Odd behavior - Page 3

I will have to adjust this, as I have not met you, your girlfriend or your dog personally.  I must also enquire though as to what your reaction is to your dog's display of assault towards your girlfriend?  Your dog knows - and he is taking it upon himself to exercise his physical and mental muscle on a Member of his Family/Unit!! - and before you feel a sense of satisfaction that he 'protects', except it is your girlfriend - remember he knows, he is not stupid - and therefore over-riding you!  The problem is not that he shares your bedroom, but that he has the idea and attitude to promote inappropriate guarding.  (Someone once asked why I do not keep my dogs in our bedroom, especially when my husband is away.  I replied that if anyone were to enter our house, I would want and expect my dogs to intervene, before an Intruder got anywhere near my bedroom)!

So back to an adjusted version ...... your girlfriend gives a firm 'check' when your dog is alert to you leaving the room.  Then without another word she gets up and heads for another room (downstairs) - do NOT look at the dog, or give any indication of her intention, i.e. do not "invite" him to join her, or even give a little click on the leash, simply keeping hold of the leash move with purpose towards and into another room, with him having no choice but to follow!  Then she about turns and walks out again, walk with a mission, no strolling.  The dog will probably be keen to move forward too, because now they are heading back to where he is thinking of following upstairs to the bedroom.  Immediately, your girlfriend about turns again, and walks purposefully back into the room.  Do this twice or three times.


Then, on reaching the other room, go right to the furthest side, and drop the leash.  Give a stern 'look' to the dog, and turn and begin to walk out.  She as led the dog somewhere and is suggesting by doing so that she requires him to remain - but remember NO talking or gesturing.  The moment she is aware that he follows - turn abruptly, and I would suggest say something like; "Oi" - it is punchy and sharp!  He will probably stop and look at her in surprise.  She walks towards him with a sense of purpose, blocking him - so that he is made to back up.  Then leave again.  Repeat if necessary.  She wants to be able to leave the room, without him thinking that he is at liberty to follow.  If he should manage to get by her, she only needs to pick up the end of the leash (so no need to have to grab the dog) and again, walk him smartly into the other room again.


When she as been able to leave the room for a couple of minutes without him appearing, she walks back into the room, picks up the leash and leads him back into the other room with her, then drop the leash and she goes to sit down.  He may just stand there, (it matters not what he actually does, because he will be adjusting to this display of your girlfriend showing some form of taking charge)!  She must not actually talk, and certainly not praise, or stroke him.  If he heads for the door, where you have gone, she needs to repeat the first process.  The dog needs to be more aware of your girlfriend than his own requirements.


Continued ... in following Post - as would not accept the full text in one go!!

After a short while, she picks up the leash and takes him with the same attiude upstairs, walks into the bedroom, he may be keen, but even if not, she about turns and walks into another room instead, (obviously do not go downstairs, in case he pulls her)!  But go into another room, and out again, and towards the bedroom, and out again, into another room, and drop the leash and walk out, with the same "Oi" if he follows, and block him to back up.  Then she leaves the room.  (This is repeating the same as downstairs).  After a couple of minutes, return pick up the leash, and bring him into the bedroom, give a firm 'check', before taking the leash off.  Perhaps she could be ready for bed before doing any of this, so that when she gives a firm check, she gets into bed too.  That way her last interaction with him as been showing a degree of authority with him.


Equally in the morning, before talking to him, put his leash on and give a firm 'check' - i.e. indicating some authority from her.  (First thing in the morning and last thing at night)!   She can then repeat that simple process, (prior to having breakfast) - just lead him into a room etc.  When he has remained in the room, walk back, pick up the leash, lead him into the room with her and simply remove the leash, but don't tell him to do anything, there is no need, her authority down through the leash as spoken enough.  The leash as been removed that is sufficient.  Repeat both evening and morning, for a few consecutive days.  Then repeat as reminders once or twice a week.


Now on a daily basis, she puts his leash on (indoors) walks around a few paces and suddenly stops, take one step away from the dog and remain still.  He should turn his body in her direction and look up at her even briefly.  If so she simply walks a few paces again, and repeats again!  However, he will probably not even afford her the respect of turning round in her direction and certainly won't look up.  So all she does is give a firm 'check' on the leash.  This is NOT to bring him in her direction, that would be defeating the object, it is for him to turn and look of his own accord.  She is just using that firm check, in the same manner as giving someone a poke in the shoulder for not paying attention!  He may turn, but not look at her, so she simply takes one step back again, stop, and again 'check' firmly on the leash. 


Huge apologies - having to finish on the following Post .....

Don't let her feel frustrated by this, keep calm but determined.  It will take several efforts.  Repeat taking one confident step away from him each time, stop, and then a firm 'check', wait a moment to see when he turns in recognition of her, and makes an eye contact.  There is no need to speak or praise.  This is respect not a clever exercise that he is performing!  Then she just takes the leash off, and continues with whatever she is doing naturally.  Repeat this too, because once (with patience) achieved, he will turn and look up automatically every time.  Then she will see the difference herself, and do far more easily, perhaps just once or twice a week, again to merely maintain!


Apologies, for the long Post, but trying to explain something like this is not easy.  Keith, it would also be a good idea for you to consider the same ideas too.  Because somewhere along the line you have sat back on your haunches so to speak, and given your dog the idea that he can flex his muscle in a cocky taking liberties fashion!  Both of you showing unity to each other, will help him not to take disrepectful advantage, as and when he chooses.


With Regards,
Vixen

Haven't fully read Vixen's responses yet but the first thing I personally would alter is that YOU need to give the initial firm check and follow through with this, not the girlfriend.  If it is your dog then YOU need to show him what is acceptable and what is not.  If the girlfriend doesn't want to have anything to do with him, she shouldn't have to do extra work, trying to gain "authority" over him, etc.  YOU should be able to dictate who is allowed to do what and when.  If my dog ever growled at my husband I would be on my dog's ass.  I would not expect my husband to even participate since he should not have to "prove" anything to my dog, it's HIS house, not the dog's.  If there are any issues, I as the owner of the dog will step in and deal with it (so far, hasn't happened....).

     Chaz...lol...; )

     Keith, by the sound of Vixens post you should be sure that the girlfriend is planning on staying around before you give her authority over Axel...JMO I could be way off...and I usually am..lol....I will be happy to take Axel off your hands if things don't work out between him and your girlfriend....;)

    VKGSD....your point makes sense about Keith taking the first action...

      Interesting thread...My male does this same thing occasionally too...

     

I feel so sorry for the poor girlfriend! She's certainly going to be exhausted going in and out of all those rooms by the time she makes it to the bedroom! Keith, are you even awake during all this?

Just kidding Vixen, thanks for the very thorough post and insights.
(I'm sure it just reads like the effort is worse than it is.)

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Keith, have you simply told him to stop it when he overreacts?

What advice are you looking for as far as motivation?  Does it really matter?  Either you permit the behavior or your don't.