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8 month old misbehaving



 
 
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  #1  
Old April 8th 04, 05:14 PM
Bill F
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Default 8 month old misbehaving

....or so it seems. He's a bernese mtn dog, bordier collie, shepherd mix
I got at an animal shelter. He was very happy and friendly when I got
him so I don't think he came with any significant scars.

I've noticed over the last 5 months or so I've had him that
training/correcting successfully modifies behavior i.e. not chewing
inappropriate objects, not going in the house, but, that there will be
temporary periods of digression. This last week it seems has been a
period of digression. It's been particularly troubling that he's chewed
and dug and dragged things that I have specifically scolded him for MORE
than once in the past. For instance, he's now the chewed cable off the
side of the house 3 times, twice in the last week.

Until this week I'd been of the belief that he does these things when
he's been left too long. Having left him for periods up to 7 hours
(despite my distaste for doing so) it seems that his threshold for
staying relatively calm, has been around 4 hours. I assumed this would
if anything increase with age, yet, the last couple of episodes of
destructive behavior occured when I left him for 4 hours or less. Also,
I recently installed an automatic dog door so he could freely move
between the kitchen, his home base and the backyard thinking this
freedom of movement would increase his options for acitivity while I'm out.

I should add that I am aware that the collies need a lot of work and
I've attempted to take him out to one of several local dog parks for an
hour a day on a pretty regular basis. I've also tried to keep the house
and backyard stocked with acceptable chewables although he goes through
them more quickly than I can resupply sometimes.

Last night he dug up a potted plant INSIDE while I was home asleep.
This is the first time he's touched this plant for months after
repeatedly being scolded for doing so and the first time he's done
anything this destructive while I was at home. This time he pulled the
plant entirely out of the pot and broke off a main stem.

Unfortunately, I was unable to catch him in the act of the last several
destructive incidents noted here, so my approach has been to take him to
the scene of the crime, grab his snout, point it at the evidence and
yell NO. Then I crate him for an hour or so. Well, I just read a
posting that says crating him after the fact is NOT advisable as he
won't be able to associate the crating as punishment for the crime.

Anyway, the last two episodes have pushed me to the previously
unthinkable thought of giving him up. I work at home and actually have
the time right now to attend to him, but, I've been trying to make a
little more time for myself after giving him top priority, at the
expense of a social life, for the first several months I had him.

We're taking a training class where we've covered the standard, sit,
heel, down, stay, and I feel as though we're having some success in that
area. I spoke to the teacher after the last time he chewed the cable
and dug a big hole and did some other BAD things outside and she said it
will probably get worse before he turns 1. This was of course a big
disappointment to hear as I assumed with age and training it should get
better in a linear fashion.

I've considered getting a second older dog, that might provide valuable
companionship and model behavior, but, I'm leaning against the
additional responsibility in general, and, I feel like I want to get a
handle on this guy first before attempting to parent a second.

Looking for more suggestions on how to appropriately correct
misbehaviors as well as moral support.

  #2  
Old April 8th 04, 06:32 PM
DogStar716
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

It's been particularly troubling that he's chewed
and dug and dragged things that I have specifically scolded him for MORE
than once in the past.


Dogs have two sets of rules... one when you are there, and one when you aren't


Because you have scolded your dog after be destroys something means nothing to
the dog. You have to catch him in the act. And even then, the dog learns not
to touch things when you are there (because bad things happen). When you
aren't there, it's a free for all because nothing bad happens when the dog is
doing the crime

You cannot leave a young dog alone and free in the house and expect him not to
destroy things. You need to confine the dog when you cannot supervise. A
crate, an xpen, a babygated room that is dog safe are all options. In time he
may earn free roam of the house, but right now he needs to be confined when you
aren't there, or are sleeping.

so my approach has been to take him to
the scene of the crime, grab his snout, point it at the evidence and
yell NO. Then I crate him for an hour or so.


Again, your dog has NO idea why he is being punished. You CANNOT correct a dog
after the fact, it teaches the dog nothing except that when you see (for
example) a plant lying on the ground, bad things happen to HIM

In order to keep your belongings safe, you have to prevent the dog from getting
to them. Provide your dog with lots of his own chew toys, preferrably non
ingestible as they last longer. If you catch him in the act, remove the
offending item from his mouth and replace it with his chew toy. Keep things you
don't want destroyed (like shoes) picked up. For things you cannot move, try
bitter apple spray (tastes icky to the dog and usually deters them from
chewing). Prevention is key; you have to pick your training battles and trying
to train a dog not to chew when you are not there is extrememly difficult.
Better to just prevent. He may grow out of it in time anyway.

