dname - Rusty is being a dog. Maybe he is more hyped now because of his earlier fight this summer, but punishing him means nothing to him. Once you snap him on his leash after an incident like this, go right in to dog training mode and get his mind back on track.

Since you didn't see what started it, you can't evaluate it. You might want to stick to a known play-group of his friends for a while, and then start introducing him to newbies. Also, make sure you have a good recall down with him, so that you can call him back if it even looks like he is thinking about being a bad boy.

dontwantaname wrote:There is no come in his vocabulary

So, he doesn't know why he is in his crate with only a night light on?
I should let him out?

I figured since all of this was immediately after the incident, he would get the idea.

If we were in the dog park, it would be no big deal. It happens every day.
But up the block, there are dogs that really don't have experience with other groups of dogs. Plus he was so much bigger.
It could very well have been a dominance thing that means nothing.

But last month he bit his friend and drew blood over a water bottle.
I was holding his collar at the time.
That owner really wasn't to upset.

I never saw this guy. The fact he took his dog home immediately , not as a punishment, makes me think he doesn't know dogs in groups that well.

I believe you have your answer about the water bottle incident - YOU were holding his collar at the time. His behavior changed once you took his collar - he had to protect his pack leader.

And no, he doesn't realize why he is in solitary BTW - does crating him = punishment to him? (Note - I never recommend using a crate as punishment) Anyway, the consequences of an action must come at the time of the action or immediately following it - that is how a doggie brain works. Positive training depends on marking the behavior at the time of the desired behavior in order to reinforce it. For those who choose 'negative reinforcement', that too must come at the time of the behavior you wish to deter. The extent of my negative reinforcement is 'uh uh!' or a gasp - quickly followed by a request for a desired behavior. The gasp or uh-uh gets their attention, distracts them away from what they were doing, and then they are able to do what I ask them.

sorry for the diatribe....just felt I needed to clarify a bit.

Lynnzoi wrote:I believe you have your answer about the water bottle incident - YOU were holding his collar at the time. His behavior changed once you took his collar - he had to protect his pack leader.

And no, he doesn't realize why he is in solitary BTW - does crating him = punishment to him? (Note - I never recommend using a crate as punishment) Anyway, the consequences of an action must come at the time of the action or immediately following it - that is how a doggie brain works. Positive training depends on marking the behavior at the time of the desired behavior in order to reinforce it. For those who choose 'negative reinforcement', that too must come at the time of the behavior you wish to deter. The extent of my negative reinforcement is 'uh uh!' or a gasp - quickly followed by a request for a desired behavior. The gasp or uh-uh gets their attention, distracts them away from what they were doing, and then they are able to do what I ask them.

sorry for the diatribe....just felt I needed to clarify a bit.

Awwww Rusty was protecting his Mama!

edit:

Have I told y'all that a Blue Tick Hound has taken up at our house? He is a sweetheart but he eats a lot and his bark almost shakes the house. I've posted him at the Humane Society and on the fb page for announcements. I have been reduced to asking the bag boys at the grocery store if they know of anybody who has lost a dog. Anybody want a hunting dog?

joyner wrote:Awwww Rusty was protecting his Mama!

indeed! pack dynamics change the minute an owner steps in to the mix.

Lynnzoi wrote:but just heard officially that the village is being evacuated...so the boss and her hubby will head down later to check on the kitties.....

Oh that's scary. Let us know if they are ok.

dontwantaname wrote:I never crated him for punishment before.

I just hate if he fights. Especially at home. His life would be much nicer if he can run up at the park when it is possible.

I'll find out later in the week what started this. He was just SO much bigger.

I used neg reinforcement with the kids on the stuff I thought was dangerous.
Like going in the street without holding an adults hand. One smack on the butt.
It worked. Son got out of the house when he was around two. Took off on a walk. Since it never occurred to him to go in the street, he walked around the block.
I don't think any smack I ever gave Rusty was enough to hurt him.

When I know he is cranky I watch him.
I didn't know he was cranky today.

On non cranky days, everyone in the dog park could be fighting and he ignores them.

I am no expert on parenting but what I will say is that children understand the spoken word and are aware of the consequences of their actions. A smack on the butt was par for the course in my family!

