AFTER THE FALLOUT......

[Chris & Boys]

A few weeks ago, I posted a forum about Fozzy biting/grabbing the boys' arms and jumping on them, wanting to play. He was leaving scratches and bruises. I was looking for advice how to deal with Fozzy's behavior, also asking if anyone thought it would be worthwhile to look into an e-collar. Well, it got pretty heated.......I was even told I was committing child abuse by not keeping the dog away from the boys that he sleeps with every night. Well, needless to say, I was VERY upset with that accusation. I called our trainer, who said that the behavior is typical of a puppy, and he should not be considered a "dangerous" dog.

We met with her so she could observe this behavior, and as I had been telling the boys, they had to show Fozzy that they are not his littermates, they are the bosses. And since it was coming from two adults now, they took the advice seriously. And Wow! What an improvement. My youngest is starting to lax in following the rules, and is seeing Fozzy's behavior change in response. So, now he sees that what he was doing was working, and that he must get back into the routine, or else he will again run the risk of getting bruised and scratched again.

So, thanks to all of you that offered advice. It is nice to be able to have this forum to get the help we seek, but to be honest, I am hesitant to look for advice that may stir any controversy whatsoever! I had no idea asking for training advice would turn to having someone make accusations against me. I have waited a while to add this blog. I started writing it several times, and deleted it for fear of still being offended by some of the comments, or by getting getting offended, or ruffling feathers again. But, I feel the atmosphere here is changing, and I feel it is a shame that I now think twice before I ask for advice. I wish I could ask for advice anonymously..........sad, isn't it?

[Beth and Gang]

Hey Chris,
Don't let a comment or 2 (or more) stop you from visiting this doodle friendly place!! It's like going to a party, you don't have to socialize with everyone there, just the ones you CHOOSE!
There's all kinds of people here, ignore the ones that you don't want to 'party' with!!
Welcome back and hope you are having a doodly day!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

It is probably the heat!!! I am burning up down in Nashville - soaked through my shirt in the car during lunch. gross. Oh and I think Puppy Madness group doesn't get so heated..........isn't your Fozzy still a pup?

[Chris & Boys]

Well, I think I am changing my mind about posting after getting so much support from the group. I hope that maybe it was just an astrological phenomena why the forums have been so heated over the last 6 weeks. Maybe the heat has just been getting to people????? Keep the faith, and give it one more try.

[Terri]

I agree with you. I don't post anymore. Something always goes south and I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I read, and post responses to light hearted posts, but if I have a real question...looking for advice, I find another way to get it.

[Rose]

I don't usually comment on many posts anyway, but after reading some of the forums and blogs here in recent weeks, I will never ask or give my opinion or advice to anyone about anything on this site!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

It is always good to see a positive outcome. Please understand that most of us on DK only want what is best for the dogs. Every once in a while there will be a post that some of us find difficult to ignore and voice strong opinions. So yes it does get heated. Even though or maybe because of it - you had a positive outcome and I beleive that everyone here is happy about this.

A lively discussion is lets many opinions be highlighted.

[Chris & Boys]

Thank you all for encouraging me not to give up on the forums. This is what is all about isn't it! You guys are great!

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Hi Chris, I didn't get involved in your previous discussion but please don't be afraid to post anything on DK. I have seen a lot of controversy in the discussions but I prefer not to get involved in anything too heated. You have a wide variety of personalities on DK so just pick and choose which responses to take seriously. Try to ignore (hard to do) the attacks or insults and just take the useful information and do what you need to do. It seems like that is what you have done and it is working. Just ignore the other stuff and keep talking to us.

[Chris & Boys]

Hi Debby,
Yelping did nothing, but slow Fozzy down. As soon as he starts to jump up on them, they tell him UH-UH, and tell him to sit and treat. If he won't sit we give him an uh-uh and a little nudge with the toe. Then. when he calms down, they run with him, or throw him the ball or give him belly rubs. (We were told to NEVER let him jump up on us, at least not for another year or so. Until he is fully trained.) Then if he gets too riled up and starts getting mouthy or jumping, the give the correction, make him sit until he is calm and then decide if they want to continue to play or not. BTW, they started to do this with the small leash on so he would be easier to correct. Also,when playing on the floor, don't let the dog get on top of you, in a dominant position. Alway have the position of strength.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Hi again, I also have older boys so they like to play ruff and so do I so we do get the mouthing. We are the bad ones as we should have stopped all interaction and left the room immediately. We tryed the yelping and looking aaway. We tryed just about everything. But we were inconsistent with them all. The one that had the least problem with the nipping and biting was the 21 year old who has a ruff play then says good fight, we're done. Shake on it. So they do that routine if Neely keeps at it Kurtis repeats we're done! Shake on it. with more agression in his voice.Kurtis usually leaves him totally alone after this too. Neely seems to know that round is over. It's like the training of excite and settle I guess so the dog learns how to settle down himself. I do think the more interaction he gets the less he needs to nip. he still likes to mouth but you can see him wanting to bite down but just mouthing you instead. Like me with a chocolate and not biting into it!!! No way.