QuestionHi, I've read many of your answers and love that you are a well-informed show breeder.
My 7 mos Pom is 3.2 lbs and is from a very well-respected show breeder. She is on the road, otherwise I'd ask her these questions!
I have had my Pom for about 2 weeks now and am diligently enforcing rules and routine, and starting her training. However, she is not very food-motivated. She isn't interested in the treats (I have tried various liver treats, including freeze-dried, Bil-Jac, and Kong Liver Paste - in my experience dogs go crazy for liver). I've also tried tiny crumbs of cheese and I thought the liver paste was a good idea as she could just get a tiny lick. Since her tummy is so small, I am worried about feeding her a lot of treats anyway and making her sick.
Hypoglycemia is a concern so she is free-fed, which probably adds to her not being too food-motivated. I try to use her dog food (Natural Balance) as a reward, but she loses interest quickly, and anyway she gets full very fast.
So my question is: what would be a good motivator to use for her during training? Currently I am mostly using a lot of praise and petting as a reward, which she craves a lot, but worried it is not as effective a reward (food is easier and more clearly marks an event?). I have read about clicker training and tried it on my other dog but it's not really my style, and they recommend using treats for that too.
The other question is, we are having trouble introducing her to the dog we already have, a 4 year old rescue Lab/Newf mix. He was abused and used to be very fear-aggressive, but is socialized now and has never bit anyone or fought any dog.
However, he is food and toy possessive around other dogs. I used to have a mini Eskie that he lived with, and after a few days they got along wonderfully, would play and share toys, and even eat out of the same bowl (I had to train and introduce, but he learned very quickly to accept her). He was a puppy at that time.
Now we have had the Pom for 2 weeks with him and they just ignore each other mostly. He has growled at her when she is too close to his food/toys and pounced on her (no damage) and she ran away. Then she barked and growled back at him. Mostly now she avoids him, and he sometimes shows interest in her, but really they are ignoring each other.
I sense they are probably having some kind of dominance struggle. We are trying to reinforce the Lab mix as dominant since he is older and male (neutered) and much bigger. The thing is he is pretty socially awkward, being abused and separated from his littermates at a few weeks of age. He doesn't really know how to interact with dogs at the dog park, for example. The only dog I really saw him get along with was the mini Eskie.
The Pom is not submitting at all, she just runs away and growls and barks occasionally, which is not submissive. We have put her on her back and let the Lab mix come to her to sniff her, but it doesn't seem to be working.
Today there was a minor breakthrough, the Lab tried to play with her, but was a little too rough and she ran off (no damage). We are of course concerned for her safety.
So -- sorry for all the backstory -- but what would you recommend for continuing to introduce them? Other ways we are reinforcing the Lab's dominance: he gets fed first, treats first, petting first, etc.
I know Poms have spunky "big dog" personalities and that is why she might be challenging him or not wanting to submit?
Any comments/advice you have for my two questions is most appreciated.
Thanks!
Answer*what would be a good motivator to use for her during training?*
you have to find what she likes-toys, special treats that she ONLY gets while in training. You can try ALL kinds of foods to see what her fave is-chicken breast, cat treats, sliced deli meat... she may not like any of those-try rabbit fur or toys.
*Hypoglycemia is a concern so she is free-fed*
good-keep it up, she islittle and it would be better to be safe than sorry.
*we are having trouble introducing her to the dog we already have-However, he is food and toy possessive around other dogs.*
To keep her safe, never leave them alone. Keep a careful eye and teach her to respect his space. Don't give them chewies or food together.
*The Pom is not submitting at all, she just runs away and growls and barks occasionally,*
she may never submit to him, depending on her personality. Just be the in between so she doesn't get hurt. He is still young and will try to play. Given enough time I would suspect they will become friends. But, it all depends on thier perspective personalities.
*Other ways we are reinforcing the Lab's dominance: he gets fed first, treats first, petting first, etc.*
perfect. :) And 2 weeks is not long-you may have to work at this for months before things get setteled in.
Best of luck!
-Trish
www.geminipoms.com
