I got my Mali, Sascha, when she was 16 weeks old. (I am sure she was not socialized or anything in those first weeks either.) When we got her, we took her everywhere. I also did not let anyone pet her at first. Eventually, I started letting strangers pet her (I know, my fault), and she was fine with people. So, she was a great dog to begin with. We trained her on the basic commands, and she behaved until she was about a year old (5/11/09).

Sascha became very unsure of Adults, even those we introduced her to as a puppy. Her hair would staind up, and she goes nuts. Although she won't bite anyone, she snaps at them. Another thing is that she is perfectly fine with children. She loves them.

At the beginning of June, we began seeking the help of Pat Carpenter, I'm sure any SchH people know her. We saw her once, and she gave us homework. But we just didn't have the time to continue seeing her since we were in the process of moving. (I know probably should have made time).

So, the problem becomes worse when we moved a week ago. We moved in with parents for the time being (long story I'm not going to bore you all... lol). My FIL is terrified of our dog, even before meeting her. My MIL is okay, but nervous because of her 8 grandkids. The day we moved, Sascha snaped at my MIL and at my SIL, but not at the children. When she was a pup, we did introduce her once to them, and she was happy as can be. Needless to say, I am so scared that she will bite someone or have to be given away or put down. So, I began reading the ebooks. I am planning on buying the videos "Establishing pack structure...", "Obedience...", and "..Dominant and Aggressive..." but I have to find the money (maybe my money tree has fresh money... lol)

Anyways, yesterday I began "Social Isolization" with her. (Oh, and I had to make a poster of new rules that EVERYONE has to follow.) She whined and cried and barked for attention every time we left the room. She is pissed off. Today is going a little better, but every time we leave the room she still barks. She also chewed up the bottom of the cage the other day, so she is sleeping on wires until I can buy a metal cage pan.

I am just wondering if we are supposed to just deal with her whining all day. I know that the dog isn't supposed to be in the bedroom, but that is the only place we have for her living with parents... Oh, and I tried putting a blanket over her cage, and she chewed holes in it. She did whine less, but destroyed the blankets. I know we aren't in the best situation to be training, but it has to get done ASAP. I wanted her to be in SchH, but I'm thinking she doesn't have the temperment. Any advice??

Feel free to email us: mandm0424@comcast.net
Thanks!
Michelle Kohler

What kind of structured exercise and ob training are you doing every day? How much?

Do you know marker training?

We were doing an eye contact game that Pat gave us along with some heeling exercises, but we have stopped everything in order to focus on establishing pack structure from what I read in Ed's ebook.

What kind of exercise is the dog getting?

Not "heeling exercises" ... structured exercise, period.

I'm asking specifically about release of frustrated energy. What is the dog doing on a daily basis to become physically tired?

Chewing up the cage, whining all day -- these smack of frustrated energy. Of course, pack structure is critical, and basic ob, etc., but in a new home with "extra" (esp frightened or anxious) people around and a ton of new stress (the dog's own as well as the down-the-leash stress), a load of structured exercise with you is both a crucial outlet and a bonding thing. In this situation, I would probably view this as imperative for the health of the family's relationship with the dog, along with not trusting the dog within "snapping" distance for now.

Tired dog = good dog, in this situation even more than some others. JMO.

I have been taking her on a few walks a day. I am trying to ignore her based on what the ebook says, like not petting her nor playing with her until the end of isolization (a few days to a week). Should I be doing something else?
Thanks.

Also, I wouldnt bank on her being fine with kids. Find a distance she's comfortable at and let her just observe from there. If it's 10 feet or 3feet be aware and stay there.

Steve, could you expand what you said. I don't quite understand at what you are getting?

She has never once bitten a child or even acted aggressive toward them, never raises her hair at new children, and wags her tail at kids. I know this is an uncommon thing, most dogs don't do well with children. I have also noticed that if adults come down to her level, she is much less aggressive. Although, Pat told me not to let anyone do that anymore.

She was fine with adults at one point also and now she's not. The last thing you want is to find out this certain kid is someone she's uncomfortable with. Snapping at the mil is one thing, a kid with as much as a tooth mark on a finger is going to be taken by all concerned a whole lot differently.

For me, rather then always trying to figure out how she'll react to any different person its easier to live with them assuming the worst even though you know its not going to be that. Like Ed's advice, who pets my dog? Only Me.

My son and I took my Rott for a walk earlier. Two people came up to us to ask about him. I had him "settle" he laid there while we had a 15min conversation. He was relaxed, I was relaxed. Nice, uneventful, nothing to worry about.

 Quote: Michelle Kohler

I have been taking her on a few walks a day. I am trying to ignore her based on what the ebook says, like not petting her nor playing with her until the end of isolization (a few days to a week). Should I be doing something else?
Thanks.

Is the dog getting enough exercise to be tired, is what I'm asking.

If the walks are strolls or are short potty runs, then no. I'd say not.

Yeah she probably isn't currently getting enough exercise to be tired. But before, I would jog a few blocks with her, as well as play fetch all the time. She was getting plenty of exercise, but in the ebook it says to only take her out of the cage for potty breaks and walks. Since she is a Mali, should I be running with her instead of just walking?

Okay, gotcha Steve. Hopefully, I can get her to the point where I won't be afraid that she will bite strangers. During walks, if someone asks me what kind of dog, I make sure I tell them not to talk to, look at, or pet her. When you say only you can pet your dog, do you mean no one in your family either? Or are you just saying no strangers?

Thanks