could there be a glimmer of hope

[I~love~pie]

I dont know if anyone remembers my post a couple of weeks ago , about my dog biting me, showing alpha tendencies...

well I did something I said I would never do as ive always been told you shouldnt do it.
Now If she goes to bite me, (or older dd, ) I will hold her mouth shut tell her NO in a low voice. Ive done it maybe 4 -5 times in the past 2 weeks. And I noticed the other day we went for a walk, when we got home, I brushed her. Now that was big b.c she never let me brush her with out major frustration and her trying to bite me.

today, I found a tick on her this morning (well actually 2) I couldnt get it off myself, but dh came home and I held her along with holding her mouth closed. and she was FANTASTIC, there was no squirming, no biting.

Maybe I truely all along have not been showing her I am the boss.

can I take this as something good?

Ive also stopped petting and cooing her so much.

everything she does she needs to "wait" . ive always done that but I let some things slide before. now its EVERY time.

she made me so happy this morning when I held her and she didnt try to bite me , that is such a huge improvement!

[mom0810]

:

Yay! Good job! THis is very positive.

[SquishyKitty]

That's awesome. Dogs really do need to know who is in charge, and if they don't see somebody else doing the job, they'll step up and do it themselves lol.

[I~love~pie]

Thanks Ladies :

[swd12422]

Congrats! I'm so glad things seem to be getting better. Just be consistent -- they REALLY need that. Our dog has shown me this time and time again, and not just with aggressive/alpha issues but with feeding, treats, etc. He really gets thrown off kilter if the routine gets altered in any way, whether it's timing, what he's eating, or whether he's made to sit for treats, anything at all.

[Sailor]

I always thought the method you're employing is pretty common. Some trainers will tell you to shut the mouth in such a way that the dog bites down on his/her gums. Then, say the "no". This is a gentle thing - not like biting the gums to the point of intense pain or bleeding! It's more minor discomfort for the dog.

I've had to do what you do with mouthy dogs. So, just keep up the good work.

[Mulvah]

I agree with Sailor. And, honestly, I think different things work for different dogs. If you've found something (reasonable) that works for you and pup, go for it.

[I~love~pie]

sorry, I havent responded recently. I have been so busy packing to move.

Things are still going very well. she still has had some slips. But i have put my foot down. I think I really reached that breaking point.
I sill "do" things to her everyday, just so she knows I am in charge. I brush her every day, and she actually let me get inbetween her nails, and foot pads.

I think I may even attempt to cut her nails next week :. it was a long jurnery that took much changing on my part. Guess what dogs dont just know what to do. LOL
thank you for your support.