OK - we have been looking for a dog for about a year. We found a dog at the pound that is really good w/ the kids (2 1/2, 4 1/2 & 6 yr old). We just brought him home last week - he had to be fixed & see the vet before we were able to bring him home. Over all he is pretty good - he is about a year old & is potty trained. My issues with him is that that he likes to get on the kitchen counters & steal the food I have on them - I can't even trust him to go outside to get the kids in for dinner, he has gotten up and ate it. Also, today he desided to eat my daughters underwear, my 2 1/2 yr old's sock & my 4 1/2 yr old's favorite pair of pants.
I think the dog was beat before he ended up at the pound, because if he thinks you are mad he runs & hides with his nose to the floor & tail between his legs and he will jump away from you if you try touching him.
Currently, we put a door on the kitchen to keep him out, closed off the bathroom & kids room & put him on a leash in the livingroom when we sleep or can't keep an eye on him. We got him to be part of the family & I don't want him to end up an outside dog - like I said he is a good dog w/ the kids eventhough he is a year old & 38#. But I need help!!! How do I "break" his bad habits??? I have a baby due in July & I need to get him on the "right" track before the baby gets here.
Any ideas would be helpful!! Thanks!
Thank you ladies! To answer a few questions... yes we have a fenced in backyard - most of the yard has a 6 ft wooden fence execpt along the one neighbor cause the kids liked talking to the neighbors & playing w/ their kids, but there is a 4 ft chain link there. "Pooh Bear" only flinches away when he thinks you are upset at him or thinks you are raising your voice. Also right now, I'm sleeping in the livingroom on the couch because I'm 7 mo prego & can't sleep anywhere else w/ out being in pain or short of breath, so he isn't alone when he is leashed in the livingroom.
I've never done the crate training and we are considering it, he does have a bed by the spot he is leashed & knows it is his spot already. The kids are not to mess with him when he is in his bed. He is also starting to respond when we call his name (we don't know what his old name was, so he is now "Pooh Bear". We were told he is a Rot mix and we do go for walks in the parks a few times a week if not everyday (when the weather is nice), plus the back door is always open for the kids to play in the backyard when it is nice out & we are home. But I'm going to try to get in a few more walks with him & hubby does play a lot w/ him in the backyard & he plays w/ the kids as they run around as well.
I don't mind him being in the kitchen w/ me when I'm there & I'm hoping at some point to be able to trust him to be in there alone. For now we have put everything up - on the fridge or were ever we can so he can't get anything. The back door is in the kitchen, so keeping it closed all day is very hard - so we do need to find the trust.
I do feel that food has been an issue for him in the past because he is skinner then he should be, we are feeding him twice a day now & a bit more then is "recommened". To see if that will help a little with his hunger thing & keeping him off the counters.
I'm also looking into the doggy training classes to see if that would be helpful, but at this time we have been unable to find a "treat" he will eat for a reward. So, most of want we are trying is just attention... he has started sitting when we tell him to & is also learning not to jump up on me... like I said he is a good dog over all - it has been over 8 yrs since I had a dog. So, it is an adjustment & some rules do need to change for even the kids - they are to clean up when they are done w/ something not just before bed now. I will also be getting a hamper for upstairs instead of just a dirty clothing basket.
Thanks again ladies!!
I would definitely recommend obedience lessons and maybe a dog whisperer? (no joke!) Good luck!!
I love love love! The Dog Whisperer. I have used all of his techniques on my dog and he is so well behaved. He never chews anything up of ours, we can leave food out and he won't touch it and he is so gentle with babies.
The main thing Cesar teaches is that you must take care of your dog in this order: Exercise, discipline and then affection. We tend to show affection first, discipline only when they are bad and then exercise... sometimes.
Here's the tips page of his website. Read them all!: http://www.cesarsway.com/tips
You've already gotten alot of good replies. Keep doing what your doing as far as blocking him from the kitchen and use a squirt bottle with water. Use a verbal command (and use a commanding/stern voice!) at the same time. It won't take long before you can ditch the bottle and just use the verbal reprimand. Training classes will help in general, too.
It can take a few months for a dog to adjust to a new home. Make sure he's getting lots of cuddle time. And tons of exercise. Most dogs will chew on stuff (your kids' toys, shoes, clothes, etc) because they have extra energy to burn. You can look up guidelines online for the number of hours of daily exercise various breeds need. And letting him loose in the backyard isn't a substitute - he might needs several long walks/runs each day. I'm amazed at how many people I know adopt a dog that requires 3-4 hours of constant exercise each day (traditional hunting/working dogs), give them a couple of short (10-15 minutes) walks each day and then wonder why the dog is misbehaving and destroying their stuff. I'm not saying that's your problem, but it's something to rule out.
