Sassy's Manners are in the Dog House after PARVO, HELP!

[ahhhbe]

As many of you know, Sassy was in the hospital for 11 days for parvo....this being said her manners (and the "house rules" in general) have gone to the dog house....no pun intended!

Anyways, she has become increasingly aggressive, not with the kids or hubby or myself, but with other people (mainly men I am noticing). Example...we went to the vet for the follow-up....she was calm and relaxed lying by my feet. As SOON as the vet walked in she sat up and growled and barked and would NOT let up. I corrected her and told her no and she didnt get aggressive with me. I know that she probably wouldnt loose sleep if she never saw him again because of what she has been through but the same thing happened when the exterminator came on Tuesday. I let him in the house but I put her on a leash and kept her with me.....she barked and growled at him until he left. Before she got sick, if I would let someone in the house and "let her know" they were ok to be there, she was ok with whomever I let in....as long as I let them in. So....how do I correct this?

She is also VERY BAD about jumping up onto counters (table and whatever else looks promising) with front paws to check for "goodies".....this is also something she has NEVER done before she got sick and when I catch her I correct her and put her in her crate. She has been in my bed 3 times in the last two days when I come out of the bathroom (shes not allowed on my bed).

Also, she was very good about trotting up to the kids and "sitting" and waited for them to love on her (we had to work hard on this because I SWEAR she thinks she weighs 5-10 lbs). Now, she is back to practically running over them and DEMANDING the love. Not in an aggressive way, but I dont want it to get there.....I feel like we are waaaaay back to square one.....another example is when there is a knock on the door she barks, which is ok with me, but she HAS TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO THE DOOR to "see who it is".....this is REALLY obnoxious.....I am constantly tugging on her collar so guests can get in and out of the door without her running out and over them. Is it true that people coming should "ignore" her so that she isnt "rewarded" for this behavior. AYE AYE AYE!!

So, now that it sounds like my dog is a MONSTER, any advice is welcome! We are signed up to start obedience classes on 4/6. Again, 90%-95% of this behavoir STARTED after she came home from her 11 day stay at the hospital.

[hokisteph5]

Classes are going to be a big help. Don't beat yourself up too much about her regressing. If my dogs had gone through what Sassy did, I would've let their training slide...

All I can say is you'll have to almost start the whole training process over again. Reward the behaviors you like, ignore the ones you don't. These dogs are smart, they pick up on what gets them what they want and what doesn't.

For starters, work on getting her to associate someone coming over as being a good thing. When someone comes over, have her on leash and ask her to sit before you let the person in. Reward her like crazy at first when she complies and then eventually taper off the amount of treats she's getting.

You could probably even start the training by having her in her crate. That way, when she's calm you can let her out and work on her training around strangers.

When it comes to the kids try having them cross their arms and turn their backs on her rude, pushy behavior. When she's sitting then they can bestow attention on her. For my female, this was the only thing I could get to work. Some dogs seem to understand best when they're being IGNORED.

[ahhhbe]

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

For starters, work on getting her to associate someone coming over as being a good thing. When someone comes over, have her on leash and ask her to sit before you let the person in. Reward her like crazy at first when she complies and then eventually taper off the amount of treats she's getting.

You could probably even start the training by having her in her crate. That way, when she's calm you can let her out and work on her training around strangers.

I think I am going to start with her in her crate. Although, sometimes she sits nicely while I unlock the gate so I think she is calm and then she zooms over to the company like a bat outta you know where anyways.....

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

When it comes to the kids try having them cross their arms and turn their backs on her rude, pushy behavior. When she's sitting then they can bestow attention on her. For my female, this was the only thing I could get to work. Some dogs seem to understand best when they're being IGNORED.

I never thought of this.....good idea....especially since she outweighs all but one of the kiddos!! I am going to have them start this tomorrow!!!!

[Jaidann]

Yep. Sounds like it's back to square one with Miss Sassy Pants. It's what I would do. I know it's hard because you already had her over some of the hurdles. But I'm sure since she was already doing well, she'll get back to it fairly fast and it won't be so bad anymore.

[harleychik66]

Sassy has regressed to a pup again. I also agree with what everyone else has said, start over again. Poor girl she was sick for so long and now she's just ready to experience life again. It shouldn't be as bad this time around as she already knows most of the rules it's just reinforcing them again. Training will also help.

I would also recommend seeing if your vet would just let you visit with Sassy. Have it be a positive thing. After what she went through she can't be that fond of the place. Go into a room and when the vet comes in let him reward with treats. No check up just many rewards.

It will get better. Many years ago I had a husky that was sick for a while. When she got stabilized she started counter surfing much like Sassy is doing. She had never done it in the past either. We worked on this and she did stop again.

I'm just glad to hear that you are starting to enforce the rules again and not feel sorry for her and allow her to get away with the bad behavior.

Keep at it and Sassy will have her manners back in no time, although at the moment it does sound as if she is living up to her name.LOL