17-10-2011, 10:03 AM
|
 |
Pet Forums VIP Member
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,698
|
|
|
Re: Please help - i think I've done it all wrong - TERRIER ADVICE
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smiffys mum
Hi Katie
I don't know much about Cairn Terriers, however I have a very large bouncy 20 month old Airedale Terrier.
Please do not beat your self up over your dogs issues, as I did this and it really gets you nowhere. I think I have read every behavourist book on the market and there is much confusion over what is right and what is wrong. there are many people (and I don't wish to start anything here) that do not agree with the pack leader theory. However Katie, we are dealing with Terriers. We have chosen our dogs and it is down to us to find the right way forward for us and our dogs who we love so much.
I have found that this really is the only way with Smiffy. We very rarely eat before him, so we make him realise that we are his only access to meals so manners are expected. Smiffy will automatically go in to a 'down' and wait patiently until his bowl is left on the floor. As soon as he has finished his bowl is picked up and not seen by him until the next meal time.
We follow the 5 minute rule everytime we are separated by leaving the house, the room, going upstairs etc. No eye contact for 5 minutes. He very rarely jumps up at us now, even my son's girlfriend can come in the front door and not be greeted by a 28kg jumping baby! this is still not the case with guests, so we use the baby gate until he is quiet, he is then re introduced once he has quietened down. We always tell visitors to ignore Smiffy as part of his training.
Smiffy is not very good with other dogs when on his lead - barking and lunging is a real issue. The best thing I have done with this is to introduce him to obedience classes with older dogs. the first two weeks were horrendous, however we are really making great progress now. Funnily enough, recall is not a problem and off lead he will play to his hearts content.
There are many who will not agree with my choice of reading, however, I would strongly recommend reading Jan Fennell - the Dog Listener and perhaps get the DVD. To me, it all made sense and works.
Good Luck Katie, you will get there as we are still doing with our Terrier.  |
My personal view is that if it works, then go with it. Unless of course you are causing physical or mental harm, which only tends to happen when people take pack theory to the extreme. We could veer off into a debate about it but that would be pointless, you don't always have to understand something in order to make it work.
What I would say is that nothing in your post suggests to me that you are even using pack theory, to the point that if you had not of mentioned it, I wouldn't of known. Everything you describe just sounds like you are rewarding your dog for calm behaviour, he doesn't get fed until he is lying down calmly and he doesn't get your attention until he is settled, all of which is common sense and although the pack leader theory fits very nicely as a way of explaining it, the truth of the matter is really nowhere near as complicated. The things you describe are not teaching your dog that he is subordinate, or that you are the alpha, they are simply teaching him that there is an acceptable way to behave if he is going to get the things he wants in life. Simples.
__________________
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people look bright until you hear them speak
|
27Likes
Linear Mode
