[Dailydrool] Intimidation tactics

[Jane Hay via Dailydrool]

My beloved Jersey (ATB) would let you know very clearly if she didn't like
something you were doing and she WOULD connect! I love a hound with
bassitude and she completely stole my heart but she connected with me more
than once. However, I didn't necessarily let her get away with it. We
muzzled her to do her nails and did them regardless of how much she
protested. I have been known to put something (clothes basket, chair,
whatever was handy) in between her and me to prevent her from cleaning up
vomit that she was hell bent to get. I figured that, if her belly was sick
enough to vomit, she didn't need to clean it up but she didn't always agree
and we would go toe to toe. I insisted the vet muzzle her for certain
things just because I believe that we should do everything we can to avoid
a bite when possible and there's no point in taking silly chances. I do
believe in showing my hounds that I'm top dog here but I won't hesitate to
use treats to trade (bribe) when they have something delectable that they
don't want to give up but I don't want them to have whatever it is. I'm not
a fan of the whole dominance thing. We do positive reinforcement here which
is a much better fit for us than thinking we need to dominate everyone. All
four hounds know whose boss and we've NEVER done the whole putting them on
their backs or any of that. But, we do always carry through on whatever
we're asking them to do.

We had a trainer come in at one point when Ginger's behavior was out of
control who gave us wonderful advice. Ginger is a true "red zone" houndette
over certain things but, with a hound who shows normal dominance behavior,
some of the simple things might work. She said just doing normal basic
training (making them sit for a treat, crating when you aren't home,
keeping them below you rather than in bed or up on the couch with you, sit
and stay when you're walking your hound) will help your hound know who is
in charge and minimize some of the dominance behaviors. Jennifer, I think
your sweet Mariah is testing you to see if she can take your place as top
dog. Sounds like you aren't letting her get away with it but you might want
to try some of the techniques the trainer suggested to us if you aren't
already doing them. If you're already doing them, you might want to take it
a step further and make her stay on the floor all of the time and only let
her up when you invite her onto the furniture. It was shocking to us how
effective just basic training was with Ginger and how her behavior changed
towards us and the other hounds.

Anyway, good luck with your sweet Mariah. She has bassitude plus some. I
think she's a Houndette that I would probably fall in love with!

Get well and heart healing drool is being sent to all in need.

Jane, Toby & the Houndettes
Shadow, Suzy & Ginger
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