How do I change his behavior?

[Ann Albers]

Rudy (6 mo. old Welsh Corgi) is gated in our kitchen when we are home. If someone (me, husband, son-14, son-12) try to leave the kitchen to go upstairs (stepping over the gate), Rudy goes nuts. He tries to jump on us and barks like a maniac. Any ideas on how to curb him of this behavior?

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Ann~

How do you,your husband & sons respond to Rudy when he "goes nuts"?

Let me know, Thanks

Rudy (6 mo. old Welsh Corgi) is gated in our kitchen when we are home. If someone (me, husband, son-14, son-12) try to leave the kitchen to go upstairs (stepping over the gate), Rudy goes nuts. He tries to jump on us and barks like a maniac. Any ideas on how to curb him of this behavior?

[Ann Albers]

We say "No, Rudy" and continue on our way. Sometimes my husband and sons tend to hesitate as they cross over the gate- one leg over, hesitate, second leg over. When Rudy first started doing this he would mainly go after the boys but now he does it to all of us.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Okay One more question :D -

Does he do this only when you're leaving the kitchen, or at other times too?
For example how does he act if you or someone is outside with him & he's off leash? I'm just trying to figure out if he's just doing a puppy attention getting behavior or if he's herding.

Thanks again
We say "No, Rudy" and continue on our way. Sometimes my husband and sons tend to hesitate as they cross over the gate- one leg over, hesitate, second leg over. When Rudy first started doing this he would mainly go after the boys but now he does it to all of us.

[Jesse Cruz]

My babies do that too but depending on what time of day it is. For instance, they DON'T do it at bedtime or when we leave for work. They do it when we're home and we just need to get some stuff done, like bathe or clean house. Then we will ignore them and then they stop or just give a treat to take their mind off it.

[Ann Albers]

Melissa- He doesn't do it when we go downstairs or outside from the kitchen. The only time he does it is when we go over the gate to go upstairs or into the family room. My younger son started to go over the gate that leads to the dining room and then goes through the living room and up the stairs to avoid Rudy. Rudy soon figured it out and will meet him at the stairwell and bark at him. (Rudy can't get to the stairs- and wouldn't go up them if he could). Rudy rarely herds us or nips at our heels.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Ann~ Okay just wanted to make sure. The best thing to do in this situation is to completely ignore him. Everyone should ignore him when they are getting ready to leave the kitchen & while they are leaving the kitchen. When he starts barking, whining, etc. do not even acknowledge it, just keep going(Don't hesitate!). Don't even turn around to look at him. Everyone needs to do this every time they leave.

Other things to think about~
Make sure he is getting plenty of mental & physical exercise every day.
If you want him to stay in the kitchen that's fine but he may feel like he isn't completely part of the family. Which may make him a little needy for attention. So make sure he is getting a lot of positive interaction everyday with the family.
Put him on NILIF if he isn't already.

Melissa- He doesn't do it when we go downstairs or outside from the kitchen. The only time he does it is when we go over the gate to go upstairs or into the family room. My younger son started to go over the gate that leads to the dining room and then goes through the living room and up the stairs to avoid Rudy. Rudy soon figured it out and will meet him at the stairwell and bark at him. (Rudy can't get to the stairs- and wouldn't go up them if he could). Rudy rarely herds us or nips at our heels.

[Niclas Lindström]

In my humble opinion..... Show him who is the boss, and that this action by him is NOT allowed.
Allways remember that dogs are in a world divided in order of rank, and you are supposed to be the god.
But at the same time you must know switch on/switch off.. and give your dog possitive reinforcement when doing the "right" thing.

:bunny:

[Amber]

Niclas,

By ignoring the dog, you are taking away the one thing he wants...attention. Dogs don't care if they get negative attention or positive attention. Eventually, he will learn that he will not get the attention he wants by barking, whining, jumping up, etc. when they go over the gate. I did this with my poodle when coming through the front door and she no longer jumps up when I come through the front door. It only took a week to maybe two weeks. Showing the dog "who's boss" (depending on what you mean by this) can be the start of aggression and fearfulness, so watch out.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hey Niclas~ In a way I couldn’t agree more, I’m definitely the “boss” of my dogs. I am the boss b/c I control the resources & hand out the "paychecks". I am a just, benevolent “boss". In the world of dogs, brute or force is not used to obtain the position of “Boss”.
In this case the dog will learn that his inappropriate behavior causes his humans to disappear- a very important lesson in the dog world.
If you haven’t yet, read this article, I think you’ll find it enlightening.
http://www.clickersolutions .com/articles/2001/dominance.htm




In my humble opinion..... Show him who is the boss, and that this action by him is NOT allowed.
Allways remember that dogs are in a world divided in order of rank, and you are supposed to be the god.
But at the same time you must know switch on/switch off.. and give your dog possitive reinforcement when doing the "right" thing.

:bunny:

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Great example Amber, thanks for posting!

Niclas,

By ignoring the dog, you are taking away the one thing he wants...attention. Dogs don't care if they get negative attention or positive attention. Eventually, he will learn that he will not get the attention he wants by barking, whining, jumping up, etc. when they go over the gate. I did this with my poodle when coming through the front door and she no longer jumps up when I come through the front door. It only took a week to maybe two weeks. Showing the dog "who's boss" (depending on what you mean by this) can be the start of aggression and fearfulness, so watch out.

[Niclas Lindström]

I understund what you both are saying, and agree on it.

Maybe it was a clumsy way of telling what to do, but id still not tolerate it.
When it comes to poss/neg attention ive been learned how to "use" it efficient, and i have got possitive changes in my dogs development.

[Ann Albers]

We will try ignoring him and see what happens. He does get a lot of attention and the kitchen is the "main drag" at our house. He gets trips into the family room and upstairs but they are always closely monitored. He doesn't usually last long in the family room (carpet fringe and leather couches make such good chew toys).

Thanks!

[Amber]

Ann,

Have you tried crate training Rudy at all? I know some people don't like this option, but it worked quite well with both of my dogs.

[Hee Yung Lee]

In defense of my friend Niclas, I just wanted to add that many of you have made comments on how well trained his dog is (from his video clip). Perhaps he does have some good ideas.

[Ann Albers]

Amber- Rudy is being crate trained. His crate is in the kitchen. He sleeps in there and stays in there when we are not home. It's left open when we are home though and he lives in the kitchen (or outside) most of the time. At 6 months old, he's not ready for full run of the house (he's been potty trained for months, chewing is the problem.)