Quote:
Originally Posted by littlekitty
I'm in shock. Just back from shopping and there was only minimal barking, just as we pulled up, no hyperactivity this time. We both totally ignored him and continued to put shopping away, which took about half hour and just sat down, Mutley is now calm and has had lots of praise/reward.
I know he is quite intelligent and knows what's what, but I think with him being part bassett there is a stubbornness in him, and sometimes he thinks he can do as he likes.
Just a thought. Will he forget about his past experiences that he had in his other home/s? as sometimes we see him revert back to the way he was when we got him.
I will try the toy in mouth next time my oh comes home, hopefully this will work.
He seems to have calmed down now we have taken him of the bakers, going to go to p@h and see what they have suitable for him.
Thanks for all the help/tips I really appreciate it, as I am doing most of the training myself whilst others follow through.
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Fantastic news- it's amazing how a change of diet can do and just consistency with completely ignoring OTT/silly behaviours.
Sounds like he's doing really well already.
If I were you I'd possibly try him on burns or simular. Or if you want to feed wet I'd go with nature diet. However when you're at the shop- your best bet is to look at the ingredients listed on each of the foods. Ideally you want the first ingredient mentioned to be a specific meat (rather than derivatives) and I prefer food without wheat. If there is loads of E numbers, additives, colourants etc I wouldn't bother with it.
Did you have any luck with the headcollars?
I think goodvic2 makes a good point about leadership. I prefer to look at leadership with the stance of being a "gentle" leadership figure, someone who installs good behaviours and manners using positive reinforcement and praise and who discourages undesirable ones by only ever ignoring or withdrawing all attention from the dog (our attention is after all what our dogs crave most of all). I don't really agree with aversive type methods. As leadership figures it is up to us to take responsibility of aspects such as visitors to the house etc, so that the dog doesn't feel that he/she has to do this to protect the family because I don't appear to be.
What I think is it's not a good idea to get too worried about dominance (which is a term that IMO is misused ALOT anyway) but to focus reinforcing our dogs for good behaviour and providing fair rules and boundaries
Anyway I'm waffling.
Littlekitty- the more I hear about your dog, the more I think once you've got the heelwork etc sorted he would make a fantastic agility or flyball dog. Does he come back to you when you call him?
I think maybe the mental stimulation from it and giving him a "job" would really benefit him. Definately something worth considering