Advice needed - puppy is bothering old chihuahua - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

SamK · 01-03-2013, 02:39 AM

The good news is that Griffin, 11 week old dobe, and Cindy, 16 year old chihuahua, are generally getting on well. They eat, walk and potty together very sweetly.

The problem is that every now and then Griffin will cuff Cindy over the neck with his paw and nuzzle her boisterously. We can't allow this - Cindy is too small and fragile - so unless they are being supervised they are separated. 'Being supervised' includes both dogs being able to roam freely in the house so long as Griffin is in view - typically Griffin is lying/playing in a designated area. We have also baby-gated the bedrooms and passage so Cindy can come and go as she pleases without Griffin being able to reach her.

The action happens when we move from one area to another and Cindy gets up to move too. Cindy does show Griffin alot of teeth and will usually snap at him if he gets too close to her when he's excited. He frequently still gets a paw over her though. Apart from physical separation, do you have any training suggestions for stopping this behavior?

LindaH · 01-03-2013, 03:59 AM

Maybe someone will come along with a better suggestion, but the only thing that comes to my mind is to teach him the command "leave it" and use that. Since you know when he does it, teach him the command and use it immediately as he first begins to make his move on her. Don't forget his reward for obeying.

Or perhaps call him to you before you make the move to change locations. That is using distraction, a training method.

SamK · 01-03-2013, 04:44 AM

What are your suggestions for teaching the 'leave' command? We have been saying 'leave' when he heads towards her and then pushing him away if he makes contact. I don't feel like we're doing it very effectively.

I haven't been prepared with treats for not mugging, though - I will try that. So far I have treated for responding to commands in 'formal' training only, I have not been treating for not doing 'bad' things. So, should I treat him when he is close to Cindy and calm (ie I have not had to tell him to 'leave') or should I treat him when he is excited but responds to the 'leave' command?

LindaH · 01-03-2013, 05:50 AM

You need to purchase the book, The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller. Amazon has it for $10-14 or so. It is great for shaping your dog's behaviour positively where you reward for the good behaviour instead instead of punishing bad behaviour. Sounds like that is what you ares doing, but you need more direction. It tells you how to train the leave it In detail, more than I want to go into this time of the am. It's not hard, but kind of lengthy to describe.

Nearly forgot your question. Yes, do treat anytime he responds to a command you are teaching him. I wouldn't drop the rewards for a quiet a while with a puppy. You can start to cut back later. I would never cut them out totally as it will keep his attention on you better if he thinks there is the possibility of a treat

Beaumont67 · 01-03-2013, 06:00 AM

Our son brings over his 7 lb. YorkiePoo Trevor 3 times already and our puppy is between 10 -16 weeks old.
- when the dober girl was not settleing down enough, she was leashed to the leg of the computer desk
- when the little dog growled and showed his teeth, we sometimes gave Trevor a gentle love tap on the end of the mouth & a verbal NO
- just so he knows, nipping is not OK
Last time little Trevor was over, things were much better as the dober pup is learning what we all expect of her more, as she gets older.
- every few weeks got better, and teather the puppy helped (while in full sight, of everyone)
Little Trevor than use to bait the puppy (with growls), standing just far away from Kelly on leash end...the dynamics was funny to watch.
- the YorkiePoo was trying to be head boss, when the dober girl was ties up, beside Dad

VZ-Doberman · 01-03-2013, 08:24 AM

As Bacchus got bigger the play became rougher with Yogi the lhasa. There were a few spats (noise and spit)early on but I immediately broke it up in a BIG way. Even to this day I supervise their interaction. Bacchus pretty much now just nose pokeys him or bumps into him. The thing that seemed to work was being vigilant and the second it started to escalate I intervened......and not in a sweet way.

Lori Z · 01-03-2013, 11:38 AM

I wrote an entire message and lost it. So, keep your pup leashed up when he is around the little guy. He could playful seriously hurt your old Chi. He just wants to play and dobermans use their paws in playing, very much like a boxer. They are not gentle puppies. Your set up in the house sounds perfect, keep at it. My doberman finally was okay with my two littles when he was over a year. Before that "leave it" and "gentle" were heard many times a day. I used a tie out in the living room and he pulled a line for almost a year in the house because of the littles. I could step on it and redirect him or correct him when he got older for smashing or trying to smash the littles in play. It was a long process but you have to keep your tiny guy safe. Doberman puppies do not listen to the growls or even attacks of our little fellows. At least mine didn't care one bit, I had to train and make him care because I said so.

SamK · 01-03-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaH

You need to purchase the book, The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller. Amazon has it for $10-14 or so. It is great for shaping your dog's behaviour positively where you reward for the good behaviour instead instead of punishing bad behaviour. Sounds like that is what you ares doing, but you need more direction. It tells you how to train the leave it In detail, more than I want to go into this time of the am. It's not hard, but kind of lengthy todscribe

I got the book, thanks for the tip - you're quite right, I do need direction: I don't really understand the treating thing at all! Reading it tonight

SamK · 01-03-2013, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VZ-Doberman

As Bacchus got bigger the play became rougher with Yogi the lhasa. There were a few spats (noise and spit)early on but I immediately broke it up in a BIG way. Even to this day I supervise their interaction. Bacchus pretty much now just nose pokeys him or bumps into him. The thing that seemed to work was being vigilant and the second it started to escalate I intervened......and not in a sweet way.

I'm interested to know what you actually did '...in a BIG way...' and '...not in a sweet way' I'm imagining a very stern, perhaps frightening (to the dog) admonishment. I need to read my new positive training book first but it's temping to just lay down the law. A couple times I have rushed in but it made Cidy cower and Griffin just temporarily busied himself with whatever else was in reach so I think I demonstrated 'positive punishment' not working out.

**MeadowCat** · 01-03-2013, 04:04 PM

I second Lori's suggestion of keeping a light drag line on your pup so you can redirect him. You can also find some good videos on lots of topics (including how to teach "leave it") on Kikopup's Youtube channel: Dog Training - YouTube You'll have to start by teaching "leave it" with low value stuff (I suspect your other dog is "high value"

).