Territorial Aggression?

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted By: Smith3We started NILIF today - we did it with playing frisbee, showing her that WE dictate when she will be able to go and get it, making her sit before tossing it ect.

That's perfect. We did that from day one with all playtime. I never know when I've got a brand new puppy if s/he is going to end up needing hard line NILIF or not, so I routinely start it immediately so they learn right from the beginning that they have to do what I ask in order to get what they want. And the beautiful thing is that it's completely adaptable to any dog, no matter how young, you just adapt it as necessary based on the age, attention span, and training level of the dog, and then make it more challenging as their abilities increase. And if it turns out I've got an easy dog who is readily compliant I can always back off on the NILIF later, but I really don't have to, because by then the house rules are pretty ingrained and obeyed without undue fuss.

My dogs know they can stand there and stare at a toy all they want, it won't get thrown until they sit and look at ME, or my hubby if he's the one with the toy, until released. If she's not giving up the tug yet, try giving her whatever cue you plan to use and then sticking a treat right on her nose. When she drops the tug to get the treat, mark it, give her the treat, and then release her to take the tug again and play some more. Work towards not showing her the treat first and rewarding from your pocket, and then fading out the food reward entirely, so the continuation of play is the reward.

[Smith3]

Some thoughts: We have implemented the NILIF "way of living" and IMO you can already see some changes in her.

Before she'd have a few toys laying out and go between them. We'd pet her whenever she would come up to us, we'd try to calm her down if she barked.

Now, none of it. She has been having more barking *AT* us (She never has before), but I am sure this is due to lack of attention. But, she seems to enjoy the attention we do give her more.

I haven't seen any results outside yet, we haven't run into any dogs - but I am sure it will be a process to weed out those issues.

[Smith3]

Well, we have a had a lot of progress the last two weeks.

We have incorporated NILIF (yes, sometimes it is hard) - she has had quite a few "GIVE ME ATTENTION" bark fests.

We have been working on positive association outside. If she sees another dog and doesn't do anything, lots of praise. I do incorporate correction into it followed by praise if she corrects her behavior and gets quiet.

Yesterday we passed a guy walking two pugs and she had a bit of growling but no barking or posturing, so we were QUITE happy! Lots of praise, lots of treats. Last week she did go crazy over a puppy, but there was a LOT going on distraction wise, she was a bit worked up.

While I would like to stick to "100% positive" it is what it is. We've been walking a lot more due to her being behaved, so we are happy (and she is tired!).

[Cassidy's Mom]

Great!

Originally Posted By: Smith3She has been having more barking *AT* us (She never has before), but I am sure this is due to lack of attention.

Yep, and the key is to completely ignore her while she does this, and immediately praise and reward her (even if it's just looking at and petting her) the second she stops demanding your attention. At first she'll try harder, which sounds like the phase you're in now), but eventually she'll figure out the way to make you pay attention to her, to pet her, to play with her, is to be calm and quiet. I also try to catch mine in the act of NOT bugging me from time to time, and acknowledge that too, like praising them for just hanging out chewing on a bone.