Hi- Sorry if I'm repeating but don't have time to read the responses. I say training classes and a doggy carrier (kennel) for him at night or when you need him contained a bit. It'll help him feel safer. Also it sounds like in the past he may have had to be very resourceful to get enough food. He may have some issues from that so be really careful with kids around his food (or any food for that matter) the best dogs in the world can act out if they feel competition from someone around their meal. Good for you for adopting from the shelter!
First, get him trained. He needs to know some commands. Also, you may want to consider crate training him for when you leave the house (that is a personal decision, but could keep him from being an outside dog). Also, know what your rules are, and what you want to train him for. Do you want to train him to stay out of the kitchen? That is what we do. Do you need to put up gates in the doorways of the bedrooms, etc. Having had a dog that was beaten before, the training can really teach you how to reward properly and teach the dog instead of the dog just fearing you. Good luck.
Do some research into crate training. You need to establish yourselves as the leader of your "pack" (your dog's family), otherwise he will BE the leader by default. It isn't that hard, but you must understand how the things you do (or don't do) are interpreted by your dog. Being nice (stepping out of his way, or letting him through the doorway first, for example) can send the wrong message...
Once you get an idea how dog's relate to fellow pack members (that's what you all are now, lol) then you will know how to solve lots of little issues.
In the meantime, read about crate training, and get him a crate. If you are not directly involved with him (specific playtime with him, grooming him, taking him out on a leash, etc) then he should be in the crate. Then you control what he can do and has access to. Once he learns the pack hierarchy, you won't have to keep him crated and he can have "free time" in the house. But in the beginning, it is best, and not cruel, to keep him crated when you are not directly involved with him. So you will have to spend some time with him... or he'll be crated a LOT.
Good luck. And congrats on your rescue pet and the pending new baby!
p.s.
He will learn to love his crate if you use it properly. Don't allow the kids to play/bother him when he is inside... take him out if they want to play. His crate (his den/cave) should be a safe place for him where he can escape unwanted attention and noises. And once he no longer requires crate training itself, he will still enjoy having his safe place to go. Our beloved german shepherd slept in hers in our room at night for many years. We draped a sheet over the back half and never closed the door. When I would go to bed, she walk into her crate and lay down to go to sleep for the night.
Our family has always had dogs around and I never caged any of our dogs. The latest addition to my family is a Beagle (never had one before). Busy, busy dog. Very loving and kind . One of my friends asked about caging and I talked about never doing this because I thought it was unkind. This friend said that no it is not unkind. If you cage with kindness the dog sees it as their safe place and really appreciates it. I caged the Beagle, called it her bed, always put her in her bed at night and during the day while I worked until she was almost 2. I gave her blnkets that we had used and although they were clean I am sure that there was a familiar scent to them. She still goes in her bed at night. When she gets into trouble (she will eat anything) I say go to your bed. She goes, I close the door, leave her for awhile and then let her with the "be a good girl" comment. This has worked so well for me that I would recommend it to anyone. My vet said that dogs are often more safe in the cage than being left alone in the house.
Yes training, most problems can be averted by learning how to communicate with your pet. It is an animal after all.
I would maybe kennel him during mealtimes, or what I do, is put peanut butter and treats in a kong so that my dog eats the same time we do. They are pack animals that eat together, so when you eat, they want to eat.
Also, keep a water squirt bottle handy. When he jumps on the counter, say "Off" (not down as that is for another command) and squirt him with water. When he gets down, give him a treat and praise and rub him.
I actually have to leash my dog up right now (she is leashed inside the house), but we still try to include her.
If you do not want an outside dog, don't put the dog outside unless you are all playing with him as a family, walking or a bathroom break. Otherwise, you will eventually find yourself doing it more and more and then it will become an outside dog.
Crate training (so long as you don't do it all day) if it is comfortable, with something to chew on and an appropriate size is actually more humane for some breeds than putting the dog outside.
I've worked at a vet and have trained many of my animals, so I know that training is possible if you are consistent!
I would enroll him in an obedience class, it will help establish your role as the leader, and also help bond you together. You can check with your local kennel club or one of the chain pet stores. You can also check with local groomers or veterinarians, they usually know of the best places too. I think the chewing is partially due to his age, he's still young, but it is a good idea to show him now that he is not welcome to help himself to your kitchen counters and food. Establishing yourself as the pack leader will start to demonstrate that to him. You might also consider buying him a crate that he can be in while you can't watch him. With some "crate training" he'll view the crate as his "place" and will feel safe, secure and protected in there, and will not be able to get into anything he shouldn't.
He needs some patience and training. It is good that you have barred him from the kitchen. do you have a dog crate? It would be better at night to let him sleep in a crate in your bedroom then by himself on a leash in the living room. Crate training takes time with an older dog. He may have been kept in a crate at his old home. It would be good to try it.
