on lets go to bed or get off the furniture. I AGREE WITH THE NEWSPAPER it doesnt affect her at all except to get her attention. and i didnt yell just told her like it was. im not trying to justify my reaction but i just did not know what to do.
i do apperciate advice. when she barks at other people i tell her its ok n let her see they are just walking down the street, i also tell her to go lye down which she does.
THANK YOU DAVE GOING TO READ THE NILIF THING .WILL KEEP UP AND ANY MORE ADVICE PLEEZZZ GIVE IT. THANK YOU FREINDS. KEEP EM COMING. TAKING HER FOR WALK

[johnr]

Jun 13, 2012 17:06:44 GMT -5 susan said:

I didnt forcefully grab collar, i more less grabbed it to lead her off couch, not to be forceful or punish, at the time she didnt do anything wrong. I have been doing it since she was a pup, i grab collar to lead her down and say come on lets go to bed or get off the furniture. I AGREE WITH THE NEWSPAPER it doesnt affect her at all except to get her attention. and i didnt yell just told her like it was. im not trying to justify my reaction but i just did not know what to do.
i do apperciate advice. when she barks at other people i tell her its ok n let her see they are just walking down the street, i also tell her to go lye down which she does.
THANK YOU DAVE GOING TO READ THE NILIF THING .WILL KEEP UP AND ANY MORE ADVICE PLEEZZZ GIVE IT. THANK YOU FREINDS. KEEP EM COMING. TAKING HER FOR WALK

But that's precisely the problem with collar grabs. You don't have to MEAN them aggressively for the act to be taken that way and a lot of the "aggression" shown by dogs in response is a 99.9% purely reflexive startle response.

[Dave]

When Sedona barks at the kids across the street through the window, I never sooth her, tell her it's okay. What I do is coerce her to tone it down with a quiet "sssshh, ssshh..." and when she does I praise her then. It works.

[loverocksalot]

I was not thinking that you forcefully grabbed her collar. She is a youngster and she was just telling you she did not want to be pulled off at that moment. Which is why she needs NILIF. Rocky once did this as well with touching the collar and it got worse after a trainer grabbed his collar when Rocky snapped trainer grabbed collar harder and yelled at him. After that it got worse but after NILIF and positive reactions from me for him letting me touch his collar made all the difference. Sounds like she is testing the limits but I would rather hear that you no longer use the newspaper and instead reward her for getting off when told instead of using her collar to make her move. She should be getting off when she hears you say "OFF" in a stern voice is fine. If you are having to lead her by collar she definitely does not deserve to have couch or bed freedom.

[AmyJo27]

Stick to NILF and if she is suddenly acting really different, Id get her thyroid tested. Just in case....

[susan]

i have heard alot about getting thyroid check? what does it mean?

[loverocksalot]

Dogs can act odd when Thyroid is off. As can humans.

[happypuppy]

I (luckily) don't have any issues with my Ruby but if at all possible, I have always made a point to try to give her a verbal command (casual like 'ok, it's go now' or official like 'Ruby OFF, time for bed' before I physically touch or nudge her. She can get challengy over moving on the bed when we ask her to move to the foot of the bed for sleeping - she will ignore the first few verbal commands and then jump as if we her when we finally get to the touch stage, which is usually a gentle touch to the butt and even a half-lift sometimes when she's really being sleepy/stubborn. I do think it helps get their mind and body in synch when you can give them an auditory command or preparation before a physical touch. NILF is a great place to start esp to get her responses more 'tuned' and practiced... and defo remove all furniture privileges for awhile.

[sharron]

When Toma barks at the kids with their skate boards , or people passing by. I redirect her attention with her favorite ball or toy. I don't her because I realize she doesn'tlike these kids...they use to her.

Toma has never gotten on the couches. she has her own bed in the livingroom. She is permitted on my bed because that's where she sleeps at bedtime.

When I want her off the bed ( change sheets etc. I tell her "OFF". One word commands work great ! So does the NILIF program.

The NILIF program simply means the dog has to work for everything. This tells the dog that you are boss and she must follow your commands. Please always make sure Halo knows what it is you are asking. Make i simple and clear.

Grabbing the collar , no matter the intention , is a negative act and you only want positive teachings.

I totally agree with those posts before me. Yelling , hitting with newspaper , hand or what have you is negative ! Plus the fact she didn't understand what you were telling her.

When you find yourself being angry , anxious or out of sorts....don't attempt to approach her. Stay away and ask another family member to take over.
Your body language , emotions and feelings have already let her know the mood you are in. These dogs ae fantastic readers of our "BODY LANGUAGE' !

sharron

[daves]

What Sharron said plus:

The proper use of a rolled-up newspaper = Hit yourself on the side of your head while repeating "I will teach my dog not to do that"

[loverocksalot]

Hi Susan, was wondering how Halo has done. Did you do the NILIF?