Dog Questions

[Sharon]

In order for your dog to turn out the way you want, YOU must raise them and teach them.

Consistancy is a key!

Don't slack off because you are lazy or too tired.

If your dog is getting pudgy, cut back on those treats and get them outside for some exercise. When you walk them, go at least a mile, it only take about 20 minutes. They'll be drained of all their pee by the time you get home and sleep better at night.

 

[Sharon]

you seem to expect way too much out of these dogs, and don't want to put in near as much effort as it will take to get results.

Dogs are only as smart as the owner trains them to be.

 

[SamSpade]

Okay, you say that, but you seem to be having the same issues you were having on "day one". I don't mean to sound rude, so I'm sorry if that's how I'm coming across, but you seem to expect way too much out of these dogs, and don't want to put in near as much effort as it will take to get results.

They're MOSTLY well behaved, as our friends would well attest. Most of the time, they just quietly sit nearby when we have friends or watching TV. We spend almost all our free time either with them, or around them. We play in the pool with them and teach them how to get out if they should panic. Jingle plays with me when I weed the garden - she likes to chase the clods of weeds I toss. I just worry a little about how the chidlren we adopt will be around them, knowing there's a good chance they will fear them EVEN IF they're well behaved.

Most of the time, they come when called. I let them out into the front yard this weekend, because they like to follow me around. Most mornings when I go into the yard, they follow me constantly. But when it came time to go back into the yard, Jingle came right away, but Jangle did not. He wasn't being willful - he just wasn't paying attention. It took about a minute or two, and he briefly ran out into the street.

I try every piece of advice I get here, mostly. I just have not made time specifically for them outside of our normal routine, as in, the way some people make time for exercise or practicing piano. I do try to train them every other time. The one thing every one stresses is it takes patience, and with 8 month old pups, it's still going to take time.

 

[SamSpade]

And this:

reminded me of the time my son drug his grubby fingers through the frosting on a birthday cake, even though he had been told not to touch it because it was for a party later.

My parents and especially my little sister - like to repeat this little story about ME.

On our birthday - the cake is, essentially - YOURS. You get first crack at it, although you are expected to cut your own piece and serve yourself. If you cut half the cake for yourself - that's ok, it's your cake, just like your birthday steak is also yours.

At 14, I tried an altogether different tack. As my sister recounts, I said out loud..

"I want to bite it".

Leaning forward, I bit a big chunk out of the cake - no pieces, no nothing - just bit into it.

As everyone stood looking horrified, I cut the piece I intended for myself - AROUND the gaping bite, with enough room to account for any drool or spillage or contamination. No harm, no foul. In my mind, I got to do something massively uncouth and impolite but corrected it so no one should be bothered by it.

Um....NO. They STILL get on my case some thirty-some years later for something that couldn't have bothered them.

Oh well.

 

[cege]

My parents still crate their 5 yr old lab and he doesn't seem to mind being in the crate.

 

[cattitude]

I can feel Catt's tension from clear up here.

I was away this weekend and missed this thread.

Nickel has represented my views very well. She and I are on the same page with our pups.

 

[Nickel]

I was away this weekend and missed this thread.

Nickel has represented my views very well. She and I are on the same page with our pups.

I learned it all from your example.

 

[BrassieChic]

Sharon has it right CONSISTENCY! Everyone else has hit on great points and advice too! YOU HAVE TO TEACH them APPROPRIATE behavior! My big guy was out of control with the same behavior jumping, play biting, in the trash, pushing us around UNTIL I sent him to SCHOOL! I couldn't believe the change and honestly believe that he was much happier after the training as me! You just have to make sure to KEEP IT UP! When mine would slip back into "inappropriate" behavior I'd put the leash on and put him through the paces! He likes to be worked and I think alot of the behavior problems were he WAS BORED and needed not only his body worked but his mind too! They love to learn! LOTS OF LUCK!!!!

 

[cattitude]

It took about a minute or two, and he briefly ran out into the street.

They are still in their Flight Instinct period of development. You should not be allowing them to be off lead unless in a fenced area.