My concern is him jumping away if you try to touch him. Does that only happen if he thinks your angry, or is it anytime you try to touch him? My concern is that he may become fear aggressive and if one of the kids touches him, he/she may get bit and it's not going to be anyone's fault. There's lots more I can say that you can try, but too much to put in this little reply. Feel free to write me privately if you wish. I do work during the day and the kids often hog the computer, but I'll get back to you, I promise.
Best of luck.
C.
A trainer is always a good idea...but in the mean time I suggest you do some basic training on your own. Set up some food on the counter and then spend the rest of the day watching him like a hawk and wait for him to go for the food then stop him. We use a quick "Chich" with my dog...but pick whatever sound is comfortable with you. Repetition and consistency is the key. If you ever catch him looking at the food but then not going for it, some love/praise is in order.
As far as the chewing is concerned, I suggest getting him his own toys...sounds like you have a chewer on your hands. Pick up and put away any expensive shoes or you will be very disappointed one day!
Lots of dogs (mine included) go for stuff on the counter, my dogs favorite is bread...and lots of dogs (mine included) will put their head done and tail between their legs and sulk away, this doesn't suggest that they were beaten (mine has never been) but the flinching away from you does suggest some hitting discipline has taken place so I suggest you go over board on the training and ALWAYS watch him around the kids!!
Do you have a secure backyard? If so, I suggest leaving him outside while you are away...if not the crate training is an option. I personally do not believe in it...but lots of people claim that their dogs LOVE their crates, so its an option?
Good luck with your new dog!
I second all the mamas on here who say get him into a training class. Ask your vet for a good local trainer, or go to your local PetSmart. The ones around here tend to have decent training classes. Usually problems like this can be solved with training -- teaching your dog you are the boss and to mind you. I also second the crate training. My dogs can't be trusted and when I'm out or gone, they go in their crates. They actually go in them when we're home just to sleep or get away from us, so they don't dislike their cages. They feel comfortable in them -- and safe. Good luck with your dog!
You have a smart dog. He knows when he's been bad so don't worry about him cowering when you reprimand him. He needs to know when he's been bad. The trouble is bad habits are going to take a little time to change. I don't know how old he is but all dogs should have chew toys that they know they can play with at any time. Try positive reinforcement by immediately, gently but firmly telling him 'NO' and giving him his own toy after you catch him with something he shouldn't have. Also use a nylon fabric muzzle when he has to be out of eyesight for very long. These are wonderful and as the dog matures he should catch on to what you want.
Using a Gentle Leader collar is a real plus too when you walk (train) and yet another way to show him that it's not all about force and pain. Enjoy your Rottie. They are great dogs.
Try PetSmart for dog training, they are pretty good, or usually a vet can recommend someplace.............as for the treats, turkey hot dogs.......just a piece...........that's what I trained my beagle with, which was recommended by the dog trainer I had..............sounds like he's a winner and you will all be happy campers soon.....congrats on the new baby too.
We put our dog in her "house" which is a cage when it is not safe for her. Like when we are cooking and eating or when the kids have not picked up their things. It is safer for her because she also will put everything in her mouth. We just had a 1000 dollar surgery bill on her last year because of something she ate and stopped up her intestines. I know it sounds mean but it is harder having an immaculate house with 4 kids and also keeping your dog healthy and out of trouble. We love our dog and it was hard seeing her real sick.
Hey! Spounds like he is training you pretty well! LOL I think you all need to adjust to the idea of a dog in the house and it's a good reason to pick up and put away anyway.
Seriously, you might want to invest in some dog training, as he is still young, and he may well turn out to be an awesome family pet. As for the getting on the counters & grabbing food (my 10 yo dog still does this from time to time) you might try "catching him" in the act and use a squirt bottle of water. And firmly say "NO" in your best alpha dog voice. Not really yelling (as he has past issues with this). It will humanely help him get the message. Good luck!
Congrats on the new dog! We just adopted a 10-month old dog about two weeks ago. The only thing I can tell you is that it is totally worth it to spend the money on training him. You plan on having this little guy for many, many years so start off on the right foot, so to speak. We had a trainer come to our house the day after we acquired our new dog and the training will continue. Also, do you have a crate for him? Very, very handy for training, sleeping and whenever you don't want him underfoot (like when you're making dinner, etc.) Good luck!
our dog also likes to eat underwear, which is gross. We had to get hampers with lids and make sure they're always closed. She's a small dog, and sometimes I'm not sure where she got the ones she finds!
Dog training classes help. Petsmart has some and they invite each family member to come.
It took our dog that we got at 6 months about 6 months to be fully adjusted to our new home. He LOVES to be outside and hates coming in. I know you didn't want an outside dog but giving him lots of time to play time would help some.
I have been working with our dog for over a year, he would still eat the food on the counters if left alone. We just put him gated up in our laundry room when I start cooking and leave him there until after dinner, or put him outside.
