Precious picking on Sally

[Amber]

I understand that we had Precious first and now she is probably thinking "when can we send Sally back?", but geez! I have to admit that this probably stems from me spoiling her for the first year of her life, but she was our only dog in the beginning and I just couldn't help myself! lol

Now that Sally has adjusted more into the house, every time my mother or I try to pet her or show ANY type of attention to her, Precious will jump on Sally or jump up on us. Also, when Sally is just laying on the couch and OBVIOUSLY doesn't want to play, Precious will start nipping at her nose and ears. Sally will ignore her until Precious starts after her tail. As soon as Precious gets her tail, Sally will start playing with her. We tell Precious "No" and "Stop" and she just won't stop picking on Sally!

I do spend time with each dog seperately...well, it's more like I spend time with Precious alone, but Precious won't let me spend alone time with Sally. If I walk outside with Sally, Precious will either scratch and bark at the window and the door or, if I put her in her crate so she won't by some chance go through the window, she will whine and bark like CRAZY! You can tell when Precious is being especially aggravating because Precious will jump on the couch next to Sally and Sally will give me this look like "PLEASE pick me up NOW!"

I feel so bad for Sally. If I could get Precious to quit I know Sally would open up some more. Please! ANY suggestions?!

[Susie B]

It sounds like Precious is just acting like a puppy. She's younger and has a lot more energy. When I first brought Missy home (1 yrs old) to my 6 1/2 yr old, she would do the same thing. It's only been 5 months but Dooley had an injury to his leg which I think Missy senses so she doesn't play so hard. She still gets him to play on his terms when he is ready. I've also seen her get other dogs to play that haven't played in years. Maybe just time and maturity will take care of this behavior.

[Luciann]

Well i don't really know how to get her to stop picking on Sally but we had a dobbie one time that was much older than the puppy that showed up on the door step. Gremmy would harass him until he would play. i think that when Sally gets tired of precious picking on her she will let the puppy know. what you might want to do is when you spend one on one time with Sally you actually have to be out of sight precious so that she does not cause a disruption.

Have you tried taking Sally out somewhere away from home to spend time with her? not sure what else i can offer....

[Grace Erick]

Hi Amber,

I'm so glad to hear Sally is coming out of her shell!!!! It sure does sound like Precious is jealous of any affection or time you spend on Sally. I wish I knew about doggie behavior and had an answer for that.

All I can say is to not call Precious over and pet her to take her attention off of Sally or Precious may associate her negative behavior towards Sally with getting a positive reward. Just a thought.

Bye, Grace

[Amber]

I usually take Sally out of the house three times a week for socialization purposes. I never really thought about that time as "alone time" as usually I am cuddling and stuff on the couch with Precious for her alone time. I was thinking more of that time with Sally as training time, but I guess that could be seen as alone time as well.

Precious also will wait until Sally comes off the couch to go into another room or go get a toy or something and then run after her and bite at her or jump on her! She's such an aggravating little twit! lol...now I see why my older brothers never wanted me around! Susie, I really don't see this as puppy behavior. Some of her other behaviors are, but I have seen her play with other dogs before and she has NEVER acted like this! I think she can just sense how nervous Sally still is to be in our household and she is taking advantage of it. Sally definitely lets her know when she has had enough, but I just wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions on how I could stop Precious' behavior?!

[Lesly Stevens]

Funny how they're a lot like kids! And, just like kids, dogs thrive on routine and structure. The demanding behaviors of Precious is a common thing with dogs who think they rule the roost! Pet me, NOW. Feed me, NOW. Let me out, NOW! LOL I would implement NILIF with both dogs immediately, and ignore Precious when she displays unwanted behaviors. At times, you can ignore completely, and at other times, ignore the unwanted behavior, redirect to a wanted behavior, and then praise her for compliance. Results are apparant in as little as 48 hrs., and I've worked with some real little "stinkers" who absolutely LOVED letting go of trying to control things, and thrived on direction from me.

