strong pup's

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

Lyn wrote:

 >> I've had to be strong with him, but I think we've really bonded because 
of it. <snip>
It gets to the point of me saying okay buster I'm the boss and you're 
getting in there one way or another. <snip>
Regardless, I must win.<<

Lyn has hit the nail on the head here.  With any dog you have to be strong, 
expect respect and you must win always.  Each dog is different and to what 
degree you have to be strong is individual.  Even the most docile puppies 
require at some point a firm hand.  For instance TRiX has been an angel 
soft sweet not defiant at all (though we thought she would be when we 
picked her out) We even thought we were doing you all a favor by keeping 
her and not passing her on to one of you!  <LOL>

   But this past couple of weeks TRiX has started to come out a bit.  She 
has never displayed the grabbing that so many of you have had with your 
puppies, grabbing at your clothes ect.  She has started this mouthing, 
grabbing now.  So what up?  Well lets look at how much attention she has 
not gotten the past week with Haus being so ill.  Let's look at how guilty 
I have felt for yes having her around and in the house but not getting her 
out and about doing training and simple enrichment.  I have to some degree 
given her an upper hand and a freer reign and she is displaying her 
dominance over the situation.  Each pup matures at a diffrent stage and 
each of us has diffrent perceptions of things but I bet if you sit back and 
reflect you will all find places you have become lax and allowed behaviors 
to develop.

Lyn was the lucky one her puppy came out of the crate with 
attitude!  Humped that Teddy right off...  She took charge from the get 
go.  Not that anyone else has not done a good job just some of us have had 
easier puppies who are now just becoming monsters.  I predict Rocket is 
next...  <snicker>

Kasey Cooper when he was here was a handful and he was displaying some 
disrespectful behaviors such as jumping up and not listening.  Since, the 
Coopers have taken a more authoritive position with Kasey and he is also in 
puppy class now.  He's stopped eating sox I am told and is getting much 
better at the other little annoying behaviors.  Yes Kasey was eating not 
digesting but eating and pooping sox....

So in short those of you who have had the more docile pup's who have not 
required standing on (until now) might just ahve to really start standing!

Let's get some more input on this from others on the list!

Gina