Any Suggestions?

paulsuzy1991 · #1 06-01-11, 06:33 PM

Hi Everyone.

I need some advice about my 18 month old Sienna.
When someone comes to the door she barks like mad and I can call her away firmly then lead her by the collar to the other room.
Lately though when my wife tries it she doesnt listen and has snapped at her when she tries to lead her away. It is just the initial lead away then she goes to the other room with my wife with no further attempts.
She had done this a while before but now has started again. I have tried calling away her with hot dogs, her favourite treat , and this works up to a point but not always and sometimes gets her over excited. Other than this she is normally very loving with my wife.
She doesnt do it to me or my 7 year old son.
Is she trying it on with my wife?, she is more protective over her when we are out.
Thanks

Paul

little blue · #2 06-01-11, 08:10 PM

sounds like perhaps she is being over protective of your wife, you never know who's at the door!

have you tried her with a house line? a short one, so that your wife doesnt have to get so close to Sienna when the bell rings.

mind the hot dogs dont become a "reward" in her eyes for Not doing as she's asked....

hope somebody more experienced can help you

Stuart · #3 06-01-11, 08:24 PM

The grabing of the collar could have something to do with it,.. many dogs see this almost like a threat.
Practise ordering her into the room, so she goes on her own accord

zetstaff · #4 06-01-11, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little blue

sounds like perhaps she is being over protective of your wife, you never know who's at the door!

have you tried her with a house line? a short one, so that your wife doesnt have to get so close to Sienna when the bell rings.

mind the hot dogs dont become a "reward" in her eyes for Not doing as she's asked....

hope somebody more experienced can help you

I agree that the hot dogs may be seen as a treat for unwanted behaviour so I personally wouldn't give.

I don't know how to help you, my 2 always go straight into the front room if anyone comes to the door, they always have done. When we only had Boris, when OH was going to work, as soon as he got his shoes out to put on Boris went straight into his cage

Everyone does things differently, but we have this 'routine' of going into the front room. Is there anywhere you can encourage bubba to go to so she gets a treat when she does? I wouldn't necessarily want to stop her barking when someone comes to the door, my 2 are 'silent woofas'

If anyone comes to the door + our routine goes wrong, I just make people wait till my babies are secure, then I'll open the door + ONLY then

As far as OH is concerned, if she's a bit scared or apprehensive of your dog, she'll sense this + play on it

Don't know if this helps but I hope so xxx

paulsuzy1991 · #5 06-01-11, 08:57 PM

Thanks for the replies.
My wife is a bit more scared and apprehensive now which doesnt help.
Is it ok to get her used to giving her a treat once she has gone to her crate or would this be rewarding the wrong behaviour?

zetstaff · #6 06-01-11, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsuzy1991

Thanks for the replies.
My wife is a bit more scared and apprehensive now which doesnt help.
Is it ok to get her used to giving her a treat once she has gone to her crate or would this be rewarding the wrong behaviour?

That would be fine as that's where you want her to go. Going in crate = treat

Don't feel flustered if someone comes to the door, they just have to wait till you're ready to open it!!! You can warn people you know to expect to have to wait, others will come back if it's that important won't they

There's also no rush to get her to go to crate, your wife needs to take a big deep breath, think 'you will go to your crate', order her to go + reward her when she gets there

She knows your wife is a bit apprehensive, so your wife has to try to relax + not be scared, bubba loves her but is trying it on as she knows she can

Good luck xx

paulsuzy1991 · #7 10-01-11, 12:57 PM

Thanks for the advice.
The last couple of days we have been only using our voice to send her to her crate when someone calls.
When someone knocks my wife has been looking outside, saying good girl, quiet now in your bed.
When she gets into her crate she has been giving her a treat.
At first Sienna was a bit apprehensive but now she goes into her crate once commanded by my wife , with no problem at all.
It has only taken 3 days for her to learn this and my wife is much happier.
Thanks again

zetstaff · #8 10-01-11, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulsuzy1991

Thanks for the advice.
The last couple of days we have been only using our voice to send her to her crate when someone calls.
When someone knocks my wife has been looking outside, saying good girl, quiet now in your bed.
When she gets into her crate she has been giving her a treat.
At first Sienna was a bit apprehensive but now she goes into her crate once commanded by my wife , with no problem at all.
It has only taken 3 days for her to learn this and my wife is much happier.
Thanks again

Fantastic, well done

Stuart · #9 10-01-11, 01:47 PM

The only thing is,..your wife is praising the dog before giving the command, which may confuse,...good girl, quite, go to your bed,..should be ` quiet`, ..quiet sternly as if you mean it,..` go to your bed`, in the same tone,... then `good girl` in a higher more excited tone,.. then give the treat

its great that you are getting results though

paulsuzy1991 · #10 11-01-11, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart

The only thing is,..your wife is praising the dog before giving the command, which may confuse,...good girl, quite, go to your bed,..should be ` quiet`, ..quiet sternly as if you mean it,..` go to your bed`, in the same tone,... then `good girl` in a higher more excited tone,.. then give the treat

its great that you are getting results though

Thanks Stuart,

We have been doing as you said now and its still working well