Winston is a one year old Bichon. His owners contacted me because after the past ten months of a difficult and unsatisfying relationship with him they realised they needed help. Winston isn't housebroken, barks constantly and has growled and snapped at his owners and guests alike.
The first thing we have had to do is remove all of Winston's resources. For awhile he will have to work for everthing that is important to him. Secondly he will be receiving a lot more structured exercise. Lastly he will be rewarded with treats and praise for all compliant and relaxed behavior. Winston's owners accidently communicated to him that he was in charge of the relationship. They loved and coddled him so much that he started to have a sense of entitlement over them and everything in his environment. Winston is a very intelligent dog, I can see that he is both curious and adaptable to his new role as a submissive member of the pack. His case is fairly complicated since his owners occasionally slip back into coddling him at times. I do believe over the next five weeks that they will see that he is less anxious and more attentive, that will give them the motivation to put his needs before theirs consistantly.