How can I get my dog to like/obey me more dog health advice plz?
May 3, 2010 by admin
Filed under Dog Health
I live in a house of 5 people (mum, 3 brothers and me). I believe my dog like me as much as my mum, but no-where near as much as one of my brothers.
She does obey most of my commands and is very compassionate towards me, however whenever that brother is home she’s stuck to him like glue. I am currently not working and so have lots of time to spend with my dog.
I cannot get the dog to go on walks with me though – that brother always has to come with me. And because of that my dog is starting to put on some weight.
Also my dog keeps licking her paws for hours and sometimes it seems she’s chewing them and she makes them bleed. The vet says she’s allergic to something but nothing he gives her works.
Thanks in advance for any help and advice.
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I don’t think you can make a dog like you more then the person they have chosen as their “alpha dog”. However if you did attend some obedience classes you may find it easier to work with her and have her obey/follow your lead more.
As far as the paws go – are you walking in areas where there may be chemicals/fertilizer etc. ? Some books recommend checking your dogs pads after every walk – is it her pads or the tops of her paws?
That’s kind of the same situation I’m in. It’s just that I’m the brother that the dog usually sticks to like a glue, I have no idea why really, from the day we brought her home, she sticked to me. However, it’s maybe because I’m usually the one that pets her the most, I take her out for walks, my walks are the biggest she gets out of my other family members, and I’m the one that feeds her (Changes her water, her food, etc) I would say that if you keep that dog with you and next to you all the long while your brother is away, the dog could have more compassion to you as well. Giving your dog some cookies throughout the day helps a lot, however, remember not to over feed it with them, as they contain flour which isn’t the best thing for dogs. It’s usually up to 3 treats per day for a small dog, 5 a day for a normal sized dog and up to 8 per day for a big dog. I have a normal sized dog (German Shepherd) and I usually give her only 3 a day maximum.
Attach the leash to the belt loop in your pants and when you walk around the house, she has to come with you. Bribe her with little treats or the smell of one when she “heels” next to you.
As far as not coming on walks with you, she’s not the alpha so she doesn’t get to choose when she goes on walks or who she goes with. You need to establish a leading role, and making her go for walks where and when YOU want to go will make her start to learn.
For the licking the paws thing…. it could be an anxiety thing. Dogs are known to start habits because of insecureness and won’t get off them until they learn otherwise. Try putting booties on her paws or some of that anti-bite nasty tasting stuff that parents get for their kids who won’t stop biting their nails. Or when she starts to lick, get her attention to do something else. Throw a toy for her or call her over to you. Don’t reward her for it, but keep her attention off of her paws.
Give her a sense of place by becoming the alpha.
Hope this helped.
Just like people, you might not be able to ‘make’ her ‘love’ you more than anyone else, but it sounds like she does like you, and that’s a start. If you have a lot of time, what will help is if you be her primary caretaker for a while – meaning all food comes from you, all play time comes from you, etc. You will have to MAKE her go on walks with you.
I’m not saying the rest of the family ignores or abuses the dog, but most of the ‘fun’ stuff should come from you for a while. What would really be great is if you can sign up for a group obedience class (even if she laready knows her stuff) because that is a great way for a dog to bond with her owner.
Please don’t take it personally if the dog likes your brother best. She doesn’t mean to hurt your feelings! Dogs aren’t wired that way!