I have two Poodles - Standards. However, I've fostered rescues who were minis or toys, and they, too, do very well on NILIF and having an established routine. Even with my two, both of whom are very well behaved, I require them to go settle on their floor beds (they have a crate, and they sleep with me) for quiet time, remaining there until I release them. I taught them this through 30-min. down/stays daily while I watched tv or read, but always keeping an eagle eye so as to prevent them from breaking the down/stay. We have structured play time with me, both together and individually, designed to teach them to think and to problem-solve. Then, they have individual go-outside-and-run-off-the zoomies time, together time in free play outside, then nap time, and so on. Both have learned that it's futile to demand attention from me, because the very opposite happens. I simply do not respond to rude behavior, and they know it! When they want something, they approach me and then politely let me know what it is they want - outside, the water bowl is empty, please fill it, or, hey mommy, let's cuddle.

What I had to do with Maddy when Bo first arrived on the scene, was to give her the ultimate dismissal: when she would push at my hand to get me to pet her instead of Bo, I would turn my head in a deliberate, almost exaggerated way, with my head to the side, chin and nose up, and hold. It has never failed to work with any dog I've done this with. They walk away. I never raise my voice, and I only use the word "NO" when it's something very important.

One-on-one time is important, but even if you don't always go away from the house with one and leave the other behind, do put the other dog in another room, or outside. I often have my two take their naps in separate rooms to prevent any fussing or whining when left alone.

Poodle hugs to Precious and Sally,

Lesly, Maddy, & Bo

[Amber]

I do NILIF with Precious, but not with Sally because she is still coming out of her shell and doesn't really do much that a "real" dog does just yet. I can't say that I do the entire NILIF program with Precious, because I don't believe that she should have to ask to play with her toys. I leave her toys out around the house and she plays with whatever whenever, however, if she brings something to me she must sit in order for me to play with her and she knows it. Sally doesn't play with toys and will only eat in her crate, so...

Ignoring Precious doesn't seem to really do much help. She just keeps jumping on Sally, sitting on Sally's head, or nipping at Sally, trying to get her to play. Sometimes I can tell Sally is aggravated, but doesn't want to upset me by reprimanding Precious because she'll go to snap at Precious but at the last second Sally will look at me. If I'm looking, Sally won't snap...If I'm not looking, she'll let Precious know enough is enough. Other times, Sally will just lay there all day and let Precious jump all over her! She'll let her know to quit after, like, 7 hours of Precious jumping on her!

I just hate seeing Sally look up at me with at look of "Oh God! Here she comes AGAIN!" I can see it in her eyes and I try to stop Precious, but it only works for a little while.

[Lesly Stevens]

Ah, but implementing NILIF with Sally now, while she's still coming out of her shell, is just what Sally needs! It will help make her feel more secure, and build her self-confidence, just like obedience training does. When I have rescues I'm fostering, I start NILIF immediately, and keep them in one part of the house until they get "the lay of the land," so to speak, and gradually integrating them into the routine with the other dogs. Since Sally is "new," she should also be given the consideration of having her own space, where Precious cannot invade it! I use baby gates to section off an area of the house, or a room, with new fosters, so they don't have resident dogs in their face, unless they choose to move close to the gates to sniff and check the other dogs out.

Sally shouldn't be subjected to Precious jumping all over her in an effort to get her to play. This is harrassment, plain and simple. Sally is enduring this because she's new, but, when the honeymoon period is over, you just may have a real problem with these two getting along, and someone may get hurt in a fight. It's up to you to provide a safe and comfortable refuge, and that means keeping Precious from invading her space.

I don't do the entire NILIF program either, in that I DO allow my dogs on the furniture - permission asked first - and I prefer they go out the door first, but they must sit and wait until I tell them "ok."

