Recurring Issue

[coxgang]

I posted on here last spring with questions on how to deal with my overly attached dog. Lucky focuses on me at the expense of my children, often knocking them over in her eagerness to be near me. To be honest, I don't think she even knows the children are there sometimes. We took her to obedience training and she did beautifully and now knows how to walk calmly on a leash and sit/lie down on command, but it hasn't seem to have helped her overt attachment to me. I am now pregnant with our 3rd child, and I'm very concerned because I simply can't trust Lucky when she gets excited--she could very easily step on a baby or otherwise hurt it, all unintentionally of course. We have had her for a year now and I can't think of anything else to do--she seems set in her ways, and I dread the thought that we may need to find a new home for her. Lucky is otherwise a very sweet and loving dog and my 2 other children would miss her terribly. Is this a problem we can overcome with training, or would she be better in a home with older children? Thank you and I look forward to hearing your advice!

Kim

[adunphy]

Its very difficult to say without actually seeing the problem. If she is overly attached to you and knocks over the kids, my first advice would be setup some baby gates and put her outside the room. Or if you are home all day you can use a crate as well. My dogs have crate time every day with their special stuffed kong. It keeps them busy and gives me a little "time out" Then htey usually just nap in there. You can also train her with a really great down stay on a bed - or "go to bed" so if she is in your way you can ask her to move quickly. There are several things to do, you could always ask your trainer as well, but hopefully one of these ideas will help for you!

What breed is she?

Amy

[coxgang]

Thanks for your quick reply! Lucky is a Collie/Australian Shepherd mix. I like the baby gate idea, though with the layout of our house it would probably keep her from her bed. Unfortunately, we live in military housing, and as a result our house is very small and we can't keep her crate inside. In our old house (where we were living when we adopted her), we had plenty of room and Lucky stayed in her crate every time we left the house for the first few months. She never really liked it, though, and would not touch any treats we left inside for her (she also never eats her food unless we're home). I also like the "go to bed" command, though I've found that she conveniently forgets my commands after a few minutes (especially if I get up to leave the room--she always has to be by my side). It also takes several commands to get her to obey, particularly if obeying means she has to leave my side. What would be the best way to teach her not only to obey immediately, but to stay where I put her? Thanks again!

[adunphy]

I figured she was some sort of herding breed..it sounds like she is actually herding you

No behavior can be taught "immediately". What I would do is teach her down stays on her bed. When she gets up, say uh oh - and take her back and ask her to down. Then start working on the long down stays, along with out of sight down stays. Getting through the first 5 minutes is the most difficult for dogs, but once you hit that range longer becomes easier so it seems.

Here is how I would do it.. I would pick a tv show I like to watch at night - and work on it for that 30 minutes to an hour. Give her her dog food as a reward one piece at a time for obeying. You could even tether her to something if you can. but having her make the choice to stay there is ideal. Then over time start to leave the room for a few seconds. If you notice her coming with you then make it easier for her.

Its really about time and patience with any behavior modification. She is doing something that is innate to her and therefore is self rewarding.

Hope this helps some!
amy

[coxgang]

Thanks, Amy! I appreciate your suggestions and I will definitely try them out. We have awhile before the baby arrives, so we ought to be able to make some good progress. And I guess I should have clarified that when I said I wanted her to obey immediately, I meant first-time obedience and not a quick fix! It makes me feel better to have some concrete things to work on; thanks again for your replies!

Kim