"great progress" on aggression!!!! - Page 1

     So far , so good! I have put my foot down with my dogs and let them know who is boss. Duke has come along way these past days, and Yes, I am aware , not all is forgotten. I am going to keep up just the way I have been. Everyone is in their crates at night, no one goes in their crate without my putting them there.

     I have used the choker with a short training lead on Duke, everytime he made(makes) a move toward the other dogs that I knew was leading up to a confrontation, I tugged his lead, followed by a stern "NO". No one allowed on the couch unless it is with no reaction to the approaching dog. than,"group hug, love" everyone equal. Because I said so!

     No more "free run" out the door in the morning ( I live on a dirt road on the top of a mt.), little ones first, Duke and Sophie on the leash. Coffee , Duke on the lead, once all is settled down, they can come up.While everyone is getting along, the lead comes off. I have to laugh, Duke will walk by, and  have to "suddenly sit" on someone. He still does not want them to look at his crate. He will race and cut them off (I have 4 yorkies), and look at me after he has headed them off. I just tell him no and he comes over to me and sits. He must sit and stay,before he is allowed out, and before he eats.

     I have been been working him with the burlap sack, and his heel. He loves that sack. Sophie does not have the drive he does but is learning from him.

     I beleive there is a power play going on with him. Everyone that stated the wrong dog gets punished was right. I see the little ones try to boss him outside(my yorkies are not these little scrunched up tippy toing dogs you see with Paris and Brittney), they are hardy little dogs that hike the woods and do "chores" everyday, a foot of snow is nothing to them, and apparently they have bossed my other shepherds for years and Duke ain't going for that. They have gotten a rude awakening (by me) also.

     I plan to keep this up, and enforce "more discipline" on everyone. I know I am no wheres near "out of the woods" yet, but I will be. Thanks for the advice, and I have a HEEL question that I will be posting right behind this.   thanks         joni

Keep up the good work.