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bad dog: blog

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debra morgan's blog: bad dog mugsy

by Debra Morgan
Published Jul. 24, 2008

   Our third, and final dog (for now), in our Bad Dog! series is Mugsy who lives with the Santoro family in Cary.  This 5-year-old, 95-pound Boxer loves going for walks and meeting new "friends" along the way.  Problem is, he nearly pulls his walker's arm out of the socket to meet them!  Marj Santoro had to have major surgery to repair torn ligaments in her shoulder.   Her two athletic teenage boys don't even like to walk Mugsy.

   Jenny Marconyak from Bark Busters joins us to try to get Mugsy's leash-pulling under control.  The family learns several lessons to change their own behavior in order to help Mugsy improve his.  Watch tonight on WRAL's 5:30 News to see the progress!  If you can't catch us on TV, be sure to check out WRAL.com in the Bad Dog section for the story.

   By the way, for those of you interested, the folks at the Tar Heel Boxer Meetup Group wanted me to pass along a link to their web site if you'd like to learn more about Boxers or just make new friends.

   And how about this... A bad dog inspired two young girls from the Triangle to write their own song!  As always, feel free to ask questions about training issues or just share your comments. 
   Enjoy!

 

 

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Thanks so much Jenn3. I will definitely begin this training method immediately. One of my problems is a husband who treats the dogs as his *babies*, and neglects to reinforce anything I train them to do. Much the same way our children, when they were young, ran all over him too. Any good books on 'husband training'? ;-) Seriously, I so much appreciate the time you've taken to answer my plea for help. I have attempted some of these methods, but not consistently enough. We have a very busy household, but I can see that the only way to achieve results is to set all else aside and find the time to get these two under control when visitors arrive. I've copied all your posts here, so I can print them out and follow them. I want my dogs to be well-behaved. They are basically good dogs, wonderful family members, but they do need discipline in this area. This is a wonderful blog, I hope the BAD DOG subject is continued beyond these first three.

thanks again!
Click to view my profile anastasia
GOLO member since July 26, 2008
July 26, 2008 12:51 p.m.
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I would suggest working with each dog individually first, then bringing them together as a group once they each have the idea. Training multiples is a challenge. You may want to pick up Dr. Patricia McConnell's book "Feeling Outnumbered" which is all about living in harmony with multiple dogs. Good luck!!
Click to view my profile jenn3
GOLO member since July 14, 2008
July 26, 2008 7:41 a.m.
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Opps-here's part three OR immediately close the door because your dog has broken his sit position. Have them enter only if your dog holds the sit. Release your dog and ask the guest to give them a treat only when your dog sits. Step on the leash for added control if necessary. ****Repeat with all of your friends, delivery people and anyone else you can think of!
Click to view my profile jenn3
GOLO member since July 14, 2008
July 26, 2008 7:40 a.m.
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Continued from above- Put a leash on your dog, letting him drag it around. ∑ Without warning your dog or taking him with you to the door, go to the front door and knock to simulate a guest knocking on your front door—you do the knocking. No matter how your dog reacts to the knocking, ask your dog to sit as you normally would if you were not at the front door. Do not open the door until your dog sits. ∑ When your dog sits, open the door. If your dog breaks his seated position, immediately shut the door! If your dog breaks his sit as you reach for the doorknob, withdraw your hand from the doorknob and calmly tell him to sit. Then try it again: let some time pass, then go knock on the door, reach for the doorknob, and open the door. Next step, have a friend or family member go outside and knock on the door. ∑ The steps are exactly the same as with the "guest-less" door. Warn your "guest" about the training step where you don't open the door OR immediately close the door becau
Click to view my profile jenn3
GOLO member since July 14, 2008
July 26, 2008 7:38 a.m.
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Many people try to train their dog after the guest is already in the house. It is easier to teach your dog what to do BEFORE you open the door. This makes it so much easier for your dog to give you an obedient act before you open the door rather than opening the door, allowing him to sniff, allowing him to jump for joy or all over your guest. Control the dog first—control the door second. When he masters what he must do, before the door opens, the rest gets easier. You need to remember that he needs the whole picture—not just what NOT to do, tell him what he needs to do so you can open the door. To begin training your dog to have good door manners, start with nobody at your front door. We call this the "guest-less" door.
Click to view my profile jenn3
GOLO member since July 14, 2008
July 26, 2008 7:36 a.m.
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Boxers are awesome! I have owned 2 and neither one ever pulled me. Actually only when we play tug of war with the leash! You just have to correct the behavior as it happens by keeping them at your side. That choker chain did make me upset though, harnesses’ work a lot better.
Click to view my profile Hevans1012
GOLO member since July 12, 2007
July 25, 2008 4:06 p.m.
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Anyone have any ideas how to train my adult rescue dogs from bombarding people who come to our home? Everytime the doorbell rings they are right there to greet whomever it is. Each of my dogs weigh around 80 pounds, so it's hard for me to hold them back. I've worked and worked with them, but their excitement always takes over. I've trained them to walk onleash, and am able to easily walk both of them at the same time. Neither of them is food aggressive, I've trained them to leave eachothers food bowls alone, all other times they will 'sit & stay', except for visitors. Doorbell rings, all hell breaks loose. Since they were both rescued as adult dogs, I have no idea as to their actual ages. I have a rottie/german shepherd mix, who I've personally had for nearly four years now, & a catahoula leopard dog I've personally had for two years now. We *think* each was a year or two old when we got them. At least that's what the vets said when we first got them.

thanks
Click to view my profile anastasia
GOLO member since July 26, 2008
July 25, 2008 1:36 p.m.
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As a dog trainer, many of my client's dogs pull because of opposition reflex, among other reasons of course (like frustration, over-arousal, lack of training, and poor choice of equipment). Opposition reflex is the dog's natural inclination to pull against pressure. Think sled dog. I have found that the leash/collar attachment are just as much of a problem as the behavior of the owner letting the dog pull. First, I do recommend using a front clip harness, such as the Easy Walk. This takes all the pressure off the dog's neck which is particularly important if your dog has any fear issues. Pressure on the neck can create more arousal and give the dog a sense of feeling trapped. Second, I recommend using reward based techniques to teach the dog that pulling does not work. There are many simple methods that are all about teaching the dog better behavior, not having to constantly correct them for pulling. Check this out: www.diamondsintheruff.com/nopulling.html

Google "Easy Walk"
Click to view my profile jenn3
GOLO member since July 14, 2008
July 25, 2008 7:14 a.m.
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Bad dog boxer just might need a couple of sets of roller blades for his four paws when he goes walking with one of his family members. That'd fix him.
Made In USA
GOLO member since September 11, 2007
July 24, 2008 6:23 p.m.
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WillowsWalk, all hounds have a smell. I have neighbors with beagles and red tick hounds. It really doesn't smell all that bad, but it is a distinct odor.
Click to view my profile Aruba
GOLO member since October 17, 2007
July 24, 2008 8:42 a.m.
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