Toys are a big deal, believe it or not! You are the leader, provider of all good things - food, toys, attention, affection, walks, and so on. YOU decide what and when a resource is given. The dogs learn to appreciate whatever they receive. Try putting the toys away, and bringing one out for a specified time - preferably before Precious tires of playing with that toy - and then put the toy away. Do this 2-4 times/day. My two have learned to take advantage of toy time, play interactively, and, I make them put their toy back into the toybox when I say it's time. When Bo came to live with us, he didn't know how to play with toys, or play period. Now, he LOVES his stuffie toys, and he and Maddy have a good time playing toss and catch, and he even enjoys playing with Oliver (feral rescue cat), who "steals" Bo's toy and runs with it . . . so as to have Bo chase him and take it back!

I hope this makes sense to you!

Lesly



I do NILIF with Precious, but not with Sally because she is still coming out of her shell and doesn't really do much that a "real" dog does just yet. I can't say that I do the entire NILIF program with Precious, because I don't believe that she should have to ask to play with her toys. I leave her toys out around the house and she plays with whatever whenever, however, if she brings something to me she must sit in order for me to play with her and she knows it. Sally doesn't play with toys and will only eat in her crate, so...

Ignoring Precious doesn't seem to really do much help. She just keeps jumping on Sally, sitting on Sally's head, or nipping at Sally, trying to get her to play. Sometimes I can tell Sally is aggravated, but doesn't want to upset me by reprimanding Precious because she'll go to snap at Precious but at the last second Sally will look at me. If I'm looking, Sally won't snap...If I'm not looking, she'll let Precious know enough is enough. Other times, Sally will just lay there all day and let Precious jump all over her! She'll let her know to quit after, like, 7 hours of Precious jumping on her!

I just hate seeing Sally look up at me with at look of "Oh God! Here she comes AGAIN!" I can see it in her eyes and I try to stop Precious, but it only works for a little while.

[Amber]

No...see, you don't get it...Sally doesn't do ANYTHING like a real dog! lol. She will only go from her crate to the loveseat. Those are the only two places that she will go to by herself. She is only comfortable eating in her crate and will eat no where else. She does not know how to play with toys (matter of fact, she will snuggle with them for a few days and then eat them, whether or not they have stuffing or vinyl or whatever). She was 1 of 32 dogs previously that never had human contact for the first 6 months of her life. I adopted her at a year and a half and have been working with her for 7 months now. When I first got her, she wouldn't let anyone in our house without barking and growling and peeing and/or pooping all over the place, while cowering in her crate. Matter of fact, at first she wouldn't even come OUT of her crate! In 7 months time, I got her accepting a few family members and my boyfriend(the only male she has EVER liked), got her housebroken, gotten her nervous peeing and pooping out of the way, and she now goes from her crate to the loveseat whenever she wants. She is still too nervous to do a lot of other things. Currently I trying to get her walking on a leash. I'm also waiting until after the July 4th weekend and then I'm going to enroll her in a training class to socialize her a little more and to start her on some basic commands.

One question though...how did you get Bo to play with toys? I try to get Sally to play with toys, but she just pushes the toy out of the way and wants to be petted! I think it's just because she never had human contact in that vital time when she was a young puppy and I am the only person that she is totally comfortable with giving her affection. Even the people at the shelter couldn't pet her because she would run and hide from them. I started volunteering there and took a strong interest in Sally and started researching shy dogs and was able to pet her after that.

[Grace Erick]

Hi Amber,

I've said this before, but I got my chi, Capri, at 5 months old and while she was not physically abused, I think she was ignored which is also a form of abuse. So I kind of relate to Sally although Sally's treatment was much more severe.

It took Capri 2 years to come over to me on her own and want to be picked up. But now she's taking it one step further and wants to be held instead of just sitting in my lap when I'm on the computer. I hate doing that one finger typing:) It's not so bad if you are just using your mouse, but I love that she has come this far.

