Making great progress

[StarFox]

Well for some reason lately Zebra has been the best dog ever! I think he is finally starting to calm down and not still in his adolecent/play stage. For the last 2 years we have had a huge problem with him wanting to be "top dog" and guarding items and snapping. He mostly snapped at me because he was testing his position in the house. Well we have been having major breakthrews with him lately. I can literally take things from his mouth that he is "guarding" without him snapping or even a growl!

Also after 2 and a half years of tying to get him in a down stay he has finally mastered it and will stay in a down stay untill I give him the "up" command.

It's been a long time for me to learn how to deal with him but I think we both have figured out what we need to do. I'm very happy with my Zebra. :D

[Cairn6]

Alright!!It's always wonderful when you get a breakthrough. I am very happy for you and for Zebra. They just want to please us and it's up to us to figure out a way to help them understand. And you did it!! Good for you.

[Cairn6]

I forgot to mention don't let up on him. He might try to test you again just to be sure the rules are the same. But you can get him back on track quickly. I have had similar difficulties with Toto my cairn. Right around 10 months my sweet little boy turned into a beast. :lol: I had always been able to take away anything but this one day I went to get him out from under the bed and he had a chew bone and I didn't realize it and he didn't just snap he bit me a good one. I was bleeding all down my arm. That is when I learned about NILIF. Thank God for that. Now I can pick up anything without worrying. He's almost 5 now and a couple of times since he has tried to growl at me when picking something up and we get right back on track. It's my fault because as he does better I will get easy on him and he takes full advantage of that.

[imported_Kat]

Great to hear that Zebra is settling down :wink:

[MajiesMom]

That's awesome!

[Guest Anonymous]

ok