This was one of the more interesting problems thatwe were discussing on our email list. Since I do not have children I personally was at a bit of a loss how to control other people's children when the parents themselves are clueless what to do!

One of the more interesting suggestions that I decided to try was the human version of "claiming the space" that Cesar has discussed and demonstrated so many times from the end of season 2 on. It IS so very important to keep awareness of what is going on around the space one is walking in. If one practices this during the walks, one can really develope that sense when someone's attention "locks in" on you/your group. (I feel this also helps to let one know when they are being stalked by a "real" preditor - animal or dog, because so many people I see are just oblivious to who is watching them when walking).

So one of the suggestions from the discussion, that seems to work very well for me, is that when someone "locks on attention, and starts walking toward me with the dogs, is to step forward, turning the dog away from the approaching human or animal.(Claiming the space).

When I am dealing with a human, I find that raising my hand combined with the sound (I like tsst more the shh that Cesar uses) distracts the human from the dog to me. With children this effect has been even more dramatic to refocus their attention back to me where I can use my energy projection in my voice to direct them what to do next.

If the dog approaching is "controlled" by others, I find that moving my body between my dog and theirs (keeping my dog's head turned away) is effective enough. If the other dog is loose, I make sure that my dog's tail is presented to the on coming dog with no look, no touch no talk. The three times I have had to do this so far, the effect has been like pouring water on a fire - instantaneous dropping of both dog's energy and the ability to move on without confrontation!

All these pieces were learned from watching Cesar in action on the show! (and again and again on the tapes -praise technology!) Really Looking forward to other ideas from the show tonight! Hail Cesar ~ for all the little ways these small changes we make in OUR actions, can result in big differences in both our dogs and other humans!!!!

in april 2006, my family adopted a less than a year old femaile pit mix. at first, anytime another dog came around us she would lay on her back and submit. after a month or so when we went to the beach where dogs were allowed she was just the opposite. she growled and lunged at all dogs. i took her to the beginner dog training class at petco but i still fear her actions around other dogs. after adopting when we brought her home whenever my 17 & 18 year old sons(along at my husband) would come around her, she would growl, bark and the hair on the back of her neck would stand-up as well. she got over barking at my husband, in fact she becomes very excited when he comes home. due to her continuing barking/hair-raising actions towards my sons, 2 weeks ago we hired a dog trainer to come to our home for 6 more weeks of training so that the trainer could see her in action with our sons. the trainer has my sons exclusively feeding her so she may depend on them for her survival but after almost 2 weeks of them doing this i see no improvement. in fact, she is now charging at them. i hope this trainer knows what she is doing because i am concerned that her being scared of my sons will advance to her biting one of them. we have tried trying to nip-it-in-the-bud by shushing her, then we tried ignoring her, then we tried becoming angry and scolding her, then we tried where my husband would put her in a submissive position and when she calmed down have my son pet her, we had our sons walk her in the backyard, give her treats and we even tried keeping her(by leash) in the same area(loft) with them...but the moment she is allowed to get up or leave the area she is OUT OF THERE! i am becoming very desperate. she sleeps in our room in her own bed but if my sons even think about coming in my room to tell me goodbye she goes into her barking explosion(her bark is very VERY LOUD) and it echoes in my room. whenever she is in the same area, no matter where it is, as they are she barks, her hair raises and she charges at them. she is also a puller when she is on the leash. the whole 3 1/2 mile walk i go on when i am pushing my toddler in his stroller i am stopping, scolding or being pulled along with the stroller i am pushing. it is very annoying.

We have a very beautiful 2 year old malti-poo named Bailey and he also is very pushy and has a mind of his own..... he doesn't like being told what to do... but we love him with all of our heart..... just spoiled....
eve and tony

can anyone still add to this one? or is everyone going to the new ones?

Does anyone remember the name of the dog who was trained for the couple expecting their first baby? My friend is expecting her first and her daughter just bit her father when visiting. I would like to get my hands on this episode if I can. Thanks

I have a 4 year old English Bulldog named Bruiser. Ever since we've had him, he's 'humped' everyone -- visitors & family members, ANYONE. Should he see the neighbor when I take him outside, he immediately runs over and tries to 'hump' his leg. We're so embarassed we rarely have company. Anyone know how we can make him stop this behavior?

I am having an issue with a new puppy. I have a lab/retriever mix who is the best dog in the world. We just got a new puppy (mix breed) typical puppy. I am very good at training dogs but this one has me on edge He will not stop Playful biting (to humans) as if he is playing with the older dog. He chews everything which i know is part of being a puppy. He takes food out of peoples hands which drives me nuts. Now my older dog is behaving like an untrained puppy. I am pretty sure that she is doing if for attention but i am not able to give the older one attention because the puppy is all over her playing, biting her ears and such. It is rather irratating. If anyone has any help for me please help.

