BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Dogs How do I control my 10 lb. brat?

Glad you think so Alexandra, I do like adding to discussions.

On another note, check your emotions when you see another dog or go near the dog park, your dog will pick up on your frustration, anxiety, anger, insecurities, worry, whatever.

Just like when being all happy and excited to teach a puppy to 'come'; be all happy and excited that you two are out on a walk. I don't mean baby talk and jumping up and down, just inwardly make like Peter Pan and 'think lovely thoughts'.

I know it sounds crazy, but it does work.

Oh yes, Wendy, absolutely, I couldn't agree more....
I had a wondeful lady who was so nervous of her dog jumping up at people, that she became more and more anxious about going out with it - and the result was that the dog, picking up on her anxiety, began to jump up more and more...
I tried to explain to her that the dog was picking up on her anxiety - but could not relate it to his behaviour; all he knew, was that his mistress was getting more and more anxious, so he had to try and divert people from coming too close.... and the only way to do that, on a leash, was to stand on its hind legs, and 'block them off'....
At first, she was extremely sceptical, a little resentful, and somewhat unreceptive...
However, over an hour's walk with her, when I demonstrated to her that when I held the dog, it never did that, but when she held the leash, it did, it dawned on her that it was true: the dog was responding to her anxiety, not to other people...!
I went through some calming 'exercises' with her... how to focus on her own posture, her own mental attitude and frame of mind.... and within minutes, I swear, the dog began to change its behaviour. She just had to check and pre-empt its intention before it acted, and within a very short space of time, it had conceded control to her.
She cried.
it was a magical moment.

Above all else, you and your dog need to get into some obedience training. Dogs will be "brats" only because we let them, just like children. Nothing deep or mysterious about that.

I am a huge Cesar Milan fan. Basically he says that we need to be in a calm, assertive state at all times with our dogs. This helps the dog enter the calm, submissive state that is the basis of domestication. For a dog, this is a state of peace and comfort.

I have learned so much from watching his show and reading his books that not only are my dogs happier, but I am a much more peaceful person. It's spilled into how I interact with myself and others.