Gentle parenting for new dog

gr8tful1 · 07-26-2014, 01:22 PM

We just rescued a great 7 year-old dog from the shelter. She is gentle and sweet with the family, especially our son and his friends, but aggressive towards other dogs. We started obedience training last week with her and I am so happy to find that there is new ways of training dogs that are gentle and positive. Fits so perfectly with our family (well, being gentle is a bit hard for DH and his very traditional, authoritarian upbringing, but he is doing his great and says humbly, "I think God is trying to teach this old dog some new tricks")

. I have not owned a dog in over 20 years when everything was about dominating the dog.

jenny_islander · 07-27-2014, 11:52 PM

Reading up on how dogs interact with their puppies without human interference is certainly humbling. Mom dog is patient, uses redirection, and gets off her butt constantly. And dogs and wolves in natural packs don't do that alpha-omega stuff either. They form extended families!

gr8tful1 · 08-05-2014, 12:07 PM

I am thinking we could all learn from dogs/wolves...

Having a hard time teaching DS that she doesn't like to be hugged and followed around. The dog is tolerant, just wonder how long that will last

JessicaTX · 08-05-2014, 12:45 PM

have you gotten tips for the dog aggression? I have a boxer that is awesome around most adults, but dominant to all kids and other dogs. Locking her up every time kids come over and limiting exposure to other dogs isn't teaching her anything.

Amber · 08-07-2014, 09:20 AM

There is a sticky at the top of the forum with links to some good training resources.

Personally, I would seek the help of a professional trainer to work with you and the dog regarding the dog aggression.

Rivendell Raven · 08-07-2014, 11:30 AM

When I had dogs (great Danes) my girl was animal aggressive. It took weeks of practice but I used redirection on her. We'd set up a meeting with a non aggressive dog to walk by (starting with across the street since it was that bad). As soon as she noticed the other dog and the hairs on her back stood up, I crossed in front of her to interrupt her line of vision and turned her the other way and walked away a few feet. Then turned around and repeated the process after she had calmed down a bit. Eventually her reaction became less and less and we used positive reinforcement (food treats and head pats). I never fully trusted her to be alone with a dog she'd just met (like at a dog park) since she was so big, but I wasn't afraid or embarrassed to take her outside or to work (vets office) with me anymore.

07-26-2014, 01:22 PM	#1
gr8tful1 Rosebud Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 93	Gentle parenting for new dog We just rescued a great 7 year-old dog from the shelter. She is gentle and sweet with the family, especially our son and his friends, but aggressive towards other dogs. We started obedience training last week with her and I am so happy to find that there is new ways of training dogs that are gentle and positive. Fits so perfectly with our family (well, being gentle is a bit hard for DH and his very traditional, authoritarian upbringing, but he is doing his great and says humbly, "I think God is trying to teach this old dog some new tricks"). I have not owned a dog in over 20 years when everything was about dominating the dog.

07-27-2014, 11:52 PM	#2
jenny_islander Rose Trellis Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,362	Re: Gentle parenting for new dog Reading up on how dogs interact with their puppies without human interference is certainly humbling. Mom dog is patient, uses redirection, and gets off her butt constantly. And dogs and wolves in natural packs don't do that alpha-omega stuff either. They form extended families! __________________ Wife to John, December 18, 1999 ~ Mother to Sophia, March 13, 2004 ~ Mother to Eva, June 10, 2006 ~ Mother to Matthew, December 21, 2009 ~ Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will lift me up.

08-05-2014, 12:07 PM	#3
gr8tful1 Rosebud Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 93	Re: Gentle parenting for new dog I am thinking we could all learn from dogs/wolves... Having a hard time teaching DS that she doesn't like to be hugged and followed around. The dog is tolerant, just wonder how long that will last

08-05-2014, 12:45 PM	#4
JessicaTX Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Barrens of Texas Posts: 5,152	Re: Gentle parenting for new dog have you gotten tips for the dog aggression? I have a boxer that is awesome around most adults, but dominant to all kids and other dogs. Locking her up every time kids come over and limiting exposure to other dogs isn't teaching her anything. __________________ Sam's wife Keegan, Zoe, Anakin and Anaiah's Mom Nonni to Jasper, Iris, Ivory, and Lyric!

08-07-2014, 09:20 AM	#5
Amber Rose Garden Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The rainy side of Washington. Posts: 18,232	Re: Gentle parenting for new dog There is a sticky at the top of the forum with links to some good training resources. Personally, I would seek the help of a professional trainer to work with you and the dog regarding the dog aggression. __________________ Amber ISFJ Wife to my wonderful DH And keeper of the boys Big M (6/03) Forever ours Dec 2012 C (6/04), Little M (10/05) Forever ours Dec 2012 K (5/06) Missing our foster daughter Miss A

08-07-2014, 11:30 AM	#6
Rivendell Raven Rose Bouquet Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Imladris Posts: 591	Re: Gentle parenting for new dog When I had dogs (great Danes) my girl was animal aggressive. It took weeks of practice but I used redirection on her. We'd set up a meeting with a non aggressive dog to walk by (starting with across the street since it was that bad). As soon as she noticed the other dog and the hairs on her back stood up, I crossed in front of her to interrupt her line of vision and turned her the other way and walked away a few feet. Then turned around and repeated the process after she had calmed down a bit. Eventually her reaction became less and less and we used positive reinforcement (food treats and head pats). I never fully trusted her to be alone with a dog she'd just met (like at a dog park) since she was so big, but I wasn't afraid or embarrassed to take her outside or to work (vets office) with me anymore. __________________ Married to DH since 6/21/10 Mama to S since 6/19/13

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