Kelly L
Forum Replies Created
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Good stuff Mike. I love reading others opinions and methods. Awesome advice! I never associated an annoying child with an annoying pup. Makes sense what you are saying for sure. With a child I always would intervene- with dogs I always let them be dogs and do what they know how to do. However, your statement with the elder dog viewing the pup as the leaders pup really puts that I to prospective for me. Awesome stuff here !!
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puppies lick elder dogs faces for many reasons- it’s an appeasement gesture, to get attention, greet them etc etc. puppies are given a lot of leniencies with elder dogs. If the elder dogs have had enough they will stand and usually give a sharp correction to the pup. Basically saying enough already. That is the elder teaching the pup proper greeting and social behavior. As the pup matures, the corrections from the other dogs may become a bit more intense. I leave this up to my elder dogs to handle. If the pup isn’t getting the message from the elders as she matures and she decides to go back at them after the correction, then you can have an issue. However dog to dog is the best teacher a pup can have with proper social behavior within your pack. So for me, I let my elders take care of that part of puppy training.
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Thanks everyone. Great feedback from all. Sorry it took so long to respond. I lost my password like 6 times and making a new one is like trying to crack the code for the cia haha.
I myself in the past have been guilty of this, treating one of my dogs like a little human. It was the worst and best mistake I’ve ever made. The particular dog is still with me at the moment and has become one of my greatest accomplishments. Our bond is so tight I have no words to describe. I did everything so wrong with him. I felt sorry for him, for the breed he was, for the disgusting abuse he went through as a little pup. I allowed him to do anything and I babied him to the point of him lunging at my then 9 year old son. If it wasn’t for my reaction time, I do not want to think of what would of happened to my son. I still made excuses as to why he did this. I was a behaviorist a trainer I had the answers! My brain was flooded with emotions for this dog, I couldn’t think clearly and believe me I had every excuse for him. Then, I met Mike. When I told him what he had done, Mike told me to consider putting him down. He was dangerous. The emotional side of me disliked Mike for a few days. The rational behaviorist side knew he was being honest and basically telling me, I’ve destroyed my dog. I cried for 3 days like a wimp. I did all the wrong things for 3 days. I hugged my dog, I cried on him. I held on to him for dear life, I made the call and the appointment to put him down. I honestly thought I was going to have a nervous break down. The 3rd night, the night before the dreaded appointment as I layed in my bed hugging this dangerous, aggressive massive dog, reality set it. I was told that I literally loved this dog to his death. I did! And I still do! I thought of my kids , if one of my kids were to slap me or tell me to F off , the consequences would be pretty damn high! So why was I not loving this dog enough to teach him respect and boundaries? I felt bad, he was tossed in a fire at 7 weeks old and his paw pads were burned so badly they were raw meat. I felt bad no one loved him as a pup and he was taken from his mom and siblings. I couldn’t get passed it. My heart hurt for him. I thought in some twisted way a mom thinks with there human child , to nurture this dog and give him what I thought he longed for, which was constant love and affection. The thought of never seeing him again laying in my bed that night, over took me. I almost couldn’t breathe. I had to figure out a way to make it right. I had to work through my own emotions. It was 4:11 am, I remember looking at the clock. I finally came to terms with my own emotions and the reasons why I abused this dog emotionally. ( yes I say abuse) because quite frankly that is what I did. I finally released myself of the reasons why and I sat up and looked at him and said “off” he looked at me like what? I said it again, “off”. He slowly got up and jumped off looking at me confused like what the hell is going on? I went to sleep. I woke up. Called and cancelled my appointment for his demise. I then called work and said I needed a leave of absence. Yes , I collected unemployment for 6 months to work day and night on this dog that I destroyed. I owed him that. I owed him the chance to be the dog I knew he could of been if I didn’t emotionally destroy him , all because of my own emotionally baggage I carried from when I was young. We worked hard every
Day. He became an agility champion, his commands were solid, he was happy, my female alpha helped me everyday, allowing her to teach him proper dog to dog skills. I was exhausted and some days I wanted to give up. I didn’t quit, 4 years later I have an amazing ambassador American Staffy. Who respects me and my kids and loves everyone. Whom I trust fully with my life . He saved my life one day last year and that was his thank you to me.
Moral of the story is, we are all human, no matter our education or our training philosophy or our knowledge. Emotions are raw, if we don’t have our own emotions in check, we can not be the trainer or behaviorist we wish to be. It all comes down to what our energy is. Dogs can read us like a book. They know. Pretend to not be afraid and they know u are. You can’t fool a dog. Unless you are Mike with a wig!! Hahaha. I never said thank you to you Mike. So this is my thank you! The reality check you gave me, is why Tye is still here. And why I stepped up my game as a behaviorist and trainer. You my friend have my ut most respect and I only wish to have all of your knowledge some day. It’s a privilege to know you. I trust fully every word you speak. Which is huge for the 5’2 little chic that trusts no one except the dogs in my house haha
So yes I believe in what i wrote in that article and I train by that, but we all trip up at times. If you ever trip up , come back here and read this.
