quote:

Originally posted by Dumplin:
Just need a bit of help with my two border collies really, they are both 6 month old sisters, lovely natured, soppy as anything, BUT they are wrecking my life. My house has been chewed to shreds, they bark all day if i put them out while im at work, and the neighbours are complaining like mad. Has anyone got any tips on how to stop the chewing, the messing, the jumping up, and mostly the barking?? Any advice would be great as its much needed. Cheers Dumplin

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I used to give my dog icecubes to chew when she was a pup - i had to play about with them to make them look interested for her but she soon sussed out they were better that chewing the furniture! must have worked coz she still doesnt chew 4 years later

When our Dalmatian was a puppy he was the same, so we bought a cage for when we were out. Make sure it has enough room for your dog to move around in. They will cry at first, but once they're used to it they'll simply curl up and go to sleep. That hardest thing is ignoring the cries, but it is a must.

we have a 7 month pup yoy poodle and we feel restricted as we are used to leaving him in his dog cage when we go out(as this is where he feels safe and has been used to since being born) but we are restricted to goin out 4 two hours as i feel any longer will be cruel. i left him 20 minutes in the kitchen not in his cage to see what he wud do and he cried so loud. i want to get him used to being there instead of his cage (which is in kitchen) but dont know how...helppppppppppppp never had dog b4

quote:

Originally posted by Secret Keeper:
Sounds to me like your beagles weren't properly socialised. This is a big problem because it means they're anxious, which causes this aggression. Try turning them around when you see signs of aggression (tension, ears back, growling etc.). If that doesn't work contact a behaviourist, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers website (www.apdt.co.uk) has a list of trainers in the UK divided into regions and counties.

thanks SK. We know what the beagles have been through for five years, its not surprising they, particularly the male, want to bite strangers and other dogs. We shall continue until April when our local dog training school opens and then call in an expert.

quote:

Originally posted by pink lady:
we have a 7 month pup yoy poodle and we feel restricted as we are used to leaving him in his dog cage when we go out(as this is where he feels safe and has been used to since being born) but we are restricted to goin out 4 two hours as i feel any longer will be cruel. i left him 20 minutes in the kitchen not in his cage to see what he wud do and he cried so loud. i want to get him used to being there instead of his cage (which is in kitchen) but dont know how...helppppppppppppp never had dog b4

You seem to be using the cage properly, so if it is still roomy there is nothing cruel about it. Dogs Trust do not advise over four hours, but there are times when we have no choice but to leave our Dalmatian there longer (although we do hurry back). When he's alone he feels secure in his cage, but the cries are because he knows you're there. This may sound harsh, but the only way to stop the crying is to ignore him, coming in only reinforces the behaviour.

hi thank you for advice!i need it... his cage is not huge but its got his blankets in (he doesnt like an actual bed) and a bit at the side (but obviously not enough to run around in)as our kitchen isnt massive.. fpur hours?? is that ok..do u put water in for him? i realy want to get him used to being in the kitchen out his cage as if we want to go out for a whole day i wouldnt want him in the cage but he cries so bad if we shut him in the kitchen.xxx

As I said before, you need to ignore the crying, after a couple of hours they will stop, but it takes more than once. If he prefers his cage to a bed but you want him used to the kitchen simply leave the cage door open, giving him the best of both worlds, but I say it again, ignore the crying, it's hard I know, but you have to do it.

My problem is the same as PSK. My dog is a border x husky. Everything else with him is good, it's just that when out walking he just wants to rip my arm off.

There are various ways to try and solve a dog that doesn't heel, stopping when he tugs, turning around, and harnesses are the most commonly used. I suggest a Halti that goes over the face, then stopping whenever he tugs.

The final thing is that you ant the dog to think that your side is a good place, when he's next to you praise him gently, but don't look at him when you stop. My Dal's not perfect, but that's what I do and he's not straining my arm quite as much.

I have a 5yr old Lab who is lovely and pretty well behaved generally. I am expecting a baby in June and would love to be able to take my dog out when I take the baby out for a walk, but he tends to pull on the lead quite a lot and I'm worried about controlling him and the pushchair. Turning in different directions when he pulls will obviously not be an option with a pushchair! Any advice?

Actually, I've just re-read your post Secret Keeper and you've already given a few options. I think I will try a halti...

