can anyone gimme advice on why my dog wants to eat everything? -nicki

[mastiffmommy]

no marit it didn't

 

lmao hehehe too bad..... now I might have to post a two pages long post about it, and I expect you to read it nickers hehe 

Marit

[GrumpyBunny]

I think a lot of billybooker's ideas are very sound.  Using similar methods, Ranger has come a long way in his comfort level with meeting people he doesn't know, especially children. 

I think if you were to work on the edge of Angus' threshold, as suggested, with a ton of treats, to position the presence of strangers as a positive thing for him, it certainly couldn't hurt! 

[Tulsas' Dad]

Billybookers has some great points. Rewards for good behavior is the best. How you deal with bad behavior is a bit different.
I'm fortunate, Tulsa doesn't want me out of her sight, so I can confine her and walk away. When I come back to her, she's eager to please, and has the intelligence to put it together.
As I said in another thread, she was leash aggresive, didn't like men, or children, would lunge and snap when on leash.
It took daily sessions that lasted several months to get her over these issues.
It doesn't happen in a day!
That's why we have so many dogs with GREAT potential in our shelters.
People with no knowledge of dogs expect them to be good dogs in a day.
It takes a lifetime of positive training to turn a dog into a companion.
It may look like 'work', but "Love" is another four letter word.
John

[dohertyswissy]

Nickers - Sounds like you've gotten some very good advice here from everyone.  I've also heard that by saying "It's okay," you may be inadvertently (wow that's a big word ) praising them in a time of instability.  Swissys are notorious for alerting their people when something is out of place or different.  It comes from years of being bred as an all purpose dog, including protection of the family.  For example, I moved the recycle bin to our back deck when we were having a party.  Well, Ranger flipped!  Look at the bin like "Wait a minute!  That is SOOO not supposed to be there!"  Then, he started barking at it.  A good thing that we picked up from obedience class was "Go say Hello."  Basically, you take a treat, place it in front of the object, then tell your pup, "Go Say Hello."  So, the dog associates the object with something positive (the treat).  We use this with objects, as well as people, although we've never had much trouble with Ranger with people. 

Just a thought...mayb e it'll help?

Hang in there, girl!  There is a fabulous dog lurking inside Wangus who deseperately wants to come out! 

Hugs,
Swissy