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Mondays child
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20-11-2017, 08:21 PM
1

Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

Sorry I haven't posted for a while but not feeling well.
I went to my daughters new house last week to see both the house and her new dogs.
They are both Westmoreland terriers. Only a few months old.
Because they were barking like mad and were a little frightened I went down on my knees so as not to overwhelm them, ended up lying on my side on the floor and eventually gained their confidence a little, both licking my hands, was able to use my "instruction" voice and hand signal to get them to sit, lie down.
However when I was starting to get up the boy dog started lunging for my face and I had to keep pushing him away with the palm of my hand. He never bit or nipped my hand but I got the distinct impression he was trying to get to my face. Have I done something wrong or are both these dogs a bit neurotic.
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Meg
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20-11-2017, 08:47 PM
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Re: Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

Originally Posted by Mondays child ->
Sorry I haven't posted for a while but not feeling well.
I went to my daughters new house last week to see both the house and her new dogs.
They are both Westmoreland terriers. Only a few months old.
Because they were barking like mad and were a little frightened I went down on my knees so as not to overwhelm them, ended up lying on my side on the floor and eventually gained their confidence a little, both licking my hands, was able to use my "instruction" voice and hand signal to get them to sit, lie down.
However when I was starting to get up the boy dog started lunging for my face and I had to keep pushing him away with the palm of my hand. He never bit or nipped my hand but I got the distinct impression he was trying to get to my face. Have I done something wrong or are both these dogs a bit neurotic.
MC you say the puppies are only a few months old.
You did the right thing getting down to them, a human looming over a small puppy can be intimidating .

The face is a focal point for a puppy, it is associated with food . Puppies sometimes lick the dam's mouth to prompt her to regurgitate half digested food and a puppy will often lick a humans mouth if given the chance.

Pushing the puppy away would possibly be seen as a game and the puppy would come back for more.

If you don't want a behaviour to be repeated best not to reward it with attention so move away from the puppy no eye contact or word until it calms down.
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20-11-2017, 08:53 PM
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Re: Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

Meg....I never knew that about the face....truly you do learn something new every day.
Julie1962
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20-11-2017, 10:01 PM
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Re: Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

All mine as pups have been face lungers they love lips and noses. You do have to stop them a bit or you'd lose a nose as they get bigger and more determined. Ignoring and not playing the game as has been suggested has always worked best.
Mondays child
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20-11-2017, 11:21 PM
5

Re: Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

I have to be honest and say that my daughter is a little dubious now about where she got them from. They are supposed to be brother and sister but look nothing alike. See my previous post
http://www.over50sforum.com/showthread.php?t=47829
Peaches is very nervous and my son cannot get near her. Diego is a little better but I think they have had no socialisation or handling before my daughter bought them. I've never had small dogs like this but they do seem quite hyper and yappy. She is taking them both to puppy classes which may help. I've offered to go with her on walks so they get used to me.
When I think back to my Slick the retired greyhound I realise even more how good he was, calm and laid back, even to totally accepting two cats coming to live with him.
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21-11-2017, 12:00 AM
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Re: Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

Sorry to hear you haven't been well MC. Hope you are on the mend again now.

Excuse my ignorance, but I don't think I know of Westmoreland Terriers?
I also don't understand why the breeder told your daughter they were both the same breed, when they are two completely different dogs in your photo's?
As they are loved, it is unimportant what breed they are, but I would certainly be very wary of the person who sold them.

However, I agree with what Meg has already said about faces, but were they trying to lick you, or snap at you?
If you don't mind me saying, my guess is that these two are backing each other up, and learning from each other rather than listening to their owner.

If your daughter has found a good training place, they should be able to help her overcome this, but the longer it goes on, I think the harder it is to correct.

It is very important that everyone associated with the dogs is consistent and uses exactly the same words and signals, otherwise it is like as a child trying to learn but everyone telling them something different. They will be totally confused.

Personally, I find it easier to train one at a time, as I find they bond with you more and want to please.
It much harder with two the same age IMO.

Good luck.
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21-11-2017, 10:25 AM
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Re: Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

Two only a year apart are hard to train I can't imagine two same age.

Terriers are wilful little creatures too and are often more driven by their breed job than anything else, so hunting gene is very high in their lives.

Small dogs can be a bit yappy too Betty has her moments
Mondays child
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21-11-2017, 11:46 AM
8

Re: Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

I'm so sorry everyone I had a bit of a senior moment. Their not Westmoreland Terriers but supposed Norfolk Terriers and brother and sister. Apologies all.
I think Diego could be a Norfolk Terrier but very doubtful about Peaches.
As Mups said the breed doesn't matter at all to my daughter as she loves them both no matter what they are. I just hope that she can teach them not to be so afraid.
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21-11-2017, 11:55 AM
9

Re: Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

They don't look like Norfolk terriers to me aren't they usually a foxy brown colour and more squat ?
Look more like Yorkshire crosses or even the old fashioned original Yorkshire like our late Duncan was.
Whatever they are they are gorgeous.
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21-11-2017, 12:42 PM
10

Re: Nervous dogs, a little threatening.

Norfolk Terrier. Some have black 'saddles' too.
No idea what the other little dog is though.

 
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