Tried lots, but Zeppelin still growls when eating and we are near him

[Lenny]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

So are you saying you've never read an OPs post, and before reading all the (up to 10) pages of replies, replied to the 1st post in a thread?
That's great...but not everyone reads forums that way.
Sometimes people respond to posts that are over a year old, in the same manner, and get accused of "dredging up" things, too

This thread is not a year old and not 10 pages long. She states in her first post she doesn't agree with what he did and not doing it anymore. Then several post on the first page go on and on about the hitting thing. So with this thread all you have to do is read the first page and know it's been very dealt with and she doesn't need to be berated.
I'm tired of this and I'm sure everyone else is as well. Have a good weekend everyone.

[SARAHSMITH]

I do thank those who are not concentrating on the mistakes we've made being that I stated my husband knows it was wrong & we want to find the right way to handle things.
I thought about being completely truthful before I posted because I have seen the wrath of responses to others who have posted some bad mistakes.
I read advice that I think is similar to the advice in a book mentioned. So we are feeding one meal by hand as advised by many and the other meal we are entering the room with some really yummy food (mostly left over meat from dinner). We are not getting too close to him, but having him come to us and offering him the food. We do this several times while he is eating. Hoping to get closer and closer as time goes by.
I think I will also not feed him that one meal in the mud room, as someone mentioned that he could associate eating in there with bad experiences.

[ponyfarm]

Forget about what your husband did..its over. I just had an idea...Have you tried clicker training him? Its so fun, it involves food and lots of positive reinforcement. You could start with the focus skill...put his meal in a training pouch, when he looks at your eyes, click, and treat! You can also teach "leave it" that way too..put a treat in your closed fist,,he will sniff your hand ,when he looks at your eyes, click and feed. I would not use a bowl for a long time, just something to guard.

Work with taking toys from him, give a click and treat, take away stuff all day, click and treat..give stuff and take away..click and treat. He has to think that is how life goes. HE does not decide what he can have, you do! Do this activity as much as you can all day long and make it fun, but if he gives you "that look" dont be afraid to say a quick "aught" and redirect to end postive.

Good luck,,I used this same technique with a rescue that would bite if you bumped him or stepped on his tail...guess what,,he got bumped and tail stepped on ALOT (not mean about it) until he decided it was his fate! He became totally trustworthy, but it took effort!!

Dont let the negative people get you down! You can do it..one last word of advice..dont be tentative in how you handle him. Be quick with a "yes and click" and fair if he needs an "aught!" Thats how he will learn.

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by SARAHSMITH

I do thank those who are not concentrating on the mistakes we've made being that I stated my husband knows it was wrong & we want to find the right way to handle things.
I thought about being completely truthful before I posted because I have seen the wrath of responses to others who have posted some bad mistakes.
I read advice that I think is similar to the advice in a book mentioned. So we are feeding one meal by hand as advised by many and the other meal we are entering the room with some really yummy food (mostly left over meat from dinner). We are not getting too close to him, but having him come to us and offering him the food. We do this several times while he is eating. Hoping to get closer and closer as time goes by.
I think I will also not feed him that one meal in the mud room, as someone mentioned that he could associate eating in there with bad experiences.

Sarah,

Don't let the critics get to you! I doubt if anyone on here is really perfect with their dogs! (except me, of course!!!!! Heh! Heh!)

Sounds like you are VERY concerned about your pooch and that is the most critical thing. Hang in there and you will certainly see a great deal of improvment!!

AND make sure that you keep us updated with your progress and any questions going forward!

[SARAHSMITH]

Originally Posted by ponyfarm

Forget about what your husband did..its over. I just had an idea...Have you tried clicker training him? Its so fun, it involves food and lots of positive reinforcement. You could start with the focus skill...put his meal in a training pouch, when he looks at your eyes, click, and treat! You can also teach "leave it" that way too..put a treat in your closed fist,,he will sniff your hand ,when he looks at your eyes, click and feed. I would not use a bowl for a long time, just something to guard.

Work with taking toys from him, give a click and treat, take away stuff all day, click and treat..give stuff and take away..click and treat. He has to think that is how life goes. HE does not decide what he can have, you do! Do this activity as much as you can all day long and make it fun, but if he gives you "that look" dont be afraid to say a quick "aught" and redirect to end postive.

Good luck,,I used this same technique with a rescue that would bite if you bumped him or stepped on his tail...guess what,,he got bumped and tail stepped on ALOT (not mean about it) until he decided it was his fate! He became totally trustworthy, but it took effort!!

Dont let the negative people get you down! You can do it..one last word of advice..dont be tentative in how you handle him. Be quick with a "yes and click" and fair if he needs an "aught!" Thats how he will learn.

That sounds like great advise. I do have a clicker as I used it in puppy class. Zeppelin is fine when we take his bones away. He was growling at that too, but this quickly ended. Now he seems to want to share his bones and toys, often dropping them in our laps. Still it sounds like a great idea to click and treat when we take them so he associates us taking things from him with good things.

He knows the "leave it" command but we could work at him "containing" himself in public or when company comes as he gets soooo excited.
I'll have to think more things I could teach him