watchdog woes

[Ocean]

I never wanted to have Ocean trained as a bonified "watchdog," but I do like that she gives people she does not know who approach me - or the house - a warning bark.

Here is the problem; we have a real issue with my ex-husband trying to get into our house. He has been told numerous times he is not to come on the property, but ignores us and tries to get into the house or yard every chance he gets (when he comes to pick up my son). The first time he met Ocean, she did the warning bark thing - great! Just what I want her to do! The second and third times, she fawned like a big goof and rolled over on her back, waggling her tail.

My question is this (and I feel like an idiot for asking): Is there any way to train a dog that certain people are not allowed? I don't want her to welcome him into our house or yard!! I want her to be an asset in keeping him out, whether we are home or not. Is this ridiculous?

[Ocean]

I guess this question is too stupid to answer - moderator can delete post if they like, please.

[mmgy]

No question is too stupid!!!;) I wish I knew the answer for you.

[Judi W]

She has noted how he is treated by your son (I would assume welcomed) and courteously I imagine by you, therefore she is acting as might be expected. Attempting to get her to behave in a hostile manner towards someone who is treated in a normal fashion by the home mates would simply drive her slightly crazy with mixed messages.

Your responsibility should be to purhcase and put locks on the fence gates and keep them locked, and replace the door locks to your home and keep them activated. If he attempts to enter when doors are locked and you are not there or answering you simply call the police and report a prowler.

[Jamie & Odin]

Ocen, when my husband and I seperated and I moved out I heard all the time from people that if he ever showed up at my place, at least I have Odin and he would protect me.

It never seemed to occur to people that my ex lived with, fed, played with, took care of, etc. this same dog who was then supposed to turn into my valiant protector and not let his "daddy" into the apartment

We can expect (and get) a lot from our dogs, but some things are just beyond their abilities.

[livinzoo]

Although my big guy lived her for about a month that my ex did, he reacted to my ex breaking in. Since then he will growl at the ground if he smells my exs scent. If the dog feels as though you are threatened the reaction might be quite different. I'm sure if something happened and I had to let my ex in the front door and was calm my guy wouldn't react. To be honest I live in fear of my ex breaking in my house. And I think my big guy knows it. My little guy just thinks he needs to protect me from the dogs on tv. Go figure.
Crystal

[Burnsway]

I purposely begged my X to come in and meet Psyche every chance I could get. I even went a step further and got his approval when we got the dog(Not that I would have listened if he didn't like it.....LOL) The last thing I needed is for him to go to a court and say I had my daughter in an apartment with an aggressive dog that didn't allow him his visitation rights......

My X,weather we like it or not is still my child's dad and he has been given permission "within reason" to come onto our property at any given moment he feels the need. I hate him at times but he will always feel welcome in my home as my daughters dad.

If your X isn't abusive or a threat to you or your child, I would suggest for your child, to make meetings as pleasant and friendly as possible, dog included. I know this is hard but it will make a huge difference in future situations as your child grows into adulthood. I have a cuss out diary I write in secretly, on my PC for those "he makes me so mad" moments...... It's labeled Hissy Fit time.....LOL!

Ok off the X drama(LOL) and onto.........

I would follow Judi's post, locks and alarms and if he is actually illegally entering the property call the law.

As far as having your post deleted because no one answered, I think if admin did that to all my unanswered post he would have lots more space.......:D Sometimes people are busy or just didn't get to a post. Don't take it personaly.....;)

[LavenderRott]

I know that I have stated a milion times how laid back and calm Chase is. I have even had to pull her to the door and prop her up against my leg once when someone I didn't know knocked on my door in the middle of the night.

However, about a year ago, I locked my keys in the house. After 45 minutes of trying to break into my own house, I broke down and called a locksmith. When this strange man opened the door, my oldest daughter and I had to rush past him and grab Chase because she was not going to let him into the house. And she wasn't just blocking the door!

