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A little help please

Willowsmommy

Well-Known Member
So Atlas (akitia/gsp) has been a part of the family for 2 months. He's pretty well house trained, very rarely does he have an accident. He listens well to no, sit, drop it, here, good boy, leave it, stay, treat and cookie. He weighs in at 35 lbs.

Willow has been a part of the family since she was 8 weeks, she's now 1 year 2 months and weighs in at 115 lbs.

Problem, Atlas LOVES to play. Willow loves to play as well. Atlas dosen't know when to quit and Willow doesnt teach Atlas boundaries during play, hence Willow getting hurt. Willow now has a gash on her upper eyelid, is now becoming food protective (snaps at Atlas when he tries getting her food or treats, never at people).

Willow now has a very large crate that we keep in the living room. Atlas has he own crate we keep in our bedroom. At night, Atlas sleeps in his crate and Willow sleeps on her bed in our room. Willow's crate door is kept open unless I feel she needs space from Atlas, then I close the door and she is very content.

Atlas is again, on the house leash fo me to be able to separate them during play. Any ideas on what else we should be doing to curb Atlas' rough play and teach Willow how to set limits with Atlas?
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
This might not helpful for you... but for us, excited play is only allowed outside.
Inside is for calm endeavors, like relaxing and napping.

So, inside, our dogs learn "enough" and "done" and "RUG" (i.e. "go to your RUG and lay down!").

It doesn't take too long for them to understand that if they get excited, they run for (or get sent to) the door to the back yard... normally a spin or two around the yard is all that's needed, and they're ready to come back in and relax calmly again.

With two youngsters, I can see where that's a bigger job than the one we had...
 

Willowsmommy

Well-Known Member
That sounds helpful. Atlas gets hooked to the run and willow has free reign over the backyard. She stays close to Atlas and runs circles around him, very comical. Come spring, the 6x10 kennel is outside bound :) Thank you for your help :)
 

season

Well-Known Member
You've got some good suggestions. You should be the leader. You should set the limits. In the end you either allow it or you don't.
 

Willowsmommy

Well-Known Member
There have been some major developments with Willow and Atlas. I have become a bit more stern and since Atlas hurting Willow on her eye, Willow has finally decided to take control. When Atlas begins to get too aggressive, Willow will put Atlas on his back and hold him there til he stops. YAY!! lol. I've started putting them outside more frequently for more active play times. This seems to get Atlas to focus more when he's inside. I allow gentle play inside and no more wrestling. This had made a huge impact on both dogs behaviors. My fiancee and I are both on the same page and keep consistent with training and redirecting. Things are looking up :)
 

krisx

Well-Known Member
omg! didn't nobody told her alpha rolls are evil? lol
just kidding.

good to hear things are looking up.