Reversing bad behavior in bully girl
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Reversing bad behavior in bully girl
Submitted by mxb9686 on April 21, 2010 - 12:36amI need some help from the experts here. Sorry for the long version.
Maybull is a 4 year old dominant bully girl who is creating havoc for my husband.
We have 2 behavioral issues with her we need corrected.
We also have a submissive 7 year old boy named Rocco.
We free feed the dogs. One bowl down each morning. If we hold Maybull back to let Rocco eat first, she growls and isn't happy about it, but will sit/stay with encouragement. If she eats first, she will lay by the bowl until we grab her away, guarding it from him. If we use 2 bowls and feed them both at the same time, she will run from her bowl over to his.
Bigger problem #2
I have a home office I work out of. I sit at my desk with the computer, my husband has a drafting table he sits at when he is in the office, not often. Maybull sleeps under my desk chair when I'm working. The problem is no one is allowed near my computer when Maybull is around. If I sit at my desk, and my husband looks over my shoulder at the computer, she barks and barks, will jump up on him for attention (which she NEVER does) and loudly "escorts" anyone out of the office. She is ok if we are both at our desks, just don't come over by "moms". When she is acting out in the office, even I can't stop her behavior. As mean as it sounds, my husband is forced to grab her by the collar and push her out of the office, shutting the door behind her. I know this doesn't solve the situation, but it does stop the barking.
I know she is showing dominance, but what should we be doing as the alpha to stop this annoying behavior?
Feed them
in seperate rooms. This is one of the problems with free feeding. Not all dogs get along and you are lucky this hasn't become a bigger issue. Rocco should be able to eat in peace.
In my house Ester eats in her crate and MacKenzie eats in the kitchen. No problems!
As for the office situation she is resource guarding you. I think a behaviorist would be able to assist you with this and encourage you to consult with a professional.
agree with Lynn. And pick up the bowls when they are done eating
nobody gets to check out another dog's empty bowl when they are done.
I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"
I put Flynn in her crate at dinner time, otherwise Boo would pus
food.
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These are easy
First, the feeding problem. Stop free feeding them, feed them twice a day. Put them in their crates or keep them separated in different rooms by putting up a baby gate. Rocco deserves to eat in peace and Maybull shouldn't be practicing her bad behavior. We have 6 dogs and they are crated or separated at meal times, I want all of them to relax when they eat and not have to worry about the other intruding.
Second, your home office is off limits. It isn't a room that she has to be in like the kitchen or living room, so she loses the privledge of being in there. Put up a baby gate to keep her out.
There's lots of behavior modifications you can try but truthfully it's easier to just keep her out of the situations.
Lynn King CPDT
hm
i personally would stop free feeding if shes showing dominance (espeically since its over you and your husband) let her know, you control food, go by the "nothing in life is free" rule. make her earn her food and attention by behaving nicely.
what do you do when shes acting this way, how do you react to her? (under the desk etc)
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