Post by melonie on Nov 16, 2011 15:57:28 GMT -5
I've been using the crate and rotate method with Rhett and Cleveland, in a modified way.
When all is calm everyone is free. If I am up and about, cooking, cleaning, etc. I crate and rotate Rhett and Cleveland. That has worked out really well because it seems that Rhett gets too edgy or excited when there is activity in the house.
In the last week Rhett has snapped at Winston. Now Winston, is the least aggressive, territorial, pushy pit bull ever.
The first time he did this, I was eating a slice of toast. Both dogs were a couple feet away from me, side by side, doing their staring routine. Winston went to move and Rhett snapped at him. I yelled a loud HEY, and grabbed Rhett and put him in his crate.
The second time, no food, toys, etc. involved. Winston was sitting under my desk, and Rhett was on the right of my chair. All the sudden Rhett did his insane noise and tried to bite Winston.
I am a bit baffled by his behavior towards Winston.
Rhett has really come into is dogginess the last few months. He is far less afraid of everyday life, but he still has a fear of men/boys. He even slept with my daughter the other night, which he has always refused to do.
I so wish there was a dog trainer in town to help me work with him. I have yet to get him to sit/stay. He knows off, outside, potty. If he just happens to sit for anything, I praise him with good sit etc. When I get home from work, and let the dogs out, I easily get the sit from Winnie and Cleveland before I un-crate them. I don't really 'pay attention' to them, or talk to them. I just say sit, open the crate, then say outside, and I let them out. Meanwhile Rhett is bouncing off the walls like an insane clown or something. If I let him out of his crate with Winston, it's more insane.
I've had good results redirecting the dogs to avoid the window issues of barking and going nuts at the outside world. The new curtains help a lot, and if I notice activity outside, I close them, or I get the dogs attention first and pet/play with them. If they catch the outside attention first, I just shut the curtain, and pet/play with them.
When Rhett snapped at Winston, I took Winnie aside and gave him some love becuase that was so rude of Rhett to pick on my boy. When I let Rhett out of his crate, I gave him some one on one snuggle time.
I guess I view the dogs kind of like kids.. When a child acts out, often times it is for attention. Give the child positive attention and the acting out will subside. Not sure if this is the 'right' thing to do w/ my dogs, but I don't know what else to do!
Rhett will be 2 this spring. Both Cleveland and Winnie are 3, going on 4.
I know Rhett still has a lot of maturing to do, and I'm a bit worried and want to figure out the best way to go forward.
When all is calm everyone is free. If I am up and about, cooking, cleaning, etc. I crate and rotate Rhett and Cleveland. That has worked out really well because it seems that Rhett gets too edgy or excited when there is activity in the house.
In the last week Rhett has snapped at Winston. Now Winston, is the least aggressive, territorial, pushy pit bull ever.
The first time he did this, I was eating a slice of toast. Both dogs were a couple feet away from me, side by side, doing their staring routine. Winston went to move and Rhett snapped at him. I yelled a loud HEY, and grabbed Rhett and put him in his crate.
The second time, no food, toys, etc. involved. Winston was sitting under my desk, and Rhett was on the right of my chair. All the sudden Rhett did his insane noise and tried to bite Winston.
I am a bit baffled by his behavior towards Winston.
Rhett has really come into is dogginess the last few months. He is far less afraid of everyday life, but he still has a fear of men/boys. He even slept with my daughter the other night, which he has always refused to do.
I so wish there was a dog trainer in town to help me work with him. I have yet to get him to sit/stay. He knows off, outside, potty. If he just happens to sit for anything, I praise him with good sit etc. When I get home from work, and let the dogs out, I easily get the sit from Winnie and Cleveland before I un-crate them. I don't really 'pay attention' to them, or talk to them. I just say sit, open the crate, then say outside, and I let them out. Meanwhile Rhett is bouncing off the walls like an insane clown or something. If I let him out of his crate with Winston, it's more insane.
I've had good results redirecting the dogs to avoid the window issues of barking and going nuts at the outside world. The new curtains help a lot, and if I notice activity outside, I close them, or I get the dogs attention first and pet/play with them. If they catch the outside attention first, I just shut the curtain, and pet/play with them.
When Rhett snapped at Winston, I took Winnie aside and gave him some love becuase that was so rude of Rhett to pick on my boy. When I let Rhett out of his crate, I gave him some one on one snuggle time.
I guess I view the dogs kind of like kids.. When a child acts out, often times it is for attention. Give the child positive attention and the acting out will subside. Not sure if this is the 'right' thing to do w/ my dogs, but I don't know what else to do!
Rhett will be 2 this spring. Both Cleveland and Winnie are 3, going on 4.
I know Rhett still has a lot of maturing to do, and I'm a bit worried and want to figure out the best way to go forward.
I look forward to learning much here