Moving with Oakley - tips?

Dreeza

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#1
Alright, so as a sort of update to this thread: http://chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261541&highlight=oakley

We've been doing the mat training from the book, but have gotten a bit stuck with the distractions...as it is really hard to grade them (he doesn't react to a doorbell on youtube, but does to the actual one, etc)...but without getting into that training too much...as honestly, there so far is not much difference in his behavior when we are diligent about having oakley play mental games, etc....

but anyways, the question for now is:


On April 1, my fiance & I are moving in together and into a new apartment.

I've promised Adam that Oakley won't be sleeping in the bed...so am trying to figure out the best way to keep that...

Are there certain ways we can approach the new place to very much establish that he does not own it? I've moved with him many times, and he usually runs around, sniffs, jumps on a couch & then just gets comfy & becomes possessive of the place very quickly.

I'm almost wondering if we should take a NILIF approach & keep him leashed to us when introducing him? Possibly having my fiance do most to get Oakley to understand that he is his owner too, now? Any other ideas for a smooth move-in?

Also, since Oakley barks non-stop when he isn't allowed in bed...any tips for him not getting us kicked out the first night??

Thanks
 

mrose_s

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#2
I'd definetly be bringing in these new rules now, not just when you move into the next house.

I was always a believer in the dogs access to furniture having little to do with your relationship with them or their behaviour. And I'm sure for some/most dogs this is true, but Quinn has shown time and time again she is not one of those dogs.
I moved her to sleep in a crate in my room because she would guard my room from Buster when allowed on the bed, then when I moved out of home I made the flat out rule of her never stepping foot in my room.

I don't know your issues with Oakley back to front but if he's showing dominant or possessive behaviour I would be ripping his privileges off him
 

Dreeza

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I'd definetly be bringing in these new rules now, not just when you move into the next house.

I was always a believer in the dogs access to furniture having little to do with your relationship with them or their behaviour. And I'm sure for some/most dogs this is true, but Quinn has shown time and time again she is not one of those dogs.
I moved her to sleep in a crate in my room because she would guard my room from Buster when allowed on the bed, then when I moved out of home I made the flat out rule of her never stepping foot in my room.

I don't know your issues with Oakley back to front but if he's showing dominant or possessive behaviour I would be ripping his privileges off him
Thanks,

Yah...when we try to take privileges away, Oakley just incessently barks/whines/gets super aggressive (to the point of dangerous)...and with roommates, it is tough to work through. Will be easier without, but we also don't want to get ourselves kicked out!
 

AgilityPup

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#4
Thanks,

Yah...when we try to take privileges away, Oakley just incessently barks/whines/gets super aggressive (to the point of dangerous)...and with roommates, it is tough to work through. Will be easier without, but we also don't want to get ourselves kicked out!

Start changing rules now, but once you move do not give in on them AT ALL. New rules are the ONLY rules. When I moved with Simi I used that chance to teach her not to get on furniture, etc.. Since we have lived here for almost a year she has literally tried to get on the couch/bed a total of 3 times. And each attempt was met with a stern 'No!'

Simi was iffy with my boyfriend when we first moved. She'd never lived with anyone but my parents and sister and I. So at first we had some issues, but time and shared walks helped a lot. It also came so that my boyfriend would only pat her, treat her, etc., if he asked her to do something first and she did it. No free loving or attention and she quickly learned she has to listen to him. I know it's different in your situation, but a new place helps sometimes because you can use that change and "stress" to your advantage some.
 

Dreeza

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Start changing rules now, but once you move do not give in on them AT ALL. New rules are the ONLY rules. When I moved with Simi I used that chance to teach her not to get on furniture, etc.. Since we have lived here for almost a year she has literally tried to get on the couch/bed a total of 3 times. And each attempt was met with a stern 'No!'

Simi was iffy with my boyfriend when we first moved. She'd never lived with anyone but my parents and sister and I. So at first we had some issues, but time and shared walks helped a lot. It also came so that my boyfriend would only pat her, treat her, etc., if he asked her to do something first and she did it. No free loving or attention and she quickly learned she has to listen to him. I know it's different in your situation, but a new place helps sometimes because you can use that change and "stress" to your advantage some.

Thanks, that is super helpful to hear about your successes when you moved!

We also discussed making Oakley's schedule MUCH more strict. Because of my crazy work hours before (and my mom's when Oakley lived with my parent's), he has NEVER had a consistent schedule. He has always seemed to do fine (he never really whines for food or walks, etc)....but now I am thinking that probably is a huge source of stress, as he "never knows when his next meal will be" (he obvs always gets one...but can be at very diff times!) So as of today, since my hours have changed to be much more consistent, we are implementing a routine, that we can hopefully stick to (especially once we are moved in, as between the 2 of us, it should be easy to ensure one of us is home at the right time).

Am hoping that will also help!
 

AgilityPup

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#6
Thanks, that is super helpful to hear about your successes when you moved!

We also discussed making Oakley's schedule MUCH more strict. Because of my crazy work hours before (and my mom's when Oakley lived with my parent's), he has NEVER had a consistent schedule. He has always seemed to do fine (he never really whines for food or walks, etc)....but now I am thinking that probably is a huge source of stress, as he "never knows when his next meal will be" (he obvs always gets one...but can be at very diff times!) So as of today, since my hours have changed to be much more consistent, we are implementing a routine, that we can hopefully stick to (especially once we are moved in, as between the 2 of us, it should be easy to ensure one of us is home at the right time).

Am hoping that will also help!
Consistency is key, especially to a dog that stresses. And I agree, much more strict. Simi lived her first two years as a wild dog, more or less. On a farm, with a pack of dogs, just doing what she wanted most of the time. No real rules. When we moved here I didn't gradually change that. I 100% changed it as soon as she walked in the door and I have seen LEAPS AND BOUNDS of improvement with her because of it. She used to bark and lunge at every dog that barked at her while on a walk, when we first moved. Now, dogs can bark and lunge and charge at her and she will raise her hair, look away, and walk faster to get away from them, but doesn't engage at all. Besides regular walks and a routine, I haven't done any training on this issue to change it, honestly.
 

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