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Post by wannabeowner on Feb 1, 2011 19:21:30 GMT -5
So I have an evil, satanic poodle...
She's 4.5mos, about 25lbs and all evil. Most of the time, she plays fairly well with Andrew (2yrs & 50-55lbs). However, as she's getting bigger, her playing rough is proportionally getting rougher. Andrew and Val more frequently exchange open-mouth "combat" and Val has started snapping at him during what is supposed to be play. And in the last week, the back of my calf and the back of my thigh have been innocent victims to her snapping - and DAGGONE does it hurt! I was caught off-guard both times as she has been under my lap (sitting off the edge of the couch) and so I can't see/read her body language. Both have been in the midst of play sessions, but she's not just mouthing - now she's snapping.
She's getting to the point that Andrew is withdrawing from play, but he has never turned and "gotten her" in a way that has convinced her to stop. I keep trying to "tell him" that if he gives her one good growl or something that she'll stop, but he just tries to walk away to no avail.
Any advice on how I can teach her to play nice?
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Post by melonie on Feb 1, 2011 20:03:46 GMT -5
I had the problem of my pug playing too rough with Winston. I too wished that Winston would just give him a good "stop" But, he never did do that...not once did he ever hurt the little guy during play time. (aside from running him over)
What I did was stop the pug and tell him enough, (instead of stop/no) when he was getting out of hand. After awhile he chilled out and wasn't so mean with the playtime bitey face games.
Or you could try the "OUCH" when he nips you or the other dog too.
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Post by wannabeowner on Feb 1, 2011 20:10:48 GMT -5
Well, I have to admit I was a HORRIBLE mommy, and beside the genuine and initial OUCH and reactionary smack, she also got a barrage of "bad dogs" and got locked up because I wasn't sure how else to handle it until I calmed down. Luckily she hasn't broken MY skin, but she gets SO rough with Andrew that he's frequently got scrapes and scratches all over. The most Andrew has done is like stepped on her and she's let out a yelp, but nothing that 3 seconds and him moving his foot hasn't "fixed". I'll try the "enough" thing... Thanks! I've really been at wits' end with this poodle.  |
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 1, 2011 20:23:31 GMT -5
Yeah I run into this with Rocky and my dads Australian shepherd. and she is a visitor and he still will walk away or give calming signals. But she goes home. She would drive me nuts if she lived with us. Barking and complaining constantly.
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Post by wannabeowner on Feb 1, 2011 21:36:38 GMT -5
@carolann: YES! I am a teacher and I can't get any papers graded or work done when she's out of her crate because I have to watch her like a HAWK. She barks all the time and whines when she's not barking. It's been a living H E double-hockey-sticks since I brought her home at 8 weeks. Some days I wonder why I have kept her...
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 2, 2011 9:24:16 GMT -5
I'm going to move this to the behavior board because play talk in general can be helpful for us all, no matter the breed (also, more people might see it). I'll try to weigh in later. I have been at work over an hour and I have gotten nothing done yet thanks to this forum! LOL
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Post by loverocksalot on Feb 2, 2011 9:37:04 GMT -5
My husband wanted to shove the Christmas turkey down her throat her high pitched bark going through your spine. For my dad it is the way it is. I don't even think he hears it.
Reason she is a working dog who demands him to throw the damb frisbee already. Or barks to say come on lets work agility time what do you want me to do. She barks with the frisbee in her mouth. Telling Rocky what to do.
So the only thing I can think of is find some work for her. Maybe getting her a thinking toy or game while you grade papers. The box game is something that will keep her occupied.
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Post by fureverywhere on Feb 2, 2011 14:07:04 GMT -5
If she's snapping at YOU, I would suggest you find advice from a professional trainer PRONTO. Dogs can get carried away in play...at the dog park Opheila will get too rough sometimes and usually a stern "Enough!" works, if not I take her home for the day. But nipping at people has to be nipped in the bud before you have a real problem..
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Post by wannabeowner on Feb 2, 2011 22:07:28 GMT -5
The issue is that both times I've gotten nipped was because my legs were basically "between" the dogs during play. She's not shown aggression at me, and it was not intentional as far as I can tell - I just had the misfortune of having legs in the wrong place at the wrong time. But since she's snapping at my other dog, I'm afraid of her thinking that behavior is how she treats all other dogs she greets. I keep joking with people that it's the poodle, NOT the pit bull, that they need to fear!
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