It is not a baby. It is a DOG!!!

Using that terminolgy will only hurt the young dog. When people think of it in those terms they treat as such. Next we will be telling her it is too young so when it does that it must be afraid run up to it pick it up and coddle it. That'll help.

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if you have from day one established a loving bond with your puppy and at six months old this puppy only needs re-enforcement of just who "Alpha"

If you have had this great loving relationship from day one, why would it need to be reinforced? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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I've used this method for years..and I've yet to donate my time or money to a doctor or hospital for either of us. And yes.. my dogs are my babies

Only a matter of time with that method. You will lovingly choose the wrong dog to do it to.

You may feel your dogs are your babies but trying to help someone else by implying that is how they should be thought about, IMO is irresponsible,
You will cause someone to get hurt by giving that kind of advice.

Oh boy. Here we go. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Trying to grab a franticly barking dog around the muzzle is a sure way to get bit, even by accident. So I have to side with Todd on issue 1.

Issue 2. Todd, you spoke of the treating the cause instead of the symptom. I assume when you speak of the "cause" you are refering to this pup displaying some early fear based signs...like hackles raised, putting on a big show ect., and with this being the underlying root cause, solid obedience training is the way to go. This is how I feel and I assume that is what you meant by the "cause"? If so, I completely agree.

Instead of just focusing on that specific behavior, the focus should be on teaching the dog what desirable behavior is. I have been accused of being heavy on the prong action in the past, but here I really don't think negative corrections should be used. It sounds so simple but TRAIN THE DOG! You don't want to totally eliminate this...there are time you want the dog to bark. But when you say enough and tell her to go to her "spot" and lay down, you want the dog to listen. This is what I mean. Learn how to obedience train her.

Is that better?

Yes, Chuck. There is more than a dog barking at a door.

With this type of dog and the info we have at hand I think a prong is going to get the dog coming back at the owner. Grabbing the muzzle, already discussed. The only thing I can think of here is to deflect the attention without getting bit. Squirt bottle does wonders. It is no direct challenge to the dog. Yet you get the desired effect. However, as I said this is only a symptom of the problem.

Barbara, is what better?

"Redirection"
The simple thing to do.
Butch: If the dogs does not obey to QUIET then it does not know the command. Plain and simple.

Todd: This is an easy one. Again though people like to correct the symptom and not the cause but oh well.

Get a spray bottle the kind people use to spritz their hair with. Put it on stream. Hang it from your pants pocket. When she barks tell her quiet and squirt her.

Butch: I have had similar succes with this method, I prefer to redirect with a command. The pup being only 6 months old I would opt for the water spray.

Butch: Teach this pup the down for when someone is at your door. This will let the dog know you are in charge of situation. This will also help control any dominience coming out in the pup.

I guess I chased Barbara away...she edited all her posts. Oh, well. Anyone have any good dinner??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I am havign a fat steak tonight, BBQ'd with hickory chips and a few beers....we are all laughing at my dog as he chases the water hose spray around and trips on his soccer ball. Great fun!

What are you having Todd?

And as far as this thread goes, everyone has great ideas and I think most of them will work out fine... it's all about personal ability and prefrence eh? Good discussion guys and gals! I enjoyed it!

We're having salmon and corn on the cob, as soon as I get off this ding blasted computer!

Sticking to the topic, I'll say that I'm with Chuck on this one. Todd, I have mixed feelings about the whole squirt bottle thing, but I won't go into it, other than to say that it's a real pain in the butt to have a dog that won't drink out of a squirt bottle when you need him to!