Bye, Grace

[Amber]

I'm just happy at the progress that she's made in 7 months! My mom said that she walked in the room tonight and that Sally was standing on the loveseat, wagging her tail with a toy in front of her! Sally has only shown interest in two other toys, one she ripped up and the other she would only look at with interest. This toy that I pulled out and gave to them tonight is the first one that she has actually had on the loveseat and was playing with! Actually, I'm assuming she was playing with it, but since she didn't run to her "spot" on the loveseat when my mom walked in the room like she normally does, I think she was playing with it. I've said it before...the people at the shelter considered Sally to be a hopeless case because of all her issues. They didn't think anyone would adopt a dog with so many problems and be able to turn her around, or that she would be able to be be turned around. I'm just glad I was able to prove that with a little bit of research and several wise online friends :-D it can be done!

[Amber]

I am in the middle of reading The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell. In it she writes "Submissive dogs seek interactions, but high-status dogs get to decide whether to grant an audience or not."

I am currently involved in trying to get the pack order in my house down, as I have found out this may be part of the problem between Precious and Sally. I have to admit that I got these two dogs without really understanding the species first, so now I'm getting everything in order. The hierarchy I originally thought of was me, Precious, and then Sally. Then I read that statement and thought since Precious is obviously seeking out interaction from Sally, does that mean Sally is really dominant over Precious? I have never seen Sally seek interaction from Precious. I was just automatically putting Precious over Sally because she was in the household the longest, but I guess dogs don't think about it that way, do they? lol

[Renee]

I am in the middle of reading The Other End of the Leash I was just automatically putting Precious over Sally because she was in the household the longest, but I guess dogs don't think about it that way, do they? lol

Amber,

Could you explain what you mean by this?

[Amber]

What I originally wrote was "The hierarchy I originally thought of was me, Precious, and then Sally." I have been giving treats to Precious first, giving Precious her food bowl first, giving Precious attention first, etc. since Sally came to the house because Precious was in the house first. In the book, there is that quote that I put in my other post that made me rethink the order of the hierarchy since Precious always seeks interaction from Sally and it is never the other way around. Sally either plays with her or doesn't...it's her choice, but Precious DOES usually pester her until Sally plays. Precious has started to slacken off since I have been paying closer attention to how she acts BEFORE she gets to where Sally is laying. I can usually tell by her body language if she is going to pester Sally or if she is just going to lay next to her and chew on one of her chew toys. The book does a great job on explaining visual cues that I never thought of looking for.

[Renee]

I have been giving treats to Precious first, giving Precious her food bowl first, giving Precious attention first, etc. since Sally came to the house because Precious was in the house first......

Amber, don't worry about who is 1st, 2nd etc as far as training and your interaction with both Precious and Sally is concerned. A good rule of thumb is to teach all dogs to be patient and polite. Dr. McConnell is a fantastic dog trainer and certified applied animal behaviorist. I'd really have to recommend her book, Leader of the Pack - which is her version of NILIF that emphasizes all dogs be patient and polite.

An interesting fact about Dr. McConnell is that she opened her behavior consulting practice in the late 1980's. Back then, people were still training based "support the heirarchy" theory(unfortunately , some still are...). In the first year of her practice, she used the "support the heirarch" theory. Trish found that it failed 80% of the time, so she dropped it. We now know that supporting the heirarchy can esalate the tension between the resident dogs and may create bullies. The researchers at Wolf Park have been studying wolf behavior since the early 1970's. They also stopped interacting with their wolves based on the dominance paradigm and found that serious fights were greatly reduced. They take great care not to compromise any of the wolves or put one wolf ahead of another.


Here is an old post that I wrote about dominance and heirarchy....
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Dominance is a social construct that actually serves to reduce aggression. Dogs/Wolves who are dominant are socially confident and successful. Dominance describes a relationship between 2 or more beings. Dominance and aggression are two separate concepts (excluding dominance aggression/control conflict aggression) that are often mistakenly used as synonyms.