Thank you all for commenting and sharing. I love this group -
This was awesome. I watched it like 6 times. The top ranking male, licking the back of the female explains some thing I’ve been witnessing . Thanks for the post. 🙂
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Today was great… First I’d like to say thank you again for having Tye and I down to your training center. Im relieved to know that there is hope. Your students were amazing and I learned so much from you and explaining every dynamic that is present in my house. I’m excited to get started on Tye’s management and training.. By the way for you and the students that were there today I posted pics on my profile so you all have a visual of Dallas and CHarley… Thank you again.. Tye is exhausted..LOL
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Looking forward to Wednesday and also to update here so everyone who has viewed can read about our meeting Wednesday.. Cant wait. 🙂
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Ok so its 8pm I came home from work at 6:15 I didnt alarm my kids with what has been happening with tye and charley cause i was afraid to scare them right now they know there rules when it comes to the dogs. I am greeted by the dogs and as usual i walk up the stairs and tye is mouthing me pretty bad i am correcting him my daughter comes out of the room and says mom something is wrong with Tye. I said why? she said hes afraid to go in the yard I had to pull him out the door and then he ran in so she got a banana and lured him out so he can pee. she said then later she bent down to pick something off the floor and tye lunged and tried to bite her face… I asked her what was your reaction she said mom i got so scared i screamed and ran in my room and shut the door.. i put my purse down and hooked him up to his leash and out the door we went for a walk he was very wound up , it was as if we never went for a walk before. he was spoked and afraid of everything jumping and turning to look behind him.. all this in 4 days.. i get that its genetic but is this how it happens? this quick? i mean i kept going with the walk he tried lagging behind i just kept going as usual acting as if he wasnt reacting after about a mile and a half he calmed and was walking great i praised him and we kept going for another 20 min. I’ll be waiting for your response and hoping me and tye can get to you soon. now I am afraid to have my teenagers home alone with him. Not good.. 🙁
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Since i am so close to you, Would you be willing to meet with me and Tye? Ive been at work all day thinking and thinking of all the positive stuff hes done and learned and to have him start being so aggressive in a matter of a week is ripping me up inside. I know i have to try to leave my emotions out of this because it will not do tye any good. I have totally accepted what you said to me this morning. I have to do whatever I can to manage this and I am prepared and ready. So tell me where to begin!
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btw, Love the video.. I missed that one somehow in my searches.. you both crack me up..:)
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Holy Hell!!!! Mike think you just brought tears to my eyes, GENETIC? I’m almost relieved if that sounds crazy… Im contemplating becoming lazy myself now LOL.. He is not ever allowed to have any of Charley girls left overs. .. He’s fine as long as i’m sitting in kitchen pretending to read a magazine or something. LOL When hes done with his food he will turn and sit and wait for his “ok” but i never release him till ive picked up her bowl and removed it. Which is a huge accomplishment for him and me. lol The second he thinks I’m not on my game Bam… He use to attack her even when she was done with her food when he was in a sit, if she walked by him he’d lunge.. No more. He is getting use to the fact there is nothing there after his release. but he still has to go see.. As far as human aggression with his food that is gone, well let me rephrase that, With my two kids and I he is fine. I had the kids put little treat pouches around there waist when they were home and randomly give him a treat. Kids hated me for it but in the end when they realized he now sees them as someone who is giving food instead of a threat they were glad i did that. He’s leave it command is awesome off leash, except when im not on game and its feeding time and hes tested me and is running for charleys food. I can say whatever i want and its like he’s some different dog from another planet that i dont even know.. My biggest thank you here and relief is that its not breed related, Him and I get enough SH*t about that. And damn with the slow feeder i didnt even think of frustration with that, i was concerned with bloat and stuff. but your right hes going to eat it in 2 min anyway why frustrate him more. I have to be honest, Ive asked so many of my Mentor’s ( other trainers) That I respect, and Ive gotten so many different responses and I just knew that none of those answers would work I know my dog well and this was beyond anything Ive ever witnessed first hand. and besides that, there comments were starting to make me feel incompetent, well they were trying anyway haha.. I will now be a lazy trainer and feed Tye in his crate and allow charley to eat with out stress either.. You are the best, and for the first time in 4 months i feel like i have the correct answer and Ive done all I can with this issue, and my Special needs boy will eat alone in his crate. And I will sleep easy without racking my brain on how to correct this.. YAY!!!! Hope you get to meet him soon..
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oh and also he has a slow feeder raised and still eats his food like its his last meal ever.. Why? will this slow down?
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I have to say i agree with Mike totally, Origen is not a favorite of mine, None of my dogs did well on it when I first tried and after researching it and the company its sketchy. Natures Variety is a great food and I am also a fan of Holistic Canine Caviar, You can switch up with them too. My dogs do great on this and this is the kibble of choice for me because of having so many dogs in one household they all tolerate it well. Protein Rotation: rotating proteins, which gives your dog a different amino acid profile and maintains a healthy immune system, this is also a food that you can switch right into no weaning needed.. Have you added the fish oil? My dogs smell the fish oil and go nuts they love it. I also dont believe in Puppy food. Especially in large breed dogs.. Good luck.
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I do not recommend using a crate as a source of correction or punishment. Your elderly dog will eventually have enough. What is happening is you keep intervening and your protecting your elderly dog , which is making the pup be even more consistent. Your creating a weakness with your elder dog. It’s annoying you, but your not the issue. The pup and the older girl is. Let the older dog reach the point where she has had enough. This is a puppy, not a dog that is going to cause harm to your older dog. She may be more patient or some dogs show leadership by ignoring the pups behavior. Let it play out. Be patient