[EMarie59]

As it is Friday night, my son always brings home pizza and we'll watch something on the TV.
Well Chance of course is sniffing the air and most likely wondering what that good smell was.
Matt and I sat down on the couch and Chance came walking up going right towards the pizza box.
This is the first time I said firmly (not loudly) "No!"
Chance actually started batting his eyes (almost scrunching his face) like you would when something is being thrown or squirted at your face and took 3 steps back.
OMG! I thought I was about to cry! Matt even noticed saying "Oh Mom, did that SOB throw things at him??"
I got up and went right to the kitchen to give him a cookie treat telling him that he was a good boy. I got his one toy he liked and put it on his bed matteress that is still in front of the F.P and he laid down and didn't come near the table again seeming content.
Okay, Chance is going to have to hear the word No again in his lifetime.
How do I handle the future No's with him where he doesn't think something is going to be flung at him? How can you undo that damage?
The other day when he lifted his leg, I had said No, but it was followed immediately with "outside" and granted, I didn't see his faceas I was too busy getting him out the backdoor.
I may have done everything wrong here with giving him a treat, but honestly, I was really taken back by his reaction and it is KILLING me inside that he actually thought that something was going to be thrown at him.

 

[Stevenzachsmom]

He needs to be told "no" sometimes. It won't take him long to learn that you would never hurt him. Chance has a GREAT Mom.

 

[Jax08]

Whenever I told him No, I would immediately follow it with a simple command so I could give him a great treat.

 

[EMarie59]

Whenever I told him No, I would immediately follow it with a simple command so I could give him a great treat.

Well then maybe he thought when I was saying "Come here Baby" and he followed me that he got a reward then LOL.

I wasn't thinking too clearly. All I know is I NEVER want to see that happen with his face again.

Sigh...I better get with that new trainer like NOW before I start screwing things up here. I know I can screw him up worse if I baby him. Kind of hard though to be honest with you all.

 

[EMarie59]

He needs to be told "no" sometimes. It won't take him long to learn that you would never hurt him. Chance has a GREAT Mom.

You are so nice, thanks

 

[Jax08]

My new trainer told me to use "Oops" instead of "No" because you can't say "Oops" in a mean way. Find another word for "No".

He's a happy dog. You won't have problems training him.

Definitely do NOT baby him. If he is cowering, DO NOT say it's ok or come here baby. You are telling him it is Ok to cower and be afraid.

Teach him "Leave It". It can be a game. Drop a piece of somethign on the floor. Have a better treat in your hand. I kept my foot close to the piece on the floor so I could cover it when Jax went for it. When he goes for the piece, cover it with your foot. When he looks at you, give him the piece of you have in your hand while saying Yes! (as a marker). If he is trying to get the piece under your foot, just patiently wait him out. As soon as he leaves it alone, treat him. Once he is consistently leaving the piece on the floor, add Leave It when he looks at it, and reward when he turns away from it.

Leave It applies to everything! Chasing a cat? Leave it! Licking the pizza box? Leave It!

I love that command!

 

[onyx'girl]

One thing that I've heard from those that rehab dogs, don't think about what was done to them in the past....just look to the future.
Chance has a great temperament and you'll do just fine with him.
He is one lucky pup to have been brought into your life!!

 

[EMarie59]

One thing that I've heard from those that rehab dogs, don't think about what was done to them in the past....just look to the future.
Chance has a great temperament and you'll do just fine with him.
He is one lucky pup to have been brought into your life!!

Jane, you're right. However, this was the first thing I truly saw with him that made me think of his past and wondering WTH??! I just said to someone today that I thought for some weird reason he was the one who wasn't beaten and the anger must have been focused towards Nick since this guy really is not showing anything.
UNTIL this.

I don't know how to handle things like this when they arise. We had a Lab that we raised from 8 weeks old until she was 16. She never flinched, had no issues other than her own weirdo-ness.
This reminds me a bit like I had felt after giving birth to my first child. That protective feeling and nervousness that you need to do everything right.
I know..he is a dog, but I am a bit surprised at how much I already adore this guy. He is so sweet and gentle. Even when we rough house together, his teeth hardly even touch me. You can tell he is so careful not to hurt me.
Sigh..

 

[EMarie59]

My new trainer told me to use "Oops" instead of "No" because you can't say "Oops" in a mean way. Find another word for "No".

He's a happy dog. You won't have problems training him.

Definitely do NOT baby him. If he is cowering, DO NOT say it's ok or come here baby. You are telling him it is Ok to cower and be afraid.

