Dealing with a Pushy Dog

Dealing with a Pushy Dog

A bossy or pushy dog is usually VERY friendly, but is overwhelming with his demands and neediness.  He may demand constant attention or petting, bark for treats and meals, drag you around on leash, and refuse to come when called.

If this describes your own dog, we recommend the "Nothing in Life is Free" (NILIF) program.  It involves five simple lifestyle changes, and will pay big dividends in an improved relationship with your dog!

Rule #1: The Human Controls the Interactions

Petting is important to status-seeking dogs as a way of maintaining their dominance over their owners!  To prevent your dog from “winning” these interactions, follow these rules:

When dog nudges you for petting…

1. Fold your arms and look away. 
2. Block with hips or shoulders if necessary, but avoid using hands or voice, as this gives the dog what he wants:  attention.

When dog is being "good" (e.g., a few feet away from you at least, not pestering you)...

1. Call one time in a cheerful voice (“Fido, come!”).
2. If dog approaches, pat your leg and offer praise.
3. When dog arrives, give a command or signal to sit (“Fido, sit!”)
4. Praise and pet for 10 seconds, giving total attention to dog.
5. Sit upright and give command to go away (“Okay, that’s all.”)
6. Withdraw all attention from dog, blocking if s/he tries to initiate further interaction.

Rule #2: No Free Lunch

Free feeding is the equivalent of food from heaven--some dogs seem to imagine that they own their bowl and that the food appears whenever they want it.

Feed your adult dog twice a day. Before you put the bowl down, have your dog do a sit. If your dog tries to dive on the bowl before you give him permission to eat (“Okay!”), pick up the bowl and start over. When your dog stops eating and walks away from the bowl, pick up any remaining food and dispose of it or save it to present at the next mealtime.

Rule #3: Earned Life Rewards

All dogs have things that they enjoy doing. Earning these daily pleasures can help your dog learn confidence and compliance.  It might include things like going out in the yard, going for a walk, being fed, going for a ride in the car, being groomed, being petted, getting scratched in that spot that is always itchy, etc. Before you let your dog have any of the things on that list, have your dog perform one or two known commands (“Come” and “Sit”; or “Come” and “Down”; or “Sit” and “Shake hands”), then reward him with the intended item.

Rule #4: Learning His Place

Controlling the best spots to sleep is one of the games dogs play with each other to establish authority.  Therefore, prohibit a status-seeking dog from getting up on the furniture and on your bed.  At the very least (and this is for very minor “cases”), the dog should be required to vacate the furniture when you approach, and never get back on unless specifically invited with a verbal command.  If he doesn't respect your "Off!" command, attach a houseline to move him when he doesn't feel like moving.  (A houseline is a 6-8 foot length of cord attached to your dog's buckle or limited-slip collar for your dog to drag around the house. Spray it with Bitter Apple (or other anti-chewing product) to keep your dog from removing it.)  Don't be harsh, just firm and matter of fact.

If your dog has a favorite place to sleep (a particular corner or dog bed), make sure to take control of that place at least once a day by making your dog move out of it and then sitting or standing in it yourself for a few minutes.

If your dog sneaks up on the bed with you after you fall asleep, put him in a crate or shut him out of the bedroom.

Rule #5: Taking Back Your Space

Dogs can take control of a space by lying in the middle of the traffic pattern or by lying in the doorway. Anxious dogs are trying to prevent their owner from leaving, while dogs with leadership ambitions are trying to control their owner's movement. In dog society, the lesser ranked dogs have to move around the higher ranked dogs.

If your dog is lying in your way, shuffle your feet and shuffle right through him. You don't want to hurt him (that's why you're shuffling) but you do want him to move for you.

Don't ask your dog to move or warn your dog that you are about to make him move. Make it your dog's responsibility to keep an eye on you and to move as needed to accommodate you.

Similarly, use a leg blocking technique to step through all exterior doors ahead of your dog and continue to block your dog from following you through the entrance until you have stepped aside and said “Okay!”

© PozitifEnik.com

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