We have a 2 year old cockapoo who at home is mostly loving but highstrung, antisocial, and aggressive when she meets other dogs. She bit my daughter in the face last night when my daughter was lying next to her and put her hand out to pet her. I am heartsick. I am an inexperienced dog owner. Can our dog's behavior be corrected?

We have a Mati-Poo that is about 14 months old. It is impossible to play with him peacefully because he is continuosly biting. How do you train a dog not to bite?
Thanks

for R blyther

Pit-mixes can seem submissive as pups, (unless they've been encouraged to be unnessessarily vicious),but the instinct in pits tends to be defense, agression, and action.
Your pit girls behaviour could come from early life history and treatment. It seems to be "defensive warning" behaviour, mixed with some fear.
Although I understand why the trainer wants her to be fed by and around your two sons regularly, i would guess she is confused as to who is pack-leader out of you all, but instictively sees you the alpha female (head female).
When she is in the bedroom or house with you and your son or a visitor come in, it is a good idea with most breeds to have a treat (in the form of chicken pieces or beef jerky) readily available in a tub or bag, and get her attention from the object of her fear or agression. Just call her name and pretend to take a piece of meat yourself, give one to your son (or whoever) then give her one or two.
If she barks loudly and you know she hasn't any need, a bottle filled halfway with pebbles or stones can be shaken in a clenched firm hand, in a stong downward motion. The noise should distract her. If she barks again, shake the bottle a couple of times, but don't shout at her or threaten her with it.Then with a firm but level voice tell her
"quiet". If she is quieter, tell her she is a good girl and reward her with a treat.
All pit-crosses have boundless amounts of energy and can be trained (with in-car seperators)to travel out in a vehicle with their owner regularly.
This cures their need for stimulation and also protects your vehicle when you're not in it.
Allways make sure that she has water, and something to chew or play with!
Good luck.

I hope I can get a response leaving a comment here?

My jack russell is pretty good & he sometimes smells a child & out of no where he starts barking at the child scaring the child.

Then other times, he's totally good.

I believe when he starts barking at some children, these children may have anxiety or be afraid so he senses it & barks at him.

How do I stop him from randomly barking at children?

Should I maybe use a choke collar & correct the behavior when he begins to bark?

I wanted to ask about post # 20 by mldonovan. We are having simiallar problems with our Yellow Lab who is 93 lbs and 4 1/2 years old....Although he has not bitten anyone in our house hold... I was wondering if you were able to change your dogs behavior.

We have a mixed breed we rescued from the animal shelter. She's almost a year old. She constantly goes after my Shih-Tzu's tail and plays tug of war. The Shih-Tzu really doesn't think it is a fun game. I don't know how I can stop her because I can't catch her. She runs away as soon as anyone approaches. Can anyone give me some pointers?

We have a 7 year old poodle/chihuahua/pomerian mix, she's around 10 pounds. I have to watch her constantly when my grandchildren come to visit, they are almost 2, almost 3, and 7 years old. Tiffany is a nervous-type dog. I tried introducing them gently to her, but she still growls and bites (fortunately just light nips so far, no breaking of the skin). She does best with the 7 year old, but I still don't trust her completely with him. The age of a child, from crawling to toddler stage is the worst with her. I'm afraid I'm not going to be alert some time and....I hate to think. Might a muzzle work? I don't like the thought but.....I may have to resort to kenneling her for the few hours they're here every Friday night??? I tried speaking harshly to her and she acts sorry but a minute later may do the same thing again! Any help would be appreciated, I love her and I refuse to give her up! But I love my grandchildren and don't want them to get bitten and perhaps have a life-long fear of dogs! Please help!

Dear Ceasar,
I have a 5 year old Shi-tsu who bites people he does not know. He seems particularly afraid of men. He is a smart dog but very stubborn. I am house-bound so he is paper trained. He gets along well with other dogs but has to be the aggressor. I have had him neutered but it doesn't seem to help with his biting people on the leg. I don't want to have to get rid of him because of this biting busines. He will also nip at peoples heels when they are leaving. I live in a small apartment complex and once the other tentants start to complain about it, they will ask me to leave or get rid of the dog. His name is Cubby.
What should I do? Please help!

i have 6 dogs yes my family is crazy. i have 2 chihuahuas 1west highland terrier, 2 yorkie chihuahuas and a golden retriever. the newest member to the family is my 4 month old chihuahua tito. i got him a while back because of a tragety. my other recent chihuahua had been mauled by a stray dog his name was yoda. when i got back home from a school camping trip i found this new puppy tito. we all cant get over yoda but tito is a doll with a few littlew korks he has biting problems he scrapes my arms and hands up so badly i go to school with band aids all over my arms. he isnt the only problem all of the other dogs have a problem with my neighbors dogs they will run back and forth chasing them constantly and my west highland terrier wont stop barking. also my westie will snap at tito if he comes anywhere near him. my other 14 year old chihuahua will get into fights with my westie its hard to stop them. i dont know what to do and niether does my family. we need help it is so difficult and we love them too much to get rid of them. what do we do???