Dogs and Wolves have a rank order (social status) - alpha, beta, omega. Rank order is not always linear and is subject to flexibility depending on the circumstance. Canid social heirarchy is not a democracy and not an autocracy. All members have some amount of influence (unless there is a crisis) . But dog/wolves who are dominant have a choice. The get to decide what they want and when they want it. Alpha dogs are confident, dominant and don't have to use aggression to get what they want. Dominance can be used in very subtle ways...

Unfortunately when pet owners label a dog "dominant", often times the dog is actually a bully, a beta, "alpha-wannabe", or sometimes the dog is really just fearful and defensive. Many times dog owners are the primary cause of these types of problems because of how they use the dominance paradigam and unknowingly create tension between their resident canines. They "support" one dog over another and more problems are created.

Pack theory/Dominance paradigm is a model we use to describe behavior (and is primarly based on captive wolf studies)- a very poor one and poorly understood one at that. We really don't need this pack theory/dominance paradigm to help us train or understand our dogs. Pack theory has been historically detrimental to the way people view their dogs because it sets humans and dogs up for a confrontational relationship. The problem is when we see wolf or dog behavior, it isn't rapped up with a simple explaination (my 3 days a wolf park have taught me this). This is why multi-dog household problems so fluid, complex, dynamic and changing.

Bottom line:
1. Don't worry about which dog is dominant
2. Teach all your dogs to be patient and polite
3. Dominance does not equal aggression
4. Dominance has little to do with dog training and behavior modification

http://www.doggiebagonline. com/forum/showthread.php?t=102 4&page=1
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I hope you enjoy The Other End Of The Leash, its a great book written by a fantastic lady.

[Amber]

Darn it! Just when I think I found the answer! lol

Thanks so much, Renee! I'm going to try to find that book by her as well. I just found The Other End of the Leash today in my library and finished it as well!

[Renee]

Amber-

I've quickly read through this entire thread, so forgive me if I repeat what anyone else has said.....here are a few of my thoughts: 1. Make sure that you are not giving Precious any attention for picking on Sally - positive or negative attention. 2. Redirect Precious if she is pestering Sally - don't allow her to be a bully. Teach her to fetch a toy or ball instead (or whatever it is you would like her to do) 3. Practice a leave it command. If you say leave it, Precious should be able to back away from any object you ask - that means a dropped tenderloin steak or Sally. 4. Work on long down stays with Precious. Reward her for staying with a food treat and use a release work "OK" when she is done.

If you work on really hard on these things, I think that Precious will learn a bit of self-control and will learn that picking on Sally won't earn her any rewards. You will also gain more control over Precious-Sally interactions by "raising the bar" with the down stay and leave it commands.

If you want more specific advice on how to teach leave it or down stay, let me know...I can elaborate.

Later,

[Amber]

Could you elaborate on not giving Precious any attention for picking on Sally? I usually tell her to "Stop" and she either goes away and plays with a toy or comes to me. Sometimes she will wait a minute and continue. I have tried to ignore her picking on Sally, but it always ends up with either Sally giving in to Precious or Sally growling or giving Precious a quick snap, which I don't say anything about since Precious is asking for it.

Precious is a big fetcher...she likes to play fetch. And like I said in another post, Precious learned the "Leave It" command before she learned her name, so that won't be a problem. I never thought about using it in that context, though. I will have to work with Precious on her "Stay", though. She can only stay for a second or so before moving.

Thanks so much!

[Renee]

Could you elaborate on not giving Precious any attention for picking on Sally? I usually tell her to "Stop" and she either goes away and plays with a toy or comes to me. Sometimes she will wait a minute and continue.

Sometimes dogs (and cats too) like attention - even negative attention. I have a cat who likes to chew on electrical cords (very scary). I used to tell her "knock it off" or "stop that". It was never harsh....but I was verbally giving her attention. When I'm on the computer, she tries to chew on the computer cords. Now, I don't say a word, get up, and walk out of the room. Do you know what my intelligent little cat does? She immediately stops chewing on the cords and follows me out of the room! So it was an attention seeking behavior - pure and simple.


