Going backwards @ 6 months

[marsol]

I love this forum..have been reading it since we got Sydney at 8 weeks old. Sydney is almost 7 months old. I have read and and read and did just about everything the books have said about socialization..taking her to malls, Home Depot..lots of PetSmart.and daycamp 2-3x aweek. When she was 8 weeks old the Pet Smart Vet said that she had an attitude, which I didn't take seriously...but as the weeks went on I saw it too. Not aimed at me but at new people. She has been through puppy preschool with practice every day..lots of exercise. She went from puppy preschool to advance (Petsmart again) and will let me and my husband do just about anything to her except take a knucklebone when they are fresh.

About a month ago we moved..and then it was like she had to reassert herself all over again with everything. ..and now her routine has changed..2 days home alone in a special pen we made for her..2 days at my exneighbors that has a female mix that Sydney was around since she was 8 wks old. and 1 day at PetSmart...now the green shirted helpers at daycamp Sydney adores..my family she has gotten used to..but now just about every single new person, after she smells their hand ..if they go to pet her or make too long of eye contact they get a curl of the lip ! Nail cutting has become an ordeal as has the vets...muzzles, growling thrashing and then the second it's off everything is fine again.

I know NOW the questions I should have asked the breeder I didn't and I sure that her temprement is just not the best. I start private training for 6 weeks with a professional at Triple Crown Academy..very professional and also a school that certifies trainers. The trainer told me during the evaluation that Sydney is still young enough and that we can change her behavior.

I just keep thinking it is something that I have doen wrong. I see so much potential in her but do not understand why she will Sit, offer her paw (for a treat) and then growl at the person..or why she will try and cuddle up to someone and then growl at them..I just don't understand...any input would be greatly apprciated. It is usually me and her..my husband is rarely here and she has always been COMPLETELY submissive to him. Thanks everybody in advance

[debbiej]

there is so much information on this forum about a dog deciding they are the boss. do a few searches on that idea. Although I haven't had much experience along these lines, I've read all the posts and advice and it sounds to me like that is sort of what is happening. search for terms like; NILIF, change in behavior, search for and read "a fable" by Judi W, read about dogs on the bed, etc. Your young lady needs to get the idea out of her head that she gets to make any decisions about anything.

[marsol]

When it comes to food I do follow the NILF..but I am wondering if I need to apply that to petting and scratching ??

[Sargeant_C]

Originally Posted by marsol

When it comes to food I do follow the NILF..but I am wondering if I need to apply that to petting and scratching ??

Yep make the pup earn everything. Sit then pet, down then scratch. It is very simple request and once they do something such as sit or down or whatever then feel free to pet away. Plus it is an extra chance to make the pup do a command.
Also do some when headed outside such as sit before going out..

[Judi W]

And I would strongly suggest that you remove her from daycare and her visits with xneighbors. She is coming of age and does not need to be running with a dog pack where she will be learning nothing good. Not sure why she has this big social life where you are not involved to see what messages she might be getting as regards her behavior, but obviously they are not messages that benefit her relationships. You can institute all the programs you want at home, but they do little good if she is spending 3 days a week with other people where the rules and attitude requirements are not the same. If you want to take her for a visit and play session with the xneighbor, do it when you can stay and supervise and then take her and go home. Other people do not have the long term vested interest in her behavior that you do, and should not be placed in charge (or in not-charge) of her. I would not be so inclined to blame this on the breeding, but rather blame it on letting other people have too much the raising of her at these impressionable ages.

[AZBRAT]

I agree with JudiW. We had a huge relapse in training when we were gone for the weekend and left Sam with a woman we knew through dog class. She breeds Rotts but did not have any pups at the time - just her females and one male. Sam got along with Zen (the male) wonderfully and they seemed to have a great time together. This woman loves Sam and took great care of her but the problem is that there are not many rules in her house. The dogs can run around like maniacs in the house, on the couches, etc. so when Sam came home she was like a little monkey for her first day home. NO MORE staying at this woman's house - after one weekend most of her manners were "forgotten"!

