growling :-(

[Rhonda]

This is the first time this has ever happened with Triton, he has NEVER shown any kind of aggression whatsoever, so my question is, is how is the best way to handle when they growl at someone? I will describe the situation...Triton was laying on the loveseat all relaxed, just chillin while we were watching tv, when my son comes in the room and wants to sit there and he tried just calling Triton to get him down off the loveseat and he wouldn't budge, so my son held his collar and just sort of tugged it a bit to get him down off of it and Triton, actually growled and looked like he was even gonna snap at him he has never done this before, so how should I have handle it? I really wasn't sure what to do because I was so upset about it, I just put him in the basement (not in his crate)just so he could be alone for awhile because he hates that. Is there something else that I should have done? I can't have this, now my son is even a little scared of him now because of it. Even though when I did finally let him up, he played really good with him. Please help, any suggestions? Rhonda

 

[berryann]

I'm sure you'll get lots of good suggestions! Also be sure to ask your trainer if you are in obedience classes. The first thing I'd do is make a rule - no getting on the furniture. That way you don't set up the situation where he growled. Keep a leash on him, so if he gets on the loveseat (or couch or whatever) you can call him off, using the leash if needed to "help" him down without having to grab his collar or have a confrontation. Be cheerfully firm and praise or treat him for getting down, then doing something else. I'd try to keep him from getting up in the first place, but if he's been allowed up, he'll probably get there again. Have your son do simple obedience work with him, and do some of the feeding, etc. so he is controlling resources. Eventually he may be allowed on the sofa again - when he has permission - but now he's too confident about his "right" to be there. My canine rule is "4 on the floor" until I'm sure one has earned the privilege of being invited up.
Good luck!

 

[sarnewfie]

do not allow him on the furniture anymore until this is resolved, letting them on the couch,chairs or beds puts them at the same level as you and children mostly the very younger ones are considered by most dogs the omega of the pack therefore they will challenge the child.
ABSOLUTLY no more furniture laying for this newf.

 

[dragonmeister]

How old is Triton? Is he neutered?

Anne

 

[Rhonda]

Thank you and those are great ideas! And Triton just turned a year old and yes he is neutered. Thanks again!!! rhonda

 

[torydog]

We had a similar situation when we first got Tory. My husband kept her on a leash and when he wasn't around no furniture. She is fine now and has never done it again. She will be one on Feb.9 so they are about the same age.

 

[NoahsCove]

I've read that heighth = alpha . Which is what people are saying as to why furbabies aren't supposed to be on the furniture. He saw your son as trying to take away his position in the pack.

There's some ways to show that you and the humans in your home are "alpha over" Triton (some ways are a little more unorthodox than others...but perhaps you can get an idea of a few you could utilize).

1) Never allow furbabies on the furniture.

2) Humans walk through doors first (in the wild, the alpha is allowed to walk/pass first). Make Triton wait to walk through a doorway until you (humans) have passed through it first.

3) Spittle (spit) in his food before feeding...ok, I know that sounds gross, but alphas eat first and if he smells yours (and your sons) spittle in his food then he'll get the idea that you all rank over him.

4) Adult humans in your house can straddle him (in a fun manner)...one leg at each side of him and then pet him...make it fun and not intimidating...remember heighth=alpha.

5) Before feeding or giving treats or toys make sure that Triton says "please" first by sitting or obeying a command before he receives anything.

6) Human hands (especially a child's hand) should be associated with "good things" not "taking away" hands. I always have my daughter give a goodie in exchange for taking something away from my furbabies so that the furbabies see it as "trading up" and they think her hands are awesome because when her hands are around something good happens to them.

My favorite dog training book of all time is = Dogs Love to Please, We Teach Them How by September B. Morn. . It's a GREAT BOOK and I think you would find it very helpful

Good Luck!

[ 01-28-2003, 01:45 PM: Message edited by: NoahsCove ]

 

[dragonmeister]

Just to add one other thought.

Many dogs do not like a hand reaching out to grab their collars especially under the muzzle or near the ears. These are areas where if a dog wants to bite he can still reach. It is always better to grab from the back if someone has to grab a collar.
For younger dogs that are still going through developmental stages and ongoing obedience I recommend a small handle similar to a leash handle be purchased. It has a clip at the end and is clipped to the collar. That way, if the dogs needs to be corrected and does not have a leash on ( as in the house) he can be controlled without the person being placed in a vulnerable position.
I have done that with Dragon (really needed it) and now that Yogi is starting obedience, he wears one. It is not a permanent situation and is removed at an appropriate time in the dogs training.

Anne

 

[Rhonda]

Thank you!! You have all been so helpful! YOu all make some good points that I never even thought of so thank you!! Rhonda