Re: [PyrNet-L] chat: help ASAP

["Janice Swenson" <janices@jump.net>]

Charlotte, 
Got to agree.  No matter how much early training you do once they 
hit what I call "the terrible teens" and it doesn't seem to matter if 
they've been spayed or neutered as it seems to happen about 
when the hormones would normally kick in it's as if they lose whats 
in the head as a teenager would do<bg>.  But it does pass.  
Whether you go through it easy or not just depends on the owner 
and how it's handled.  And I love 'em once they get to the stage 
mine are, around 4, cause they really seem to turn into just joys 
then.  Then you have to look forward to them when they turn into 
old folks as my 2-10 yrs olds are.  

I know a lot of people do this but there is a couple of places that 
are off limits and it's my bed and the couches.  Letting them on the 
bed and other furniture essentially says they are on the same level 
as you are at, an equal, a littermate.  And there are many 
dominance confrontations regarding possession of and guarding 
resting areas.  Also, I teach my dogs something called "move".  
Which means if they are resting somewhere and I have to step over 
them I essentially say move and have them move for me to get by 
and not step over or around.  The reason being is leaders control 
territory.  

Some good pamphlets/books/videos on the subject are 
"ALPHABETIZE YOURSELF: HELP YOUR DOG REGARD YOU 
AS LEADER" by Ryan, "DOMINANT DOG" by Rogerson, "HOW 
TO BE THE LEADER OF THE PACK" by McConnell, "LEADER 
OF THE PACK" by Baer & Duno.  

Janice, janices@jump.net
Admiral & Linsey (newfs), Bianca & Sonny (pyrs)  
http://www.jump.net/~janices/
Leander, TX
Visit Old West Newfoundland Club's website at  
http://www.jump.net/~janices/ownc/