Yep! We all go through stages. I forgot how much transition there is between the second year and third year of a dog's life. Greta changed drastically in temperment during this time. Now, I can see some "issues" that may arise with Betti. These are all things that I take responsibility for and I already realize I've not done everything the way I should have, so there is no need for discussion there.
Anyway, some may know little Betti's story: she came to me from a breeder who confiscated her from neglectful owners. Supposedly, these "owners" had a big yard and just wanted a "cool looking" rottweiler to add to their collection of other dogs. So, Betti ended up occupying their back yard. She was not too well cared for as she was very timid, unsocialized and afraid to confront the other dogs in order to "eat". She was malnourished, with anal gland infection, ear infection and UTI. Furthermore, she required intense socialization, which ended up being a bit slow and "unintense", such as attending Social Skills I class and going to the park frequently.
But, Betti, first of all, lunges at my son while his back is turned. She been doing this for a while and the obedience instructors at the "positive reward" school she attends said that my son, who is fifteen years old, needs to take it upon himself to make every interaction with Betti a positive one. Therefore, he should always carry treats and offer them to her "non-confronationally" every time she comes to him.
Of course, my son is uncooperative and can barely bathe himself, let alone understand canine body language. Plus I just don't think he cares, either. I've explained to him pack order and dominance and how it is up to him to assert himself with Betti in order for her to trust him. Because if I step in I believe she is smart enough to realize that when I am not there she can take the opportunity to harrass him worse than ever before.
I am thinking of reverting to my prior training methods with a choke collar and treats as rewards. We did begin with clicker training due to Betti's shyness, but now "I"...not "we"...face some challenges that are becoming more significant day by day. I do not want it to become intolerable, so I am thinking about going back to traditional training and also using some dog language, such as pushing her onto the floor and holding her there whenever she lunges at someone's back.
What do you think? Does this sound like a good way to break her of this nasty and increasingly alarming habit of snapping at people as they walk by?
Her other issue at present is the fact that once she moved in with me she was with someone (human) 24/7. Last week she encountered her first episodes of "home without an adult around"...she was with my son and Lou and Greta, our two other dogs.
I also have a new bf who does not want dogs to sleep on the bed because we are both tired actually because of the jobs we do and our early schedules, so Betti's anxiety is something I need to curb as soon as possible, because I do not want my bf to develop a disliking for her and to feel she is out of control.
She is up all night trying to get into things...such as the trash. I am unable to keep people in check as far as making sure the cabinet door is secure, so I think I will need a covered trash compartment that is Betti proof. Yet, my son swears she retrieved the squirt gun from the top of the fridge last night. She has been grabbing things that my bf has with him and shredding them when we are not looking. She loves junk mail and books, too.
She seems to do this when she is anxious and I know that with my previous bf gone now it has been really hard on her.
Does anyone have any suggestions to help Betti adjust and to help her refrain from snapping at people when they walk by?
I do not want her to end up biting anyone. Should I go ahead and return to the former dog training methods of being more firm and rewarding good behavior, etc.?
