Dog behavior problem or human behavior problem please help!

[Orchid]

I just thought it may help the OP to not feel like she is worsening the situation with a dog that has been previously abused.

Semantics.

 

[welsummerchicks]

The definition of punishment, in behavioral science, is a technique that reduces the likelihood of a behavior. People put some seriously way-beyond-that interpretations on the word.

 

[xchairity_casex]

you need to find a person to work hands on with your dogs its very hard to discirbe what you should do withou t actually eing able to show you since dogs ive off signals and you really need to know what signals its giving off before reacting to them find a dogbehaviorlist ASAP human aggression is a serious issue

 

[feather and mountain man]

Angle was addopted from the shelter and she was abused before she was taken to the shelter. She had a habit of chasing cows with the previous owner and so the previous owner decided to burn her paws to keep her from chasing the cows. She had no health care or grooming and was a matted mess of hair and stickers. She was shy at first but warmed up to me right away and it took a few days for her to warm up to ther rest of the family. I only know what the shelter told me about her and she is a very sweet and loving dog. I talked to a trainer today who explained to me what I am doing wrong in their opinion.


Since the weather has gotten nice out I have been working in the garden as much as possible and not spending much time with the dogs. Angel is new here and feeling insecure about this change so she is trying to get my attention by behaving badly. If she goes after other people then mommy has to hold her back. So I thought that was interesting cause the behavior did set in about the same time the weather warmed up. The other thing is she has also taken to digging in my flower bed which she never did before and when she does I tell her no and I take her to the porch and close her in for awhile. Also getting some of my attention. So maybe the trainer is right it is not a dog problem but a owner problem.

So I spent plenty of time with the dogs today and worked in the garden too.

The dogs got brushed, hair cuts, and bathed. They really act like they hate it but then when it is all over they are the happiest lil pooches you ever saw. I dicipline her with words and a firm voice. I never hit. I don't spank my kids and so I won't spank my dogs. My kids are very well behaved by the way.

If she doesn't listen I go get her and walk her to where she needs to go to do what she should be doing.

I am a work in progress and need to learn a lot but I care enough for her to take the time to fix the problem. Whatever it might be. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[reereechickens]

Do you watch Cesar Milan's "Dog Whisperer" on National Geagraphic Wild or Animal Planets "It's me or the Dog?" I think they go along the lines of what that trainer is talking about not getting enough attention. You can also get his books from the library or rent previous episodes from Netflix. I read part of his book "Be the Pack Leader" and then started watching reruns and it has helped with our new puppy. I think if I didn't get the book first and then watch, I probably wouldn't "get it". I'm not an expert but I know way more than before I started with Cesar!

 

[ZoeS95423]

I have a border collie mix, and he has the same problems. He was never undersocialized with humans, we have many hospice nurses in my house every day, and friends and family that come over. Plus I used to bring him everywhere and people would just adore him. Now, anyone he didnt see almost every day for the first year of his life he acts viscious towards. When we have company over he either has to be outside or in his crate. Which I feel terrible about, but when it comes to family he is just the biggest baby ever, same with children. But adults he isnt very happy with. Some of my friends, every time they come over I have them feed him hotdogs or some other treats he loves when they walk by him in his cage hoping that this will make he know they arent bad. For those certain people, he doesnt growl at them as much anymore, and is really toned down on the barking. I hope eventually I will beable to have him roam the house free when I have friends over. :-/