rescue Merlin going on 48 hour Shunning

sab3mmom

sab3mmom

Well-Known Member
Owned by
2 cockers
Part of the NILIF program. The sitting for supper and such was working until tonight. He attacked Monte Kibbles and that's soooo not right with me. He's been leaving Coco alone or I have been been successful in keeping Coco out of the line of fire but tonight the pretty one crossed the line. You DID NOT attack my Monte Kibbles! OMG. No blood and Monte gave as good as he got but Merlin must be put in his place ASAP or earlier! I have a 3-day week-end so beginning Friday this little dog is going on the extreme NILIF program. NO cuddling, no calling his name, no going out unless on-leash, no sleeping with me. I am going to be utilitarian at best. YOU don't exist dog until you learn to behave! This is gonna hurt ME way more than HIM! I have never done this before so say a prayer for the two of us if you think of it. No matter the outcome, he is home so don't worry about that. We WILL work it out.
 
Sharon,

he needs to eat in a crate for the safety of himself and the others.

Get out the supersoaker, and if he even thinks about being a peckerhead shoot him in the hiney. Put him in a down and don't look at him.

Now I know sometimes some dogs that are ill can get picked on, sort of survival of the fittest, could there be something going on medically with Monte? Don't get in the middle of a dog fight with your hands, but do do something to deter it.

spraying an air freshener in the general area above their heads will cause the dogs to sneeze and a sneezing dog can not bite. Also keep him on a tether if he can't be trusted.

He needs some behavior modification that might be a little more extensive than NILIF.

Hang in there... but pushy dogs need a special way of handling.
 
How much exercise does Merlin get? If Lexi isn't stimulated enough mentally or physically she starts to get herself in trouble.

You can also make him work for his food more than just the sit/stay before eating; he can work (sit, stay, down, come, whatever else he knows) for all of it little by little.
 
Sharon, don't give into him. We're here for morale support.
 
{{{Sharon}}}
I agree with Manuel, we are here for you. And I would follow Linny's advice for his sake and the sake of the rest of your furry famly.
 
Fostermom said:
he needs to eat in a crate for the safety of himself and the others.

Get out the supersoaker, and if he even thinks about being a peckerhead shoot him in the hiney. Put him in a down and don't look at him.

Now I know sometimes some dogs that are ill can get picked on, sort of survival of the fittest, could there be something going on medically with Monte? Don't get in the middle of a dog fight with your hands, but do do something to deter it.

spraying an air freshener in the general area above their heads will cause the dogs to sneeze and a sneezing dog can not bite. Also keep him on a tether if he can't be trusted.

He needs some behavior modification that might be a little more extensive than NILIF.

Hang in there... but pushy dogs need a special way of handling.
Click to expand...

Actually Merlin's not as bad as Maxwell was when he first came home. Maxwell did nearly go back to rescue.

They all have their own feeding stations - not close to each other and I supervise.

Thinking about the attack on Monte I'm wondering if Merlin was reacting to Monte's habit of growling over his toys. Monte will sit and growl until I pick it up and play fetch with him...still it's gotta stop! And I LOVE the air freshener idea!!!!
 
Hang in there Sharon. I had to give Bailey a few days of NILIF and it about killed me when he would bring me a toy and stare up at me with those big brown eyes, and I had to ignore him. Not as severe as Merlin's problems but it worked.
 
sab3mmom said:

Thinking about the attack on Monte I'm wondering if Merlin was reacting to Monte's habit of growling over his toys. Monte will sit and growl until I pick it up and play fetch with him...still it's gotta stop! And I LOVE the air freshener idea!!!!
Click to expand...

Sounds like Hannah, she "talks" to her toys and is very vocal with other dogs and that is sometimes taken by other dogs as aggression, she does this while play bowing and bouncing around so it is very confusing to other dogs.

As far as the NILIF, called Bootcamp around here, it does work. Hang in there and put blinders on to those cocker peepers...no matter how soulful and pleading.
 
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Sharon, I think you need to follow the NILIF program to a T. That includes no unsolicited attention (they *must* do something first, like a sit or a down), no time on the couch or the bed, and tethering. When a dog is having issues, whether it's with humans or other dogs, it needs to be taken seriously and dealt with appropriately.

Merlin has to learn the house rules, and he has to know that they must be followed all the time, not just when it's convenient for him.
 
I'm not sure the tethering to me is right for a dog who wants to be the only one close to me - counterproductive perhaps? I don't want to reinforce that thought in his little head. I have been for the past few days putting him in his bed and he seems to know he has to ask for permission to come up. Head all ducked but scritching gently on side of the bed....escort back to his own bed. In the a.m. I still find him snuggled at my side sandwiched between Mozie and Charlie. He seems to love Mozie but Mozie cannot be bothered with him except when running in the backyard. The two of them curl into a pile of speckles frequently but it's odd - Mozie will make over Coco and clean Charlie's ears but he cannot be bothered with Merlin. Mozie won't attack but he shuns way better than I ever could!
 
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