As for Rusty - he is probably enjoying a sound snooze in his house Gittin into a rumble with another dog takes a lot outta ya

Maybe he wasn't being cranky - maybe that dog came up and said something Rusty didn't like..or maybe Rusty told him to piss off and the little upstart didn't listen. Maybe the little dog started it and Rusty was just puttin him in his place. If no blood was drawn then it probably wasn't too serious.

(and when I use the word 'said' I mean as in doggy body-language...just don't want anyone to think I was totally whacked)

joyner wrote:Awwww Rusty was protecting his Mama!

edit:

Have I told y'all that a Blue Tick Hound has taken up at our house? He is a sweetheart but he eats a lot and his bark almost shakes the house. I've posted him at the Humane Society and on the fb page for announcements. I have been reduced to asking the bag boys at the grocery store if they know of anybody who has lost a dog. Anybody want a hunting dog?

lucky you! a big goober hound dawg! Have you mentioned it to your mail carrier, paper delivery person, etc? And dname mentioned about a chip - have you had him scanned?

dontwantaname wrote:Usually, if I watching, I do put him in a sit if he looks like he is going to start something.



I don't like the bully part.
My social life revolves around dog people. If he ends up not being good with dogs, that is the end of real people in real life to talk to.


For example, hubby is already in bed.
I bought a six pack and chips and stuff, since he is on vacation. Figured we could watch TV.

Nope, he is asleep.

A six-pack and chips? You wild and crazy people!!!

kdccrosby wrote:Oh that's scary. Let us know if they are ok.

the rivers around here aren't expected to crest until sometime tomorrow - and a couple of them are expected to crest higher than they ever have. Most bridges are closed - I may have a hard time getting to work tomorrow. That is, if the office doesn't have an indoor swimming pool by then.

dontwantaname wrote:I'm guessing you got the rain this summer that we got.
I can see where upstate would have a problem. Lots of streams and hills.

I didn't read everything

How is your house?

just some water in the basement, and the leaky skylight. Nothing major.

dontwantaname wrote:I'm guessing you got the rain this summer that we got.
I can see where upstate would have a problem. Lots of streams and hills.

I didn't read everything

How is your house?

the Mohawk River is going to flood the historic Stockade section of Schenectady tomorrow. It floods every spring with the ice jams, but they expect this to be the worst it has ever flooded.

dontwantaname wrote:I think you should just stay here and post.
No work tomorrow.

All you board is kitties?

hah...I wish I could but...

and no, these aren't boarders. They are hospital cats and foster cats. We don't do any boarding.

dontwantaname wrote:Leaky skylight is one of the things we were going to call a roofer for anyway.
Only when it rains with wind from the east. When the rain is pushed UP the roof.
Luckly, that only happens a few times a year and it only drips.

we got everything from the north today. I kept the windows along the south side of the house open all day. The north side got pelted - prob why I got water in the basement. And I love my skylight but they really are a pita.

dontwantaname wrote:Will you flood?

no - am a couple of miles away and uphill enough from the Hudson.

My good news from a few months ago but until now was sworn to secrecy...

Poof guessed it.

dontwantaname wrote:What?

I'm joining the grandparent club.
My daughter and son-in-law are expecting in March.

Iceback wrote:I'm joining the grandparent club.
My daughter and son-in-law are expecting in March.

That's wonderful. Congratulations!!!

Iceback wrote:I'm joining the grandparent club.
My daughter and son-in-law are expecting in March.

WAHOO!!

Congrats Ice! Congrats Ice Daughter and SIL.

Thank you!
We're so excited and it's been so damned hard to keep quiet about it until we got the ok to blab!

Iceback wrote:I'm joining the grandparent club.
My daughter and son-in-law are expecting in March.

congrats!!

We paln to go up during spring break time. It should be interesting as I'm sure my ex and her husband will be there too. the ex gets all freaked out when we are all in the same room.

dontwantaname wrote:Honestly, who here knows anyone in your real life to tell?

I promised my daughter to tell no one but Mrs. Ice until tonight. She wanted to tell her mother's family at one time this weekend.