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Hi Mike
Thanks for your quick response.
I do have some additional questions and concerns though.
Before I go on I would just like to point out that I have read the “pack structure” section several times and I understand it and follow what it says. I guess my problems arise because I don’t follow it 100% of the time. I THINK I AM … but in looking back and re-reading the section I realize I’m not.
It’s not just about training. It’s about changing your whole attitude about these animals. Having them as pets is wonderful but we must never forget (not even for one second!) that they are DOGS! If you do, then that’s when the problems start. I thought I was in control. I thought I WAS the pack leader. How mistaken I was.
I am just starting to realize now (after losing my rottie Sadie and many years of trying different techniques) that it can’t even be 99% of the time!
FOR EXAMPLE::
It’s been 3 years since Kaila and Stitch attacked my Sadie (who died as results of injuries).
I have been a member of this site for about 10 months and therefore been following (as best I can) what Mike’s methods are.
In those last 3 years (I was using other methods of management prior to joining the site) Kaila, Stitch and Milo have had no problems with each other.
QUESTION:
Why after 3 years has there been a shift?
I’m not doing anything different now than what I’ve been doing for the last 8 months.
I guess that’s where I get stuck. Mike, you said in your email “it will help if you become an expert on how to manage them by really understanding the WHY behind it.” The two incidents surrounding the bone and food are clear but the one in the garage isn’t. What am I missing?
I thought we were managing them – they weren’t fighting. So what changed? Were we just lucky that something didn’t happen sooner?
After all this however, we don’t want to give up!
As I mentioned before, we no longer allow any of the dogs on the furniture with us.
We continue to do our training and exercise.
We are keeping Milo away from Stitch when we aren’t around to monitor their interactions.
We want Milo to feel less anxious and we want Stitch and Kaila to be less dominant.
We know that will happen if we continue to stay in the roll of Pack Leader and continue to manage them CONSISTENTLY. I just hope God will continue to give us the insight we need.
