Aw, Logan is a training aid for a little dog!

[mandelyn]

The male pup Shepherd I took in is now helping a small little yappy rescue that was returned to me last night. I guess the new home didn't continue with socialization! So now I have a pint-sized mouth of teeth with a snapping problem towards other dogs.

The dog came back because the adopter lost her apartment, and I never re-home without the "return if.." condition. So, Munchkin is back, and with a world of issues.

He's 1/2 Boston Terrier, 1/4 Chihuahua, 1/4 rat terrier. Maybe 8 pounds, just under a year old, intact marking little demon dog.

I haven't held him at all or babied him, that's what has gotten him this way. He won't stop whining! He quickly learned I have -00000 tolerance for yapping and needless barking, so he squeeks instead.

Haven't introduced him to Ricca yet, waiting until him and Logan are comfortable. Which seems to have happened like 5 minutes ago... they had their first game at 9am, now at 9:39 they're laying on either side of me.

Last night though, I had the demon dog on a leash, Logan loose on the front porch (neutral, usually a no-dog zone).

So proud of Logi-bear!! He didn't retaliate or respond to the initial snapping. Nor did he himself cower away. He sat and looked at him like he was stupid, and then tried again, nice and easy, to meet and great. Every time I heard a growl creeping up from the little one, I bumped the leash.

Then I started walking, to keep the little one moving, Logan trotting behind, in front, cutting him off, being a completely rude distraction to the little dog, which helped him not be so jumpy.

This morning was minimal yapping, no snapping. Then a game started. This happened in the back yard, Logan's area.

The game was great. Logan was careful with his elephant feet, the little one didn't go overboard, and Logan even laid down to be on the same level, but without submitting. I didn't want Logan to give in and give power to the little one, since we're trying to communicate his very low status until he acclimates to being a "real" dog. The little one rolls over in front of Logan when he's laying down, licking at his mouth. And logan being only 7 months old and just recently confident himself!

Later today it's Ricca's turn. She's the dominant female under me, and I know she won't tolerate yappy small dog syndrome either. She's great with insecure dogs, awful with dominant/aggressive dogs. But judging by what's happened with Logan (and Ricca watching it all through a glass door quite calmly) it should go reasonably well. I'm going to leash Ricca, since she has bigger teeth.

The age is definately working in our favor here. 10 months old if I recall right for the little one. Ricca, coming 4 years, 7 months on Logan, but he's taking a higher place over the little one and I'm allowing it. This little dog doesn't need anyone telling him he has power because he snaps! 0 tolerance here on small dog syndrome, and he's figuring it out pretty good, a lot of help from Logan.

This morning he charged across the street to yap at the neighbor lady, so I took him the rest of the way, he started to bark, and she told him no, in a good firm voice. That helped a lot! Poor little dog didn't know what to do, so he submitted and made nice. He was so surprised that yappy stuff didn't do a darned thing and a complete stranger told him No. Progress!

I may end up keeping him after all.

[HeidiW]

PICTURES PICTURES!!! Got see this little yappy thing!

[mandelyn]

These are puppy photos, the only thing different is he gained 5 pounds. I accidently packed the camera in the storage stuff when I moved!





To update, Ricca is IN LOVE with him, because he has his balls still. He didn't go yappy with her at all, thanks to her infatuation. She's always been a hussy. LOL So that went well.

Wish I had a video of her reaction. "Boy? BOY!!!" double paw smack onto her front in traditional dog play, and he did it back to her. He's part of the pack now. Tried to bark when the neighbor dogs did, combined with my correction and the fact that neither Shepherd was wasting their time on barking, he stopped and stayed quiet.

Hanging out with Shepherds is the best thing for a little dog in transition to learning to be a real dog.

[HeidiW]

I was wondering what that combo would look like! He is a cutie, he seems to have the best of the breeds as far looks goes. Hope it all works out! Thanks for rescuing him.

[Riley's Mom]

He's much better looking than the written description visual I got. I'd be looking to remove the dingleberries asap. He's plenty old enough now.

[mandelyn]

Yup, they're coming off! I was thinking of doing it the same day as Logan so that I only have to monitor a couple of days one time, instead of seperate. It's a pain to prevent play, may as well do it in one swoop.

Today he's doing much better. He's certainly learned no one takes him seriously when he barks/whines/growls/or gets pushy. He didn't wake me up as early either.