Westie with issues II

[tersampson]

Based on information I've read on the forum and in the training materials, we tried the 48 hour ignoring, which was very hard, but we made it through. After this, Simon was very good until we tried to pick him up. He growled and we growled at him and used the squirt gun. That did not go very well. He became even more agitated and came after the squirt gun. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[taniajennifer]

if makes you feel any better, the squirt gun did not work for me either.

however, out of curiosity (NOT crticism) i amwondering if is it absolutely necessary to pick up your dog? It seems to me, that since other techniques are proving effective in modifying his behaviours in MOST other daily situations, why not focus on reinforcing those strategies and avoid picking up your dog until he gets it through his head who is in charge and more progress is made? not that we want to beheld hostage by our dogs and modify our behaviours to suit their whims but as a temporary measure, until he is more submissive ...?

[taniajennifer]

FYI - but the growling alone was pretty effective for us.

[Todd]

Made a post to your first question.

How are things going? If you don' think my ideas will help i'll try think a bit more

Todd