Some Real Problems With Rocky

[BigDog2191]

Well, lately I've been disciplining Rocky with my hand.

I shouldn't.

But now, whenever I try and pick him up and stuff or wrap my hands around him and such, he snarls and snaps angrily.

How do I get this to stop?

I know I shouldn't have hit him. BUT HE DOESN'T LISTEN!

And he'll even taunt me by barking. He tears up furniture (How do I get him to stop that?)

What do I do to gain his love back? :(

[gapeach]

I think You should pm CT

[BigDog2191]

I was hoping her, Doberluv, Renee, and anyone else with good advice would see it here.

[gapeach]

None of them are on tonight. And I am def no expert, even Grammy is gone. Bump it up tomorrow or pm them

[gapeach]

Sorry I can't be more help! :( I know you could get some bitter apple for furniture

[Doberluv]

It sounds like Rocky is confused about who the "alpha" or leader of his group is. When a dog doesn't have a clear picture of that, he starts thinking, (my interpretation) "Oh ****! there's no one here to show us how to hunt, to protect ourselves to organize this pack. We're going to fall apart and die. I guess I'm going to have to be the one to take over this position. OK...I'll start by showing this kid that he's not in charge, I am. Once this kid gets the idea, we'll all be OK. So, NO....this kid is NOT going to be moving ME around, picking ME up, telling ME what to do about anything. I'll show him who's going to be doing all that." OK....so that's kind of guess work I guess (lol) but I think that's about the size of it.

Once a dog or wolf becomes the "alpha", everyone in the pack is pretty fine with that. They have someone to run things. The alpha doesn't have to keep proving himself anymore. He's calm, cool and collected. There is not too much strife within the pack where HE is concerned. But the underlings in the pack will squabble to try to beat eachother out to get closer to the favor of the alpha. It's a linear heirarchy where the dogs "under" the alpha ALSO have a role and posititon and those dogs will do a little lashing out once in a while toward eachother, probably nothing serious most of the time, but something to establish their place. It's like...there's the president, the vice president and on down in "importance."

So, to get to the point....you MUST become the president in your dog's mind...unquestioningly. First, never ever hit your dog. It makes your dog afraid of you and makes him distrust you. He won't see you as alpha, right there, because alphas make their pack feel secure and safe...keep things running smoothly. That's how they get to be alphas. They do a good job and they are NOT rough or mean or flailing around. So, by your hitting and losing your temper, you are resembling an underling in the pack and your dog has NO respect for you. Your dog then figures, he had better get this pack under control. That's why he's growling, biting, not listening to you.

So, from now on, you need to stand tall, be confident, assertive, BUT, in control of your emotions and temper. You need to obedience train this dog, using positive methods and make it worth his while to comply with you. He needs to have a job. He needs to be earning his keep. If you are going to give him ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING....attention, affection, a pat, a treat, his food, opening the door for him, speaking to him, looking at him, giving him a toy, playing with him, HE MUST EARN IT FIRST. He gets NOTHING for free. He has to know some skills first. You ask for a sit before he gets a pat. You ask for a sit/stay before he gets his dinner. You praise him lavishly when he complies. You ask him to sit while you put his collar and leash on. When he wiggles, you stop and say whatever you say that gets him excited to go out. (Wanna go for a walk?) "sit." "good sit" "stay" Put on the collar and leash. Then "gooooood boy. Let's go." You don't jerk when he pulls. You stop walking and say nothing. When he comes back closer to you (eventually) praise and resume walking. You act confident and in charge....walk upright, shoulders square and use a firm, but kind voice. When you stop practicing his skills, stop on a good note with something he does well and praise, give treats, have some romping play time. Show this dog that it is in HIS best interest to follow YOUR lead. He'll start respecting you as his leader and biting and growling at you will no longer be necesssary in his mind.
But you've got to leave your temper and those out of control emotions out of dog training or your dog is going to be ruined and end up being euthanized or given up to a shelter.

You can do this. It will take patience and persistance. It will take firm, assertiveness and kind, gentle hands. You can do this.

With the furniture, you need to distract him into being interested in chewing something better and reward lavishly for that.

The dog needs ample exercise to get the pent up energy out of him, but not so much as to hurt his bones and joints. (about 5 or 10 minutes for each month of age I believe for a heavier boned dog like Rocky) He needs mental exercise and a job to do. He needs to feel like he's growing up and has some responsibilities. He needs to enjoy having those things to do too. It has to be worth it to him...better, more interesting, more fun than chewing on your couch. He needs a more structured schedule....similar every day. Keep him busy or napping. Don't give him too much idle time where he's not engaged in a planned activity. This takes A LOT of our time and patience. It's a huge undertaking and project....(the way I see it) when you get a puppy.

Good luck. You can do this but you need to discipline yourself to do it. You can't be lazy about this. So, hop to it and good luck! You can do this! :p



Get him into a puppy class if you can afford it. It's very good for dogs.

[Renee750il]

I think Doberluv's got you covered there, DoggyDaddy. You've got to be consistent. Good training for both of you :D

[bubbatd]

All good advise....especially Puppy obedience class. Does he like to be brushed ?? If so, this is a good hands on approach where you can move on to a nice massage. Go slowly !! It will take a while to undo your swats.

[BigDog2191]

Wow...

Thanks, Doberluv.

I'll do that... :)

[Debi]

Doberluv said it so well. I can tell you this much...you HAVE to get that confidence now. As stated...not anger, but quiet absolute confidence. If you don't, Rocky is gonna walk all over you. Ham still tests me...not like when he was a puppy, but for kicks or something....he'll test me. You can never feel powerless, they know that they have you. It isn't easy when you are frustrated, but it really is that important. I bet it's all gonna be so much easier when school is out. :) You'll get a better routine going, more play time....Rocky is at a great age right now. He just forgot that YOU are the DoggyDaddy!!!

[BigDog2191]

Heh, school let out Thursday.

Thank God.

Now, I AM more free for Rocky. Meaning more play time and quality time.

[Debi]

Wow..you're out of school already...COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[mrose_s]

its alright BigDog, i know how you feel, i used to get very upset when buster mucked up, and i knew i shouldnt have, but i used force aswell, i have to say, this forum saved me, and it saved him, i have gotten further with his training (especially heal) than I ever did before.
i took me a while to loose the habit, but i've got it now, their is no reaosn in yelling "YOU STUPID DOG" because it shows that you are insecure and that you cant help "the pack" it takes a while for them to understand sometimes, but it takes longer when they distrust you.