off to a wrong start

My sheepie is 8 months old and I'm afraid I Have ruined her. She loves snacks. At night my husband and I either eat popcorn or ice cream. Sophie loves both. The problem is if we don't eat a snack Sophie barks and barks and jumps up and down on the couch and goes nuts. One night I was afraid she was going to bite me because we weren't having snacks. I hate that I ever let her have popcorn but she absolutely loves it. She just crunches and smacks and has the best time. But how can I get her to calm down if it isn't snack night? I put her outside one night when we had our snacks just to get her out of the habit. She almost knocked the door down. What should I do?
Respond to this topic here on forum.oes.org  
Substitute another evening action. She associates you sitting and watching TV with eating. Maybe take her for a walk and give her one small treat when she gets home.

Alternative is to get a Kong toy and put some peanutbutter inside for her to lick out. It will be difficult convincing her the PB is better than popcorn or ice cream......would for me too. Don't let her run YOUR house. The uprights need to take back control. (Oh, they will continue to challenge you.......that's who they are)
I think peanut butter is the best. We have even put some in those big beef bones after the dogs have eaten all the marrow. It sure keeps them occupied.
Sheepies are creatures of habit. For example, Max knows that after we eat dinner, we got out back and kick the soccer ball. God forbid I have something else to do...he loses his mind...or if it's raining...he can't get his head around that we can't do what we did the night before. After we play and we are all tuckered out, I give them ONE milk bone...and they lay down in front of the fan and cool off...Again, if I forget to get the bone or forget to turn the fan on, he "reminds" me. I accuse him of having a pea brain but in reality, he is smarter than me.
I think all of this comes from being a working dog...he has his "job" to do every night.
How about an ice cube?! Fozzie loves them and it is one thing he is conditioned for. Each morning he waits for me next to the freezer for his cube. I guess there are worse things in life :D
Stacy, does Fozzie like koolaid ice cubes?
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
Counter

[Home] [Get A Sheepdog] [Community] [Memories]
[OES Links] [OES Photos] [Grooming] [Merchandise] [Search]

Identifying Ticks info Greenies Info Interceptor info Glucosamine Info
Rimadyl info Heartgard info ProHeart Info Frontline info
Revolution Info Dog Allergies info Heartworm info Dog Wormer info
Pet Insurance info Dog Supplements info Vitamins Info Bach's Rescue Remedy
Dog Bite info Dog Aggression info Boarding Kennel info Pet Sitting Info
Dog Smells Pet Smells Get Rid of Fleas Hip Displasia info
Diarrhea Info Diarrhea Rice Water AIHA Info
Sheepdog Grooming Grooming-Supplies Oster A5 info Slicker Brush info
Dog Listener Dog's Mind Dog Whisperer

Please contact our Webmaster with questions or comments.
  Please read our PRIVACY statement and Terms of Use

 

Copyright 2000 - 2012 by OES.org. All rights reserved.