cynthia gonzales wrote 03/17/2007 05:36 PM Husband home from Iraq/dog #133726 - 03/17/2007 05:36 PM
cynthia gonzales Webboard User Reg: 03-17-2007 Posts: 20 Loc: germany but born in Mi Offline	While my husband was in Iraq I bought a west highland terrier to keep me company. I had a lot of time on my hands, and spent it training my dog. I worked really hard with her. Now my husband is home, thank God, but he spoils her. I watch the interaction, and she thinks he is her pet. She still obeys me, and I am consistent with her. However, she is now pulling on the lesh. Is this a sign of things to come? Will my husband's spoiling ruin her? I will be introducing a new english springer spaniel puppy in 2 weeks. If she is back slidding, how do I handle it, if my husband will not support me? I had a conversation with him today. He said he will do some reading, and will become more assertive w/my westy becuase she is starting to demand his attention when he does not want to give it, and she will not stop unless I tell her to.
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Connie Sutherland wrote 03/17/2007 05:47 PM Re: Husband home from Iraq/dog [Re: cynthia gonzales ] #133728 - 03/17/2007 05:47 PM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	Quote: cynthia gonzales ..... He said he will do some reading, and will become more assertive w/my westy becuase she is starting to demand his attention when he does not want to give it, and she will not stop unless I tell her to. Here are a couple of good starters: http://www.leerburg.com/philosophy.htm http://www.leerburg.com/puppygroundwork.htm
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cynthia gonzales wrote 03/19/2007 01:49 AM Re: Husband home from Iraq/dog [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #133962 - 03/19/2007 01:49 AM
cynthia gonzales Webboard User Reg: 03-17-2007 Posts: 20 Loc: germany but born in Mi Offline	Well I told my husband about this site. He has yet to visit. Do you think, if he continues to spoil her my dog will still see me, as the alpha or dominate all humans?
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Sandy Moore wrote 03/19/2007 09:25 AM Re: Husband home from Iraq/dog [Re: cynthia gonzales ] #134003 - 03/19/2007 09:25 AM
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006 Posts: 2665 Loc: AZ Offline	Dominate all humans? That sounds extreme for the actual scenario you provided and seems you're taking it a little too far in the worry category. Your hubby said he would be more assertive so if he doesn't want to read the articles, you could read them and then relay the info to him. Just stay consistent with your dog in her training. If she's testing you then consistency is the key any way you look at it. Maybe your husband might want to engage in some training commands with her on a daily basis, which will help her realize that both you and he are on the same page regarding leadership.
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cynthia gonzales wrote 03/19/2007 04:47 PM Re: Husband home from Iraq/dog [Re: Sandy Moore ] #134096 - 03/19/2007 04:47 PM
cynthia gonzales Webboard User Reg: 03-17-2007 Posts: 20 Loc: germany but born in Mi Offline	You are correct about me worrying. I worry, so much becuase my last dog, a yorkie, was aggressive and bite people who walked up to me, he was uncontrollable outside the house. One day I took out the garbage he ran out the door. I called for him to come back. As usual he ignored my command outside the home, and was ran over. I never want to go through that pain again. Maybe, I am overdoing it, but honestly I do not know, if I can stop worrying, if my new dog a westy does not come every time I call her outside the home. Maybe when I can get her to do this I won't swet the small stuff, so much. Currently I have been working with her off leash in a fenced in area; she will come when I call unless other people or animals are around. Also, I should add I think my yorkie had some major inbreeding, i rescued him when he was 1 yr old from bad breeders in Poland.
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Al Curbow wrote 03/19/2007 09:54 PM Re: Husband home from Iraq/dog [Re: cynthia gonzales ] #134164 - 03/19/2007 09:54 PM
Al Curbow Webboard User Reg: 06-30-2005 Posts: 974 Loc: northeast Offline	"Currently I have been working with her off leash in a fenced in area; she will come when I call unless other people or animals are around." Cynthia, you don't want to give commands that you can't correct the dog for not listening to you. If you have him off leash in the backyard and he doesn't come when called and you have no way to make him listen, he'll learn it's ok not to listen. Definitely a mistake. Hope this helps a little, AL
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Jim Thomas wrote 03/20/2007 11:47 AM Re: Husband home from Iraq/dog [Re: Al Curbow ] #134270 - 03/20/2007 11:47 AM
Jim Thomas Webboard User Reg: 02-21-2007 Posts: 126 Loc: Ohio Offline	Also, please bear in mind that Westies have a genetic drive to chase rodents. This drive overcomes nearly ALL training, so you need to keep a leash on while outside a fenced area. Westies also are champion diggers, so even in the fenced area, keep CLOSE eye on them. You may want to try a long drag line when working outside, to Al's point. Luck! -Jim
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Keith Jablonowski wrote 03/20/2007 11:51 AM Re: Husband home from Iraq/dog [Re: Jim Thomas ] #134271 - 03/20/2007 11:51 AM
Keith Jablonowski Webboard User Reg: 12-07-2006 Posts: 127 Loc: Lombard, IL Offline	Quote: Jim Thomas Also, please bear in mind that Westies have a genetic drive to chase rodents. This drive overcomes nearly ALL training, so you need to keep a leash on while outside a fenced area. Jim, Would you say this would apply to Beagles as well. Our pup does very well most of the time, but when she get's sight or strong scent of a rabbit or squirell I might as well not exist. We have a fenced yard, but still keep her on a drag line and never leave her unattended for more than a few minutes at a time. Keith Jablonowski
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Jim Thomas wrote 03/20/2007 12:03 PM Re: Husband home from Iraq/dog [Re: Keith Jablonowski ] #134276 - 03/20/2007 12:03 PM
Jim Thomas Webboard User Reg: 02-21-2007 Posts: 126 Loc: Ohio Offline	Keith, great question. My step-mother has a Beagle, and she reports to having her arm nearly dragged out of it's socket when a squirrel or rabbit goes by. Molly (Beagle) is really rather well trained (my father stood no foolishness, neither man nor beast!) but it's what they were BRED to do: give chase to game. For the digging, no clue. Molly never has, but that doesn't mean it's a breed trait. Molly may just not like dirty toe-nails! *laugh* Luck! -Jim
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