I have tried to ignore her picking on Sally, but it always ends up with either Sally giving in to Precious or Sally growling or giving Precious a quick snap, which I don't say anything about since Precious is asking for it.

What do you mean by ignore? Do you look the other way or do you physically get up and leave the room. This might not be the time to ignore, it might be the time to redirect... Try an experiment.....next time Precious picks on Sally, immediately get up and leave the room. Does Precious stop picking on Sally? If the answer is yes, then it is an attention seeking behavior. Then ignoring might help the situation. If Precious keeps picking on Sally in your absence, then it is time to redirect her to a toy or tennis ball.


Precious is a big fetcher...she likes to play fetch. And like I said in another post, Precious learned the "Leave It" command before she learned her name, so that won't be a problem. I never thought about using it in that context, though. I will have to work with Precious on her "Stay", though. She can only stay for a second or so before moving.

It's great that Precious loves to fetch....she is a Poodle (right?) and that is what they were originally breed to do... I like to work on "Stay" when I'm watching TV or a movie. Put Precious in a stay right by your feet and reward her for doing so (remember to vary the reward interval). Trying working Precious up to doing 30 minute stays - that is when you know that you have mastered it.

Good luck,

[Amber]

Thanks SO much, Renee! I will start doing these things TODAY.

[Lesly Stevens]

Awww, poor little Sally! She really had a rough beginning, and how lucky she is that you gave her a safe and loving home. I can see where it would be difficult to do NILIF with her, however, even though she's been with you for 7 mo. she can still be considered "new" to the household, and should have her own space, free from Precious bugging her all the time, and one-on-one time with you - without Precious.

My Bo was much like Sally - wouldn't do much at all, and I had to supervise and keep Maddy in check around him, because she was so playful and happy, she overwhelmed him at first, signs of stress obvious (nose dripping, lip licking, yawning). When it came to toys - when he finally paid attention to them, he "killed" them (gutted them for the squeaker!). I have to give Maddy credit for helping him learn how to play with toys, and she LOVES her toys - playing fetch, and search and find being her favorite things to do. Bo observed for a long time before he ventured forth. Even then, he was very stiff about it - had none of the joyous abandon displayed by Maddy, but when she would push a toy against his mouth after I had thrown it for her to fetch, Bo would take it in his mouth and hold on . . .and Maddy would pull him toward me, often pushing the toy back into his mouth when he would let go, then take it and drop it into my hand, do a little dance, play bow, give him a little leg nibble, nose poke, and mouth licks until he responded in kind. I would always clap my hands and yell YAY MADDY! GOOD GIRL! whenever we played together - which made her prance and dance with pride, and come to me for a head rub, chin scratch, or pat on the chest. Bo wanted this, too, and would "butt in," just standing there, not quite sure what to do! He LOVED hearing "YAY BO!" Maddy, bless her heart, would encourage him, and before long his eyes were dancing and he smiled! Mr. stoic himself! My heart swells every time I watch him outside - with, or without Maddy - he runs like the wind, tail straight up, head held high, and joy in his movement! Sigh.

Have you ever tried clicker training? This may be an easier and more effective way to go with Sally. I know that early socialization time with humans is so critical, yet, I've worked with puppymill dogs and feral cats who didn't have human contact in their first months, let alone weeks, and have been totally amazed at the progress made. I have a feral cat now who was about 5 or 6 months old when I captured and brought him home. He's been with me for a little over 5 months, and is so sweet and calm and affectionate, I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't experienced it first hand! Oliver (feral cat) is very responsive to clicker training, and joins in with Maddy and Bo when I'm working them together! Soooo funny! He's about the size of Bo's head, but he thinks he's one of them! LOL! Now that he's not terrified of people, I've got to take him to the Vet's - several trips just to prepare him . . . for the trip to the vet to get neutered!

(((HUGS))) and Poodle kisses little Sally!

