What to do about Tacky? Update with a Plan

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

So he's not a doodle - but my chihuahua Taquito is my first child.  I've had him for 9 years and he's my little love bug.  As most of you know, we have an almost 8 month old human daughter named Charlotte.  Doodle Peri loves her and is excellent and very patient with her. They are buds because Charlotte gives her food :) 

 

Taquito, on the other hand, does snap at her. I am always around.  He likes to sit on my lap when I am on the floor playing with Charlotte (probably not a good idea but I feel bad).  Now that C is getting mobile, she is really obsessing over wanting to pet Taquito. She is very slow and he does have time to prepare for the incoming pet. Sometimes he is okay. Other times he gives a big snap (doesn't bite her just does that little shrill toy dog yip), shows his teeth and runs the other way - away from Charlotte. 

 

Here's what is interesting: my mother kept Taquito and Charlotte this weekend while we were out of town.  Peri went to the spa and daycare, which she loves.  Anyway, mom said that Charlotte pet Tacky multiple times (mom was always around) and that Taquito didn't do a thing. He even smiled.  When mom fed the bottle to her, T. sat right next to them - in the chair!

 

Okay, it's ME, I get that.  Any words of wisdom from my DK friends???  I need some advice.  Not too worried, just curious how I can get him to not be so protective over me?  It was just the two of us for 4 years, then DH came, then Peri then Charlotte. He is just really wanting to be the leader in the pack - but only when I am around it seems. 

 

Don't worry - he's not going anywhere, just want some input!

 

Update:  Found one of Jane, Guinness and Murph's discussions on Nothing in Life is Free:  http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trainingmindsets/forum/topics/not...

Going to start implementing these training tools.  It is my fault - everything. I've allowed Tacky to run the show, without even knowing it.  I make Peri sit and wait for her food, but don't make Taquito. That is horrible. He just does what he wants, this little Bast&*()!  So I start today by re-teaching him to sit and wait for things, crating him when he acts out (for anything), etc...

My biggest issue is going to be bedtime.  I talked to DH and he is really concerned about us not letting him sleep in the bed (can you believe it's DH that is concerned?). He thinks it is going to hurt his kidneys and make him sick. He thinks Taquito is sensitive and this is too drastic a change.  Oh goodness, will keep you posted.  I love my DH though - what a great guy to even think this way.  Thanks TO ALL of you for your input.

Oh and I'm getting the corral/gate thingy.

 

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Whatever works!!!  :-}  We put the child in.  It made us not have to stare at her every second and it kept the toys that our dogs WOULD chew up, safe.  It also allowed our dogs to be close to the baby but separate.  Tacky is so small that Allyson could put him inside and Charlotte  outside for some activities.

[Adrienne]

Our Weimaraner was very protective of our children and would show his teeth when friends got too close.  We were told that you have to correct the behavior.  

Under no circumstances should Tacky be allowed to show his teeth or any aggression towards Charlotte.  Trainers can help with the different types of corrections:  a firm no, put him in sit/stay away from the fun for a few minutes (repeat with each offense and he will eventually figure out that he misses out on the fun when he gets snippy).  It is probably a bad idea to allow him to sit on your lap while you play with Charlotte--that creates a state of ownership.  

You could also train him to see Charlotte petting him as a "positive experience".  (I saw this on the Dog Whisperer--I know...)  When he allows her to pet him, maybe give him a treat and say "good boy."  This also teaches Charlotte the appropriate way to approach and pet Tacky. 

I know that you will figure it out.  It will just take time and a lot of patience.

[Adina P]

I bet Jane will support the NILIF approach as well as keeping him off your lap while you are playing with Charlotte on the floor.  It seems a lot of small dogs who are used to being held and sitting on laps have a tendency to 'take ownership' of their person and want to 'own' them (to speak in Cesar Millanish terms).  I think perhaps Tacky needs to know that he has to take a bit of a back seat. Charlotte is your baby, not him.  He is an adult dog, not a puppy that needs to be babied.  So while you work on teaching Charlotte to mind Tacky's space, you teach Tacky to respect Charlotte and if possible even consider her a positive thing. 

