My name is Sampson, a 2-3 year old Bull Mastiff. My owners have always been around dogs and have raised many different breeds, but I have some bad habits we are having a hard time address so any input would be great:

1) I am a trash digger... Even after I have been fed, any change I get to dig into any trash can is fun! Even the bathroom trash and my Mommy's office can. Is there a way they can help me stop this?

2) I DON'T like other animals. EVEN the ones on TV. I growl, and charge the TV's if I see ANY type of animal on it. My Master's have other pets, but they are caged, so I have learned to kind of leave them alone, just wondering if there is an easy way to re socialize me so that I dont get so grouchy with other pets/animals around.

Thanks and I am sure my Mommy and Daddy will thank you too!

Sampson, first, you need to get it out of your mind that you have bad habits. Your parents have obviously brainwashed you because nothing you described sounded unnatural for a dog to do.

For the trash I'd tell your parents to manage the problem and to quit tempting you by leaving it out or giving you access to it. Seriously, are you going to trash dive if there's no trash to dive in?

Also, there's no easy way to socialize you to other animals. You'll need willing participants that your parents can control in distance and intensity. your parents should hire the services of a certified behaviorist to help you with this problem. Being that you're a big dog this should be seriously considered.

Now if you're smart enough to post on an internet forum, you should be smart enough to convince your parents to stop blaming you and change their behavior. Good luck!

I don't believe that I ever said that my family blamed me for the problems, but only felt that there might be a way to avoid the problems other than what they are doing *aka locking me out of the kitchen etc*. You are assuming alot.

As far as for the behaviorist, that is already in the works...

I thought this was a bit of a friendly forum but can see that you feel I have been mistreated. I assure you that is not ever the case and that my family might be the root to the problem. Remember, I am a rescue and have only been with them for about a month so identifying these concerns is legitimate with any new family.

Originally Posted by Bearded Lady

Now if you're smart enough to post on an internet forum, you should be smart enough to convince your parents to stop blaming you and change their behavior. Good luck!

Sampson, Don't worry, this is a nice forum. Just remember that no matter which forum you go to, you will find people who rub your fur the wrong way. Don't let it get you down.

Removing the trash cans would work, but it isn't very practical, given there are so many. There are a couple of other things to have your people try. One thing would be to make a scary noise (shake a rattle) whenever you're in the trash-- you'll make an association and start to avoid it. (When your people are out, or asleep in bed, they need to remove the trash cans, or you will only learn to avoid the trash when they are looking *wink*) Another thing is to physically move in between you and the trash, while saying "No" or making some other disciplinary sound. They take "ownership" of the territory around the trash-- that is their space, not yours, and you are not welcome to it! They will have to be consistent, though. If they are good at this, it will only take a week or two, then you will learn.

I'm sorry, I don't really have any ideas for helping you to like other animals. Maybe someone else will have some help for you.

Originally Posted by Sampson

I have some bad habits

I don't believe that I ever said that my family blamed me for the problems, but only felt that there might be a way to avoid the problems other than what they are doing *aka locking me out of the kitchen etc*. You are assuming alot.

No, I'm sorry Sampson, I believe you are the one who misspoke because you clearly stated you had bad habits when everything you are doing is quite natural for a DOG. Someone must have brainwashed you with this notion. So no assumptions here, I'm only taking in the information you're giving.

I thought this was a bit of a friendly forum but can see that you feel I have been mistreated

Now I believe you're the one assuming Sampson. I said nothing about mistreatment. Why would you assume that? Perhaps since you're a dog you're not familiar with constructive criticism?

Remember, I am a rescue and have only been with them for about a month so identifying these concerns is legitimate with any new family.

I agree, your parents should have treated you like a pup when you came into their home and puppy-proofed the place so you wouldn't be tempted with trash. Why they would allow this and call this a bad habit, when it is in fact an owner absent problem, must be confusing to you. Now imagine if someone had recommended punishing you will loud noises when you got into the trash...that would be really confusing, now wouldn't it? You sitting there trying to gain confidence in your new home, and the people you're trying to trust, scare you with noise when you want to investigate a curious smell....What's wrong with people? Can't they smell that something tasty in the trash? The prudent owner would see trash as a reinforcer, and control the trash day 1.

I'm glad your owners are deciding on a behaviorist. Hopefully they'll find you one registered with the IAABC, so as not to be matched with a 'put-em-in-their-place' behaviorist type. I wish you luck and clear communication.

I remember a while back that a woman had a Dobe who liked rummaging in the garbage. Their behaviorist got a motion-sensor that reacted with sound instead of light. When the dog stuck his head into a garbage can (with a lid) the sound went off (something similar to a cow bellow) and the dog immediately removed his head and had no further rummaging issues. A dog will not continue a behavior if he feels uncomfortable. The noise, which was not loud, obnauxious, or frightening to the dog, simply created a discomfort in a zone the dog previously felt welcomed in. Do not let sarcastic or rude replies keep you from feeling this is a good forum. There were some previous issues i had, which are now all resolved and ILD is a great place to be, as long as you listen to the better half. There really are more of us here actually concerned and helpful than sarcastic and intolerable.

[reeskujo]

This is thread is going off track due to the arguing....It will now be closed.