Dominance and Training
At about 7 weeks old, little Freya--the 4 pound corgi thinks she is able to dominate me. I'm not having it. I've had to put her in submission hold 3 times this weekend. She tried to bite my face when I was putting her to bed when she didn't want to go. Actually, she tries to bite a lot. She's got our Weimaraner in control for the most part.
So, seeing her actions so far. I am almost certain she needs training. I just need some advice. I want to start the Petsmart classes when she's older. Until then, is there any books that could help or any tips you guys have?
I will say that she isn't a bad dog. She's just insanely smart. She's fairly good at the come command and actually knows her name. Right now, she's doing really good at potty training--whatever accidents that happen are my fault.
So, seeing her actions so far. I am almost certain she needs training. I just need some advice. I want to start the Petsmart classes when she's older. Until then, is there any books that could help or any tips you guys have?
I will say that she isn't a bad dog. She's just insanely smart. She's fairly good at the come command and actually knows her name. Right now, she's doing really good at potty training--whatever accidents that happen are my fault.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tina on
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I've had people recommend "The Other end of the Leash" and "Puppy Kisses" to me. I havnen't had a chance to start puppy kisses, but I've started "The other end of the leash" and so far I've learned some good things to apply to our two corgis.
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Permalink Reply by Lou Ann Lemaster on
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Being only 7 weeks old, she missed out of the extra training her siblings and the mother dog would have given her. Around 6 weeks old is when they learn the pecking order of the pack, and momma controls that. Just have patience and take Tina's suggestion on the books she recommended.
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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on
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Yeah, unfortunately the lady had sold all but 1 other sister by the time they were 6 and a half weeks old. My boyfriend and I felt that she would be better with us so that at least she would have some pack.
And thanks Tina for the book recommendations and Kelly for the sites.
I'm going to need all the help I can get. Freya is the first dog that I get to raise. All the others, my mom raised them and though they were young as well (some how my mom and I get the young ones and she had to bottle feed two of them) so I don't have much experience on my own. But I have watched some Ceasar Milan's stuff, which is a halfises thing for dog people--either he set them back or helped.
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Permalink Reply by Kelly on
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I really liked this training book and it was free online:
http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-training-books/free-dog-training-e-...
I also watched all of these videos before I got Gibson:
http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/634_dog-training-puppy.htm
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Permalink Reply by Sam on
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May I suggest you not use the submission hold. In actuality dogs do not "put" other dogs down but their interaction does and when one dog goes to the ground it is their act of submission. For many dogs holding them down only causes more anger, frustration and often times will make a dog respond much more negatively. While Caesar offers much good advice I have to say many of the techniques offered are not the best choice for novice dog owners. One of the books I like to recommend is "What all good dogs should know" This is a short, to the point and easy to read book which offers the very best basic advice. I do agree it would have been far better that this pup stay with her mom and siblings for a few more weeks. It is much harder for a human to express desired behaviors. Learning how dogs communicate with one another will also help you greatly. Best of luck.
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Permalink Reply by Cindi on
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Agree totally with Debbie. Stop the submission holds. Believe me, your pup doesn't understand what you're trying to do and will get much more frustrated. That frustration will cause her to act out worse. Work on your relationship with her. I'm not saying to spoil her. No spoiling! But if you show respectful leadership, she will respond well.
As for Cesar, he has some good ideas. But you must remember he's dealing with dogs who already have severe behavioral problems and have for some time. He's not dealing with "fresh" puppies. If you take your time and exercise your little one, work on commands like sit and down, and show appropriate affection, you'll have the best pup in the world.
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I have done a lot of research on the alpha roll. Hmm, seems like my boyfriend is terribly wrong in that suggestion. Though, I am not blaming him--I also thought that would work. I've never had to do that to a dog. In fact, I've been around some very respectful dogs who aren't even mine. Though, those dogs are kenneled for up to 18 hours a day, every day and when they are out the owners make them lay down or sit the entire time. I love when I don't even have to talk and all I have to do is signal what I want them to do cause I'm too sleepy to think straight.
Freya doesn't respond to "no" but she does respond somewhat to "Ouch." She comes to me almost 70% of the time right now and that's amazing. I want to be able to be her companion.
I'll definitely be reading some training books, even though my boyfriend believes on the instinctual training (he fears the working dog mentality where they have no personality.) I'll sneak over to Books-a-million and read all that I can. When she's old enough, I'll enroll her in Petsmart classes or enlist the trainer I work with to help me.
Oh, I've neglected to mention that I think I need to get her away from our Weim. I can't tell if she enjoys playing with him all the time. She often run between my legs and dashes out when he gets too close. This only happens when we are outside, by the way. They are fairly calm inside the house.
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Just to give you some hope.. We got Gibson at 7.5 weeks and he was a terror! He did not respond to any of our discipline and hated to be held or petted and generally wanted nothing to do w/us and would hide under furniture and then would bite us all the time. He started obedience class when he was 10 weeks and learned to have respect for me and my husband and now is the sweetest, most gentle and loving dog I've ever seen. He follows me around and loves to snuggle w/us. Just don't give up on Freya, the first month is the worst!
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Oh no, I'm not giving up on my little girl! I'm a bit discouraged, but that's it. This is how it must feel like to be an actual mommy and you feel like you can't do anything right.
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Oh, I am very much proud of her accomplishments. I think I will use "Annt" instead of "No" in training her.
My boyfriend things that overly trained dogs loses all personality. I have no idea why he thinks that as I am around service dogs all the time and they are awesome.
I've looked at the NILF training and will use it. I wish I could also train our Weim--as that isn't my dog and I don't have much say in it as well as I'm the least experienced between the two of us. He believes in following your instincts--if you think you have to do the alpha roll--then do it. That's how he does it. He's inconsistent with our Weim and that is probably causing a lot of problems.
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Permalink Reply by Ginny and Diggory on
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Here's my little non-expert advice. When she revs into hyper mode (we used to call tasmanian devil...)
1) Try yelling ouch! with a deep firm voice. Stand up immediately and turn your back on her. Walk away.
After a minute go back to playing
2) Don't play with your hands. Use toys, ropes, anything... but teach her from a young age that your hands are not toys.
3) The crate can be one of your best tools. If she doesn't respond to ouch, scoop her up and put her in her kennel. Puppies can get overstimulated, and I think sometimes they can be even more zany when they're tired. Give her a minute in there and see if she takes a little nap.
4) Start trying to take her on short walks. I know she's still pretty young, but hopefully you can teach her to enjoy her walks and expend her energy in that way.
5) Puppy class is great for a number of reasons. It's a great place to socialize with other dogs in a safe environment. You'll bond with your puppy and you'll learn how to get your puppy to do some basic commands. As she gets a little older, you'll see that she really wants to make you happy, she just doesn't always know how.
It will get better for sure. By about 4 or 5 months you'll be thinking "wow, I have the smartest and sweetest dog in the world." Then a few months later, when she gets into adolescence you'll wonder whatever happened to that obedient little puppy. But then she'll come around again and start to settle down a little more by about a year old. Puppies are fun, but a lot of work!
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Oh, I know the animal control officer in my area, who works part time as a trainer. She does AKC styled obedience training. I'm tempted to work with her and eventually get to Petsmart or just go to Petsmart. Either way, I'm going to attempt to work with both dogs.
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