Brittany Dunlap
Being the Pack Leader
July 22nd 2008 01:40
I have a lot to learn from Cesar Milan as I am a first-time dog owner. I have downloaded seasons 1-3 (waiting to buy the series). I am just amazed at how simple it really is to have a healthy happy dog. I know the first month of having Bentley in our house has been quite tramatic for all involved. He came home at 9 weeks of age with the dog flu. We just thought it was kennel cough but it quickly progressed to the flu. He was underweight as he would not eat... Hypoglycemic, etc.
Now that Bentley is doing so much better, he is active, playful and very happy. I am noticing some things that could easily become habit or cause a nerutic response. Barking at my cat, digging, watching ants on the patio, and jumping back from us when he wants held.
As I watch Cesar's episodes, I am noticing those traits/obsessions in other dogs and realizing that it is not a healthy response to the stimuli. So I have just recently started working with him a few times a day to ignore those things such as ants. Yes he is a terrier by nature and that can be a normal reaction to seeing little tiny ants scurry about, but in him - it will easily become an obsession, which is not healthy.
I am noticing that when he jumps back, he is not taking us seriously. He is in essence wanting to play. Well, that is not good that he acts as though he wants us but then backs up. What if I had to say 'come' and he doesn't come? Like if there was a fire or dangerous dog... Not good.
So, by Cesar's approach to dog behavior, I have begun using those techniques on Bentley. Almost immediately I see an appropriate response (or one that is confusion). When I see confusion in his body language, I quickly find something for him to do, such as "sit" or lead him to a toy to play with.
All in all I am very happy with the results so far today. I think now he is realizing his place in our family. Just one of the pack but NOT the pack leader.
Now that Bentley is doing so much better, he is active, playful and very happy. I am noticing some things that could easily become habit or cause a nerutic response. Barking at my cat, digging, watching ants on the patio, and jumping back from us when he wants held.
As I watch Cesar's episodes, I am noticing those traits/obsessions in other dogs and realizing that it is not a healthy response to the stimuli. So I have just recently started working with him a few times a day to ignore those things such as ants. Yes he is a terrier by nature and that can be a normal reaction to seeing little tiny ants scurry about, but in him - it will easily become an obsession, which is not healthy.
I am noticing that when he jumps back, he is not taking us seriously. He is in essence wanting to play. Well, that is not good that he acts as though he wants us but then backs up. What if I had to say 'come' and he doesn't come? Like if there was a fire or dangerous dog... Not good.
So, by Cesar's approach to dog behavior, I have begun using those techniques on Bentley. Almost immediately I see an appropriate response (or one that is confusion). When I see confusion in his body language, I quickly find something for him to do, such as "sit" or lead him to a toy to play with.
All in all I am very happy with the results so far today. I think now he is realizing his place in our family. Just one of the pack but NOT the pack leader.
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Comment by TimmyH
Tech News
Can you HACK it?
Genyration
1 of the pair was massively submissive to the other...in half an hour I turned that around completely by paying more attention to the other.
The one that was originally submissive became massively protective of me in such a short time and eventually turn dominant!
It was weird! Explanation?
Comment by Confusion at Random
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