08-21-03

Did you ever see the movie The Accidental Tourist?  In it, Geena Davis tells about how to reprimand dogs.  "Bah!" said in a loud, growly voice.  It has worked with every dog I have ever known since I first watched the movie.  You can make it short and abrupt, or looonnngg and "Baaaa".

 
Did you ever see the movie The Accidental Tourist?  In it, Geena Davis tells about how to reprimand dogs.  "Bah!" said in a loud, growly voice.  It has worked with every dog I have ever known since I first watched the movie.  You can make it short and abrupt, or looonnngg and "Baaaa".
 
To reinforce that you mean business with your dog, get him to sit and bite gently just above the leather wet bit of his nose, just on the soft leather bit, before the fur properly starts.  Now, if he licks you ANYWHERE but under the chin, or if he tries to avoid licking you, you know that he believes you are inferior to him in pack order, which means he won't listen to much that you say.  You will have to reinstate yourself as Dominant Female of the pack, and not just because you are Randy's mate.  He won't take much notice of that if he believes you to be worth less that he.  IT IS THAT IMPORTANT.  Say the "Bah!" command and keep trying until he agrees, and licks you under the chin.  This is dog non-verbal for his being submissive to you.  Be careful that he does not try to nip you.  Especially if he growls.  Just get stuck into those "Bahs".  And don't let Randy come to your rescue, otherwise you are just reinforcing what is, for him, truth: you are a lesser being.
 
Now, if he jumps up on you or anyone, discourage this from the start by quickly bringing your knee up into his chest.  This will probably wind him, and he may actually scream.  Make sure you "Bah!" as you complete your action.  It should coincide with the leg raise.  Some dogs get a bit wary of this, but sooner or later, they learn.  If you do not "Bah!" the dog will just assume that you are attacking him from your superior strength and that it is not a good behaviour on his part issue.  He will just jump out of the way, but still try to jump on you.  When he does this, he is saying he can mount you (i.e. be superior to you) anytime he chooses.  If someone who is delicate, young or old, gets this behaviour, they can be seriously hurt.  It is advisable to stop this anti-social behaviour straight away.
 
Dogs actually prefer to be trained.  It makes them feel wanted, a valuable member of the pack and they also know their place properly, which keeps them psychologically on an even keel.
 
Hope this helps.  Remember to persevere, and reinforce even after Max has reformed his idea of where he is within the pack.  Otherwise, you will have one very confused, and probably just as badly behaved as now, dog.  Be careful, if you do not take matters into your own hand, he will regard all of your property as his, and treat it accordingly: humans, blankets, toys, furniture.  He can smell what is yours, and reacts accordingly.