NWR: FI vs Dog Vent

drm6285

So we got our dog last Decemeber (she was a rescue from the vet).  She was hit by a car and when we got her she was 2-3yr old by their estimate and we have no idea where she was before then.Well, lately our dog has been REALLY bad.  She has never acted like this before.  Earlier this week she chewed up one of FI's baseball caps (never chewed on any of our stuff before), she's been jumping like crazy, really bad when people come to the door, etcI took her to dog classes at PetSmart before and she was doing really well, but since we graduated intermediate I haven't been working with her at all.  So FI thinks we should just use "corporal" punishment on her and smack her behind when she's bad.  I don't think this will help at all, and I especially don't want to do this given the fact that we don't know what type of traumatic past she's had.Tonight, FI's mom came over (and she just eggs her on when she's bad- i.e. she laughs hyterically as Abbe jumps all over her at the door, instead of crossing her arms as she's been instructed to do several times to make Abbe sit).  Well in the midst of all this, FI grabbed Abbe and was trying to "force" her to be good, in the process he pushed down on her back and Abbe yelped   I really think he could have hurt her back doing this, thankfully he didn't.So now we've just gotten in a huge fight over this, I agree we need to be more firm with her and start working with her again but he's just being a jerk... ugh!!!  Not sure what to do...Thanks for listening, a nice big mimosa (got thirsty for one of those from pp) to all who made it through!!!

sapphiredaizy

I completely agree with you. Without knowing her history, "corporal" punishment might not be such a good idea.  I'm no dog expert, but I think the classes were good and she just needs a "refresher" of what she learned. She'll remember. Good luck

nycgirlkat

Its so hard, because they can frustrate you and sometimes you get so mad you want to give them a smack, but if/when you give dogs a spank they become fearful of you and then untrusting and then the behavior REALLY goes out the window!!! You definately need to keep reinforcing her lessons.  My dog behaves much better when we keep up his lessons at home.  My mother and Future MIL do the same thing with my boy - they enourage jumping up and sitting on the couch and whatnot and we don't.  No matter how much we beg them not to let him!I'm the first one to want to coddle my boy when my FI gives him a loud verbal correction that I feel frightens him, but I learned we can't keep giving him mixed signals.  So I leave the correction alone now and he just goes off and plays with his bones or something when he knows he was bad...I'm sorry to hear you are worried about your baby's behavior!  Raising good doggies can be so hard!!! 

SteffyC

My mom used to breed mini dauschs, so we always used to have a couple puppies a year in the house.  My mom is a BIG fan of kennel training, and it seemed to prove effective with my furbaby Chloe.  If I know people are coming over I put her in the kennel while they ring the bell and come in, once she calms down I let her out. Good luck, I cannot stand when people reward the bad behaviour it never goes away when that happens (another reason why the kennels good, they can't reinforce it in there ).

ukjenn231

Have you been extra busy or away from home lately? I can always tell that my dog acts bad if we have been busy and not home with him as much. I always think my dog gets into things because he's bored and he acts out when he doesn't get enough play time/exercise. It's definitely frustrating.

carrieoz_76

My dog is always way more rambunctious when he's been cooped up a lot.  Also, go back to the beginning with the training, and work on treating him when he's good.  Then work on having someone go outside, and when he finally is quiet or sits or does something good, give him a little treat.FI has finally come to understand that dogs build positive relationships based on having positive experiences with people - when they want your love/affection/treats, they'll usually be good.  He's done this by walking the dog regularly, taking him to the park to play, getting the mail every night, taking him on trips in the car, etc.  Try encouraging your FI to build a positive relationship, instead of one based on negative feedback (like submission holds).Don't us physical restraint/punishment, if only because it's easy to lose track of the force one is using when one is really mad.  Also because it doesn't create that positive bond that you want him to have with the dog.Best of luck.

drm6285

Thanks ladies!   We finally had a talk about it last night before bed once we both calmed down.  We both agreed that we need to start diciplining her more effectively, but he agreed not to use submissive tactics and I promised to start working with her again.  Thanks for all the advice and positive thoughts!

SimplyMistaken

I am a dog trainer and can tell you smacking or hitting does NOT work.  If anything, you can induce aggression in your dog by demonstrating aggression. If you need ANY help, let me know.  Feel free to email me at jamierizzuto AT yahoo DOT com. Dog training is my PASSION-and I love it, so don't hesitate to reach out.  If I can ever help a human dog relationship, the time is worth it!