Quote:
Originally Posted by BigZeus  Now, I feel so f'ing terrible about it :( . |
Well, I have to give you credit where credit is due. It takes a big man to admit this, and of course, that's the first step.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigZeus Now Zeus will cower (sp?) down to me if he knows he did something wrong and I approach him. I do NOT spank him anymore, I just love on him and tell him what he did was wrong usually by pointing and saying "No" in a normal voice. |
By "loving on him" when he's cowering, you are teaching him that cowering is what you want. So he's complying. This you need to stop doing, right now. When he cowers, completing ignore the behavior. Don't even look at him. What is he doing "wrong" that needs punishment? A little more detail, and perhaps we can help with specific instances.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigZeus I don't want him to fear me, or do I to some extent? I also do not want him to feel like he has to cower down to me when he does something wrong. I feel as though I'm terrifying him by him acting this way and I would never want that. |
NO...your dog shouldn't fear you. He should respect you, and he should TRUST you (that's what's going to need rebuilding), but no, there's absolutely no reason you should want him to fear you. He sounds like a good boy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigZeus What should I do about this? My Zeus is a sweetheart and very gentle beast who loves me and my 3 yr old son to death. |
I would suggest you keep reading, reading, READING here, and also find a positive reinforcement training class and take him to it where you can get hands on help with repairing your relationship with him.
Give us your zip code and perhaps someone knows of a good POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT trainer in your area, or we can find you some trainers to check out.