I Keep Bleeding Love. Help! Options

[Blade'sMama]

Thanks Neikkosmom for the advice. He is crate trained. Blade loves his crate. The prong collar has helped a good bit with the walking. He has not bitten me during walks this week at all which is a huge improvement. But off leash I still have the trouble especially when he gets wound up. He comes running at me full force and jumps at me. Yesterday he cracked my jaw a good one with his paw. He's now about 85 pounds and 27 inch at shoulders. I have seen an improvement since last week. Slow and steady I guess right?

[Neikkosmom]

Next time he comes running at you, right before he gets to you, turn your back to him so he can't body slam your front.

or when he tries the same move:

When he jumps up CROSS your arms over your chest and STEP INTO HIM, KNOCKING HIM backwards onto his rear. This might take one or two tosses back before he realizes it's not so fun to bodyslam Mommy any more. But I garauntee He'll rethink the entire idea in his moronic Head (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) ... Right now he's playing a game. It's called you are a play toy.

[Blade'sMama]

Next time he comes running at you, right before he gets to you, turn your back to him so he can't body slam your front.

or when he tries the same move:

When he jumps up CROSS your arms over your chest and STEP INTO HIM, KNOCKING HIM backwards onto his rear. This might take one or two tosses back before he realizes it's not so fun to bodyslam Mommy any more. But I garauntee He'll rethink the entire idea in his moronic Head (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) ... Right now he's playing a game. It's called you are a play toy.

Thanks for the tips. I will definitely try that tomorrow. He has been terrible with jumping at me today. He has even done it on the leash today, giving me no room to pull up on the prong collar to help stop him. GRRR.

Again, thanks for the advice. You don't know how much it means to have this site!!!

[MalsRule]

When Sebastian was at that age, I brought my knee up and his chest hit it. He squealed like a baby for a minute or two. He never did it again. After that, he would run and jump and touch his nose to my shoulder and then run off. But, it was then end of the straight jump at me.

Sheryl

[doris]

I wanted to try to ease your worry, just a little.

I found this group when Kodiak was 8 mos old. I had owned dogs for over 20 yrs, worked in a vet clinic for a few years, and also studied animal behavior, particularly dogs. I researched Malamutes off and on for 15 yrs before bringing Kodiak home. I thought I was prepared. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) I was so frustrated by his behavior that I began looking on-line for some training advice. Kodiak had been in obedience classes straight through from 3 mos to 8 mos old and he still acted just like your Blade sometimes. He was smart and learned quickly but he tried me several times a week. It might be the crazy dog on a leash, jumping and running circles or the run at Mom as fast as you can and body slam her or the I refuse to obey you today dog. I was really beginning to worry that he may grow up to be too dominant for our household.

The members at Wildpaws reassured me that he was a normal teenage Malamute (if you'd call it normal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) ). Their advice was to train with him every day, be consistent in your commands and corrections, and be patient. They know when you're aggravated with them. Kodiak's goal was to get me mad enough that I quit training. I learned to tell myself that I was more stubborn than him and that I would win. I didn't need to get mad or yell, just calmly continue with my training. By the time he was 15 mos old, he was tolerable and by 18 mos old, he was a great dog. Yeah, he'd still occasionally try us but the episodes became fewer as the years went by.

I know Blade has had bowel problems for quite a while so you have been even more diligent in getting him out for potty breaks. I also understand having kids in the house so that letting him fuss it out is hard. Maybe try taking him out to potty and then putting him back in his crate with something to chew on. I used a knotted rawhide with cheese or peanut butter stuffed in the knots. Some people use Kongs stuffed and frozen. With his iffy tummy, maybe you can freeze a little of his food in a Kong?

Hang in there. It will get better! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Blade'sMama]

Well the prong collar sure works wonders while walking him. It is definitely my new best friend, next to Blade of course, lol! As for off leash, we cannot seem to control him. I have taken him to a behavioral trainer as of late and he was concerned about the dominance/aggression so he kept him for a weekend and he has other dogs there in day care plus 17 English Mastiffs. He was worried about my Blade with my kids etc. After the weekend, the trainer explained that Blade is a really great puppy. Puppy being the key word because he is still a baby even though he doesn't look like it. He feels the problem definitely lies with us (our pack order, him using us as littermates, etc) and that Blade is by no means an aggressive dog from what he can see. He is great with other dogs, etc.

