View Full Version : Temper training!
gmpullano
05-02-2005, 11:39 AM
My parent's 6 1/2 month-old Pomeranian, Abby, can be so sweet. But there are times, like if you try to take something away from her that she shouldn't have, that you think she is going to eat you alive. She gets viscious! Anyone else ever deal with this? If so, what do you do about it?
She sounds like she doesn't know her place in the pack. I'd suggest NILIF training for her.
It stands for Nothing In Life Is Free and it's basically a training program that makes the dog earn what it wants.
EX: The dog wants her food: she sits for it.
The dog wants a treat: she shakes for it.
The dog wants attention: she lies down for it.
It's all resource control. The dog needs to learn that everything she needs and wants comes from her human family, and she needs to respect them.
Best of luck,
~Purr
I just posted this on another thread. If you read this article http://www.k9deb.com/nilif.htm and the social isolation link on the same page you should get a lot of insight. Please take the time to read it. It's a bit long but very useful
dexnleilaOH
05-05-2005, 05:55 PM
Our foster puppy Zoe is like that too. Or if I am trying to take her from where I want her to be instead of where she wants to be...ie eating out of the big dogs food bowls... she becomes instant snarl face. She does sit before eating, going out, playing... we used NILIF with our 2 dogs and they are awesome. Zoe is getting better though. She is learning she is not the boss. She is too darn cute...
Maureen
mrose_s
05-06-2005, 09:29 AM
lucky pomeranians are compact size, having a doberman or a great dane with that problem would be a worry, what about wearing thick gloves, so even if she bites ure hand, it wont effect u...
opokki
05-06-2005, 11:59 PM
My parent's 6 1/2 month-old Pomeranian, Abby, can be so sweet. But there are times, like if you try to take something away from her that she shouldn't have, that you think she is going to eat you alive. She gets viscious! Anyone else ever deal with this? If so, what do you do about it?
Practice object exchanges with her. Start out with items that are not as important to her and work your way up very gradually to more highly regarded items. Reach for the item and say "give" or "drop it" (or whichever other verbal cue you prefer to use) and take the item. Quickly give her a special treat (don't bribe her with the treat by showing it to her before you take the item, keep it hidden until you have the item away from her -you want her to earn the reward) and lots of praise and then return the item to her. Later when she is pretty reliable you can switch to giving the item back most of the time but not everytime. Do this multiple times every day with various objects until she begins happily exchanging obejects with you . Be sure not to move ahead to quickly.
This will teach her that having possessions taken from her is not threatening, can be rewarding and that she often gets the item back after giving it up.
candy722
05-07-2005, 04:28 AM
She's young. THat's sometimes why they appear to us as vicious. TOki was like that at 4 months. I noticed they start practicing their barks at that 4 months.
bubbatd
05-07-2005, 07:09 PM
Anyone reading this tread with a new puppy should take heed and start right away with training.... while dogs are eating , playing or chewing on a bone etc. stop any growling or snapping in the bud.
Renee750il
05-07-2005, 08:32 PM
Right you are, Grammy! I practice taking things from my dogs' mouths from day one! Every single solitary one of them. You should see the looks I get if I'm out with one of the Monsters and reach into that big chomper-lined maw! But I can do it with impunity because we've done it from day one and they know . . .
And you never know when being able to reach in that mouth just might save your dog's life!