[MissK&Nikita]

Hey everyone

I am hoping some people can give me some pointers and maybe some advice as to how I can get on top of some things Nikita is starting to show that could be a problem in the future. Any pointers if you think I should try a different approach or you found a way worked for you I would appreciate it.

1: How do you really teach her to meet other dogs? She gets SO worked up and I can get her to relax to a certain point and sit. She quiets down but she never really takes her eyes off them. I know the importance is focusing on me first and eventually she will learn to sit patiently until I tell her go. Standing in front of her perhaps? Having her look at me? Also I don't want her to book it and run to go greet people or dogs. Is this an energy thing and perhaps she just needs more exercise to drain some energy?

2: She also out of no where will bark and some times growl at people passing my car when its parked. If they approach her to pet her she will intimidate them but if they don't back down shes the biggest suck, however, all it takes is for her to give attitude to the wrong person. I try to get her attention again focused on behaving properly by quieting her but any suggestions will help.

3: Her prey drive is INSANE! We have a cat, dog and bird in the house. I already know not to leave them alone, and I am avid follower of Ceaser Millan and I know once he said that if they prey drive is so driven in them there are exercises they can do utilize the skills properly and drain energy. So anybody have any ideas what those exercises are as I don't remember what He said.

4: When she is in a very focused mode, usually when shes been chasing something around the house like cat or bird, I always address there but if I go into her to get her attention she sometimes wips her head to the side and shows teeth. She never does anything further, and I never pull back and as soon as she realizes it her ears go back and she shows submission like she realizes that wasn't right but of course, I need to stop this. Does this tye into the prey drive exercises again?

5: The prancing dance/stocking position. Every now and than, when she has been caught doing something, I will approach her and stand tall in front of and correct her ( by directing her to relax and focus on me or whatever it is). Sometimes she will challenge me and get in the bow position bouncing side to side barking, challenging me. I know that's what she is doing so do I just continue to stand my ground? She always ends up submitting but if shes crosses the line and adds in the little head whip thing she always gets the ultimate submission position (on her side) until shes relaxed ( of course after she has realized I am not backing down and she finally stops)

6: Last, She is the SWEETEST friendliest dog aside from these things that happen occasionally. She curls up at the feet inbetween the legs of everyone she meets, her butt goes crazy and she has the softest eyes. Shes a kisser, shes not food aggressive as I've fed her by hand until recently and still do occasionally and she has learned to stay away while I prepare food and only come when I tell her to eat. She is not toy dominate as she has learned that I own all the toys in the house so if I take posession of the toy she will submit. Shes a cuddler, shes amazing with kids, she doesn't actually show signs of physical aggression to other dogs but I am also teaching her not to be vocal ( growling) when playing with other dogs.

Anyway, all in all she has completely changed my whole family and all my friends view on pitbulls. she is learning to be an ambassador by I just need a bit of help to get on top of these things.

 

[Kingsgurl]

How old is she? The Dominance Theory Cesar operates under is pretty much thoroughly scientifically rebuked.
Using 'Dominance' To Explain Dog Behavior Is Old Hat
Dog Whisperer, Dog Psychology and Cesar Millan
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/dominance statement.pdf

The one point he does make that holds validity is that dogs NEED exercise and structure (it gets all off track once he starts talking about structure as being you asserting your 'dominance' over the dog. people tend to misinterpret this as meaning they need to alpha roll or other things that dogs probably think we are generally unstable for, lol)

How much exercise, both physical and mental is she currrently getting? How do you work with her? What boundaries are you putting on her interactions with the other pets in your home?

She is very cute!

 

[Celestial88]

How old is she? The Dominance Theory Cesar operates under is pretty much thoroughly scientifically rebuked.
Using 'Dominance' To Explain Dog Behavior Is Old Hat
Dog Whisperer, Dog Psychology and Cesar Millan
http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/dominance statement.pdf

The one point he does make that holds validity is that dogs NEED exercise and structure (it gets all off track once he starts talking about structure as being you asserting your 'dominance' over the dog. people tend to misinterpret this as meaning they need to alpha roll or other things that dogs probably think we are generally unstable for, lol)

How much exercise, both physical and mental is she currrently getting? How do you work with her? What boundaries are you putting on her interactions with the other pets in your home?

She is very cute!

Good post!

Also, for dogs that get worked up around other dogs I do obedience and tricks with them before hand. Rewarding attention, and slowly getting closer, if I can have their focus on me next to the other dog they're released to greet. I use verbal markers and often their daily kibble as treats.

 

[motocross308]

the bowing isnt challengin you , its to initiate play. You cant teach her to " meet" other dogs .. she doesnt need doggie friends , keep her outta that situation .You can easily work her with a flirt pole .. you gotta do it for more than 5 min tho . If i was you id also try a tread mill.

 

[motocross308]

As far as maintaining dominanace , nothing helps this like good solid obedience daily . I find using both positive and negative reinforcement helps . Use a prong collar ( fit correctly) and treats. reward only when perfect , correct with the prong when not perfect .

 

[SMiGGs]

Dominance issues your dog doesnt see you as pack leader

 

[Celestial88]

Not all Pit Bulls need to be separated form other dogs, some CAN do well. Especially considering we know nothing of the dogs background, could very well not be. She looks mature, generally you can get a good idea by the time they mature on how they'll do.

And you don't need a prong to start obedience, you don't just jump into corrections. You train the basics first without aversive stimulus, you bring in corrections if your training that way doesn't go well. You'll have a less reliable dog if you're relying on the correction right from the start.

 

[motocross308]

Not all Pit Bulls need to be separated form other dogs, some CAN do well. Especially considering we know nothing of the dogs background, could very well not be. She looks mature, generally you can get a good idea by the time they mature on how they'll do.

And you don't need a prong to start obedience, you don't just jump into corrections. You train the basics first without aversive stimulus, you bring in corrections if your training that way doesn't go well. You'll have a less reliable dog if you're relying on the correction right from the start.

The point is ... if she is already getting that worked up about them , she doent need to be around them , i personally would just not set up the dog for failure being that the fault of a scuffle is already decided based upon the breed .
i have never had a dog have problems with a prong . An E collar yes but a prong hardly bothers most. Do i start a puppy with them .. no . but i use them on dogs over 8 months or so .

 

[Celestial88]

Some dogs can be iffy with that, and I totally get that most folk here are used to well bred APBTs and their issues with other dogs. But it's very common for dogs at work to be totally amped about other dogs (usually because their owner lets them say hi to other dogs all the time without requiring them to sit first. So pulling towards other dogs got reinforced. It's also common with dog park dogs too.) because they want to greet and play. But, they can become frustrated not being able to get there, which in return can spur the other dog to react negatively. We had one dog that all the other dogs in class hated, taught her to cool her jets, got the owner to stop taking her to the dog park and she was chill, the other dogs did well with her after that.

Happens relatively often, but my own aren't allowed to meet other dogs if they're worked up about them.

I wouldn't ever recommend a prong to someone without going over proper use. I've seen a lot of people screw up dogs with them. I know a lot of the folk on here don't agree with my ideals on this though, so /shrug.

I wouldn't ever use one on a dog with issues around other dogs or people, as my main focus would be building a positive association to the other dog rather than potentially causing a pain association.

Many examples in class, owners using them totally improperly causing a bad association, can barely control their dog, take it off, dog doesn't react to other dogs at all. It can vary greatly, keep in mind the APBTs are rather pain tolerant, are not known to redirect onto people, and are very tolerant of people. Something like a Chow wouldn't do well on a prong.:thumbsup:

And I also prefer it to be more of a last resort thing.

But that's just me.