The other main problem with my dog is he whines like mad when he's in the car. He is quite happy to jump in the boot but as soon as we start moving he whines continously, especially when we put the indicator on! And when we stop to get out he goes completely mental and brays so loud it sounds like we are murdering him! Highly embarrassing! Any tips on how to make our car journeys more bearable will be gratefully received!

There are two ways, praising them for being quiet (maybe even having someone in the back handing them treats) or what Victoria arranged on the show aired the other day. If it is that severe I suggest the latter.

another prob i having is my dog will come to me in the house but not in the garden if we let him in the grassy part it takes us about 20 minutes to catch him..nothing will make him come to us not even food. he even does this in the house when he knows we want him for a reason.

That's a common one in the show pink lady, the simple way is to run the other way calling for him, he'll come after you and not the other way around. When he catches up with you praise him and reinforce the command with that praise. He may think that coming means going home, so keep doing it and then letting him run off again while walking.

my toy poodle pups often dont answer when i call them, they dont run just kind of wander in a dream but as soon as i start to run the other way they come flying back, if you just keep trying with them they'll soon get the hang of it! i always gave them a treat for returning but now they dont need one everytime

Hi,
im new on here and hope someone can advise me.I have an 18 month old cross breed who is generally really good.She is very timid of everything when we are out walking but at home shes very dominant,even over our older dog.She is very lovable with everyone in the family except my eldest daughter who is 19.She wont even let her stroke her without trying to bite her.She follows me everywhere and is very gentle with me except when i go out of our gate.When i put my hand over to lock the gate she bites me,not just a playful bite but acctually drawing blood and bruising me.I have tryed many ways to stop this but am failing.
Does anyone have any ideas please,i would be very greatfull.

Hi again all,
Firstly thanks Secret Keeper for the advice on leads for my dog.
I was always led to believe that if a dog eats grass then it's a sign that they're not well but, my dog is forever eating it, we feed him well and he is in good condition but, as soon as we let him out into the garden he's at it again.
Any ideas please.

We recently got a 16 week old pedagree black labrador. She has been with another family since she was 8 weeks to 15 but then placed in a kennel. The families daughter was allergic to the dog so they decided to give it to us. When she first came she was extremly nervous running up and down the garden shying away from everybody. She growled at my brother and at his girlfriend when they came in the house. She does have a cage that she goes in at night. But she soon trusted us and it was like we have had her for ever.

When family came the next day to say hello she ran up to then barking and growling then got in her cage, as soon as my aunty or cousin looked at her or went near her she started to growl. Then later when we were all sat down she just started growling for no reason at my brother, he got up and she barked and growled at him and then started to growl at my dad after this she would come up next to me of go and lay down.

We have only had her for two days and i know she ahs been through a lot in her life being pullled away from her family, but both my mum and my dad have big families that visit a lot and stay over. Has anyone got any tips on how she can trust us more and to stop the growling and training tecniques?

quote:

Originally posted by Dumplin:
Just need a bit of help with my two border collies really, they are both 6 month old sisters, lovely natured, soppy as anything, BUT they are wrecking my life. My house has been chewed to shreds, they bark all day if i put them out while im at work, and the neighbours are complaining like mad. Has anyone got any tips on how to stop the chewing, the messing, the jumping up, and mostly the barking?? Any advice would be great as its much needed. Cheers Dumplin

Hi Dumplin,

I have Border collies, and they are complicated animals that need a lot of stimulation and a strong master. The best I can advise, is to find a good basic training school to go to and if they know a bit about Border collies, the better it will be. There are so many things I could write here, but I think without a real understanding of the collie, its gonna be difficult to enforce correctly.

It really is a package of skills you need, and writing the odd tip down here isn't gonna be the solution for you.

I don't want to put a negative on this, cos they are the most wonderful dogs in the world, but you need to learn how their mind works and what they need from you. You will also end up with 2 very loyal dogs who will just do whatever they can to please you, if you put the effort in now.

quote:

Originally posted by labrador11:
We recently got a 16 week old pedagree black labrador. She has been with another family since she was 8 weeks to 15 but then placed in a kennel. The families daughter was allergic to the dog so they decided to give it to us. When she first came she was extremly nervous running up and down the garden shying away from everybody. She growled at my brother and at his girlfriend when they came in the house. She does have a cage that she goes in at night. But she soon trusted us and it was like we have had her for ever.

When family came the next day to say hello she ran up to then barking and growling then got in her cage, as soon as my aunty or cousin looked at her or went near her she started to growl. Then later when we were all sat down she just started growling for no reason at my brother, he got up and she barked and growled at him and then started to growl at my dad after this she would come up next to me of go and lay down.