There is no doubt in my mind that if she thought my life was threatened or the life of my children Chase would put in her two cents worth.

She has met my ex on a couple of occassions. He doesn't spend any time with my daughters and birthday cards are usually months late. I am sure if he came into my home and threatened us, Chase would politely inform him that he should leave.

[2rotties2luv]

Well said, Melissa.

I've been there too, and I handled the situation the same way that you did. My ex had a fit when I told him that I was adopting a rottie, but when he met Sierra and saw for himself how friendly and well-mannered she was, he was OK with it.

I would expect my rotties to be watchdogs and no more. By a watchdog , I mean that I would expect them to bark if someone is at the door or anywhere near the house, or if a car stops in the driveway or in front of the house. I would not expect them to guard me, as they have not had protection training.

Melissa, my daughter is now 25 and married. I am so glad I handled the situation with my ex as I did, and encouraged the relationship between my daughter and her father. As she has grown up, she found out all on her own what a poophead he is!:D

I also changed all the locks on the house shortly after he left, and also made sure my daughter did NOT bring her house key with her when visiting her father. I would not have put it past him to "borrow" her key and make a copy.:(

[Ocean]

Thank you, everyone - there had been so many views an no answers, I just thought it was such an incredibly stupid question that it was being shunned... :D

Your answers are pretty such what I had surmised... Ocean performs the watchdog duries just fine without raining or encouragement, and I never wanted a Rottie for that purpose in the first place. I just hate it when I see her roll on her back in front of that sc*mb*g and have to watch him putting his hands all over my dog- I want to disinfect her afterward!

We do lock the gates and doors when he is scheduled to come by, but he still tries to sneak in. If it continues, I will have to get a restraining order against him, which would be a shame to have my son know about. He already knows what a "poophead" his father is, but loves him anyway with a few wise reservations.

I think I will just take Ocean inside when he pulls up in our driveway (which I hate also, why can't he park on the street???). Idiot.

[Stubby]

Originally posted by Ocean
Here is the problem; we have a real issue with my ex-husband trying to get into our house. He has been told numerous times he is not to come on the property, but ignores us and tries to get into the house or yard every chance he gets (when he comes to pick up my son).

If you don't want him on your property, get a restraining order. I don't think he seems to be listening to you telling him. :) Otherwise, just driving into the yard would be thought of the same as if someone came to visit you.
Now, getting into the house may be a different story, hence the restraining order. At least you got something to back you up..



As an aside, there seems to be a ton of you ladies that are divorced, separated etc.
Are you guys all really so hard to live with?? ;) :D
And why do you guys allways get the dogs?!?! lol ;)

Oww OWWW Stop it.. I can feel the whacks on the head with the broom from here!! :D

[Wookie'sMom]

The women get the dogs because they are the ones who feed, groom, train, vet, etc. the dogs at least in 90% of couples that I've noticed. When they break up the guys realize it would be a lot more work than they are used to to keep the dog. IMHO.

[2rotties2luv]

Originally posted by Stubby
As an aside, there seems to be a ton of you ladies that are divorced, separated etc.
Are you guys all really so hard to live with?? ;) :D
And why do you guys allways get the dogs?!?! lol ;)

Oww OWWW Stop it.. I can feel the whacks on the head with the broom from here!! :D

Well, Stubby, we ladies are not always the ones who want out.:(

Speaking for myself, my ex decided at age 45 that life was passing him by and so he ran off with his bimbo golddigger of a secretary half his age. And, no, he didn't get the dog - how can he be "free" if he has the responsibility of a dog?

[Nina&Bill]

Parking in the driveway...think of it this way; at least your son doesn't have to go into the street to get into the car.

Of course you could always do what we do, leave a bunch of bikes in the driveway when "company" is coming & so there's no room for him to pull into it. Granted, we don't do this intentionally but...:)

Sorry that so many of you have to deal with this sort of thing!

Nina