QUESTION:
My dog barks, growls and snaps at my husband when he comes close to me. Yet he loves my husband at other times. What can I do?
ANSWER:
We must change your dog's emotions as well as his behavior. The goal is creating a dog who adores it when your husband approaches you. Begin the training with your husband far enough away from you that your dog doesn't act rude. Reward your dog as your husband approaches. Start by hand-feeding your dog. Put his daily food portions in baggies. Hold a baggie. Have your husband approach. He should stay far enough away that your dog won't be upset. Your dog must be on the floor so don't hold him. Throw him his meal and praise him for not being bratty. If he barks or tenses his body, you and your husband leave the room and your dog loses his meal. Next time your husband must stay farther away.
Each session, your husband should move an inch closer to you while you throw food and sweet talk your dog for being nice. Eventually, your husband can be the one to throw the food. Until your dog loves to have your husband close to you, follow these steps and don't feed him from a bowl. You're wasting a dog's most therapeutic behavior changing tool! Don't try to rush. Progress by taking baby steps.
If you're punishing your dog, stop! This will only make the situation worse. Use honey, not vinegar. Good luck to you, your husband and your marriage.
Carole Schatz
Behavior Solutions in Sunny San Diego
Teaching pets and their people since '79
Do you have a question for Carole? You can reach her at the email address listed on her resume. Perhaps she will use it in an upcoming article on this Web site.