Lesly, Maddy, & Bo




No...see, you don't get it...Sally doesn't do ANYTHING like a real dog! lol. She will only go from her crate to the loveseat. Those are the only two places that she will go to by herself. She is only comfortable eating in her crate and will eat no where else. She does not know how to play with toys (matter of fact, she will snuggle with them for a few days and then eat them, whether or not they have stuffing or vinyl or whatever). She was 1 of 32 dogs previously that never had human contact for the first 6 months of her life. I adopted her at a year and a half and have been working with her for 7 months now. When I first got her, she wouldn't let anyone in our house without barking and growling and peeing and/or pooping all over the place, while cowering in her crate. Matter of fact, at first she wouldn't even come OUT of her crate! In 7 months time, I got her accepting a few family members and my boyfriend(the only male she has EVER liked), got her housebroken, gotten her nervous peeing and pooping out of the way, and she now goes from her crate to the loveseat whenever she wants. She is still too nervous to do a lot of other things. Currently I trying to get her walking on a leash. I'm also waiting until after the July 4th weekend and then I'm going to enroll her in a training class to socialize her a little more and to start her on some basic commands.

One question though...how did you get Bo to play with toys? I try to get Sally to play with toys, but she just pushes the toy out of the way and wants to be petted! I think it's just because she never had human contact in that vital time when she was a young puppy and I am the only person that she is totally comfortable with giving her affection. Even the people at the shelter couldn't pet her because she would run and hide from them. I started volunteering there and took a strong interest in Sally and started researching shy dogs and was able to pet her after that.

[Amber]

I did try clicker training, but it's more MY problem then hers. lol...I don't quite get what to do and when to do it! I was going to enroll her in the PetsMart training class after talking to one of the amazing trainers (she talked to me for an hour about Sally one afternoon and told me that if I decided to enroll, she would make sure she would only enroll dogs that were the same size as Sally, as those were the only dogs that Sally is comfortable with.) She said for the amount of money ($100 for 8 weeks) and the amount of socialization she has already had, she wanted to make sure Sally would get something out of the class. She even told me things to do with Sally that other trainers probably wouldn't have told me to do without charging. Anyway, I have to wait a couple of weeks before I get the money. Hopefully a group of dogs don't freak her out too much and she'll learn something. She doesn't really do anything but lay down like a bump on a log while on leash, so that's probably something I need to talk to the trainer about first, huh? lol

I have caught Sally playing with a few toys...well, chewing. Her and Precious will play with toys together sometimes, as well. She still won't play with toys with me though. She just pushes the toy out of my hand so I she can lick me and I will pet her. Precious is definitely the one that has taught her how to play with toys.

As for Sally having her own space, I have a pretty small house so I'm not really sure where she CAN have her own space. I make Precious leave me and Sally alone when I have Sally on my lap (I know this probably doesn't constitute as "her own space"), but other than that there's no where else that she can have space. She will only go from her crate to the loveseat. I could close to crate door, but that's going against the whole "get the shy dog out in the household" idea.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Amber~

Stop telling Precious “no” or “stop”, it isn’t helping. As Renee suggested, when Precious pesters Sally get up & leave the room. Don’t say anything to either dog, just up & leave. When you come back into the room don’t say anything just continue with whatever you were doing.

Does Precious have SA issues you need to work out or is she just throwing "a fit”? If it’s the latter I say let her throw the fit. When you want to take Sally out w/out Precious. Put Precious somewhere she won’t hurt herself or something in the house. When it’s time to go leave her with an interactive toy but do not say anything to her when you leave. Just give her the toy & go. When you come back ignore her for at least the first 5 minutes that you’re home. Keeping your departure & arrival low key is a must- she needs to see that having you gone is not that big of a deal.

Also make sure you are really implementing NILIF with Precious- She wants to go out fine- Sit first please. Dinner requires down stay please. Pets- a trick first please. If you want her to have complete access to her toys teach her to retrieve each toy y name & teach her to return her toys to her toy box. Dogs thrive on learning new things & “working” especially when they are rewarded for their efforts.
Also remember to reward Precious when she acts appropriate when Sally is around.

