AHH! How do I get Sadie to stop hitting?

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  AHH! How do I get Sadie to stop hitting?
« on: November 07, 2006, 03:41:51 AM »

macybean
Rank: Paw-meister
Posts: 584


Sadie used to just hit me to go outside if she needed to potty. Now, she hits me to wake me up in the morning or even earlier in the night to fill up her water bowl. She hits me for attention. I think she even hits me just to hit me.

This is *very* painful. I have red marks on my back from her attempts to wake me up (which work). I've tried to ignore her to show her that it doesn't work, but eventually, I have to get up-my back can't take it anymore. It hurts! She hits my legs if I'm standing or sitting for attention. Since I'm in shorts a lot (in Texas), this is painful as well. She does this to my roommates, too. They've tried a harsh "No", which sometimes works (for me, too, but especially out of two guys who have much deeper voices than me), but she just does it again later. I want to stop the behavior entirely.

Any ideas? Squirt guns don't work, though Riley picked up the hitting behavior and a water bottle works for him-thank goodness, b/c he really hurts... but again, he still tries the behavior again later. I don't pet them for it. I'll get up and move, ignore them as best I can-except for getting up, like I said, and even then, I try not to do what they want-go outside, fresh water-immediately, so they don't think it's a rewarding behavior.

Help!



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  Re: AHH! How do I get Sadie to stop hitting?
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2006, 06:21:29 AM »

TheUnSaintlySaintClan
Rank: Full Fledged Chewer
Posts: 79


I don't know if this will work, but maybe you could get a can of compressed air (like computer cleaner). Heidi absolutely hates it blown on her. I don't know if it's the noise or the blowing...but it works on her at least. And she was pretty hard to train.

"No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich." ––Louis Sabin

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  Re: AHH! How do I get Sadie to stop hitting?
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2006, 06:35:57 AM »

macybean
Rank: Paw-meister
Posts: 584


I haven't tried that, so I should give it a go. Sadie is usually *very* easy to train, which part of why I can't figure this out. I assume that I am responding often enough to make the behavior beneficial to her, but I'm not sure how to not respond (I can't not get up in the morning, b/c it hurts like heck-I have to move away). She's a very smart dog, and that just makes her behavior even more frustrating.

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  Re: AHH! How do I get Sadie to stop hitting?
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2006, 06:49:53 AM »

Leah...
Rank: Big Paws-a-holic
Posts: 376


My first doberman was a pawer, and it is frustrating. The one thing that finally worked with him was to grab his foot and squeeze his paw enough so that he was uncomfortable and tried to pull away. At the same time in my sternest voice I would say "NO FEET" and let go. It took everyone doing it and a bit of time, but he finally got it. Then he would nudge with his nose and wave his paw in front of you but never touch you. It was actually sorta cute then.
Stella

that is cute!

Leah
Mom to:
Sky- Australian Shepherd
Sammie- Newfoundland/Border Collie mix
Rose- Tortie/Tabby cat
Stinky- Silver Marten rabbit
Ruby, Mambo and Charlotte- Rats
Trevor- Frog
13 Millipedes
NO LONGER WITH US
Bailey the Wolf-Dog 1998-2007
Spanky- Rabbit 2000-2007


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  Re: AHH! How do I get Sadie to stop hitting?
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2006, 07:34:29 AM »

newflvr
Rank: Tail Wagging Champ
Posts: 3390


Chester did that too....and still occasionally 'forgets' Wink.  We just grab his paw and hold it...and refuse to let go.  He is NOT happy without that paw, so it's a rare occurance, now, thank heavens!!!

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  Re: AHH! How do I get Sadie to stop hitting?
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2006, 07:51:40 AM »

Anakalia
Rank:
Posts:

Wow, you got some great advice from everybody!  When we first got Koby he did the "Hey! I'm gonna hit ya" move and OMG did it hurt!!  Our daughter was 4 at the time and we were so worried he'd try doing that to her too.  Well a couple times of holding, slightly squeezing the paw and a stern NO and he never did it again, BUT I do have to say I think it worked so well for us because Koby HATES his paws being touched.  Good luck I hope you find something that works for you, I know how bad it can hurt and when the paw pads are like the roughest sandpaper ever, OUCH!

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  Re: AHH! How do I get Sadie to stop hitting?
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2006, 09:29:43 AM »

macybean
Rank: Paw-meister
Posts: 584


I've tried this in the past, but maybe I was not holding her paw up long enough, b/c she would just hit me again once I let go... Or maybe I should squeeze her paw a little bit more? I just don't want to hurt her either. I'm kind of funny about physical stuff with Sadie (I don't hit either of my dogs anyway), because she was abused at her previous home. I'm going to try the squeeze and hold paw thing again though, because it sounds like it worked for everyone else. Thank you-I appreciate the feedback!

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« Last Edit: November 07, 2006, 09:30:25 AM by macybean »
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