He suggested using the remote trainer method because he is so incredibly stubborn and dominant. Anyone have any luck with Mals on these collars?

[TERI]

Sheryl, I too had to turn to the knee in the chest when nothing else would stop Tallen from jumping on me.

Teach your children (and yourself) not to ASK Blade to do something, but to command or TELL HIM TO DO IT! and to use a GROWLING VOICE. Such as SIT(sharp, loud, deep growling voice), DOWN, NO, OFF, etc. (i hope this makes sence) Also make him do the command, dont let him get his way, and end training positive - with something you know he will succeed at.

My mother-in-law taught my kids to do the growly voice with her Rotties. I thought it was silly at first, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) but it does help. We all love our dogs and tend to pleed with them, asking them to do something (in hopes of success) but really we need to tell them to do it (command them) right? we must be in control!

Have you been able to read the post about alpha rules? (not too sure where it is but it is really good to practice with alpha dogs.) I constantly remind my family about the rules too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Keep up the great work, you will be rewarded.

[dalomity]

I love that you have sought out proffesional help and that the prong is helping you so well with teaching him how to walk properly on leash, it can be a great tool. I must state that I DO NOT advise at all anything off lead with the exception of in a securely fenced area! Please do not try to train him off lead without the security of a fenced in area! Mals can NEVER be trusted off leash even after you think you have done a great job with the training. As far as the remote trainer, what do you want to accomplish with that? Is that to try to get him to obey off lead? Remote trainers are ok for some things on some dogs, I don't think they work well with malamutes, they have such a high pain threshold and can not be trusted to get the desired results. I don't like remote trainers much, too many people don't know the proper use. I know of hunters that use them with good results but we are talking a whole differnt kind of dog! Keep up with conventional training please. Doris training tips and the alpha training tips are a great set of does and don'ts that have been proven to work wonderfully with our breed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Blade'sMama]

I love that you have sought out proffesional help and that the prong is helping you so well with teaching him how to walk properly on leash, it can be a great tool. I must state that I DO NOT advise at all anything off lead with the exception of in a securely fenced area! Please do not try to train him off lead without the security of a fenced in area! Mals can NEVER be trusted off leash even after you think you have done a great job with the training. As far as the remote trainer, what do you want to accomplish with that? Is that to try to get him to obey off lead? Remote trainers are ok for some things on some dogs, I don't think they work well with malamutes, they have such a high pain threshold and can not be trusted to get the desired results. I don't like remote trainers much, too many people don't know the proper use. I know of hunters that use them with good results but we are talking a whole differnt kind of dog! Keep up with conventional training please. Doris training tips and the alpha training tips are a great set of does and don'ts that have been proven to work wonderfully with our breed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

For the remote trainer, the professional trainer suggests it because of Blade's biting trouble. I don't ever have him off leash unless in a fenced area. His biting trouble occurs while off leash mostly now because the prong collar has stopped him from acting that way on leash. I have done all of Doris' alpha training tips since probably Blade was 4 mos. As said earlier, also done 16 weeks of obedience training and eventually turned to this new trainer that cannot understand why he is acting this way other than that we are his toys/littermates, and that he rules the roost. No growling voice, stern movements, gestures stop him, we've tried it all. It works somewhat with my husband, (being the male and supposed alpha) but not always. The trainer believes the remote trainer is necessary to attempt given the fact we are all being bitten as a result of Blade's lack of bite inhibition.

[Patty & Bill]

Please please please reconsider the the shock collar. What is it with so called dog trainers and shock collars anyway?? Malamutes do not do well with negative reinforcementt!!

I think you need another trainer.

[Blade'sMama]

Please please please reconsider the the shock collar. What is it with so called dog trainers and shock collars anyway?? Malamutes do not do well with negative reinforcementt!!

I think you need another trainer.

Believe me, I've tried my best to train Blade with positive reinforcement. But, he doesn't let up. Pushing him back, kneeing him in the chest, makes him come back harder, bite harder. I really feel its dominance. Not aggression because he is not a mean dog. If anyone can suggest any other means of training, I am totally open. We have not started training with the remote trainer yet.

