Stella's aggression not really aggression...
 Since the rabbit was in the hutch and there was no chance that Stella could hurt her, I just stood back and watched, had a lightbulb moment  . I noticed that her hind end was above her front end (bowing), and her bottom was wiggling, not tense. Her teeth were not bared at all, and her ears were in more of a curious position than an attack position. I realized she wasn't being aggressive, and that this likely is the case with Brooklyn as well. I think Stella just wants to play with Brooklyn, and when she lunged at her, Brooklyn growled and snapped at Stella, which startled her and she reacted like a normal healthy puppy. She did let go when Brooklyn cried out, and after everyone's responses and PMs, I think that had she meant to be aggressive, she wouldn't have let go.
As suggested by one of the wonderful people on here, I'm going to try the Caesar Milan method of laying Stella on her back (with another adult helping, of course), and placing Brooklyn near her. But I am going to do it with Brooklyn as well, since she was the one who growled, lol. I'm getting Stella into obedience classes soon, and that will help a great deal as well. She's actually quite eager to please, and she is MUCH easier to train than Brooklyn was (and Brooklyn passed the AKC Good Citizen Certification). So if Brooklyn can do it, I know Stella will be a big success. She is learning "heel" right now (and has only been working on it for the last 3 days), and she is already doing so well. She knows "Sit" and complies about 80% of the time, and we're working on "stay"... which has a compliance of about 30% right now... that one is hard for her, lol. She responds very well to "Leave it", almost 100% compliance, even with her favorite treat in front of her. I do have one question... if I use "leave it" for food, is it OK to also use it for other thing? For instance, when we were going for our walk, the outside cat came up to us, and I told Stella "Leave it". Also last night I did the same when someone with a small dog was approaching. It worked, but I just wondered if I should use something different for other animals than I do for food and distractions? Any ideas? |
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IheartStella wrote: I do have one question... if I use "leave it" for food, is it OK to also use it for other thing? For instance, when we were going for our walk, the outside cat came up to us, and I told Stella "Leave it". Also last night I did the same when someone with a small dog was approaching. It worked, but I just wondered if I should use something different for other animals than I do for food and distractions? Any ideas? We use "leave it" as a general command. Leave it works for food, things dropped on the floor, animals, people and anything on the ground during walks. Basically as long as you want the same thing to happen in each situation then using the same command should be okay. |
IheartStella wrote: I'm going to try the Caesar Milan method of laying Stella on her back (with another adult helping, of course), and placing Brooklyn near her. But I am going to do it with Brooklyn as well, since she was the one who growled, lol.
That seems a bit excessive and unecessary based on what you've described. Laying an animal down is not Cesar's first choice to get dogs to like each other. That's a very dominant thing to do. Except in extreme cases, Cesar starts by taking dogs on a walk together. With you as leader, they kind of naturally fall in together as packmates. It just doesn't sound like Stella is doing anything to warrant this measure and you could really freak them both out by trying it. Why not get your friend and take them out on a long walk or perhaps go to a fenced in dog park to see if they play together. If Brooklyn is nervous, she will have space to run away. Perhaps keep Stella on a tether so you can control her behavior if needed. You want them to like each other, right? Make it fun for them and they probably will. |
Valerie wrote: IheartStella wrote: I'm going to try the Caesar Milan method of laying Stella on her back (with another adult helping, of course), and placing Brooklyn near her. But I am going to do it with Brooklyn as well, since she was the one who growled, lol. That seems a bit excessive and unecessary based on what you've described. Laying an animal down is not Cesar's first choice to get dogs to like each other. That's a very dominant thing to do. Except in extreme cases, Cesar starts by taking dogs on a walk together. With you as leader, they kind of naturally fall in together as packmates. It just doesn't sound like Stella is doing anything to warrant this measure and you could really freak them both out by trying it. Why not get your friend and take them out on a long walk or perhaps go to a fenced in dog park to see if they play together. If Brooklyn is nervous, she will have space to run away. Perhaps keep Stella on a tether so you can control her behavior if needed. You want them to like each other, right? Make it fun for them and they probably will. Ditto.... making everything as pleasant an experience as possible I think is a better way to go... |
Thank you both  And actually I went back and read the message from the other user, and they did in fact suggest walking the dogs together. So tonight, we're doing the family thing. I'll let you know how it goes.
This will be a bit of a challenge for Brooklyn... as she does not typically like to go on walks (she just sits down and refuses to walk). The kids started taking her for walks in a stroller, and she loves that, but maybe she'll like it if there is another dog there walking with her. I think she's just been spoiled for so long that she forgot how to be a dog |
| The Cesar Method really isn't the traditional alpha roll either. It's really just lying a dog down on its side and, in essence giving it a time out to calm down. It's a submissive position but not a forced submission (at least it doesn't have to be). Bear does it on command now when he knows that I need him to cool out. It really does relax him. I think he associates it with my stroking and touching him, which I normally do when he lies like that so it's pleasant for him.
Actually the Cesar roll should look just like my avatar! <-- |
| That is what I was trying to say in my prevoius post. It doesn't really matter what the root of the behavior is, A big dog can kill a little dog and they must be supervised. Tasker is not at all aggressive but in play or by accident he could easily crush and kill Ty.
I would never use an ALpha roll but the Cesar Milan method works well. I do walk both dogs together all the time with very good results. Just be careful to intercede if things get out of hand. Also remember that Brooklyn may be on the defense for however long it takes for her not to be afraid that she is going to get "munched" again. We use the "drop it: command and it works nicely in a variety of situations. |
ButtersStotch wrote: The Cesar Method really isn't the traditional alpha roll either.
Oh yes, I am aware of that and it can be a useful strategy if/when dogs are being confrontational with each other. I was just pointing out that is not the starting point for getting dogs to like each other. There are many more fun things you can do to foster good relations. |
| Thank you all for the great advice. Stella is still just a big puppy at heart, so I am sure she'll learn in time.
I'm starting Stella in obedience classes on Monday, and I bet that will help as well. |
Valerie wrote: ButtersStotch wrote: The Cesar Method really isn't the traditional alpha roll either. Oh yes, I am aware of that and it can be a useful strategy if/when dogs are being confrontational with each other. I was just pointing out that is not the starting point for getting dogs to like each other. There are many more fun things you can do to foster good relations. Oh, I know you know, Val. I just wanted to make sure the poster was clear in case she mistaking it with the roll where you turn the dog on his or her back. Cesar's is more of alpha lay, lol. |
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