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Subject: Behavior Problem that I cant Fix

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Tank24

Rattie

03/31/2008 9:38 PM
Ive had Tank since he was 8 weeks old, he is now 1 year old, I also have 2 cats that I have had since i got him, every once in a while you will catch them sleeping together but when he wants to play i cant stop him from bothering the cats, Ive been telling him NO KITTY now for 10 months, lol, even the cat hurting him wont stop him, every once in a while ill hear him yelp because the cat gets him good, And i know he knows he isnt supposed to do that beacause when i raise my voice he stops and walks to me slowly as to say he was sorry but as soon as i turn my head BAM off to the kitty again, lol, is there any training technique that i should know about?

rattytatty

Training Moderator

03/31/2008 9:47 PM
You need to teach the "leave it" command. The goal of teaching your dog to "leave it" is to stop him from taking something into his mouth or investigating something questionable (such as a cat. LOL). Dogs that have already picked up an item are given a different command of "drop it" or "give." The "leave it" command is a very valuable communication to impart to your dog, as it will help him learn what is appropriate to chew and may keep him from consuming something harmful or toxic. It will also help him learn what is appropriate to bother... and what isn't. One method to teach your dog to "leave it" is to start by letting him play with a favorite toy for a few minutes while wearing his leash. Introduce a new item by tossing it into his field of vision. Most dogs will show some interest in the new item and will want to investigate. As he approaches, give the command "leave it." Until the command is understood, natural curiosity will prevail; so gently arrest his investigations by using the leash to keep him from advancing. Give him a reward (yummy treat) for responding as desired and then let him play with his toy again. Repeat the exercise and use a few different items. Once he stops on hearing the command, try the exercise without the leash. Another method uses food. Place a treat in your hand. Allow the dog to sniff your hand so he knows there is a treat. Close your hand around the treat and say, "leave it." Keep your hand held out. Your dog may lick at your hand, paw at your hand, or even nudge you to try to get you to give up the goods. Don't cave in and don't repeat the command. You only need to say, "leave it" once. If you keep repeating a word, the dog will not understand that it is a command. As soon as your dog turns away, immediately praise her and give him the treat. Continue to do this exercise over and over until your dog turns away as soon as you say, "leave it." You will be happy when you can stop your dog from investigating the garbage, feces, a dead animal, or a box of mouse poison... or from bothering your cat... so take the time to teach your dog to "leave it." The way to success in teaching your dog tricks is patience, practice, praise, and persistence. Every step in the right direction should be rewarded as though he has just won the lottery. Make the training fun...

~Nora~ Mom to Hoss, Lil'Bit, Buster & Bailey, CGC, NA, NAJ

bunky8384

Obsessed

03/31/2008 9:53 PM
Thanks Nora! We just got Lucy(9 weeks old) and are working on teaching her what is acceptable chewing behavior. This command should work nicely!! My almost 1 year old son cries every time I say NO to her in my stern voice. Sigh... so I have been trying to think of another way. Sorry for the hijack!

~Ashlee~ Mommy to Rylee & Gavin Fur babies: Shiloh, Marvin, Charlie and Lucy

Tank24

Rattie

03/31/2008 9:53 PM
thanks ill do that, ive tought him sit, lay, shake, & speak, all of them i tought him in 1 session, he is very smart so hopfully that shouldnt be a problem.

tauney4

Pack Leader

03/31/2008 9:54 PM
tauney always chases my cats and htey are used to it htey just get to the point that they jump up somewhere and then stare at her.

Tank24

Rattie

03/31/2008 9:54 PM
also i did teach him to sit and lay but only when i have a treat, lol i cant get him to sit or lay when something else is going on unless i have a treat.

Tank24

Rattie

03/31/2008 9:56 PM
yeah my female cat jumps somewhere and stares at him but my male cat will fight him, one time i herd Tank yelping and i went to check it out and the cat had smaked him and got his nail stuck in tanks side, lol but that doesnt stop him

tauney4

Pack Leader

03/31/2008 10:00 PM
my cats are just used to her so it doesn't bother them. when they play it is the rattie 500 in my house.

Amy

Rat-A-Tat-Tat

04/01/2008 3:16 PM
Yaz and my cat play/fight something awful. It used to scare us. Now we laugh at it. They both get hurt but they both seem to enjoy it so much. Once Claude(cat)has had enough he jumps up on the kitchen table or kitchen island and stares at Yaz. As a matter of fact...right now Yaz is baiting the cat. She is rolling around on the floor in front of him growling softly. Next thing to happen will be Claude muckling on to Yaz's neck with his teeth. They do this over and over.

thecunninghams5.shutterfly.com

winnihoohoo

Bratty Ratty

04/01/2008 3:46 PM
Yeah, they are like little kids..Tell him to get the kitty. and he will look at you. like"what?" I have always had to get onto mine for that. My husband is always telling them to get the kitty, and they do the rattie head tilt, and walk away....

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