How to Train Your Dog to Stay Off the Couch Unless Invited

Hello Darryl, The lunging on leash can either be due to leash reactivity - which tends to just happen on leash and pup be fine when actually meeting another dog up close or off-leash, or it can be one of several different types of aggression. I would need more information about how pup does with other dogs in various situations or to observe pup in person to be able to tell you for sure which it is. For a dog with any question in this area, I would start socialization in environments that are more structured first. Even having a play date in a private fence with just one other social dog tends to be a better way to ease into socialization than the dog park because of how highly arousing a dog park is, and the likelihood of another dog starting a fight and your dog jumping in, even if your dog wasn't the one to start it. If you can find a G.R.O.W.L. class in your area, that's how I would usually address pup's socialization and reactivity or aggression first. Once pup has gone through that class, then dog walking or hiking groups, local obedience classes where pup can be around other dogs, practicing pup's obedience with other dogs in the background, somewhere like a regular park, or outside the dog park but not in the fenced area with the other dogs, helping pup just learn to get desensitized to seeing the other dogs through the fence and be calm around them first. If pup is doing really well, then I would have a playdate with a friend and their dog or couple of dogs, who you know have good doggie social skills, for your dog to learn and practice without as much arousal. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

March 3, 2022

Hello, Check out the article linked below. Starting today, use the "Bite Inhibition" method. BUT at the same time, begin teaching "Leave It" from the "Leave It" method. As soon as pup is good as the Leave It game, start telling pup to "Leave It" when he attempts to bite or is tempted to bite. Reward pup if he makes a good choice. If he disobeys your leave it command, use the Pressure method to gently discipline pup for biting when you told him not to. The order or all of this is very important - the Bite Inhibition method can be used for the next couple of weeks while pup is learning leave it, but leave it will teach pup to stop the biting entirely. The pressure method teaches pup that you mean what you say without being overly harsh - but because you have taught pup to leave it first, pup clearly understands that you are not just roughhousing (which is what pup probably thinks most of the time right now), so it is more effective. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite I would also work on teaching the Out command, and then use the section from the article on How to Use Out to Deal with Pushiness, to enforce it when pup doesn't listen, especially around other animals or kids. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Another important part of this is puppy learning bite inhibition. Puppies have to learn while young how to control the pressure of their mouths - this is typically done through play with other puppies. See if there is a puppy class in your area that comes well recommended and has time for moderated off-leash puppy play. If you can't join a class, look for a free puppy play group, or recruit some friends with puppies to come over if you can and create your own group. You are looking for puppies under 6 months of age - since young puppies play differently than adult dogs. Moderate the puppies' play and whenever one pup seems overwhelmed or they are all getting too excited, interrupt their play, let everyone calm down, then let the most timid pup go first to see if they still want to play - if they do, then you can let the other puppies go too when they are waiting for permission. Finding a good puppy class - no class will be ideal but here's what to shoot for: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/puppy-classes-when-to-start/ When pup gets especially wound up, he probably needs a nap too. At this age puppies will sometimes get really hyper when they are overtired or haven't had any mental stimulation through something like training. When you spot that and think pup could be tired, place pup in their crate or an exercise pen with a food stuffed Kong for a bit to help him calm down and rest. Finally, check out the PDF e-book downloads found on this website, written by one of the founders of the association of professional dog trainers, and a pioneer in starting puppy kindergarten classes in the USA. Click on the pictures of the puppies to download the PDF books: https://www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads/ Know that mouthiness at this age is completely normal. It's not fun but it is normal for it to take some time for a puppy to learn self-control well enough to stop. Try not to get discouraged if you don't see instant progress, any progress and moving in the right direction in this area is good, so keep working at it. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Feb. 11, 2022