Yes, it was my daughter.
Again, how aloof?? Anyone??
Did anyone see this video? How would I adapt it for a puppy?

Thanks, Steve, I missed that her and she part

Calm. Just relax.

Ok, so I shouldn't ignore him, then? Like I said, I know we probably dote over him too much.

I don't know whats on the video so I don't want to pile on the confusion. I don't ignore my dogs. I do what I want. But if there's a plan to follow on the video you should follow it so that you remain consistant.

How old is your dd? You may have mentioned her age in a earlier post and I missed it.

Do you allow her to play rough games (tug) with your dog?
Does the dog playbite your daughter?(pull at her clothes)

When your dog growls at your dd or any of your family members what type of body language is he showing? Does he appear confident, tail erect, ears held high maintaining eye contact or does he have a lowered head and body, ears down and tail curled under?

She is 12, and no, she never plays rough games with him. None of us do because his excitement escalates into biting so quickly. He does bite her shoes and coat often. I'll have to pay attention to his growling next time. His tail is usually up high..that I do notice.
As far as the video goes, it says to isolate the dog initially and basically ignore it. No playing, affection, toys, etc... However, I know a few people said to not apply this to a puppy. He is calm and submissive in his crate, so I am going to move straight to the constant on leash when not in the crate step. I just don't know if I should prohibit all playing and toys from a puppy. Also, I'm not sure on if I should totally ignore him. I will admit we probably coo over him way too much, but I don't know if we should totally eliminate it.

I would not isolate him but I would begin to deprive him of attention. Take away every pleasure that he takes for granted or that you unwittingly give him. This means no more free petting or treats. Moving forward, every treat or reward that your dog gets is for doing something you want.

When walking around the house,like Connie said,do not walk around him,make him get up out of your way.Stop petting him for free, petting should be earned. Ignore any solicitations from him if you are watching TV or doing anything else. Leaders ignore lower ranking pack members. If he habitually occupies certain areas of the house that he thinks are his territory, like couches or chairs, ban him from them.

I would allow toys but I would tell him when to play and with what toys.After play sessions I would pick them up and put them away.

Don't think of these implementations as punishments but as ways of starting a new regimen in which you are leader. This is only temporary.He needs to be led so he can learn how he needs to behave.As you begin to implement these changes, his behavior may actually worsen, but this is temporary. As time passes, he will begin to respond. Some people think their dog looks sad and miserable.Do not misinterpret these signs. He is just taking a cautious approach while the pack is rearranged.

These suggestions are JMO. You either need to get tough or put up with his behavior and watch it get worse.

Try to note his body language next time he lunges or growls at a family member.I also thought I read the adult needs to establish themselves as leader first.Once they are established they can begin teaching other members (children) to be a higher ranking member.

Edited by lisa harrison (04/12/2010 09:15 PM)
Edit reason: forgot something

I don't mind getting tough, I just know that he's a puppy and needs to play. So, I guess if he's calmly sitting next to me while I study, he can have a bone or rawhide to chew on, or even a toy, but I give it to him and take it away when I'm done. As far as petting goes, if he would obey a command, he would get pet. Or even if he was laying nice, give him a pet, but don't coo over him. We tend to walk up to him for no reason and pet him and say "Oh what a good boy". That should stop, I know. We also tend to talk to him a lot - lol! Guess that should stop too.

I know technically, according to the video, you're not supposed to interact with the dog at all except to feed him, take him outside, and walk him. No playing with him or giving him toys period. That's why I wasn't sure how to adapt it to a puppy. The whole foundation of the video is initially based on ignoring the dog and not giving him ANY privelages.