walking herself

[debbiej]

I have a few (more!) questions about nagging and discipline. Hilda has been hyper. first she was crated more than ususal after being spayed. Then I had a lot of work to catch up on and wasn't paying as much attention to her as ususal. I am making time for some play and at least one walk a day. But she has been really bad about getting into everything. Things she had not bothered before were targets for her 'come play with me games'. I try to pick up and puppy proof the house, but she is quite clever at finding what I overlooked. We keep the trash covered with a big cookie sheet so it bangs when she gets into it, but she still does. She sneaks into my weaving room (she can push the door open, the knob is faulty) whenever she can and chews up cones of yarn. etc, etc. I have read so much here about keeping training fun, and keeping things positive, and I know it's best not to nag. I find myself telling her NO what seems to me far too much. Should she be crated if we are home but have work to do? keep her leashed near me? which brings up the second question which is about behavior on a leash. I have tried keeping her on a leash by me and she chews her leash. I tell her no, take it out and this goes on and on. kind of defeating the purpose of keeping her leashed with me so I don't have to keep saying no. She does this when we walk too, I don't know if it's because she wants to play tug or wants to keep me from correcting her. It's hard to get mad because she is so silly when she walks herself. I don't want to make ruts in her training that we can't get out of! thanks!

[Rott-Wiley]

No matter how silly she is, do not reinforce this behavior. That will surely create one of those ruts you are trying to avoid. When she does start chewing on her leash, get it out of her mouth and don't allow her to continue.

If you can't watch her when you're home then I would suggest she be in a safe environment such as a cage or crate. It really doesn't sound like she is ready to have the complete run of the house and be allowed to open doors to rooms where she can't be watched or trusted.

You may want to try putting something bitter on the leash to discourage her from putting it in her mouth too.

[debbiej]

we just got back from a walk, and I have to mention that she very seldom tries to chew her leash while walking with the flat collar she is used to. she tried to chew the leash while walking with a choker chain. Since she walks nicely and leaves her leash alone with the flat collar, that is what we're using. It is while I'm using the leash to keep her sitting or lying next to me to keep her out of trouble that she will not stop chewing the leash. I guess because is it a restraint that she dosen't like. I'll try some bitter apple on it and if that dosen't work, crate her more often untill she will sit next to me while I am doing something instead of wandering around getting into things. As I think about it, crating her seems best...at first I though it kind of hard on her to be crated when we are home, but actually it is easier than always hearing "NO" huh? And when I feel guilty if I think she has been in her crate too long, I will take her out specifically to play/train her! thanks.

[jayneliz]

One thing I've learned with my Sister of Farronstein, aka The Fallen Angel, aka Aeva-dolph, is that a tired puppy is a good puppy. Aeva is also a clever one and well, idle hands are the devil's workshop. She has loads more energy than any puppy I've had before. She requires more attention and needs more exercise than one walk a day. I'm fortunate that I am with her 24/7 and can devote that kind of time to her needs.

Another thing I've learned is that anytime she brings me a toy to play with, we play, even if for just a few moments. Makes for good, solid bonding between us and tires her out as well.

If you can't supervise, be ready to crate. If you can't crate, be ready to supervise. Rather than nagging, re-directing her attention to another, more productive behavior is in order.

Additionally, I'd fix the weaving room doorknob. I can't even fathom what a few yards of yarn could do to Hilda's guts were she to ingest it.

[debbiej]

Well, before half my student employees went on Christmas break, leaving me to work all the time, she did get more than one walk a day. She does get to go out and play with our other dog. But when the students get back I'll have more free time and obedience classes will start soon after. Maybe I should get her more toys. almost all of her first ones are destroyed. I know, the yarn scares me too. When she chews it, she gnaws off the corner of the cone, little pieces. If she gets a ball of yarn, she brings it to me to play! She is learning the out command really well though...

[Judi W]

And I would add that in order to decrease the discord, it should not be that difficult to fix the door knob to latch and garbage should always be put where a dog does not have access regardless of the age of the dog. In a closet or cupboard.

[debbiej]

ok, good ideas. It's been so long since we had a puppy we have about 10 years of catching up to do on common sense fixes. We don't yell or scold her a lot, but she knows we aren't happy when she gets things. We just say 'oh Hilda', and she knows. I just bought her a few new things to chew. one is what they called a 'bully stick". dried braided bull intestines. I gave it to her in the car, and very soon discovered they are very stinky. she loves it though. And she has chewed it happily while I did some bookwork and took the time to type this post. they said it won't splinter or end up in little slimy pieces. Anyone heard of these?

we have an older adobe house and it has a shortage of "standard" cabinets. hence the cookie sheet covering the kitchen trash. I'll also have to find an new place for the bathroom and office garbage cans. My husband did finally fix the weaving room door because it is also our guest room and company was coming. (I fix things too, but mostly at our coffee shop) strangely enough, all our doorknobs are breaking. The front door, and two of the bedroom doors all have broken knobs. till we get around to fixing it, our front door has an old knob on it with the lock on the outside! (we do have a deadbolt) :)

[macho rottie]

I just bought her a few new things to chew. one is what they called a 'bully stick". dried braided bull intestines. I gave it to her in the car, and very soon discovered they are very stinky. she loves it though.

My dogs love those! Bully sticks...AKA...bull penises!!!!!!:D :D :D They don't splinter or swell, and aren't bad for them like rawhide.

[debbiej]

ewww! they told me they were intestines! they are very long and stinky, maybe the shorter ones were bull penises?