OK OK I'm gonna let some of you say I told you so but
just this once. ;-)

Ruby is doing much better with the housebreaking. She
has only peed in the house once during the last 2 weeks
and that was after she had asked my wife to go out, and
my wife didn't take her out (figuring she could wait just
a few more minutes to finish something)

What I think got her started on the road to housebreaking
was me leashing her to myself for the weekend, a couple
weeks ago, and us keeping her in her kennel when she wasn't
on the leash. Ruby did not like the leashing - at first she tried
fighting it (but no dog can chew steel chain) but within a few
hours she became resigned to it. One thing I think helped it
sink in was we went over to my parents for dinner and I took
her along - the entire time, still leashed to me. I think that
by late Sunday she was actually kind of liking it, in a way.

I don't think that the logic, though, was "I stop peeing in
the house and they will let me go" I actually think it was
more along the lines that the leashing changed our relationship
in some manner. Where I really noticed
this (and some other people have too) is in how she interacts
with me, verses my wife and the kids. She doesen't seem to
ever initiate play with me, while she will with my wife. And
it might be just my imagination but it seems like when I'm in
the room, she's always kind of keeping an eye on what I'm
doing. It's not a fear thing, it's more like "the boss is in the
room, I better watch what I'm doing" And, when that happened
and it became clear to her that I did NOT like the peeing in
the house, I think that is what got her to stop doing it.

It's too soon to know for sure but it's definitely far better than
it was.

Ted

"Ted Mittelstaedt" wrote in message
...
OK OK I'm gonna let some of you say I told you so but
just this once. ;-)

Ruby is doing much better with the housebreaking. She
has only peed in the house once during the last 2 weeks
and that was after she had asked my wife to go out, and
my wife didn't take her out (figuring she could wait just
a few more minutes to finish something)

What I think got her started on the road to housebreaking
was me leashing her to myself for the weekend, a couple
weeks ago, and us keeping her in her kennel when she wasn't
on the leash. Ruby did not like the leashing - at first she tried
fighting it (but no dog can chew steel chain) but within a few
hours she became resigned to it. One thing I think helped it
sink in was we went over to my parents for dinner and I took
her along - the entire time, still leashed to me. I think that
by late Sunday she was actually kind of liking it, in a way.

I don't think that the logic, though, was "I stop peeing in
the house and they will let me go" I actually think it was
more along the lines that the leashing changed our relationship
in some manner. Where I really noticed
this (and some other people have too) is in how she interacts
with me, verses my wife and the kids. She doesen't seem to
ever initiate play with me, while she will with my wife. And
it might be just my imagination but it seems like when I'm in
the room, she's always kind of keeping an eye on what I'm
doing. It's not a fear thing, it's more like "the boss is in the
room, I better watch what I'm doing" And, when that happened
and it became clear to her that I did NOT like the peeing in
the house, I think that is what got her to stop doing it.

It's too soon to know for sure but it's definitely far better than
it was.

It may be that she now recognizes you as the alpha leader, and looks to you
for guidance and the OK to do anything. It is very important to notice when
the dog pays attention to you and give praise. Also I think she recognizes
the house as the "den" which is a "sacred" area that is not to be soiled.

I'm not sure if not initiating play is a sign of subservience to an alpha.
Muttley is not really a playful dog.

Good job!

Paul and Muttley

"Ted Mittelstaedt" said in
rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

I don't think that the logic, though, was "I stop peeing in
the house and they will let me go" I actually think it was
more along the lines that the leashing changed our
relationship in some manner. Where I really noticed
this (and some other people have too) is in how she
interacts with me, verses my wife and the kids. She
doesen't seem to ever initiate play with me, while she will
with my wife. And it might be just my imagination but it
seems like when I'm in the room, she's always kind of
keeping an eye on what I'm doing. It's not a fear thing,
it's more like "the boss is in the room, I better watch
what I'm doing" And, when that happened and it became
clear to her that I did NOT like the peeing in the house, I
think that is what got her to stop doing it.

Can you be more specific as to why you think her behaviour isn't
fear based?

It's normal for dogs to initiate play with those of all status
levels.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

"Ted Mittelstaedt" wrote:
What I think got her started on the road to housebreaking
was me leashing her to myself for the weekend, a couple
weeks ago, and us keeping her in her kennel when she wasn't
on the leash. ...
I don't think that the logic, though, was "I stop peeing in
the house and they will let me go" I actually think it was
more along the lines that the leashing changed our relationship
in some manner.

A classic example of someone doing the right thing for the wrong reason.

Yes, tethering the dog to a responsible human is an effective housebreaking
tool. But it's got very little to do with the dog, and almost everything
about the human. The decades-old advice of using a rolled-up newspaper is
relevant. (When your dog makes a mess in the house, tightly roll up a
newspaper, then firmly and repeatedly swat YOURSELF over the head whilst
reciting "I forgot to watch the dog. I forgot to watch the dog. I forgot
to watch the dog.")

The newspaper advice, btw, also applies to any accidents incurred while the
dog is tethered to you.

--
Mary H. and the restored Ames National Zoo:
The Right Reverand Sir Edgar "Lucky" Pan-Waffles;
U-CD ANZ Babylon Ranger, CD, RE; ANZ Pas de Duke, RN; and rotund Rhia

This is good news, you are on the right track with the tethering.

I have trained all my dogs this way and they are all reliable and will
actually come get me when they want out regardless of where I am in the
house. Keep up the work with the tethering and the kenneling when you can't
watch her. It will only get better if you do.

