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  1. #11
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
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    Many training facilities also have behaviorists on staff that could help you identify the root cause and go from there.

  2. #12
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    What have you done for training? What are your methods? What kind of exercise does he receive? Do you work with him outside of house manners at all? Where did he come from?

    A trainer is probably your best bet. But, likely, they will have you add more structure do your lives, NILIF, structured training, and exercise.

  3. #13
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    May 2014
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    Given the list of issues that have been building since 6 weeks I HIGHLY recommend finding a reputable positive based trainer to come to you home and give you some hands on tools to work with your pup. Online advise is great but may be hard to implement given the range of issues and how frustrated you must be at this point. Though as someone on this site - frustration is great as it can lead to action in training! (ok that's not exactly how they say it but something like that).

    I generally agree with all the above. training classes, Nothing in life is free, making sure the puppy has lots of off leash free play exercise daily. But I think a few sessions with a good private trainer for the entire family will be worth it's weight in gold at this point. Once you have a plan you can then join a group basic obedience class (as classes are cheaper and great for practicing in controlled distractions in a new environment)

  4. #14
    Puppy
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    May 2015
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    colfax, WA
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    Thank you everyone for all the great advice. After reading it all I decided to put him on the leash and work with him. Something we haven't done, because he's a farm dog. It took a full hour and probably a half more to get him to settle down. He was fine as long as he had a hold of the leash and was pulling me along, but when I tried to get him to walk beside me - well, let's just say, I don't know who was more "abused", him or me. ) Finally after an hour he must have realized that I was not going to give in to him and settled down and walked beside me. I didn't even let him have enough leeway to pick up his ball. As soon as I gave a little tug, he fell right in by me. When I brought him into the house, his usual way is to run up and press his nose against the door refusing to move so he can be the first one in. I pulled him back and made him wait for me to allow him in. He was a little confused by that, but has continued waiting for me to go in first and then waiting until I tell him to come in. Kept the leash on him even while he was in the house with me for 2 days. Now, he comes in and lays beside me while I work. No bouncing and jumping on me like he was.

    Since we live out in the country, he has a lot of area to run and be free. And he does. So that wasn't really the problem. I can see now that he was basically trying to make me do what he wanted because he didn't see me as the boss.

    I'm amazed at how many problems were solved with something so simple. He's still hyper, but without the aggression, it's tolerable. I'm actually beginning to enjoy having him with me throughout the day. Today we let Zeke outside with us while I was out there and he was pretty good with him. Before, it seemed like he was acting out of jealousy, but doesn't seem to feel that way now that he's with me so much. The time he attacked Zeke, I had gone out to the mud room to do laundry and Zeke slipped by me. I don't know exactly what happened between the two before the fight because I didn't realize Zeke was out there, but I think Sebastian was antagonizing Zeke because he thought Zeke was getting more attention and when Zeke fought back Sebastian got mad. We still won't leave Zeke out alone with him because he's too small. He likes to just lay around the house and snooze anyway, since he's older.

    Just to answer a couple questions put to us. No, Colfax doesn't have a trainer, but a guy opened a beautiful kennel outside of Palouse that we used last month when we were out of town and he is also a trainer. Pullman does have classes that we are going to take this summer.

    As far as why we touched Sebastian while he was eating, well, we have done that to every dog we've ever had since we got married 35 years ago. We have interacted with them while they eat from the time they are little puppies and we have never had a dog that gets upset when approached while they ate. The safety of our kids is just too important not to. I think it's a lot like the article you suggested we read. And it seems to have worked all these years.

    Now if I could just get him to stop plucking all the plants out of my pots on the deck every time I turn my back!!

    Thanks everyone!

  5. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to pianomom For This Useful Post:

    Doreen Davis (05-20-2015), Moby and Barley's Mom (05-23-2015), SunDance (05-20-2015)

 



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