What are special things you enjoy doing with Tacky that you can do to feel like you are giving him attention and maintaining a bond, that don't require frequent holding of him or keeping him on your lap with Charlotte near?   And if you do happen to have him on your lap and he pulls a snarl or snap at her (or anyone) definitely reprimand him and take him off your lap.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Our special time is really his lap time :(  Can I still have lap time when Charlotte goes to bed?  Thoughts on that? 

 

I am going to crate him the next time he snarls at her - not matter where we are in the house and what we are doing.

 

I am also going to have Peri's trainer come do a private session with us soon.  She helped Peri get her CGC, so maybe she can help the little napoleonic dude ;)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm no trainer but crating him, after hours lap time all sound good.

[Adina P]

I think it's fine to have him on your lap at times.  Maybe make him work for it and make it a 'invitation only' type thing.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thanks all - I have a little plan to work on training and the nothing in life is free approach.  Will keep you posted. I put an "update" in the original discussion above for future reference and will update again in the future.  Hope this works!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think you're doing the right thing, your update made me laugh, and you have a terrific DH! Jane will be back Friday I think, and I know she will be happy to help you. Maybe when you update, you can start a discussion in the Training Group about your progress.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Definitely.  Will move to the training group - but wanted to circle back to this in case any future DK member needs help!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is from a Briard website I love: 

Rule #1.  He/she is a guest in your home.  The dog will live by your rules, and oh boy, do you have a lot of rules.  The dog will now have to work for everything which had previously been given free of charge.  (This includes meals, walks, going outside to do their duty, the right to lay near you, the right to go for a ride in the car, the right to visit with household company).  Everything must be earned!

            You are the alpha.  The dog is always the bottom rung on the ladder.  Always!!  The dog, of course, will not agree.  After all, you have, until now, accepted or missed every signal of dominance that he has displayed.  While these methods will differ in a multi-dog household, they would differ only slightly.  Humans always come first, then canines. 

            For the purpose of this article, we will assume the dog is in a home with an additional dog, and 2 children.  The dogattempting dominance will be called Boss (she is going on three).  The other dog in the household is named Sandy (she is six).  There are a mother, a father, a son (7), a daughter (3), and the two dogs.

            Sandy is perfectly happy being left out of the controlling order of things.  She, herself, is not a threat to anyone's hierarchy.  She is, however, a critical part in the treatment of Boss.

            Boss is beginning a new lifestyle.  Boss is about to loose every right, every privilege that he has ever known.  Even those rights and privileges that you were unaware of.  You are about to become a major control freak.  Keep in mind that once the dominance structure has been established, life will begin to get easier and happier for Boss, as well as the family.  Sandy will not notice any difference.  She will just continue to go along her happy way.

            Boss will be assigned a corner of the living area, an area that is out of the line of traffic, and away from where family members will be most likely to be relaxing.

            Obedience training is next.  Boss must know the down and the stay command in order to enforce the “Rug” command.  The dog must learn to sit, stay, down, to 'rug,' and come on command.  (Rug means retreat to designated area as discussed above, lie down and stay there until told otherwise.  Boss will not be allowed to have any toys in his rug area.  Think of it as Boss's time out area.)

            Every toy Boss had no longer belongs to him.  Sandy may keep her favorite toys, but Boss will no longer have the right to choose which toy he will play with.  You, the control freak that you are, will tell Boss which toy (1) he may play with.  It will not be his favorite, and he will not get to play with it until he has done something to earn it.  Then, again, control freak that you are, you will not let him play with the toy for nearly as long as he would like.  You will be taking it away from him and sending him to his 'rug.'  You will come to love this rug.  I guarantee it.  Oddly enough, so will your dog.  It will become his safe zone, the place where he can do no wrong, the place where he will be allowed to be with his family.  He can observe all, yet not have the ability to interfere, or attempt dominant activities.