Celeste

--
Save 25% or more on your eBay® auctions
Snipe eBay Auctions with Bidnip
http://www.bidnip.com/a.php?id=39019

"Ted Mittelstaedt" wrote in message
...
OK OK I'm gonna let some of you say I told you so but
just this once. ;-)

Ruby is doing much better with the housebreaking. She
has only peed in the house once during the last 2 weeks
and that was after she had asked my wife to go out, and
my wife didn't take her out (figuring she could wait just
a few more minutes to finish something)

What I think got her started on the road to housebreaking
was me leashing her to myself for the weekend, a couple
weeks ago, and us keeping her in her kennel when she wasn't
on the leash. Ruby did not like the leashing - at first she tried
fighting it (but no dog can chew steel chain) but within a few
hours she became resigned to it. One thing I think helped it
sink in was we went over to my parents for dinner and I took
her along - the entire time, still leashed to me. I think that
by late Sunday she was actually kind of liking it, in a way.

I don't think that the logic, though, was "I stop peeing in
the house and they will let me go" I actually think it was
more along the lines that the leashing changed our relationship
in some manner. Where I really noticed
this (and some other people have too) is in how she interacts
with me, verses my wife and the kids. She doesen't seem to
ever initiate play with me, while she will with my wife. And
it might be just my imagination but it seems like when I'm in
the room, she's always kind of keeping an eye on what I'm
doing. It's not a fear thing, it's more like "the boss is in the
room, I better watch what I'm doing" And, when that happened
and it became clear to her that I did NOT like the peeing in
the house, I think that is what got her to stop doing it.

It's too soon to know for sure but it's definitely far better than
it was.

Ted

Ted said in part..
What I think got her started on the road to housebreaking was me
leashing her to myself for the weekend...
_______________________________
Ted,
Great! I am glad Ruby is getting there. I used to snicker at that
method myself (leashing a dog to me) but I have used the method in
recent years and it has saved my stuff from getting chewed up and helped
with housetraining. Of course a crate is invaluable while teaching a
dog either of the above.

Ruby is a pretty name.

What kind of motorcycle do you ride?


Be Free.....Judy

"Mary Healey" wrote in message
. 4...
"Ted Mittelstaedt" wrote:
What I think got her started on the road to housebreaking
was me leashing her to myself for the weekend, a couple
weeks ago, and us keeping her in her kennel when she wasn't
on the leash. ...
I don't think that the logic, though, was "I stop peeing in
the house and they will let me go" I actually think it was
more along the lines that the leashing changed our relationship
in some manner.

A classic example of someone doing the right thing for the wrong reason.

Yes, tethering the dog to a responsible human is an effective
housebreaking
tool. But it's got very little to do with the dog, and almost everything
about the human. The decades-old advice of using a rolled-up newspaper is
relevant. (When your dog makes a mess in the house, tightly roll up a
newspaper, then firmly and repeatedly swat YOURSELF over the head whilst
reciting "I forgot to watch the dog. I forgot to watch the dog. I forgot
to watch the dog.")


If tethering me to Ruby made me watch the
dog more closely then why after it appears that Ruby "got the idea" that she
is now going to the door and indicating she wants out, and if not taken
immediately
out, gets more and more insistent - whereas previously, she would simply go
pee
in the corner when she felt the need, without making any indication she
wanted
to go out.

No, I actually think in this case that the dog, and not the human, was the
one trained.

Ted

"Judith Althouse" wrote in message
...
Ted said in part..
What I think got her started on the road to housebreaking was me
leashing her to myself for the weekend...
_______________________________
Ted,
Great! I am glad Ruby is getting there. I used to snicker at that
method myself (leashing a dog to me) but I have used the method in
recent years and it has saved my stuff from getting chewed up and helped
with housetraining. Of course a crate is invaluable while teaching a
dog either of the above.

Ruby is a pretty name.

What kind of motorcycle do you ride?


I have a grand total of 3 bikes in the garage, a 1980 Honda CB750K, a 1981
CB 750 C,
and a '82 CB750F. The F is a project bike and the C is a former project
bike that I
finished, and tried selling this summer. (unfortunately, I asked too much
initially and by
the time I had the price dialed in, the summer was almost over) The only
thing that is
really in common with all 3 is the engine.

The CB750 post 1979 series are the predecessors to the 750 Nighthawk,
basically
the same engine. The CB series parts are cheap, consumables are cheap, the
bikes
themselves are cheap, and they are workhorse commuters which is what I
mainly
do with it. I really don't need a bike that goes faster than 110Mph top
speed on the
straightaway.

Ted

"Ted Mittelstaedt" wrote in message
...

If tethering me to Ruby made me watch the
dog more closely then why after it appears that Ruby "got the idea" that
she
is now going to the door and indicating she wants out, and if not taken
immediately
out, gets more and more insistent - whereas previously, she would simply
go pee
in the corner when she felt the need, without making any indication she
wanted
to go out.

No, I actually think in this case that the dog, and not the human, was the
one trained.

Ted

That may be true, but she is also older, and more able to hold her bladder,
and make decisions, such as "I won't pee on the floor, I will go outside."
An infant dog can't make those decisions.
--
Phyrie
Kiba the Cav's Pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phyrie/...758930/detail/

On 2008-12-24 03:42:03 -0500, "Ted Mittelstaedt" said:

If tethering me to Ruby made me watch the
dog more closely then why after it appears that Ruby "got the idea" that she
is now going to the door and indicating she wants out, and if not taken
immediately

Because she knows what you want, she's willing to do what you want and
she knows somebody will pay attention to her.

Tethering strengthens a bond and like it or not, whomever was tethered
is better communicating with the dog. It also doesn't matter who is
tethered to the dog or whether each of you is tethered.