Monday, September 23, 2013

A BAD INFLUENCE?

I've been taking care of my parent's German Shepherd, Zoey, on and off since June and now she is with us for 6 weeks straight while my parents are back East. Zoey is a good dog but she, um...does whatever she wants. On her own, I would call her super easy. She is 10 years old now and so it doesn't take much to make her happy and comfortable. But she's got quite a few habits that I don't love and I worry it is rubbing off on Kaya and Norman either directly from watching her behavior in just as a sort of energy. Zoey can be so sweet and sensitive but she can also be insecure, protective and dominant.


I always say Zoey is a good dog who is poorly trained. Why is she a good dog? She is sweet, gentle, calm(usually), trustworthy with any human interactions, loyal and endlessly housebroken.


So what does she do wrong? She does not listen. Not even a little bit. She looks for zero feedback from me to know what we're doing or where we're going. She always has to be first or she'll do whatever it takes to get there. She jumps in and out of the car right away so you always have to be prepared when you open the door. Her sit and stay only last for a second no matter where we are. She will run after any animal and not come back until she's somehow defeated it or lunge at it if she's on a leash. She pulls like hell on the leash and zig zags all over the place. You have to basically drag her away from something she really likes sniffing and she'd pulls me down random streets if she wants to go a certain way.


She's better now that she's older but she cannot be trusted with most other dogs. She used to want to attack any dog in sight but now she mostly just tolerates them. She barks back and forth with the neighbor's dog constantly and she'll only stop if you're standing there. The second you turn around, she'll go back to it. Luckily Kaya and Norman have yet to start barking along with her, but I can't help but to think it is rubbing off on them somehow. Oh, and she wants to murder my cat.


So how does this effect my dogs? Norman especially has gotten into chasing squirrels in the yard with her. I think most people would not see this as a big deal and yes, it is normal dog behavior so why does it upset me? For one, he never used to do it so he's clearly taking cues from Zoey and acting out in ways he wouldn't otherwise. Also, I've always taught Kaya and Norman not to chase wildlife, in the yard and when we're out so I would hate for him to start now.


Kaya I think is particularly influenced by Zoey's lack of patience. Working with her on these things recently has made me realize that she is really amped about jumping on Zoey's bandwagon and ignoring my commands. I don't know if she wants to challenge Zoey for that top spot or just keep up with her but either way it leaves me in the dust. Even though Zoey is not that hyper herself, she adds a lot of excitement for Kaya because they like to play fetch together and so Kaya sees Zoey's every move as an opportunity to play.


So I'm weighing my options. Do I work with Zoey on the same rules that Kaya and Norman have to follow or do I leave her to it and show Kaya and Norman that they have to follow the rules irregardless? Maybe it will be a good teaching tool to get them to stay on track not matter what the distractions are. Or maybe it's a recipe for disaster to continue having them around her unless I get them all on the same page.


Does anyone else have an older dog that sort of rules the roost?


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10 comments:

  1. My thought would be that Norman and Kaya stick to the rules.

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  2. First, I wonder how much "worse" Norman and Kaya really are, and how much of it is that you are hyper-sensitive to these things now. When something annoys you, you start to see it everywhere.

    For actual advice: if you don't want Zoey to ignore your commands, don't give them to her. She obviously doesn't know them. Dogs don't blow people off just because they can--they do it because they either don't understand what is being asked or don't find that thing rewarding. Zoey doesn't have the kind of reward history with her basic cues that your own dogs do.

    I, personally, would just manage Zoey's behavioral problems, since she's elderly and not a permanent resident. Don't let her out in the back yard unsupervised to bark and chase. If she's going to bark at the neighbor's dog when you turn your back, just put her back in the house. Don't ask her to do things if she isn't going to do them anyway. If her insistence on being first is causing problems, then put her in a different room while you do whatever you need to do with Kaya and Norman. Have Kaya and Norman do what they always do.

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    1. Thanks for the advice! I am sure I am hyper-sensitive especially since I've decided to start working on their house manners lately. I don't think Zoey is ruining them, I just worry that they're picking up a few bad habits. I pretty much don't give Zoey any commands, I guess I was just pointing out why I can't just ask her to do this or that as a solution. You are right on though as to why she does not listen. I have been bringing inside when she barks lately and she hates it but it is the best answer!

      I didn't get into it as my post would have been twice as long, but there are a lot of upsides to having her here also! We do enjoy her and I think it's good for Kaya & Norman to have another dog around at times:)

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  3. I am one of those "my house, my rules" people. I would suggest that since Zoey is going to be with you for a few weeks, she needs to start learning acceptable behaviour, I've had foster dogs for only a few weeks and they, of various ages up to blind and ten yearsold who knew nothing much,caught on really quick. I did use reward/treat based training. yes, the pack did wonder why no treats for them but oh well, they got over it!

    Keep control because I have seen my dogs copy behaviours too. I think it's be easier to train one than to re-train two! Good luck and be sure and let us know how it goes.

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    1. Good points! I think we need to find a balance. Zoey has learned a "quick fix" method for treats so that she quickly does what it takes to get it and goes right back to her previous behavior. I don't know how you do it with all those pups, I admire you!

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  4. We know what it's like when someone doesn't listen :-) You are so nice to watch her for six weeks, that's a long time! Wish we had some advice for you. . . good luck!

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    1. Thanks! It's not such a big deal, I've been caring for her off and on for her whole life so it's second nature, I just haven't had Kaya, Norman and Gina in the past!

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  5. I've got two dogs that have tunnel vision when it comes to wildlife, it's an on going battle with them between bunnies and squirrels.

    As far as advice goes, I'd cut them all a little slack every now and then but maybe try to introduce a few things to Zoey, maybe she'll take to it.

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    1. I think that's why I'm so sensitive on the matter. I know that many(most?) dogs have an innate or at least learning interest in critter hunting so I know it would be easier to keep them from doing it in the first place than teaching them not to after the fact:/

      Kaya and Norman are pretty perceptive to me so I think I'll just keep on top of them and let Zoey do what she's going to do. Like your pups, she's got a lifetime of interest along with natural instincts on her side.

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