Cyrus did it again

[Denise L.]

Two weeks ago I wrote in chit chat that Cyrus barked at one of the kids when he (the kid) was leaving my office. It was as if Cyrus did not want him to leave. Of course I was horrified, gave Cyrus a tongue lashing and immediately put him through some training drills.

I kept him home from work the following week and worked with him every day. He is always good at home, never gives me, my mother or anyone who comes to visit a problem and he was always perfectly behaved at work until he pulled that.

This week I brought him in Monday and he was perfectly behaved. Yesterday, however he did it again to one of my staff members who was playing with him. When Dale walked out Cyrus barked his brains out

Again, I gave him holy you-know-what and put him through his paces.

I don't get it. This dog has been wonderful for nearly 2 years. I have worked with him daily for 2 weeks, took away his sofa and furniture privilege and have just been diligent about not "spoiling" him.

The only thing different is he has an ear infection which we are treating, but he hasn't been "grumpy" about anything else in life. Just this barking tantrum.

I will not bring him back to work now. I feel he may scare the heck out of someone and he isn't here for that. The kids here adore him but I am not bringing him back until I can get to the bottom of this.

Any thoughts on how I can attack this more effectively?

Thanks everyone.

[Miabella]

My interpretation of it would be that although Cyrus respects you, his head has gotten a bit inflated by all the attention he gets from your co-workers and students. They no doubt shower him with attention, loving on him, like Judi would say, just for breathing. I would keep up the NILF with him, but ask people at work to ignore him. He probably thinks these people wait around all day for King Cyrus to show up, and he expects his subjects to mind him when he does. A down-stay, enforced if necessary, when people come in. If there are individuals you can't trust to respect your wishes about ignoring him (there are always one or two in a crowd), set up a crate in your office so you can pop him in when they arrive and you can conduct your business.

[Denise L.]

Thanks. That was my line of thinking...too full of himself. And I made the mistake in not recognizing that even though he is respecting me, everyone else is here for his pleasure.

Butthead...(me not him!)

Great advice Laurie! Thanks for firing up my old brain cells!

[Miabella]

Originally Posted by Denise L.

everyone else is here for his pleasure.

Yup, LOL. I know some people who think the world revolves around them, so I guess we shouldn't be surprised when a dog starts to think the same thing if everyone keeps telling him it is so.

You are on the right track with what you are doing, now you just have to take the next step by #1) making it known that you will decide how and when he interacts with people, and #2) showing him that people have their own business and not everything involves him.

[jas'smom]

Denise....just a quick question...how was this person playing with Cyrus? quietly or something a bit more active? Not that his behavior was acceptable, but could the game itself have been part of the trigger? I often have to limit the games people want to play with Jas.....as she can get ramped up

[Denise L.]

Originally Posted by jas'smom

Denise....just a quick question...how was this person playing with Cyrus? quietly or something a bit more active? Not that his behavior was acceptable, but could the game itself have been part of the trigger? I often have to limit the games people want to play with Jas.....as she can get ramped up

He was playing gently with him. But lots of massaging and loving...the stuff Cyrus lives for

[Sargeant_C]

I would keep it short visits with him at work. Hello Cyrus pat pat and have them ignore him. Or make it to where he works for a pat or buttscritch. Then maybe he will catch on that we cannot act like a spoiled brat.

[Burnsway]

I don't usually try to use medical reasons as an excuse, but being you are pretty ontop of things and this seems to be a bit out of his normal personality, have you gotten a full Physical, checking hips for soreness or ear infection and eye sights.

The reason I pinpoint those areas is eyesight could cause the off distance barking, If ears are hurting that could cause growling while being petted as hips can.

If a vet check shows nothing wrong then you know for sure as already suspected he is feeling a bit up there........

But I bet since it happens when they walk out he is being a total brat........

[Ilovemypuppy]

I think I would use the situation to pre-empt Cyrus' reaction to people leaving but distracting him when you know they will be leaving the office..and insisting on manners.

It might be what I have heard as the "Rottie Recall"...come back here ! Bossy behaviour , yes...but correctable as long as you 'correct the intention". If he has done it and not been corrected until after he fires off..then it has been self rewarding.

If it's possible for you to do this training in your office, it would be the ideal place to do it. He won't learn anything from staying home.

I would also tell people to ignore him for a while.."he's in training" :o)

Just my two cents worth :o))

[Denise L.]

Originally Posted by Ilovemypuppy

I think I would use the situation to pre-empt Cyrus' reaction to people leaving but distracting him when you know they will be leaving the office..and insisting on manners.

It might be what I have heard as the "Rottie Recall"...come back here ! Bossy behaviour , yes...but correctable as long as you 'correct the intention". If he has done it and not been corrected until after he fires off..then it has been self rewarding.

If it's possible for you to do this training in your office, it would be the ideal place to do it. He won't learn anything from staying home.

I would also tell people to ignore him for a while.."he's in training" :o)

Just my two cents worth :o))

This is exactly why I brought him in this morning.

So far he has had 3 mini-sessions: with my mechanic, one of my housekeepers and a vendor. So far, so good!

Oh! Just now my desk worker came in he he sat and he stayed perfectly.

It is encouraging when Monday can get off to a good start!

Tonight we come back to the dorm with my mom too for the annual Thanksgiving dinner. He will stay in my office but I am sure some of the kids will come by to say goodnight...it will be great opportunity.

Thanks everyone!

[Ilovemypuppy]

Cryus is getting ON THE JOB training :o)) It doesn't get any better than that...Good Boy Cyrus !!!!