A Behavior Problem with Prince.. - Page 2

If one of my dogs did that even once that would be an immediate loss of that privilege, meaning they would no longer have any access to try that (crated, put out in the yard, baby-gate the hallway, put the dog in another room) at least until I had a good plan on how to deal with it.

My husband doesn't have much to do with my dogs but I make sure they understand that he's untouchable.  So, if they do something naughty involving him, his things, his space, etc *I* am still the one calling the shots.  I don't expect every person that my dog disapproves of to come over and practice correcting my dog so they get the point.  No, *I* decide how they may act in the house, on the street, at training, etc regardless of who is coming or going. So in this case, in my opinion, you should still be the one handling Prince and not your husband if Prince is primarily your dog.  Your husband shouldn't have to get on him just to prove he is "higher ranked" or anything like that; you should show/tell your dog who can do what and when without his disapproval.  The dog should always defer to your judgement in your home whether it's your husband leaving or stranger handy-man (would you want *that* guy practicing discipline on your dog? no).  In our house I make the boundaries clear and if there's some relapse I'll step in and give the dog a refresher but if I had my husband trying to do the same thing it would just confuse the dogs and IMO is not necessary.

I'm not sure how exactly he's being "disciplined" by you and your daughter, but if he's still dashing at the door then the discipline is happening too late since it's not interrupting the behavior; you need to manage and control it rather than show disapproval after the fact, if that makes sense?  Every time he does it, it's self-rewarding that behavior even if you scold him for doing it.  For me the easiest way to stop it would be to make sure he doesn't have access to the hall and door when people leave. 

I haven't seen a dog go after someone with their back turned but if it happened to me I'd also make sure the dog is not allowed to make any sort of protective association.  For example I wouldn't stand next to the dog holding his collar or leash while someone was leaving, giving the dog reason to think he was there to protect me and stand between me and whoever was leaving.  I'd put the dog somewhere else, maybe even where he could see (like in a crate or gated off) and make a point of showing the person out myself so he sees I'm calling the shots about who leaves. If he's quiet in the crate or wherever, I'd go back and calmly praise him.

Instead of having your husband try to work his way up the rank I would just take the dog down a few notches.  The dog is the one acting inappropriately, not the husband or guest trying to leave. 

I'm not against some strong handling and stern corrections but that needs to come from *you* as the handler and be correctly timed.  I can't really say how I would go about correcting this behavior after the fact because I don't know you or the dog and wouldn't feel it's responsible to give such advice over the Internet.  I just think whatever correction you give needs to make a point the first time and effectively interrupt the behavior.

Get rid of the husband. Problem solved. ;). When you have a cuddly, wuddly precious teddy bear like Prince, you have to take out the stuffing. Does your dog shit in the house? If not, why not? Did you stop the pissing from the beginning? Or did you wait 6 months to react?

Ruger:  can you contact the person who trained him when you had the other problems?  They need to come and observe this behavior and correct him and teach you at the same time.  This has gone on waaaaaaaay too long for you to be able to stop this behavior.  Good luck,  Nan

I would put a leash and prong collar on him and make an immediate correction as soon as the person(s) started for the door. Youve allowed the behavior ie not making the correction when it first happened, now he thinks its ok to do. He can wear the leash around during people visiting and when they get up to leave, make the immediate correction and dont be nice about it. This is one of those "tough" times when you MUST take control esp since he bit your husband. Now your husband understands just how out of control this is. What was the "stiff" correction?

If a dog did that in my house, they would be toast. Ive picked up more than my share of dogs and reminded them they WILL follow the rules. Others may suggest a gentler approach with a sit stay and food. You can try that approach. If you crate Prince when the person is leaving or your husband for that fact, then the issue will not be addressed. And although it was suggested that you be the one in control of correction, I would say that your husband needs to also work with the dog since he lives there. Your hushand has slipped in rank. He needs to remind Prince that poor Prince is down on the totem pool a rung or two. I'm guessing that there are other behaviors that Prince is doing with your spouse. This is just the most obvious.

Barb

My good friend recently adopted a 5 year old GSD.  She has a horse boarding at her farm and this dog never stopped chasing it or eating horse poop.  She finally had enough and went out and bought a shock collar ( correction collar ).  One zap and the dog hasn't chased the horse or eaten poop since.  I am just saying.....  Sometimes you have to resort to something you are dead set against, if it means the life of your dog.  If you don't stop this aggressive behaviour now, it can only get worse and that spells a whole heap of trouble down the road.

I agree Eldee, depending on the dog, any other punishment is just nagging.  Many times I've wished I'd just bought one, I still may for some issues where selective hearing and out of reach situations apply.

First of all I don't believe your dog BIT your husband. These dogs can bite with enough force to break any bone in the human body. He simply nipped him, and he nipped him because he feels higher in the pack than your husband, he didn't want him to leave and was trying to HERD him back. They nip when herding, when they are not getting the response they want. Like turning it up a notch. 
 
The GSD will key off higher pack members, but will make his own decisions with lower pack members if ALLOWED.

This is exactly why the dogs should not be allowed alone with children. If one child tugs on your child and no one but the dog is there he might bite thinking he is protecting a lower pack member.

I would ask Kelly, or Slamdunc or anyone else with a lot of training experience the best way to address this.

Good luck,

Wow great description Ninja, about the nipping not always being biting! My dog will only do that with my youngest! Never actually bites anything, and he's definitely trying to modify the kids behaviour, it is not like he wants to eliminate a threat and draw blood.

I always step in immediately to become the dominant one, but maybe there is something better to do?

Bee it's just like the mother GSD playing with a puppy and the puppy gets too ruff. The mother will correct it with a good nip. They can't talk so they bark & notch it up to a nip.