[nagdu] What do you do when you're angry with your dog?

[Meghan]

That's what I do, too.  If I'm upset with one of my dogs, I put them in 
their kennel, but I do it just as I would any other time so they just think 
of it as a chance to take a nap, not a yell yell yell, get in that kennel, 
because I never want my dogs to think their kennels are a punishment.  Then 
I go for a nice long walk, bake or something else that will take the edge 
off of my nerves.  I either do that or talk to said dog in a very friendly 
voice, but don't say very friendly things.  Then I say what I want to say, 
but they still think I'm the best thing in the world.

I have one dog who gets fear agression if I yell, so I think this has really 
really helped me with my anger management in all aspects of my life.  This 
of course, does not mean I'm perfect...far from it, but we're all far from 
it, so I fit right in.

Meghan
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2010 10:02 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] What do you do when you're angry with your dog?


> One of the low points in my life with Monty...
>
> About a year ago the weather was warming up and therefore the backyard 
> became muddy.  the dogs, husband and Kiddo had tracked mud into the house. 
> I spent a good hour sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and washing rugs.  I was 
> feeling pretty good when I sat down on the couch to wait for the floor to 
> dry.
>
> then I realized that there were some odd noises coming from my bedroom.  I 
> called Monty.  He came promptly and happily, but he looked odd...a bit 
> more gray than black.  I reached out to touch him and there was this odd 
> fluff stuck all over him.  I had no clue what had happened...until I went 
> into the bedroom.
>
> My ordinarily dark green and brown bedroom was white.  Upon closer 
> inspection I realized that there were feathers all over everything. 
> Teeny, tiny goose down feathers that had previously been encased in my 
> favorite pillow.    I didn't know whether to cry or scream.  I found the 
> mangle pillow, showed it to Monty and hollered at him.  Then I got a grip 
> and  put him in his crate.
>
> If you have never had the joy of cleaning up a down feather mess, let me 
> tell you that the feathers stick to everything.  I vacuumed it several 
> times and still found feathers for days.  I took the bedspread outside to 
> shake it out, except that it was a rather windy day and I ended up 
> covering myself head to toe with feathers...feathers in my hair, feathers 
> stuck to my sweater, feathers in my shoelaces.   Yeah, it was a good time.
>
> I'd like to say that Monty learned his lesson, that hollering at him had 
> some effect, but I'd be lying.  I can say that I learned my lesson.  I was 
> much better at keeping tabs on him and what he was doing.  the next time 
> he grabbed something with lots of fluff inside I was able to intervene 
> sooner with a firm "no" and removal of the object before destruction. 
> Well, most of the time I got the soft fluffy thing before it was 
> destroyed.
>
> For me the best thing I can do when I'm angry or upset with Monty is to 
> have a time out.  He goes in his kennel and I go do something soothing. 
> Half an hour or an hour later I go get him and we resume life as usual.
>
> Julie
>
>
>
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