200 lbs. and out of control!

[HeatherD92]

Hello! I'm asking for advice for my mother. She has a male EM approaching 1 year old, Ruger, and a female EM that turns 3 next month, Sasha. She's not like me, she insists her dogs be outside, she works full time which leaves little to no time for her 2 EM's. He is either 200 lbs. or close to it, extremely big boy! But given the improper socialization he has had so far he is absolutely out of control. She blames it on him being a "puppy," and he can't help it -- but I know that's her not wanting to put the blame on herself. He knows ZERO commands, he is the one in control and he knows it, HE walks YOU and about broke my arm when I attempted working with him for her the other day. It's so terrible I can't have my children in their backyard at the same time as Ruger (the EM) because he tackles them and sits on top of them. There isn't an aggressive bone in his body, but he's so big now, what advice can I give my mom to help?


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[Nik]

Hello! I'm asking for advice for my mother. She has a male EM approaching 1 year old, Ruger, and a female EM that turns 3 next month, Sasha. She's not like me, she insists her dogs be outside, she works full time which leaves little to no time for her 2 EM's. He is either 200 lbs. or close to it, extremely big boy! But given the improper socialization he has had so far he is absolutely out of control. She blames it on him being a "puppy," and he can't help it -- but I know that's her not wanting to put the blame on herself. He knows ZERO commands, he is the one in control and he knows it, HE walks YOU and about broke my arm when I attempted working with him for her the other day. It's so terrible I can't have my children in their backyard at the same time as Ruger (the EM) because he tackles them and sits on top of them. There isn't an aggressive bone in his body, but he's so big now, what advice can I give my mom to help?


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Oh boy. This is rough. It sounds like she doesn't know how to train him. First I would look up NILF training. It is great and I have found all my dogs responded to it pretty instantly. If you look it up on youtube there are some pretty good videos out there that explain it.

But, really given that she doesn't seem to know how to train him she should really sign up for some classes so they can teach her how to teach him.

How is her female EM? She isn't wrong about a 1 year old still being very very puppy. But, he really should know his basic commands at this point and it worries me that he doesn't. At 1 years old I'm not even sure where to start. I guess I would say

1. Start using NILF - he doesn't get anything he likes (attention, meals, treats, toys, etc. until he does something she asks).

2. Start working on the following basic commands asap: Sit, Down, Stay, Wait, Come, Place (example - go to your bed). If she can get a really good sit, down and place then she can use that when people come over to have him stay in his place. Also "off" so he doesn't jump on people. And Leave it for his own safety.

 

[HeatherD92]

Oh boy. This is rough. It sounds like she doesn't know how to train him. First I would look up NILF training. It is great and I have found all my dogs responded to it pretty instantly. If you look it up on youtube there are some pretty good videos out there that explain it.

But, really given that she doesn't seem to know how to train him she should really sign up for some classes so they can teach her how to teach him.

How is her female EM? She isn't wrong about a 1 year old still being very very puppy. But, he really should know his basic commands at this point and it worries me that he doesn't. At 1 years old I'm not even sure where to start. I guess I would say

1. Start using NILF - he doesn't get anything he likes (attention, meals, treats, toys, etc. until he does something she asks).

2. Start working on the following basic commands asap: Sit, Down, Stay, Wait, Come, Place (example - go to your bed). If she can get a really good sit, down and place then she can use that when people come over to have him stay in his place. Also "off" so he doesn't jump on people. And Leave it for his own safety.

Very helpful advice! Thankyou! It's just getting her to dedicate the hours! Sasha the 3 year old is a perfect lady and calm, she was never so rambunctious and basically trained herself. I just hate that she didn't start earlier with Ruger, because the road ahead is tough! Thanks again!


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[Hector]

Offer help once she is ready to help her dogs otherwise you won't get anywhere. I've seen it with some people. There is a couple I worked with. The lady is super committed in making her dog better, putting in hours and following instructions while the male doesn't even try to help her with training or care. All he cares about is his landscaping and his business. He says the dog will never change and it's just how they are and also told her to get rid of the other dog. Dogs can be turned around, but not without work and it's hard sometimes, very hard.

 

[HeatherD92]

Offer help once she is ready to help her dogs otherwise you won't get anywhere. I've seen it with some people. There is a couple I worked with. The lady is super committed in making her dog better, putting in hours and following instructions while the male doesn't even try to help her with training or care. All he cares about is his landscaping and his business. He says the dog will never change and it's just how they are and also told her to get rid of the other dog. Dogs can be turned around, but not without work and it's hard sometimes, very hard.

I'm am going to be spending a lot of time over there over the summer. I'm going to take matters into my own hands and be working with him most of the time! I love the dog, I want them to be able to enjoy him and I want my kids to be able to be around him! Instilling a love for the breed in my kids is important to me, and when he jumps and lays on them I feel like it's doing the opposite. It's hard not to get angry with her because she let it get this bad, but who am I to cast judgement if I won't help! So that's what I'm going to do. [emoji5]


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[Hector]

I'm am going to be spending a lot of time over there over the summer. I'm going to take matters into my own hands and be working with him most of the time! I love the dog, I want them to be able to enjoy him and I want my kids to be able to be around him! Instilling a love for the breed in my kids is important to me, and when he jumps and lays on them I feel like it's doing the opposite. It's hard not to get angry with her because she let it get this bad, but who am I to cast judgement if I won't help! So that's what I'm going to do. [emoji5]


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Good for you! Just remember you doing the training and your mother undoing
the training will be frustrating. Hope it works out though.

 

[DennasMom]

Is your Mom on board with wanting him to be better behaved, or does she still think it's "cute"?

I'd say YOU take over when you're there, and Ruger will learn that when YOU are there, he's supposed to be good. You might even get your kids to help with his training, so he knows the KIDS are also "those who must be listened to".

If the kids are small... you might also want to invest in a tie-out for him (or a rope around a tree), so he can be in one part of the yard, and the kids can work with him on things like "sit", "down", "wait" and "catch-the-treat" from a safe distance (i.e. just outside the range of his tie-out). If Ruger learns than kids come with treats - as long as he sits & waits politely - that would be an awesome accomplishment (for both sides)!

But... I still wouldn't expect him to do anything other than he's been allowed to do when it's just Mom around... unless she starts putting her foot down around him, and taking charge...
Just my two cents.