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  #1  
Old February 6th, 2013, 10:26 AM
Kootney girl Kootney girl is offline
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New dog barks at husband

Hello, I need some help. A week a go we brought a 5 month Chihuahua/pug into our home, he bonded with me and my young daughters right away. He is also great with our cats and dog, my problem is when my husband comes home from work (he is away from the house about 12-13 hours a day) and in the mornings the pup will bark like mad and run either under the bed or outside. This behavior continues for a bit. What can we do to get this under control?
TIA Cheryl
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Old February 6th, 2013, 01:29 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
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Do you know if the puppy was abused by a man before you got him ? How about taking one of your husband old t shirt that still has his B O and putting it in the puppy's bed so he will at least get use to your husband body sense.
Maybe this help the puppy get use to him. Your husband should get down on the floor and play the puppy and not stand over him while talking to him if he does this.
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Old February 6th, 2013, 11:22 PM
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tenderfoot tenderfoot is offline
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Keep the pup on the leash when hubby comes home so he doesn't learn to habituate the behavior of running and hiding when he enters the room.

Then after hubby has a chance to relax and unwind, he needs to take the leash and bring the pup up on the couch or get on the floor with him and just relax. Do not let then pup leave the area (hence the leash). Hubby needs to NOT pressure the pup into interacting with him. Simply be together and try to relax. When the pup gets brave and shows interest he can gently rib the side of the pups face and then stop. Then a few minutes later do it again. Each time the pup realizes he means no harm and it actually feels good, he relaxes and starts to breathe. Hubby needs to become his safe, big friend and then we can look at creating a relationship built on love, trust and respect. But right now we have to focus on trust.

It would be good for you to show the puppy that you trust your hubby as well. When he sees you are happy to see him, and you enjoy his company then the pup will watch and reflect that too.

Be sure NOT to coo at the pup when he is acting nervous. Only praise him when he is acting brave - reward that!!

It can be frustrating and challenging to work with such a sensitive and reactive little guy. I just worked with a little 6 yr old Chihuahua who ALWAYS has to be muzzled and tranquilized to get his nails done. Today, with the right prep work and no muzzle or tranq's, I did his nails in seconds and he didn't fuss once. I point this out because if you do things the right way you can get great changes quickly.
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Old February 7th, 2013, 11:02 AM
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marko marko is offline
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I have edited the thread title so that it can be more easily found.

Tenderfoot training can correct me if I'm wrong, but it might not be a bad thing, when the puppy is calm, that the puppy SEE hubby preparing and giving the food during one of the mealtimes.

The "food giver", in the mind of a dog is usually an important and likeable person in its life.
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Old February 7th, 2013, 07:08 PM
Kootney girl Kootney girl is offline
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Thank you all for all the information! I am sure the next days off (hubby is off) they will make great progress.
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  #6  
Old February 7th, 2013, 08:40 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marko View Post
I have edited the thread title so that it can be more easily found.

Tenderfoot training can correct me if I'm wrong, but it might not be a bad thing, when the puppy is calm, that the puppy SEE hubby preparing and giving the food during one of the mealtimes.

The "food giver", in the mind of a dog is usually an important and likeable person in its life.
you got that right about the food giver being an important and like able person in a pet life. My daughter feed the family's cat and the cat will wake her up at 5:30 AM by meowing in her face and not bother my daughter's husband.
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Old February 8th, 2013, 06:32 PM
shoutingwind shoutingwind is offline
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Bella had a similar problem, before i got her she had been kept away from men and taught to distrust them. I found that by touching her and the man she was barking at, and getting the man to crouch at her level she would then sniff them and after a few min she would decide she likes them and be all smoochy.
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