The Big Brat!
Bruce has been a BIG BRAT the last couple days. He won't lay on his mat, he ignores my calls unless food is being offered, and he stands next to the bed and pouts to see if I will let him on the bed.
BossMan and I believe this has something to do with our new little roommate....
His name is Rodgers and he is our human roomates' new dog. Now you see Rodgers is a very sweet boy who loves people, loves treats and who was supposed to love other dogs. He might like other dogs but he has a real problem with Bruce the moose.
We really can't blame him. Bruce IS a bit intimidating to most dogs BUT once a dog gets to know him he or she quickly realizes he poses absolutely no threat (he really is a joke of a dog). However, every time Bruce gets in his way, looks at him funny, gets up on "his" couch, smells his dilly dally, takes a breath or walks into a room Rodgers is on little-dog-with-small-man-complex attack mission. It's almost like he has never met Bruce before.
Doggie Alzheimer's? Who knows but Bruce is starting to not particularly enjoy it, mostly because when Rodgers would go on a rampage we were moving Bruce out of the room.... WRONG THING TO DO!!!
This is making Bruce feel like this little guy is running the house now and the little guy thinks the same thing. "Oh on the contrary my little furry friend. You are sorely mistaken!"
Our plan of attack from now on is that any time little man decides to go ape shit on Bruce he gets moved away, calmly to a "safe zone" where Bruce can't even get near him. "Not like he even wanted to Rodgers! Don't flatter yourself!" Seriously though, every dog needs a safe zone where he or she can go if feeling threatened or just uncomfortable. This can be a mat or a room where they can be alone. If the agitator is a dog or a child that agitator needs to learn to stay away from this room or this mat so the dog quickly learns this is where he or she can get away from craziness.
As for Bruce, BossMan and I will need to make sure Bruce is not the one being removed when he's not doing anything wrong just because he is the easiest to move outside. Bruce will be allowed anywhere in the house except Rodgers' bedroom. We will also work on our basic commands with high value treat rewards and A LOT of praise to keep the positive momentum going.
It's time for Bruce to shape up but he needs our help. He isn't a dominant dog at home and he is most certainly not the alpha dog in any situation so when he feels threatened he turns into a Big Brat with pouting and the like ensuing. We can't blame him though. We can only blame ourselves.
When a human child is acting up we blame the parents because the former is the product of the latter. Same goes for a fur-baby. All parents need to take responsibility for their babies, whether furry or not. It is our responsibility to make sure Bruce and Rodgers are feeling safe and secure and are also taught right from wrong!
BossMan and I believe this has something to do with our new little roommate....
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| Courtesy of Sabrina Pryce iPhone Photography! |
His name is Rodgers and he is our human roomates' new dog. Now you see Rodgers is a very sweet boy who loves people, loves treats and who was supposed to love other dogs. He might like other dogs but he has a real problem with Bruce the moose.
We really can't blame him. Bruce IS a bit intimidating to most dogs BUT once a dog gets to know him he or she quickly realizes he poses absolutely no threat (he really is a joke of a dog). However, every time Bruce gets in his way, looks at him funny, gets up on "his" couch, smells his dilly dally, takes a breath or walks into a room Rodgers is on little-dog-with-small-man-complex attack mission. It's almost like he has never met Bruce before.
Doggie Alzheimer's? Who knows but Bruce is starting to not particularly enjoy it, mostly because when Rodgers would go on a rampage we were moving Bruce out of the room.... WRONG THING TO DO!!!
This is making Bruce feel like this little guy is running the house now and the little guy thinks the same thing. "Oh on the contrary my little furry friend. You are sorely mistaken!"
Our plan of attack from now on is that any time little man decides to go ape shit on Bruce he gets moved away, calmly to a "safe zone" where Bruce can't even get near him. "Not like he even wanted to Rodgers! Don't flatter yourself!" Seriously though, every dog needs a safe zone where he or she can go if feeling threatened or just uncomfortable. This can be a mat or a room where they can be alone. If the agitator is a dog or a child that agitator needs to learn to stay away from this room or this mat so the dog quickly learns this is where he or she can get away from craziness.
As for Bruce, BossMan and I will need to make sure Bruce is not the one being removed when he's not doing anything wrong just because he is the easiest to move outside. Bruce will be allowed anywhere in the house except Rodgers' bedroom. We will also work on our basic commands with high value treat rewards and A LOT of praise to keep the positive momentum going.
It's time for Bruce to shape up but he needs our help. He isn't a dominant dog at home and he is most certainly not the alpha dog in any situation so when he feels threatened he turns into a Big Brat with pouting and the like ensuing. We can't blame him though. We can only blame ourselves.
When a human child is acting up we blame the parents because the former is the product of the latter. Same goes for a fur-baby. All parents need to take responsibility for their babies, whether furry or not. It is our responsibility to make sure Bruce and Rodgers are feeling safe and secure and are also taught right from wrong!
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