Dog training help after divorce.

Jo_2k

I've never posted in this section before so would firstly like to say hi to everyone :wave:

I'm looking for some help and advice regarding my 3 and a half yr old cockerpoo. He is a little gem and I love him to bits but since I have got divorced and the ex moved out I think he now thinks he is the leader of the pack and I am having a lot of problems with him.

The main issues are that he jumps up at people when they come in and dives all over the sofas (which he knows he isn't allowed on). He pulls on his lead really badly and possibly the most worrying thing is that he starts barking really loudly if a man hugs me or kisses me in the house. I'm really worried about finding a new partner and bringing him home for these reasons.

Just wondered if anyone can offer me any help. I can't afford to pay for training sessions as money is tight since my divorce.

Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Jo

sarabe

The problems you are having can be easily rectified with training.

Forget the leader of the pack stuff. As this article explains, and as you have discovered, it can cause more harm than good.

http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/why-wont-dominance-die

Prevent him getting on the furniture, make it rewarding for him to be in his bed or on the floor, shut him behaind a stair gate when you have visitors and reward calm behaviour.

Get him a crate and teach him to love going in there and settling down in there so that when you have company he doesn't get fretful. Dogs don't do hugging and kissing so when they see us doing it they think we are fighting or playing, hence their reaction. You can get them used to it but I'm guessing he wasn't used to it as a pup if you have just got divorced.

Teach him to walk nicely on the lead. A mekuti balance harness is one of the best in my experience. http://www.mekuti.co.uk/harness_shop.htm