hi folks:
This late afternoon, I was playing, half heartedly with a toy and my Kelpie. She is the same dog who has dominance issues. We have been working on ground work, but let off a bit because of time, but I am still doing obedience. In any case, one of her big issues is playing while there are other dogs present. It appears she gets really defensive (was told that this was due to her wanting to appear dominant to me). Anyway, we were tugging, and she was doing much better with the other dogs near, and then I brushed my hand near her throat. She got obviously anxious, and growled at me, and when I wen to correct her, she was still growling. She finally stopped. We went into the lr to play and she didn't want to play- almost like if I was in charge of the game, she didn't want to play. She started growling again, and I scruffed her, and she let a few drops of urine go-so this makes me think she is afraid. So, to put a period and move on... I crate her and play with my other dog, who is very happy to oblige. The other Kelpie watched, but quietly. When I let her out she ran right for the toy and ran to the LR with it. But, she would NOT tug in the house. Then I take her outside, and then she is MORE THAN HAPPY to play. I throw it for her, she runs and gets it, and tugs, not a lot of tugging, but a reasonable effort. We ended on a high note with her really happy. What is this business with her being so upset with my other dogs around when tugging, and why is she growling, but also peeing? I just don't get it. She has improved with the ground work, but I can't figure this out. One thing, I do keep this one toy out all the time, and she frequently will just go and get it, and bring it near me and squeak it- enticing me to play. Should I remove all the toys, even the ones that I don't use for working rewards? I would really like to make a video, so you all could see what I am talking about. Any insight would be greatly accepted.
Thanks
Julie

One thing I forgot to add. When she was concerned after I corrected her and I wanted to get her to play again, I started to sing and move around funnily (on my knees) and she growled at me, as if worried about what I was doing).
I don't want to handle this the wrong way, but I don't want her growling at me either. One important fact, when I scruff her, she turns away rather quickly (which wasn't how it always was), and she has never acted to bite me in any way). She is a very noisy (barks, yips, yodels) dog in general.
Julie

what happened to the "dry skin" thread?

opps, forget my post.

I'm no expert, but it sounds to me like she may be a bit more sensitive to corrections than other dogs. You may want to lay off the "scruffing" and try verbal corrections.

I'm not against a hard correction, but you have to read your dog. I have a GSD that can only be corrected physically, otherwise she could not care less. I also have a Mal with crazy drive that responds much better to verbal corrections, and actually gets pissed at me and won't play anymore if I physically correct him.

 Quote:

what happened to the "dry skin" thread?

I don't know..........I noticed that it went away and seemed to be replaced by an unrelated topic.

But here it is, anyway:
http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showf...rue#Post4161338

I have a dominant GSD and I never ever play with him when other dogs or people are around. He has an over the top prey drive and ocassionally needs to be corrected when he is in high drive mode. I use an electric coller to achieve the corrections. I have found that as long as I watch his body language and not let him get into drive so far that he forgets he has obey me I don't need to correct him very often. I never allow him to have toys in his kennel, in the yard or house unless I am working with him. It has taken several weeks but I am beginning to gain his respect and trust. If he does what I tell him to he gets a treat, praise or a toy if he dosen't obey he gets verbally corrected or a corection with the e-collar. I try to mix up the rewards and corrections so each has value to him. I have a daily routine that dosn't change much and that seems to work, at least for us. I don't allow growling from any of my dogs either at me, my five year old daughtor or at the other dogs. Growling earns a firm correction, no more interaction with me and a trip to their kennel. Not that I use the kennel as punishment but I won't deal with a growling out of control dog. My family and friends think I'm a beast but I'm pretty sure the dogs get it. I try not to put them into a situation where they are set up to fail.

Tonight for example my male found a ball that my house dog had hidden and I missed (my mistake). He wanted to carry the ball around and chew it and this is after chewing an entire rawhide. Instead, I tossed it for him a few times let him carry it while I put his leash on then asked him to drop it and since he was already tierd and not in high drive mode picked it up and put it in my pocket then took him for a short walk that we go on every night. This is a dog that would have lunged at the ball and perhaps bitten me when I first got him if I tried to take a toy from him. My point is I try to remain consistant and positive with my dogs while at the same time taking baby steps tward a goal.

Thanks for your posts. It does appear that she cannot handle physical correction, even though she acts very tough (will sometimes continue to growl even when I am correcting her, but maybe that is her scared?) In any case, no more physical corrections, and I won't try and play with her with the other dogs around, unless they are not in the room. I also will keep the toys in my posession and we will play by my rules. I want to be a benevolent leader, firm but fair, and I want to have her trust and respect by giving the same to her. She is a neat dog who has some moths in that there brain, and I guess what is on the outside in terms of behaviour may not always be what is going on in her brain.

I don't know why the dry skin subject line came up....

Will keep ya'll posted on how we do. I suspect some good old fashioned running and playing will help a lot <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Julie