We have only had her for two days and i know she ahs been through a lot in her life being pullled away from her family, but both my mum and my dad have big families that visit a lot and stay over. Has anyone got any tips on how she can trust us more and to stop the growling and training tecniques?

It's hard to know so early on what the reasons behind this are? If you've only had her a couple of days, she is bound to feel really nervous and insecure. On the other hand, I'm surprised one so young is already doing that and not shying away...she must be a little toughie . I would definitely give her space and let her decide when she wants to come to you and put some trust in you.

If she feels safe in her cage, put her in there when visitors come over, and ask them not to approach her or look at her. over time, she should become more confident having strange people around. if she lies quietly when people are there, get them to drop a biscuit by her, but still without giving her any attention or looking at her. This will also help to convince her that visitors are nice.

Gradually, you should be able to let people look at her, then later say hello etc.... and eventually have her put of the cage. the trick is to not give the dog any attention when she feels threatened.

You can improve this and make a big difference. I had one dog who was extremely aggressive with visitors after a bad start in life, yet now he runs up and wants to lick them. I also have another dog who had 5 homes before he came to me, and he is finally starting to feel secure now. It messes them up, but with patience and clear guidelines on what is acceptable behaviour, things can improve dramatically.

quote:

Originally posted by lynal:
Hi again all,
Firstly thanks Secret Keeper for the advice on leads for my dog.
I was always led to believe that if a dog eats grass then it's a sign that they're not well but, my dog is forever eating it, we feed him well and he is in good condition but, as soon as we let him out into the garden he's at it again.
Any ideas please.

A lot of dogs eat grass and for a variety of reasons. I have one who eats it when he gets excited....he just needs something in his mouth. They also eat grass to make themselves sick. Some think they also eat for the moisture if they are thirsty. It could also just be habit. Dogs have some wierd habits....at least he's not eating stones like a lot of springers I know

To try and stop this, I would try and focus his mind on something else when he is out in the garden. It sounds like he is looking for something to do while he's out there. You could try playing with him as a distraction, or when he does it, say no, and give him a toy to chew on. Nothing will be a quick fix though....its gonna be consistent reinforcement which will help this.

If you are worried about him, perhaps you could ask the vet to check his stomach to make sure he's not trying to make himself sick???????

quote:

Originally posted by cassie_doodle:

quote:

Originally posted by Bird Lou:
I need help!!

I have two dogs, one a Highland Fling (westie/shi tsu cross) who is 4 years old and a springer spaniel who is 6 months old. They get on famously and love each other to pieces.

Unfortunately I still have a few problems and could do with some help or advice. Firsly, the springer is still not clean after 6 months. He'll go out in the garden as good as gold but doesn't seem to be able to hold his bladder for that long overnight or while I'm out at work.

Secondly, he is a nightmare on the lead, pulling all the time. Once he's off, he's usually very good and stays close. He does however have a great memory and runs off towards some woods near us, because he knows that previously someone has chucked out some bread and so he's able to have a nice feed. At this point, he will not come back.

Thirdly, he tends to "spring" alot especially when I come back into the house, throwing himself at me, which leads to many a bruise. He also jumps up at visitors.

There are a few other issues and I'd like to get them sorted, otherwise my other half is threatening to rehome him (even though he has a huge soft spot for him).

Does anyone have good advice? If Victoria Stilwell wants to come and share her thoughts with us, I'd be more than happy!

Hi, a friend of mine uses a huge cage to put her pooch in while she's at work - they don't like to mess in the same place they sleep! Also, my 4 year old German Shepherd has a problem with jumping - she's slowly getting outta the habit but it's hard work! I asked my vet what to do about it and he suggested stepping on her back paws when she jumps up - not hard but just enough to make her get down - it work's but you have to be quick!

Sounds to me like your springer is being a springer

They are an athletic, busy working breed, and you'd be best getting him some basic training as you need to be able to control all that energy.

Thats correct about the cage too.... but make sure you toilet him consistently and just prior to going out. cages aren't good for long hours though, so I wouldn't use it if you're gonna be away all day. Overnight is cool though

Re jumping up...I've always been told to turn your back on them. they are jumping up to get attention, but if you turn away and don't look at them, they'll soon realise the bum needs to be on the floor if they want your attention. Its also a "hands off" approach.