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Canine Behavior/MY BOSTON TERRIER

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Expert: - 1/25/2008


Question
I HAVE A 2 YEARS OLD BOSTON TERRIER THAT WON'T STOP BITING MY 5 MONTH OLD FRENCH MASTIFF EARS. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING FROM TELLING HIM NO, TO PUTTING HIM IN THE CAGE, BUT HE WON'T STOP.I'M AFRAID ZUMO'S EARS ARE GOING TO GET MESS UP OR HE IS GOING TO GET REALLY MAD AND BIT BOSTON WHICH IS ONLY 22LBS COMPARE TO ZUMO 63 LBS. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE HIM STOP.

Answer
Put the Boston Terrier on a long house leash (16 foot training lead.)  When you see him attempting the problem behavior, distract him and lead him away from the other dog.  This is a situation where a sound aversive might be used, however it has to be conditioned to the Terrier in one manner and conditioned to the Mastiff in another.  You wouldn't want to "punish" both dogs for the behavior.  This would need to be done by an expert.  You might want to check if there is a certified animal behavior expert in your area.

Canine Behavior

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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