Secrets to Dog Training Weekly Newsletter

Why Whine Why?

Phil writes: I have a Border Terrier/Jack Russell cross, who is a neutered male named Manny. He has developed constant whining even when we are in the room and he has been exercised.

On top of that he is now aggressive towards other dogs, especially puppies and towards my toddler son.

He has stopped listening to commands like recall and Wait, especially from my partner, and with a second child on the way she is keen to re-home him.

Daniel Replies

Manny sounds like a right handful at the moment but, with a little work, this can be turned around. His whining could be just a habit he has developed or it could be an attention-seeking ploy.

Attention seeking

The obvious treatment for attention-seeking behavior is to ignore it. If whining fails to achieve what Manny wants, he will stop. So if he is whining for a pat or food, you should definitely not cave in and give it to him. Instead, when he is good and quiet, pat him or give him a treat and praise him so he can associate being QUIET with being given what HE wants!

This will take a while to get through to him - so you will need to persist. If the whining becomes too much for you, give him ‘time out’. Confine him to a small room such as a laundry room or bathroom for around half an hour, ignoring any whining and only letting him out once he has been quiet for a while.

Not attention seeking

If his whining is not attention-related, treat it as unacceptable behavior and reprimand him using a guttural growl of "AAAAH". Follow the other tips for reprimanding given below (last paragraph).

When he’s quiet, particularly at times when he wasn’t quiet before, give him plenty of praise, attention and sometimes small food treats. This rewards and encourages the behavior you want. He’ll get it.

Aggression

You need to show Manny that you are the boss and that what you and your family say goes! Read or re-read the bonus book "Secrets to Becoming the Alpha Dog". This book explains the hierarchical nature and behavior of your dog. Follow the tips in this book and you will get good results.

Show him you are the boss

The following actions tell Manny, in his language, that you are the pack leader, the boss, the one in charge - the Alpha dog.

If he is sleeping or lying on the floor - make him move so that you can pass by. The Alpha dog has right of way.
Give Manny no more bones. Only the Alpha dog gets bones.
Always go through doorways first. The Alpha dog leads. Make the point to him with this regular exercise – walk him around the house on a leash, making him wait while you walk through doorways first.
Feed Manny last - after all of the humans. The Alpha dog eats first.
Do not greet Manny straightaway when you arrive home. Make him wait until you are ready then call him to you. The Alpha dog gives attention when he chooses.
When Manny wants a walk, make him sit and wait until you are ready to go. The Alpha dog makes the decisions.
Do not feed tidbits or let Manny pester you when you’re eating. The Alpha dog eats first – Manny last.

If everyone in your household applies these simple rules, Manny will know his place, be much happier and become a lot more responsive to commands.

Regular Training

Regular training sessions are the key to improving your dog's obedient responses. Concentrate on the Sit and Stay, Down and Stay, Heel and Wait commands.

Be consistent with your rules or you might reinforce poor behavior. For example, if Manny is allowed to jump up on you when you are playing, but is not allowed to jump up at any other time . . . he will be confused – the rule will not be clear.

Obedience shows respect

If Manny sees you as the Alpha dog, he will respect and obey you. But unless you insist that he gives you this respect, you weaken your position in his eyes.

When you give a command make sure you can enforce it. Use the Alarm-No-Command technique (see the Alpha Dog bonus book) to reprimand him if he does not obey your command.

When you reprimand him, use a guttural growl of "AAAAH" rather than "NO", combined with either a squirt of water from a water pistol, a clap of the hands or by shaking a tin can filled with pebbles in his direction.

Tone of voice and confidence are most important when reprimanding. If Manny doesn't believe your wife really means her reprimand, he will continue to walk all over her! You can help by backing her up when you are around.

All the best,

Daniel Stevens and the Secrets to Dog Training Team
"Secrets to Dog Training - STOP Dog Behavior Problems!"
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/

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