[damp]

Why too many people are involved and influence your pup. She may simply be frustrated and obviously, she doesn’t know what is right or wrong… when and where. You need to work with your pup and only you. At 7 months she is old enough to be home alone in a safe environment, while you are at work and that’s much better, than having x-numbers of people train/make and brake rule.

Your pup needs recognition in the training, fairness and consistence, and it’s your responsibly to teach and train it and not all the world.

[snhagood]

I had SUCH a brat when my dog was 10 weeks old. She was definitely queen of the attitude department. It doesn't sound to me like you need the kind of intervention that was suggested to me but by the time I had enough of my dog's attitude (around 6 months), it was way past time to deal with her. So I had a CTJ meeting with her - Come to Jesus is the technical term. Nothing religious, but I had to let her know that her actions would not be tolerated in no uncertain terms. What that means varies from owner to owner, but let me tell you.. it was very effective. By the time she started her obedience classes, she was a lot more pleasant to be around.

On a side note to Judi, if no one minds... what you said resonated with me in dealing with my current problem. So, even though it wasn't intended for me, it gave me more to think about. Thanks.

Good luck to you and your pup, marsol!

[marsol]

Wow..I had thought that it was a good thing that she was around other people..and day camp..she loves to play with other doggies and it is her only chance. When we moved up here a month ago we built her a huge pen with trees, shade, dog house etc., etc and it seems to be OK (it gets so hot in Texas). I had this idea that it would be detrimental for her to be home alone 5 days a week...but I do see your point. The neighbor has reinforced all the basic commands and is extremely attached to her..but I can see how it might be confusing in some ways for her..won't she get lonely with all the alone time ?? Or does she sleep the day away ??

[marsol]

My husband has been gone so much lately for the past 6 months and that was not our intention when we got her. I work full time so when he is back around more it will be helpful....I was in a situation when she was a pup where the neighbor cam over and let her out of her crate a couple of times a day and I came home for an hour at lunch. I have never thought it was right when people get a dog then are never there and maybe I have overcompensated ??

[Judi W]

Well, most of us have to earn a living and the dogs learn not to be dependent for all their lives (which is not an attractive attribute). That does them no favor. If you were home, you should have noticed that dogs pretty much nap more than they do anything else unless someone is initiating an activity. They nap until you arrive and then they are good to go.

Dogs are not human babies needing daycare. They are weaned from their mothers pretty much by 7 weeks of age! The education process is important and you are the one who should be the decision maker where that is concerned, not a series of others. She is learning all the time. The important thing is what she is learning.

[marsol]

Judi ..how about no neighbor and 1 day of day camp ?? I don't want her to become unaccustomed to other dogs and there are no "dog parks" where we live.

[Judi W]

The important thing a dog needs to learn once the puppy impression stage is passed, is to behave and mind its own business and owner and not turn into an idiot at the sight of another dog. The impression period has long passed for this dog and now her main concern should be training and learning to defer to you. The more you give her the opportunity to please herself elsewhere, the less reason she has to want to please you. It devalues your relationship.

She does not need to run with a pack of dogs whether doggy day care of a dog park! Particularly for this breed which tends to want to run things, this dog group stuff is not good. She already thinks she is a big shot so why give her more opportunities to reinforce that idea? Being around other dogs should not mean running without restraint with them. Spend your money on training classes which is what your need is. She will be "around" other dogs in training situations. She will see other dogs while you are out walking her (you do walk her don't you?). Your issues are compounded by letting her make her own decisions whilst running loose in the company of other undisciplined dogs.

[RottiMomCT]

I worked full time for the past 5 years - Ben was home alone during that time. In September 2004 we added Baron to the house...he too was alone during the 8 hours that I worked. I've been unemployed for a month now...the dogs sleep all day unless I wake them by saying 'lets go out'. We have been spending more time outside but normally I am either online looking for a job (or on Rott.net) or watching TV or reading the newspaper...and the dogs sleep.

Now that I have a sprained wrist and a bum knee I can't DO much...so even though I am here...I can't do anything...so it's like I'm not here

Formal controlled training classes and regular walks with you will do far more for her socialization than doggie daycamp/daycare and romps with the neighbors....and will help her learn that you are boss...not her.

[scooterjohansen]

moderators please delete my post vvvvvvvv