My wife and I got the basic obedience DVD and it seems straightforward enough. Of course we have the usual problems with her not minding, not coming, etc. That we're sure should work out after training. But we're still dealing with what seems to be some dominance/defiance in our pup that people on this board told me was just "normal puppy stuff" back in mid-February.

When we do verbal corrections Reagan will snap (as in the loud hard snapping) in the one of the three ways

1) Backing up and snapping while arching her butt in the air
2) Getting right up by the hands or thighs and snapping (but never touching)
3) Laying in a submissive position and snapping at the feet

It seems like she doesn't want to bite, ya know? Because Lord knows if she really wanted to latch on she would. How do we do corrections off the leash? Right now we're trying to do a misdirection with a loud shout and something I'd call an large explosive body gesture to look as though we're lashing out. This gets her to back down but I'm not convinced she's accepting the correction.

Any suggestions? If she were to actually bite my wife (55lbs, no fat, big teeth) I'd lose it.

"Any suggestions? If she were to actually bite my wife (55lbs, no fat, big teeth) I'd lose it"



DUDE!!! My wife would *KILL* me if I said that about her!!!

Ah, Will. You are truly the board's most helpful poster! LMAO-I read it the same way;-)

Oh goodness, my syntax is all wrong. My puppy is the parenthetical reference. Thanks a bunch for your help...

Matthew,

How old is the dog now? And what are you doing with her? Is she a pet or are you working her in some discipline?

Sounds as though she thinks she "rules the roost" so to speak.....

Do you keep her in a crate or is she allowed to run the house?

Have you thought about Ed's dvd on Dealing with a Dominant Dog?

Oh, thank you Carol. I was just feeling guilty for making a joke and offering no help.

Matthew, Carol is totally right with her second/third question. We need to know what you want this dog to be in the long run before we can give suggestions; ways of dealing with this vary greatly dependent upon ultimate goals.

 Quote: Jenni Williams

Oh, thank you Carol. I was just feeling guilty for making a joke and offering no help.

I read that and was going to say something about his wife weighing 55lbs.......YIKES!!!!
However you guys beat me to it, so I though that was sufficient....


Honest Matthew, you really did come to the right place.....we just like to kid around a bit

 Quote: carol boche

Matthew,

How old is the dog now? And what are you doing with her? Is she a pet or are you working her in some discipline?

Sounds as though she thinks she "rules the roost" so to speak.....

Do you keep her in a crate or is she allowed to run the house?

Have you thought about Ed's dvd on Dealing with a Dominant Dog?

To the best of our knowledge she's just shy of 7mo. We want her to be the pet but we do want her to guard for us--I'm not sure if you'd consider that a profession.

We keep her crated, but with us when we're home.

She's allowed to play with my toys when I allow, although I do keep a rawhide out for her to chew on.

I really would like to wait to try the std training DVD and see what happens. Really this is the only issue we're having with the off leash corrections. Usually it's when she's humping her bed...or just being overly nosey while I'm knitting and I tell her to step back.

I know she wants to please us---when she does something wrong she seems really remorseful and will lay down.

eta: We let her sleep in the enclosed living room at night since I'm up late and my wife is up early.

 Quote: Matthew Moore

When we do verbal corrections Reagan will snap (as in the loud hard snapping) in the one of the three ways

1) Backing up and snapping while arching her butt in the air
2) Getting right up by the hands or thighs and snapping (but never touching)
3) Laying in a submissive position and snapping at the feet

It seems like she doesn't want to bite, ya know? Because Lord knows if she really wanted to latch on she would. How do we do corrections off the leash? Right now we're trying to do a misdirection with a loud shout and something I'd call an large explosive body gesture to look as though we're lashing out. This gets her to back down but I'm not convinced she's accepting the correction.

Being I cannot see what you describe it almost sounds like she's playing, not taking you seriously. My 1 yr puppy does the same thing, especially when we come home and he's just playing. I'm probably wrong, perhaps a bit more description on her actions.

For starters, keep her on leash or in the crate (the video will go into further detail on this). This way you can correct her immediately. She needs to learn you are her world and what you say goes.

Second, don't shout at her. If you do, this is what she will respond to and you'll always have to shout in order to command her. Also, as a pack leader you have to stay calm for your dog to see you as someone to respect. Sure, you can scare your dog into obedience but you won't get the relationship you want. Firm, fair, consistent corrections will go allot further.

As for the video, watch it allot! All of this advice should be in there. Over time I sometimes get lazy or forget some of the steps and watching the video again, refreshes my memory of the proper technique and helps allot.

The basic obedience DVD? I don't remember seeing that.