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Post by pitpupmom on Feb 19, 2009 23:03:45 GMT -5
Okay, we had some incidents today. My father in law and mother in law and brother in law came over this afternoon while I was in the shower. My daughter let them in the house and Odie wouldn't stop barking. And slight growls. No one was mean to him. We go on walks and to the park and he's always fine. After a bit he calmed down. He knows them. Well around 5 we had some more company, a friend of a friend and his wife came over. Odie first did his barking no problem he settled. The men went outside and the wife and I and my daughter inside. He kept barking at her till I got in between them and settled him down. After we all left and came back he barked and little growls again. The husband and wife hugged and the wife made a squeal sound and Odie jumped and growled at the husband. I told him no and brought him back to me. Each incident he was right next to me. Could it be he's getting his hormones. He's usually not like this. He's always really sweet and only does a cpl barks to say hey someones at the door. Although the tree in the back yard fell today and that set him on a barking tangent. Is he insecure and wanting to look out for mom. Suggestions and advice pls. Odie is now 7 1/2 mos old almost 8 mos old, unneutered and trained very well. Never had a class but he's socialized with all different colored ppl and no problems normally.
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 24, 2009 10:25:41 GMT -5
Hey, sorry this didn't get a respose sooner. The first thing that comes to mind is a negative association related to him being startled by the tree. Dogs make connections - both good and bad - really easily. Sometimes two unrelated events become connected in the dog's mind. So I'd want to know if the fearful barking/growling happened after the tree fell, or before, and if you think Odie could have in any way connected the tree falling to humans (was anyone outside of the people he lives with in view or scent of him when he was startled by the tree?) Just some things to consider.
Now, I'm curious why Odie isn't neutered? I would definitely suggest doing that ASAP. Hormones don't make a dog aggressive, but they could contribute to a problem that is already there. So that would be my first suggestion.
Second, I would start him on a Nothing In Life is Free protocol ASAP. Google should bring up plenty of sites but let me know if you need a link.
Next, I would start doing on leash greetings with him at the door for safety's sake, and LOTS of counter conditioning: teaching him that humans coming to visit means LOTS of good things like a special food treat, etc. You might try bits of cheese, hot dog, boiled chicken, or something similar.
The process would be, *knock knock*, "Hey Odie, who's that?" *treat treat treat* Clip the leash on him, and open the door. As you do, continue to treat. If possible try to get some human helpers who can help you set up training scenarios. When they walk through the door, have them toss onto the floor some of the same goodies to Odie (they should be prepared by 'arriving' with the food already in their hand or pocket).
Then I would happily and with food still pouring from heaven, move Odie to a crate or behind a baby gate for the remainder of the human's visit. This would be a temporary thing and eventually, after some counter conditioning, something you'd work through and eventually cease doing.
Ok, that's to start. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Post by pitpupmom on Feb 24, 2009 11:04:26 GMT -5
The tree fell while my daughter and myself were in the house. And after he barked, I went and saw what happened, and told him it's ok, and then called my hubby. The only other time he barked was because he heard the door bell and that's just a cpl of barks. The reason why he isn't neutered is because the breeder has expressed he wants to stud Odie out, were starting pulling soon and he wants him to take his dads place. This is what was agreed upon. For the most part whenever Odie wants something he has to sit first or give paw. We haven't had any other incidents and my mother-in-law came over saturday, after the incident. So I'm thinking it was a protective reaction to the tree falling that upset him. He didn't act badly when she came over.I'll re-read NILIF and see if I'm missing something.
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Post by pitpupmom on Feb 24, 2009 11:06:09 GMT -5
Also my other friends thought the people were a bit strange, as did I could that have set him off as he was next to me, sensing what I felt.
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Post by pitpupmom on Feb 24, 2009 11:25:49 GMT -5
Also he's acting like his normal self again.
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 24, 2009 11:33:44 GMT -5
Just curious....did you mention the incident to the breeder, and if yes, what did they say?
I'm glad he's back to normal.
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Post by pitpupmom on Feb 24, 2009 23:40:56 GMT -5
Yes tonight I did, and he said he wouldn't bite. He acts like his other dogs. Just being protective, and he was picking up on my feelings toward the guests. He said if he ever bit anyone he would put him down himself. He said I was over thinking the situation. Odie comes from really good lines and he thinks he is just becoming a big boy.
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Post by maryellen on Feb 25, 2009 9:36:42 GMT -5
this breed is not supposed to be protective over people coming into the house.. a good line is a dog that treats everyone like their best friend, not growling at relatives and friends who step into their home.. if you dont nip it now its going to get worse.
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Post by tank on Feb 25, 2009 11:09:43 GMT -5
I have a similar issue with Lucy. She doesn't do it with people I know and am friendly with, only people I am nervous around. I have to admit that I am nervous around strangers and she probably senses it and wants them out of her house. She won't bite anyone, she is more scared than anything, BUT I did have someone corner her and lunge over her while she was barking at them and I thought she was going to bite him. I nipped that problem(that problem being my roommates idiot friend) in the bud and told him not to ever do that to my dog again or he wasn't allowed in my house. I will be working with my trainer friend about this in a few weeks. I am interested in how Odie continues too act, because I think him and Lucy are the same age and both aren't spayed/neutered.
I plan to get Lucy spayed btw, things just happened faster than I thought and I can't get her spayed while she is in heat around here, the clinic won't do it.
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Post by bubsy on Mar 1, 2009 14:07:02 GMT -5
Wow, I'm just catching up on what I've missed here....I guess Pitpupmom left?
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Post by RealPitBull on Mar 2, 2009 9:52:06 GMT -5
Wow, I'm just catching up on what I've missed here....I guess Pitpupmom left? Yeah, sadly. Missed having you around the boards, glad you're catching up!
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Post by bubsy on Mar 11, 2009 0:23:42 GMT -5
Wow, I'm just catching up on what I've missed here....I guess Pitpupmom left? Yeah, sadly. Missed having you around the boards, glad you're catching up! Thanks! My brother and his wife just had a baby...and I'm an aunt for the first time! So, been busy around here ;D
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lola1
I Love RPBF!
Lola and Reed
Posts: 372
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Post by lola1 on Mar 11, 2009 1:45:32 GMT -5
Congrats
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