Dogs and sleep

**Wompet** · 14th October 07, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

The cuteness works against him because it makes him a kind of "impulse item" that would get adopted by someone who would have no idea of what they were getting into.

Having worked for three years in an animal shelter, I want to say that your local staff would know better than that ... I really want to, but I know better.
Good luck with your new cuilean dubh.

**bikeolounger** · 15th October 07, 04:23 AM

Our family recently tried working with Bark Busters (tm) to correct some unwanted behavior. Their program sounds expensive, but it works almost immediately.

Their program is based on the way dogs interact with each other, at an instinctual level. It teaches YOU to be the leader of the dog pack, YOU to control how things go. On the surface, some of the treatment sounds like you are then not so much the dog's friend, but after a couple weeks of adjustment to the new program, I really think this dog is happier.

www.barkbusters.com

**auld argonian** · 15th October 07, 05:39 AM

Just so you can see the subject:

...who'd slam the door on this one?

As far as behavior, between me and the two resident dogs, the little scunner is getting placed in the pack order very quickly. That "Other Side of the Leash" book that I mentioned earlier has been a REAL influence on this one and has made this "assimilation" easier than any pet introduction we've ever had.

Speaking of having his nards nipped, it's an economic issue as well as a social one. In Chicago a regular dog license for a neutered dog is five bucks. The license fee for an unneutered male has recently been raised to $100. This is a reaction to the proliferation of "bad dogs". Pit Bulls, notably, but those Rott crossbreeds as well. Too many irresponsible jerks with dogs that have aggression problems. And I love Pits...my buddy Moe has a shelter dog Pit that's named Luger...big slobbering sweetheart. Great dogs ruined by dumb people with their own issues...nobody trust a Pit anymore. Damn shame.

Best

AA

**mbhandy** · 15th October 07, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

In Chicago a regular dog license for a neutered dog is five bucks. The license fee for an unneutered male has recently been raised to $100.
AA

How much for unspayed females? It takes two to Tango.

Thought I"d come back and edit my web site.
Chi town needs to edit theirs?

http://www.chicityclerk.com/licenses/dogs.html

MrBill

**Aggie** · 15th October 07, 06:58 AM

If you've only had one show up at your door count yourself lucky. It has happened to me 8 times and yes they are still here. Some advise from a veteran. Don't put up signs around you announcing your new find. Everyone with an unwanted pet will find you. He looks like one of mine and he too is a barker.

**Big Paul** · 15th October 07, 11:38 AM

Be the Alpha!

For any leg humpin', I would do what my trainer showed us to do.

Grab a fistful of hair and skin on the back of it's neck and drive your knuckles to the floor, while saying in very firm voice "NO!".. This should be done in a rather abrupt fashion. The goal is not the hurt the dog. They may yelp, ignore it.... They are just upset that they are being corrected..

Hold the dog down like that for a second or two, then let them go. When they get up, do not break eye contact with them, till they look away. This instills the fact you are the Alpha and not to be challenged.

This sounds rougher than it really is, and if you think about it, it's exactly what his doggie momma did to him when he was a pup and bit the nip too hard...

I have done this to many dogs.. All of them respect me when I walk in the room..

BTW he is a cute little bugger!

**Galician** · 15th October 07, 11:56 AM

Whether or not you keep the pooch, I always admire people who are willing to show animals like that the concern and caring which they crave and need, if only to survive. May he find the home where he will always know that, especially if it is yours.

**auld argonian** · 15th October 07, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by mbhandy

How much for unspayed females? It takes two to Tango.

Thought I"d come back and edit my web site.
Chi town needs to edit theirs?

http://www.chicityclerk.com/licenses/dogs.html

MrBill

Don't know if they've failed to update their website or if the new fees are pending legislation. I'll check with my Alderman, I see her regularly.

And, yes, the higher fee does apply to both male and female dogs.

Best

AA

**auld argonian** · 15th October 07, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Big Paul

Be the Alpha!

For any leg humpin', I would do what my trainer showed us to do.

Grab a fistful of hair and skin on the back of it's neck and drive your knuckles to the floor, while saying in very firm voice "NO!".. This should be done in a rather abrupt fashion. The goal is not the hurt the dog. They may yelp, ignore it.... They are just upset that they are being corrected..

Hold the dog down like that for a second or two, then let them go. When they get up, do not break eye contact with them, till they look away. This instills the fact you are the Alpha and not to be challenged.

This sounds rougher than it really is, and if you think about it, it's exactly what his doggie momma did to him when he was a pup and bit the nip too hard...

I have done this to many dogs.. All of them respect me when I walk in the room..

BTW he is a cute little bugger!

Gotta tell you, he's not humping any human legs. He is going after the two other dogs, both of whom are spayed females, five times bigger than him and definitely not hearing it...he's getting his comeuppance.

Also have to suggest that there's a growing body of evidence that the techniques of back-rolling and extended eye contact don't result in your having dominance over a dog and can, in fact, lead to other behavior problems that can be really annoying and potentially dangerous. Apparently, the back-rolling technique came from the Monks of New Sketes' books on training and I understand that they have had to issue a sort of retraction of it and have had to explain the very specific circumstances under which they have had to employ it in the past. Back-rolling should apparently be used only by a well trained animal behavorist and then in very specific sets of circumstances. There are cases of it's use by others have been disastrous and resulted in serious injury. I'll find some citations for this later on and give you a link.

Ol' Cesar Milan is coming under fire as well...many established behaviorists are expressing the opinion that his techniques can lead to dangerous problems, as well. It may look like it works on TV but real life can be very different. Face it...it's pop-psychology for dogs.

Stare downs may make sense to humans but field research has shown that dogs don't do it as part of normal pack life. When they do do it, bad stuff ensues. If anything, dominant dogs signal their dominance by what looks to us like aloofness and a minimum amount of "verbal" signaling.

If you've been having success doing this consider that the day may come when you do it to the wrong dog...there are psycho dogs with aggression issues. It happens. Even the professional behaviorists have stories about situations where one little thing went wrong and bad craziness happened. Proceed with caution.

Best

AA

**McMurdo** · 15th October 07, 02:56 PM

Well AA I won't give you any advice, you seem to have a handle on things. I just wanted to say that what you have done for the little guy is just perfect, he really does look as if he has been outside for a while. As someone who has taken in his share of strays, dogs, cats, owls, squirrels even, no not at the same time that would be bad, I have to commend you on doing this for the little guy, I hope you decide to keep him, if my experience means anything you will, but then I get attached to animals quickly. Best of luck whatever you decide.