[dalomity]

I really don't believe that the remote trainer will have the desired results you are looking for. I agree with your trainer so much as the problem is he needs to understand his boundries. I don't know but I would guess you are not being consistant with his training. Keep up the alpha training consistantly and correct bad behavior consistantly and you will be rewarded for it even though it can seem like forever with a pig headed dog (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Blade'sMama]

I am doing my absolute best that I can with the training. Alpha training is used always. I work part time at home in the wee morning hours so I am around all day to give ample exercise, training, etc. Both trainers I have been in contact with cannot believe with the amount obedience training, time I have spent, that we still have this problem. Blade knows his commands. He does great with them. But when it comes to the rule of no biting, I can't seem to fix him. The only thing that has come close is the bitter apple, but even after a few whiffs, sprays towards his mouth, he tolerates it just to sink his teeth into me. I am bruised and at wits end. If anyone has any other avenues to research before trying remote training, I would love to check them out.

[doris]

When Kodiak was 15 months old and just getting to where I felt he was consistently obedient, I wondered to myself if I would be willing to do it again if something happened to him. At that point, I had serious doubts if I would be ready to jump right back into Malamute puppyhood. I love dogs and have a lot of experience but owning your first Mal can be a VERY trying experience. To give you hope, by the time he was 2 yrs old, he was an awesome dog.

Malamutes are very smart but can be very stubborn. Kodiak used to try me almost to the breaking point before giving in. There were times I felt he knew just how far to push. They learn quickly but will keep trying you, even with repeated corrections, to see just how far they can get.

I'm glad to hear you consulted a behavorist. I did too, when Kodiak was close to Blade's age. I had the same concerns about his behavor and the behavorist assured me he wasn't aggressive, just super bonded to his Mom to the point of being overprotective at times.

I read something once that said Malamutes are one of the breeds that you can gauge their obedience by the distance from their owner. Meaning, if you have them on a leash or are right beside them, they listen well but the further you are from them, the less they listen. That was Kodiak! In our off-leash training, he knew when he had a long line on and when he didn't. He also knew when he was in a fenced area and when he wasn't. I never had to chase him down but he would hesitate just enough to let me know I wasn't in control.

My solution was tethering. Kodiak was on a leash or line when he was in the house and I couldn't give him absolute supervision. If we had guests, he was tethered, if I was cooking dinner, he was tethered. If I knew I was going to stay in one room, I would tether him to a heavy piece of furniture. He didn't get to run free in the house during the day when the kids were also running around unless I could be right there. My goal was to prevent bad habits instead of having to fix them. It got to the point that I could put Kodiak's leash on, tell him down, and he would lay there and fall asleep, even though he wasn't actually tied to anything.

You're going to need to figure out a correction for the biting that makes an impact. If the Bitter Apple isn't working, try the vinager, or hot sauce. Make sure you get his mouth and not his eyes. Everyone who is a target for biting gets a bottle and uses it everytime with the same correction word. Try to pinpoint triggers for the biting, like the kids coming home from school, hubby coming home from work, after Blade's naptime or dinnertime, etc. (We already know about the walking trigger.) Try to prevent the triggers or look for ways to distract him with toys, chews, games, tethering, etc. It is a habit now. It takes a month of NO backsliding to break a habit so the goal is to try to take away his ability to start biting. That may mean crating, tethering, or being quick with the physical correction to stop it before it starts. Another thought is to crate or isolate him everytime he bites. Use the correction word and immediately put him in a room with the door closed or in his crate. Don't keep talking, just the correction word and then silently isolate him. For some dogs, that is the worse punishment.

The remote collar may work, if used correctly. The thing to remember is that Malamutes have a high pain threshold and also have very thick fur that may have to be shaved to allow the probes to make skin contact. The real concern is that he turns the play biting into aggresion or destruction if he feels physical pain when he is wound up enough to bite. If you decide to go that route, be sure to get instruction from a qualified trainer who can give you referrals of past clients. Also remember that you will eventually have to wean him off the collar and your trainer should have plans for how you will do that.

I sympathize with you. I so remember this time and the frustration and worry. Kodiak got 3 fast walks a day up until he was 18 mos old along with at least one playtime in the backyard each day. I found the more exercise he got, the better he was in the house. We also tried to fit in hikes or other outings on the weekends to help stimulate his brain and keep him from getting bored. I hope you can find the solution that will work for you. Once you are past this point, you have many years of living with an awesome dog waiting for you!

[dalomity]

I hope you understand I didn't mean to make you feel bad, I just know mals can be incredibly stubborn and your Blade is sure testing your limits. I know it must be very difficult and I want to encourage you to keep going with what you have learned from your trainer and the board and not to give up (consistency) because you will be rewarded in the end (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)