bit of more than I can chew

[Sasha'sMom]

Well, boy I am really feeling the impact of having two young dogs now!! I had Taz (my three month old pit bull) and I thought he would like a playmate, so I bought Sasha (my 2 month old rottweiler). At first, everything was great! I felt that Taz was beginning to direct most of his puppy energy toward Sasha instead of my youngest son (5yrs), and Sasha was listening remarkably well. Well, that has changed. Instead, Taz is teaching Sasha his bad habits, ie going into the kitchen, sneaking into his snack cabinet, jumping on everyone etc. Sasha is much more comfortable now and seems a little more energetic than before. She responds to "come" very well, especially before. Now she kind of hesitates as if to say "Gee, do feel like coming this time?" I am crate training and she is doing very well with the crate training!! Going on 2 weeks and she has not gone "# 2" in the house at all. Pee 2 or 3 times but probably more my fault, waiting too long to take her out. Any suggestions on managing these two?? Please help!!!

[Mojave's Mom]

Sasha's Mom-

I would highly reccommend you getting both of these dogs into obedience training classes ASAP! You're dealing with two puppies who will quickly learn that until someone (YOU!) takes the upper-hand and claims the alpha spot, they will and can get away with running the house.

Begin establishing rules, giving/teaching commands and demanding obedience on their part. DO IT QUICK! If you haven't already started, get them outside and socialized (in addition to the obedience classes) around other people and other dogs/animals.

Two puppies at the same time...that's a lot to take on and not always a great idea- but what's done is done so now you MUST work with it and make it happen.

Remember patience and consistency on your part are more than a virtue......

[Sasha'sMom]

Thanks Mojave's Mom for your replies to both of my postings! I am definitely going to get them in puppy training soon. Probably in one more month. So far they both know a couple of commands. I love them both dearly, just sometimes feeling a bit overwhelmed. I don't like yelling at them, like when Sasha gets a shoe that she wants. I don't want to hide everything because I don't want them to learn that just because they can reach it, they can have it. I keep reading to teach them with lots of treats. How much is too much? Will it upset their meals?

[laurlitt]

Although I agree that both dogs need obedience training, they are both too young for a formal class and to be brought out for socializing. I would suggest the seperate crates like you asked in another post and a more watchful eye on these two rascals while you are around. Puppies should not have full range of the house and their play time should be supervised. If you can not watch them then they should be in the crate or isolated somewhere where they can cause trouble. You can start some basic obedience at home... Sit and down but make it fun and don't expect too much yet. Also, don't try to train them both at the same time.... YIKES!

[Mojave's Mom]

Sasha's Mom-

Give them small pieces of treats when you're teaching commands, not whole cookies or portions like that.

With the shoe-chewing, yelling is not needed, but give them a firm correction. Take the shoe away while saying "NO! No chew!" and then replace the shoe with something they CAN chew on like their toys. Do this with everything you don't want them to do, but give positive praise when they do something right or good.

Please remember that you're not being mean and you shoul never feel bad for teaching your dogs how to be good canine citizens. Just like children, they need rules. You'll be a MUCH happier mom and they'll be much happier dogs if they grow up knowing right from wrong. Otherwise, those cute puppy-antics they're displaying now will turn into "I can't take this chewing and ripping apart of my home anymore!" thought on your end. Read up on the training forum here on this site. Read Rottweiler books. Go to classes and talk to other owners and especially your dog trainer. Good luck!

[laurlitt]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Sasha'sMom:
How much is too much? Will it upset their meals?</font>

You can train w/ their meals. Use their mealtime food as training treats. Have a short training session before mealtime and then feed them the remaining food as a meal. They will love to work for food!

[Mojave's Mom]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by laurlitt:
Although I agree that both dogs need obedience training, they are both too young for a formal class and to be brought out for socializing. </font>

I agree...didn't pay close enough attention to how old they were....read the post too fast!! But you can still have people over to get them associated with outsiders...the four month old is approaching puppy class age. And you can still take them to places other then parks and public "dog" places to get them accustommed to people...avoid possible "parvo" places though http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif


[This message has been edited by Mojave's Mom (edited January 31, 2001).]

[JonandMichelle]

The first thing you MUST do is seperate!! They are so close in age, they are/will form their "own" pack with one another. This is something you DONT want! You can give them time to play together, but not to much and under strict supervision. You must train them seperatly, feed them seperatly, crate them seperatly, BOND with them seperatly. This is gonna take a lot of your time and it will be hard work. I would suggest you buy as many books about these two breeds and learn all the traits that come along with them. I would also start training them how to act and react to your child. As Ive preached before, I use the command words "Baby" and "Easy" for ALL my pups/dogs. I would also keep them on light weight leashes around your child (seperatly). If YOU want this to work, it CAN. Good luck and keep your chin up.

Not a slame on you, but people get themselves in this situation a lot. Raising more then one pup at a time takes A LOT of experance to accomplish this task. It is NOT an easy thing to do. As you have just found out. Esp. with these two breeds.

[Sasha'sMom]

I am beginning to realize just what I've gotten myself into! I honestly had no idea that there would be so many variables to consider!! Thank you all so much, your posts have been very enlightening! I will buy another crate next week (payday) but all of the other changes will begin now. I had no idea they would form their own pack, but it makes so much sense now that you have brought it to my attention. I thank you all for the wonderful advice and knowledge you have shared with me. I will do my best to raise these pups properly. I will definitely keep you posted. In the meantime all of your help is certainly needed and appreciated!!
Francine

[This message has been edited by Sasha'sMom (edited January 31, 2001).]

[WorkinDogz]

You have quite a road ahead of you!

Everyone is absolutely correct about training and socializing.

Just remember...they are 2 dogs...not ONE with 8 legs.

Raising one puppy is work..raising two is double that plus some.

They don't have to be together constantly. Take the outside individually to train and to socialize.

I don't know of any Obedience instructor that would allow you to take both dogs to the same Puppy Kindergarten class. It would be counter productive for the dogs.

Dig your heels in and plan on making a commitment that you CAN do this! http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

Chin up....don't let yourself get frustrated and if you need a time out....there's NOTHING wrong with giving them THEIR much needed down time in their crates! Even if it's in the middle of day or when you'd like to go to the bathroom by yourself for a change http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif