Independent Poodle Pup

stellasfamily · 08-19-2007, 04:10 PM

Our family has had several dogs over the years and recently lost our FANTASTIC 12 year old toy poodle. We now have a new female, 4 month old toy that we bought about 4 weeks ago. She is very independent, won't come when encouraged or called and basically wants to be left alone. This is making it very difficult to house train her, teach her to kennel etc. Any ideas on where to go from here would be greatly appreciated.
THANKS

Dogstar · 08-19-2007, 04:41 PM

What are you using as a reinforcer (reward- are you using treats, toys, what?) with her?

I'd strongly recommend a good positive obedience class with an experienced trainer for one thing, and tethering for a second.

stellasfamily · 08-19-2007, 05:15 PM

THANKS!!
We've tried treats, tethering etc.
I'm beginning to think it's a dominance thing and that she needs a little "momma dog" talking to.

Dogstar · 08-21-2007, 03:41 PM

I'd actually disagree - speaking from experience, the sort of 'diffident, independent' personalities oftne come around best WITHOUT that- dominence stuff convinces them that you're scary, unpredictable, and not worth bothering with.

I'd start by doing NILIF- all good things come from you. Is she sitting yet? If she's not, just require proximity (that she come within, say, 4' of you to start with- you can tighten this up over 5-8 days till she's automatically coming in front of you or to heel position, but you don't have to do this last bit) for good stuff. I *would* find some treats she'd like- try freeze-dried liver or tiny cubes of hard cheese like cheddar. In addition to that, I'd tether her- and I'd try that for at LEAST 3 weeks before deciding it wasn't working. If she's not in the crate, she's on a leash, and if you're not watching her very closely, I'd keep the tether pretty short. Good chewies (marrow bones) only on that short tether with you (again, associate your presence with good stuff.) Make sure you- and especially no one else in your family- is EVER calling her to do things she won't want to- reel her in with the leash or go pick her up to bring her indoors after a potty break or play session outside, before getting in the car, before going to the groomer, before going in her crate, etc.

Subtle dominance stuff- and NILIF *IS* dominance, but in a less flashy sense than the 'roll the dog on his back till he pees' macho male crap. NILIF is about controlling resources, which really is the measure of dominance if you actually READ the studies on wolves. Anything more overt, frankly, I think you're not going to have success with- after all, right now, this pup doesn't WANT to be part of your pack! Giving her more structure AND a chance at good stuff will do MUCH more good than anything physical or arbitrary (from her point of view) like ignoring any interaction SHE initiates making her follow behind you through doors or making her get out of the way every time you cross a room (these are things that are commonly recommended by dominence trainers. I want to know where the wild wolfpacks are going through doors.) Instead, reward the good behaviors -even if you get them rarely at first (and if you only get them rarely? JACKPOT them- LOTS of treats or a really good play session (especially if she likes to chase and bite toys like fleece toys dragged on the floor, that's a great reward) playing the way SHE likes to play- and you'll start seeing the good behaviors more.