[thomas]

Hi,

I am not a professional dog trainer, but as a parent I had the same situation and this is what worked for me.

After the first time it happened my wife and I were really scared. The “psst” with a light touch on the neck [yes directly copied from Ceaser Milan] has worked greatly. At a different time I set it up directly so the kids would be around the dog and watched closely, when it happened again I did the same thing.

I also have a really comfortable crate which the kids are not allowed to get close to the door to pet her. I taught them that when Bella goes into the crate she wants time to herself and they should leave her alone.

Now when she has had enough play time she doesn’t growl she goes to her crate and everyone lets her be.

I also let the kids walk her and feed her from time to time, hopefully to show that she is at the bottom of the pack.

Again I am not a professional dog trainer, and if anyone has any constructive criticism for me it is appreciated, I am here to learn. I do sometimes wonder if this technique has dropped the confidence of Bella. She is timid not with us but with groups of strangers. You can read my entry in the fear section of the forum.

[thomas]

Thanks,

I never really thought that when she rushes to the door it may be something negative. I always took a kind of pride like “hey my dog is ready to protect my family”. But linking your videos with your statement I can start to understand. I see the dogs have there “place” and only act when told. So, when someone knocks on the door as she rushes should I stop that behavior and have her stay back, until I allow her to approach the door. I know this would be very easy it never takes anything more than a normal/firm tone of “psst” and she stops dead in her tracks.

I am guilty of encouraging the behavior [ I know I will sound like a typical fool that you probably roll your eyes at] at times she would stay back and bark and I would say “who’s that, go get it” [yes sometimes for kicks and laughs] and then she rushes the door. But I can admit guilt with the hopes of learning that’s why I joined this website. I do want the all around good dog, and she is. She is great with my family and friends, doesn’t beg, doesn’t bark needlessly, great off leash never goes astray, good with other dogs but always submits at a dog run she rolls right on her back and lets the other dogs claim dominance [sometimes a little awkward, but its better than breaking up a dog fight]

We started very strict with her I think the right way. We took bits and pieces from different books, a class at North Shore, and yes the Ceaser Milan show I won’t lie. She enters the home after everyone else, she sits and patiently waits, she sits and waits for her food and gets it when I give her the command, no sofas, no beds only her nicely padded crate, she is not food aggressive I still occasionally send my four year old to pull her bowl mid meal, she just looks up like “please give it back”

Sorry to ramble, I just wanted to let you know how she was trained and how she acts. Thanks again, great site overall by the way.