Behavior help needed!
Submitted by GeorgeMSteinbre... on September 9, 2010 - 3:47amOur Bernie is now 2.5 years old and unneutered. He has always been fairly submissive (almost always rolls over for other dogs at the park), and respects our Alpha status. He is very food motivated and craves Mommy and Daddy's approval, so usually behaves for us. Additionally, he was well socialized as a puppy and loves people, especially children.
HOWEVER, a few months ago, he began "nipping" at my husband's feet in the mornings when he would come over to kiss me goodbye before leaving for work. Initially, we thought he was "resource guarding" as he usually considers me the main alpha in the household. He will stop and go back to his bed when I say "Stop! Go night-night!", however he remains anxious until Daddy leaves out the front door.
Gradually, this behavior has escalated to nipping the feet of houseguests trying to leave our house. He loves company, and we feel possibly he is trying to make his special people stay as he only does it to the ones he particularly likes. He only occasionally tries this with me, but quickly stops when I tell him. When our houseguests say "Stop!", however, he gets upset and tries to jump on them, growl, and bare his teeth. Last week, he made our UPS guy trip and fall in our front yard because I couldn't get to him in time. (He loves him the UPS guy. Always brings him a cookie.)
We have found the best way to get him to behave is by putting him in his harness (normally, he is naked and only wears it to go out). We don't mind doing this as we would much rather have a Bernie pouting because he is wearing his harness inside than have him actually bite a houseguest. My question, however, is what else can we do? We are afraid at some point the harness won't work and would love some behavioral (human training) tips to work on in the meantime. On top of this, we plan on having children soon and want him to respect ALL the members of our household (including guests, Daddy, and our future children) without him feeling the urge to manipulate our behavior to his liking. All tips are welcome!
P.S. Our vet advised waiting to neuter until at least after two to help his bones develop. He doesn't "hump", mark innappropriately, or try to escape the house to get to bitches in heat. This is the only problem we've noted and aren't even sure this is hormone related.
perhaps...
Have you tried the "fake UPS man" routine? This is where you have "strangers" come to the door and you make him sit and wait until you tell him it is okay to go and greet them.
Matilda used to go NUTS any time someone would come over. Puppy mouthing them, tinkling a little, crashing into the furniture. Now, when someone comes over she has to make a choice. I hold a treat in my hand and she must sit and wait for it until the guests are in the house and she is sitting nicely. She still occasionally does the mouthing thing if they don't give her attention right away (and she's almost 7!!) but she's much better.
Perhaps this would work in the reverse. You could practice "fake husband leaving". It may take a bit. Like your husband goes to walk away while the dog waits for a treat from you. If he gets up, withhold the treat and have your husband stop moving until he sits down. You can practice with fake guests leaving too..
I don't know if that makes sense but this was one of the few dog whisperer techniques that worked pretty much with Matilda and I'm pretty sure it only works because food is involved. :) Good luck...
A couple of things.
NO privileges while he is being naughty. No bed time on the furniture, nothing. Correct him and put him in his crate every time he behaves that way, about 20 minutes should do it. Then let him out and go on as usual. I would crate him when guests come and go. He is being dominant as well as having some separation anxiety I think. It might not be a bad idea to neuter him now.
Have your husband take him for his out times in the yard, walk him out on a leash and walk him in the yard, then bring him back in and make him sit politely for a small piece of treat....this would be the only time he should be given treats...and only by your husband so he learns daddy is awesome and needs to be obeyed and treated nicely:-)
Lynn King will be back on the board in about 2 weeks. She will have GOOD answers for you about this behavior, I only have my own opinions.
Amy and Sophia
My 2 cents
I would neuter a.s.a.p. as bone growth/size is related to genetics, and hire a behaviourist. These issues need to be addressed promptly.