Comments on: Connection as a Springboard for Better Dog Behavior: Part III, Trust and Negative Space https://www.seattledogspot.com/better-dog-behavior-3/ Wed, 16 Jan 2019 20:32:30 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 By: Lindsay Pevny https://www.seattledogspot.com/better-dog-behavior-3/#comment-6627 Wed, 16 Jan 2019 20:32:30 +0000 https://www.seattledogspot.com/?p=23119#comment-6627 I can relate to this so much, and I love the art analogy. I work from home so I’m always with my dogs, so it’s easy for me to spend the whole day directing them, training them and telling them what to do. One of our biggest hurdles is how reactive they can both be around guests, or anyone who might be approaching our home. I’ve accepted that Cow will always have the urge to react to strangers, and Matilda, though more easy-going, likes to be part of the action. I’m working on teaching them that people aren’t scary once they’ve crossed the threshold and are welcomed into our home, but it seems like it’s taking forever. I don’t want to constantly have to direct them to go lie down.

]]> By: Cristine https://www.seattledogspot.com/better-dog-behavior-3/#comment-5128 Sun, 30 Jul 2017 23:08:06 +0000 https://www.seattledogspot.com/?p=23119#comment-5128 Hello Sara,

THANK YOU for being brave enough to reach out for help. Your comment is very candid and I can hear the (understandable) frustration in your voice. I am so sorry for your loss of Lacy. It is life-shattering, I know.

First and foremost, while I can certainly understand where you’re coming from, no case is hopeless. In fact, there are many things I can see in your message that can be helped immediately. It’s very clear you have a deep love for your pups and want only the best for them.

I’m going to recommend contacting a trainer for an in-home consultation. The best local trainers (CCS) can be found on on the NWSCS graduate referral list, with graduates in several states and cities.

If you need help in your area and a CCS is not available, please feel free to contact me directly through he contact form on the website above and I’ll be happy to put you in touch with someone in your area.

Warm Wishes,
Cristine

]]> By: Sara https://www.seattledogspot.com/better-dog-behavior-3/#comment-5125 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 21:50:51 +0000 https://www.seattledogspot.com/?p=23119#comment-5125 Dear Cristine, I am becoming desperate as I cannot seem to make my new dog family work peacefully as my last one. My beloved dog of 14 years Is no longer with me. She was a small dog and constant companion. After she was gone I wanted another companion dog. I adopted one yorkie poo and when I went to pick her up she had a sister who also needed a home. I bought both even though a nagging feeling of this is not the brightest thing to do as puppies from the same litter can be a handful I had heard. My plans were to get a new puppy before my Lacy was gone so she could help me teach the new puppy. As I said earlier Lacy had passed on already so that didn’t happen. I went head first, with my eyes wide open and left with two sister puppies that are as cute as can be. Within a few weeks I knew I was in over my head and still am. They are about a year old now and are having the alpha dog issue for one thing. People told me this would works its way out naturally. It has not. I may be the problem? If so what do I do so we all can be together without the constant stress of who’s in charge. Along with not being able to just get past that I’m unable to enjoy them even at home because they will not listen and focus on me. They are preoccupied with asking each other whether one is allowed permission to do as I ask. This may sound weird but it’s the truth. As I take care of my elderly mom I don’t have much time to take one to training let only two separately. I would if I could find a place that can board them and train them for me and then train me to follow up or bring myself to a training camp where they are at to work with them and learn. They are so smart and bring lots of love and cuddles to my mom. I want to enjoy them also and know they will come on command so I can save them from dangerous situations off leash. They have been paper trained. This is not good. When they were puppies my mom was unable to bring them out in time and myself I thought it would be a good backup system. Yikes! Now I don’t trust them as far as to say yes they are potty trained. I need some help. What can I do? Is it to late for them to be happy, trained and trustworthy? I need help they have taken the joy out of being together as a family on the bed at night with their constant growling and who is queen of the bed. That is just one example I deal with. I am forever committed to my dogs. Lacy was so easy compared to these two. I have thought of adopting a older dog so they have a example to follow. Maybe it could take the alpha position by being bigger and wiser than them. I would only do this if you thought a well trained older dog would help my situation? Please tell me what you think. Also if you know a place where they can be boarded and trained at the same time? I’m sure you must think that I am lazy and need to take charge of these 5lbs. little rascals. I have tried everything I know. I have woken up with their antics and dumped them of the bed more rough then attended. I use my voice which is not effective. I reward good behavior and will never punish them for things that I feel are naturally dog behaviors. Is that wrong? I’m so busy supervising and trying to show equal attention to them so they quit fighting. All in all I’m failing my puppies. They can’t function in the real world because of bad manners. I need help! I love them and they are not enjoying the relationship we have. I certainly am not. It’s embarrassing that my girls don’t listen to me. Also that I would never trust them in a friends home. Both I have noticed are show signs of developing tics when they are feeling jealous or feeling mad because of one another. I’m really sorry that my comment is more of a story. I’m venting on someone who has a solution for me. Please help! I came across your school in Seattle and called to leave a message to ask if I could have my yorkie poo sisters enroll. (Lol) The students could maybe learn from my mistakes and help these two adorable little dogs with some obedience training. Thank you so much for your time if you actually read this? Sara 360-949-5186. I will see a text usually before a email! Even if it’s a text to make me aware that I may have email. I’m praying someone will know what to do. From the article I just read that you wrote made me reach out to seek help from you. I thought “She knows”! I maybe lucky enough to have her advice or help with a boarding school for them. Thanks, Cristine
P.S.
I will add this I believe in forever homes and medical care for my dogs. No such thing as “Just a dog.”! I don’t want to separate or give them away! Sometimes I’m that disgusted and think about it. Please advise me!

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