Teach him "Leave It". It can be a game. Drop a piece of somethign on the floor. Have a better treat in your hand. I kept my foot close to the piece on the floor so I could cover it when Jax went for it. When he goes for the piece, cover it with your foot. When he looks at you, give him the piece of you have in your hand while saying Yes! (as a marker). If he is trying to get the piece under your foot, just patiently wait him out. As soon as he leaves it alone, treat him. Once he is consistently leaving the piece on the floor, add Leave It when he looks at it, and reward when he turns away from it.

Leave It applies to everything! Chasing a cat? Leave it! Licking the pizza box? Leave It!

I love that command!

Ooh, thanks! I am writing this down now. I like that!

 

[GSDBESTK9]

I would use a different word for NO, in Schutzhund most people use either Nein or Pfui (nyne / pfoo-ee).

 

[Zoeys mom]

ah ah or eh eh also work well. Or try using his name in a what are you doing voice like Chaance. When I catch Zoe about to break the rules I just say Zo and look at her. She automatically stops and gives me the cute face as my son calls it,lol

 

[EMarie59]

I would use a different word for NO, in Schutzhund most people use either Nein or Pfui (nyne / pfoo-ee).

LOL! I had lived in Germany for a year and a half.
I could so see myself going aroung saying Neiiiiinnnnnnnn!

 

[CassandGunnar]

Is it possible you were leaning toward him or reaching toward the pizza box when you said no.
In addition to the NO, he may have been reacting to your cues, movement or surprise. You probably don't realize your non-verbal cues or body language that he's picking up on. He's already starting to read you and if he didn't run and hide or cower away from you right away, you did ok.
My dogs will both act startled or drop a little bit is I startle, like dropping something and doing the OH $&!# while reaching to grab it.

But you're right, he will have to hear no again in his life, but I think you did ok.

 

[Miss Molly May]

Your love for him will supersede any negative action. Your doing great with him in my eyes!

 

[EMarie59]

Is it possible you were leaning toward him or reaching toward the pizza box when you said no.
In addition to the NO, he may have been reacting to your cues, movement or surprise. You probably don't realize your non-verbal cues or body language that he's picking up on. He's already starting to read you and if he didn't run and hide or cower away from you right away, you did ok.
My dogs will both act startled or drop a little bit is I startle, like dropping something and doing the OH $&!# while reaching to grab it.

But you're right, he will have to hear no again in his life, but I think you did ok.

No, didn't move towards him or anything. I was watching him to see what he was going to do as I figured he'd probably want to partake in the Friday night fiesta as well. :laugh:
I was going back and forth before we sat down if I should just put him in his crate, but then thought better of it and decided that he may as well learn now that he will not be allowed by our food when eating.
No, he didn't cower. He backed up 3 steps. It was what he did with his face that ripped my heart out.

 

[EMarie59]

On a lighter note...look at how he eats now! LOL..No bowls in stands for him! He wants his head IN the bowl when he is eating.

 

[CassandGunnar]

Lots of bigger dogs lay down when they eat. Mine all stand up, so I don't get that, but to each his own.
It's been said over and over, but you're going to be a great mom for Chance. IMO, you're ahead of the curve.
LOL, better be careful of "the look" or you're gonna get wrapped around someones little finger.

:rofl:

 

[EMarie59]

Lots of bigger dogs lay down when they eat. Mine all stand up, so I don't get that, but to each his own.
It's been said over and over, but you're going to be a great mom for Chance. IMO, you're ahead of the curve.
LOL, better be careful of "the look" or you're gonna get wrapped around someones little finger.

:rofl:

What do you mean "you're gonna"
too late LOL

 

[EMarie59]

Okay all..thanks, I am better now.
Had a freak out moment and I will be having many more I think. Please bear with me. It has been some time for me.
Love all of you, thanks for the wonderful advice and sweet words. I feel so much better now.

 

[Runswithdogs]

I feel like I'm reliving our first days with Regen reading your posts- I was the same way, wanting advice or to share every little thing, total overprotective & concerned Mama Bear...it's awesome how much love these guys can unleash in us, yeah?

We use "oops" or "uh-uh" too, for the same reasons. Regen was abused and "NO" made her slink and cower, and Osa was verbally abused and "Phooey" had the same result for her. "oops" is nice because when they do something very bad, it's tempting to yell, but you feel really goofy yelling OOPS!...so you don't.
As our trainer counseled us, They're disobedient, not deaf!