AboutDelores Beck Expertise Health, nutrition, and training issues.
NOTICE: I NO LONGER RECOMMEND CANIDAE DOG FOOD. DUE TO A CHANGE IN FORMULA AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES, DOGS ARE GETTING SICK ON THIS BRAND.
Question Hi,
I hope you can help me! I have an 18 month Sprocker called Alfie, who is great fun and full of energy! Two issues: He jumps on the sofa when nobody is in and scratches the leather. He doesn't go on it when someone is home as he knows it's not allowed. How do I stop this?
Secondly, which is much more important, he doesn't like it when children pet him before adults?
Example: if my sister and her kids come in he growls and his hair stands up when the kids welcome him, but he looks to my sister for attention? Like he's saying 'I don't want YOU to pet me only HER'.
He also doesn't do what he is told when the kids give him commands (simple commands such as SIT or STAY). I say kids but my son is 12, so he's not pulling his tail or annoying him. He's the very one who takes him out for his early morning walk each day and loves him to bits!
But it's like Alfie thinks he is higher in the pack than the kids. How can I change this?
I've bought a muzzle to try to condition him, when he growls I put it on for half hour so he associates the action with the muzzle. Is this right?
Help!!
Answer When you're not at home I'd suggest confining Alfie to the kitchen.
That will solve the sofa problem.
Now as to the growling. I have questions. Is your son the only child? Has Alfie ever done anything more than growl at kids?
Like actually snapped or tried to nip? Does this happen outside the home? And what happens after the initial greeting?
Yes, he can quickly learn your son is higher in the pack and I can tell you how to do that. And no to the muzzle. It's "after the fact" and the key to training is to anticipate and correct behavior before it happens.
So write back - give me as much detail as possible and then I can offer concrete advice.
Delores