Bottom line- P acts appropriately P gets yummies

P acts inappropriately you leave



I understand that we had Precious first and now she is probably thinking "when can we send Sally back?", but geez! I have to admit that this probably stems from me spoiling her for the first year of her life, but she was our only dog in the beginning and I just couldn't help myself! lol

Now that Sally has adjusted more into the house, every time my mother or I try to pet her or show ANY type of attention to her, Precious will jump on Sally or jump up on us. Also, when Sally is just laying on the couch and OBVIOUSLY doesn't want to play, Precious will start nipping at her nose and ears. Sally will ignore her until Precious starts after her tail. As soon as Precious gets her tail, Sally will start playing with her. We tell Precious "No" and "Stop" and she just won't stop picking on Sally!

I do spend time with each dog seperately...well, it's more like I spend time with Precious alone, but Precious won't let me spend alone time with Sally. If I walk outside with Sally, Precious will either scratch and bark at the window and the door or, if I put her in her crate so she won't by some chance go through the window, she will whine and bark like CRAZY! You can tell when Precious is being especially aggravating because Precious will jump on the couch next to Sally and Sally will give me this look like "PLEASE pick me up NOW!"

I feel so bad for Sally. If I could get Precious to quit I know Sally would open up some more. Please! ANY suggestions?!

[Amber]

Melissa-

I've already talked to Renee about a number of things since that post. I've realized I've done a few things wrong since writing that. I HAVE to ignore Precious for five minutes after returning home because she's an excited urinator and I do put her in her crate when I leave because if I don't she finds stuff in the house to chew on, i.e. paper, Q-tips, etc. If my mom is home and I try to take Sally outside in the yard, Precious paws at the blinds and barks the entire time...making it difficult to do anything with Sally because Sally is focused on what Precious is doing. What I usually do is put Precious in the backyard so she can be outside as well, just not in the way of what I am trying to do with Sally.

[Amber]

I did the experiment that you asked me to try. As soon as Precious started picking on Sally, I immediately got up and walked out of the room. She was hot on my trail! I did this all day yesterday and she followed me every time but one time. So now my question is, what do I do when she follows me? Is this when I ignore her or is this when I redirect? And do you mean redirect after I walk out of the room and then come back in or redirect after she stops the unwanted behavior? lol...I'm confused. She usually does follow me when I walk out of the room, though, so I don't know if this is truly telling me that it is a attention seeking behavior or that she is just a "velcro dog" like Lesly said! lol

I'm going to keep walking out of the room, regardless. As I am typing this, I am coming to the realization that I don't hear Precious picking on Sally NEARLY as much when I am on the computer as when I am in the living room watching T.V. with them. Geez! What would I do without you people!?

[Renee]

I did the experiment that you asked me to try. As soon as Precious started picking on Sally, I immediately got up and walked out of the room. She was hot on my trail! I did this all day yesterday and she followed me every time but one time. So now my question is, what do I do when she follows me? Is this when I ignore her or is this when I redirect? And do you mean redirect after I walk out of the room and then come back in or redirect after she stops the unwanted behavior?

Hey Amber,

I think your "experiment" has given us quite a bit of information. Part of the underlying reasons why Precious has been picking on Sally has been to get attention from you (negative or positive). Now it is your job to withdraw all your attention from Precious the SECOND she starts anything with Sally. Immediately get up, leave the living room and do not let Precious follow you. As long is Precious is acting appropriately, return to the living room and see what happens. If Precious is leaving Sally alone, reward the heck out of her. IF she starts bothering Sally, leave the room again.

I'm not familiar with the layout of your house, so you might have to be creative. Is there some way you could set up baby gates so Precious can't follow you?

Also, re-read Melissa B.'s post. It think it is excellent and if you can start implementing some of her suggestions I think you will shortly see some improved behavior from Precious.

Good luck and keep us posted,