Suddenly, his nighttime freedom privileges have been revoked.  He is placed in a crate at night.  Put to bed before dear Sandy, even before the kids.  Put to bed without fuss, without ceremony, and without food, water or toys left in his crate.

            Boss, if previously free fed, is now fed in his crate, after dear Sandy, and after the family has eaten breakfast, and dinner.  Boss will have to perform a task in order to earn his meal.  Sit, down, rug, down, etc.  Anything, so long as you are being bossy.  Dear Sandy may continue her eating schedule as she's always done.  Poor Boss will be given a designated amount of time to complete his meal, maybe 5 to 10 minutes.  Then his dish will be removed.

            When going outside, Boss will have to sit and wait until given permission.  Dear Sandy, of course, may go outside first.  Boss is not allowed to go outside to play with the children at this point.  To do so would allow him too many precious opportunities to try and usurp your efforts at teaching him that he is a 'nothing' in your household.  All Boss would have to do is cut in front of Sandy or either of the children just one time, causing them to change direction, and you will have suffered a major set back, while Boss celebrates a major victory.  This simple kind of victory will be enough to encourage Boss to try again.

            A simple rule of thumb, is "Boss is last."  Last outside, last inside, last to eat, last in the car, last out of the car, (he should be crated in the car, if space allows) last to get a drink of water.  In fact, if Sandy is getting a drink of water, and Boss cuts in, you will have to get Boss out of the water, and onto his rug.  He must wait until Sandy is finished.  If you have had to rug him, then he will have to wait until you release him from his rug, before he can get a drink of water.

            During meals, Boss is required to Rug.  If you are in the living room, and Boss is lucky enough to be sitting near you (he had better have earned the right!) and a family member, or Sandy enters the room, then poor Boss automatically loses his special spot.  You will tell him to rug, freeing the space by your side to those higher on the totem pole.  This is especially important with the children.  The children must be perceived as higher in the pecking order.  Children are allowed on the furniture, Boss is not.  Children sleep in their bed.  Poor Boss isn't ever allowed on one.

You will notice that none of the above requirements include physical punishment.  Pain often increases aggression.  Dogs communicate through body language and through deeds.  Something as simple turning your back on a dog will have a specific effect.  Growl at a dog, they understand.  Snap at a dog, it's an even clearer message.  Leaning over a dog with a "smile" on your face.  All of these are dominant actions understood by a dog.  A dominant dog will mouth the muzzle of a submissive dog.  This too can be done to remind a dog of who is truly dominant.  Children should never use these dominant actions, as most often they are too small, and lack the experience, the strength, and the reasoning to effectively execute the challenge and win.

When walking the dogs at the same time, Sandy is allowed to walk ahead, if you wish.  Boss, of course, is expected to stay obediently at your side.

This is one of the instances in life when it is best to nag, nag, nag!  Pester, pester, pester!  Drive them nuts with commands and orders, as long as you follow through and make sure they obey them.  Control freaks are necessary in any home with a dog; especially when the dog is trying to become the dominant member of the household.

Here's the website link: http://www.briardbreeder.com/info.html#Understanding_and_Maintainin...

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Just sent to DH.  So many things are coming to light now.  He takes his sweet time eating. Peri stalks in - he runs after her barking - then goes back to taking his sweet time or sometimes even standing guard but not eating. And I put up with it!  It ends now.  Peri will eat first, then Taquito - and I am shutting him in the laundry room until he finishes, without terrorizing poor Peri.  Oh lordy it's all my doing.  I have treated Peri the exact opposite - I've always trained her and taught her to wait, etc...mainly because I viewed her as the rowdy dood needing training. Here little chi has needed it probably the most!

 

Let this be a lesson to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's hard not to spoil dogs who have health problems. Pitying anyone is not doing them a favor, and that goes for dogs too, but I know how hard it is not to feel sorry for them and not to just let them have their way. Trust me, I'm guilty of it too.