Sheltie challanging dominance

I've been dealing with doggy adolescent for over a year now (I am surprised I'm not squatting in the corner of a room, rocking and chewing my hair yet). It is a total pain but your problem sounds like it stems from that.

What I have found immensely useful is to control ALL RESOURCES and I do mean ALL. Romeo likes sniffing trees. Before he sniffed where he pleased. Now he doesn't get to sniff until he "seeks permission". He does this by looking at me until I release him to go sniff. Before he gets any food (treats, meals), he must do something for me. Everything comes with a price. Harsh tho' this might sound, it's worked very very well for me. So, no going up on the sofa unless Hazel does something for you! Same with getting out of the car. Not gonna happen until mummy says ok. I've not had to use any form of physical punishment with Romeo and he's a great big *** of an adolescent. You can probably find my ranting posts dating back to when he was 8 or 9 months. He has improved tremendously now and in some respects, he's even better than when he was a pup!

I've been watching Trish King's seminar on DVD. It's called Terrible Teens and I've found it chockful of great tips. One thing that she mentioned was DEPENDENCE. It's great to have a confident dog, but through puppyhood and teens, we should try and cultivate a sense of dependence from the dog on the owner (eg. through the Nothing In Life Is Free principle - controlling resources). Might be something you want to look into.
 
I am sure these boys take longer to grow up. Deska has finally settled down (somewhat) at 3rs. Mind you, it prob makes it harder when they are entire, all that testosterone running around his brain is probabl often on other things!
 
Hazel said:
When she got out of the car she was on a led she managed to jump out before I was even up out of my seat.
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She sounds like a handful. With our older Sheltie, we used to have to snap her lead on as soon as the car stopped, use it to position her away from any place where she could get to the driver's seat easily, THEN open our door, then get out, open her door in the back, keeping our bodies in front of the doorwary, take the lead from very close the collar, and lead her out. Some of our dogs are just determined to let you know what they think of car rides (which this one seemed to believe was always a trip to the vet.)
 
Arby0617 said:
She sounds like a handful. With our older Sheltie, we used to have to snap her lead on as soon as the car stopped, use it to position her away from any place where she could get to the driver's seat easily, THEN open our door, then get out, open her door in the back, keeping our bodies in front of the doorwary, take the lead from very close the collar, and lead her out. Some of our dogs are just determined to let you know what they think of car rides (which this one seemed to believe was always a trip to the vet.)
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They make those car harnesses that the dogs wear, and they clip into the seatbelt. This makes it so the dog will never jump out when the doors are opened and also keeps them safe on the ride. They are pretty in expensive. Here is a link for one:
http://www.carealotpets.com/Products/Easy-Rider-Car-Harness__1328B.aspx
 
I was going to say dog harness too. Actually it is always best to have your dog secured in some way in the car in case of accidents.

I am sure the use of a car harness when Cadbury was a pup so he couldn't jump out of the car is the reason he has such a strong 'wait' when he now sits in the boot of the car. I can open the boot, put on his halti and then pick up the lead without him moving until I say 'come'. I put this down to him never learning the habit of jumping out of the car.
 
The Harness is a really good idea had no idea they made those!! I was going to get the velcro devider for the car to keep her in the back but I like the harness idea and price alot more!
I have started a nothing is free policy when we go out for a door to be open she must sit and wait for me to go through it first then she come through. When we get out side she has to sit before she find her pee spot. We will see how it works. My vet gave me a list of trainers and one who specializes with hurding dogs so next pay check set something up.
 
Hazel said:
The Harness is a really good idea had no idea they made those!! I was going to get the velcro devider for the car to keep her in the back but I like the harness idea and price alot more!
I have started a nothing is free policy when we go out for a door to be open she must sit and wait for me to go through it first then she come through. When we get out side she has to sit before she find her pee spot. We will see how it works. My vet gave me a list of trainers and one who specializes with hurding dogs so next pay check set something up.
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That's awesome! You'll be amazed at how quickly she catches on.
 
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