Excercise is also key. A tired dog is a good dog, or so they say. Continue
with classes, training is for LIFE, not just 8 weeks. After at least two
training classes, it isn't necessary to take more, but you do have to keep up
with the training on your own from time to time.

You don't say how old your dog is, but in general, after 2-3 years of age
(depending on breed) a well excercised, well trained, well socialized dog
matures a bit and is not so prone to destruction.

Good luck!
Dogstar716
My Dogs: http://hometown.aol.com/dogstar716/TheBoys.html


  #3  
Old April 8th 04, 06:32 PM
DogStar716
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

It's been particularly troubling that he's chewed
and dug and dragged things that I have specifically scolded him for MORE
than once in the past.


Dogs have two sets of rules... one when you are there, and one when you aren't


Because you have scolded your dog after be destroys something means nothing to
the dog. You have to catch him in the act. And even then, the dog learns not
to touch things when you are there (because bad things happen). When you
aren't there, it's a free for all because nothing bad happens when the dog is
doing the crime

You cannot leave a young dog alone and free in the house and expect him not to
destroy things. You need to confine the dog when you cannot supervise. A
crate, an xpen, a babygated room that is dog safe are all options. In time he
may earn free roam of the house, but right now he needs to be confined when you
aren't there, or are sleeping.

so my approach has been to take him to
the scene of the crime, grab his snout, point it at the evidence and
yell NO. Then I crate him for an hour or so.


Again, your dog has NO idea why he is being punished. You CANNOT correct a dog
after the fact, it teaches the dog nothing except that when you see (for
example) a plant lying on the ground, bad things happen to HIM

In order to keep your belongings safe, you have to prevent the dog from getting
to them. Provide your dog with lots of his own chew toys, preferrably non
ingestible as they last longer. If you catch him in the act, remove the
offending item from his mouth and replace it with his chew toy. Keep things you
don't want destroyed (like shoes) picked up. For things you cannot move, try
bitter apple spray (tastes icky to the dog and usually deters them from
chewing). Prevention is key; you have to pick your training battles and trying
to train a dog not to chew when you are not there is extrememly difficult.
Better to just prevent. He may grow out of it in time anyway.

Excercise is also key. A tired dog is a good dog, or so they say. Continue
with classes, training is for LIFE, not just 8 weeks. After at least two
training classes, it isn't necessary to take more, but you do have to keep up
with the training on your own from time to time.

You don't say how old your dog is, but in general, after 2-3 years of age
(depending on breed) a well excercised, well trained, well socialized dog
matures a bit and is not so prone to destruction.

Good luck!
Dogstar716
My Dogs: http://hometown.aol.com/dogstar716/TheBoys.html


  #4  
Old April 8th 04, 06:32 PM
DogStar716
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

It's been particularly troubling that he's chewed
and dug and dragged things that I have specifically scolded him for MORE
than once in the past.


Dogs have two sets of rules... one when you are there, and one when you aren't


Because you have scolded your dog after be destroys something means nothing to
the dog. You have to catch him in the act. And even then, the dog learns not
to touch things when you are there (because bad things happen). When you
aren't there, it's a free for all because nothing bad happens when the dog is
doing the crime

You cannot leave a young dog alone and free in the house and expect him not to
destroy things. You need to confine the dog when you cannot supervise. A
crate, an xpen, a babygated room that is dog safe are all options. In time he
may earn free roam of the house, but right now he needs to be confined when you
aren't there, or are sleeping.

so my approach has been to take him to
the scene of the crime, grab his snout, point it at the evidence and
yell NO. Then I crate him for an hour or so.


Again, your dog has NO idea why he is being punished. You CANNOT correct a dog
after the fact, it teaches the dog nothing except that when you see (for
example) a plant lying on the ground, bad things happen to HIM

In order to keep your belongings safe, you have to prevent the dog from getting
to them. Provide your dog with lots of his own chew toys, preferrably non
ingestible as they last longer. If you catch him in the act, remove the
offending item from his mouth and replace it with his chew toy. Keep things you
don't want destroyed (like shoes) picked up. For things you cannot move, try
bitter apple spray (tastes icky to the dog and usually deters them from
chewing). Prevention is key; you have to pick your training battles and trying
to train a dog not to chew when you are not there is extrememly difficult.
Better to just prevent. He may grow out of it in time anyway.

Excercise is also key. A tired dog is a good dog, or so they say. Continue
with classes, training is for LIFE, not just 8 weeks. After at least two
training classes, it isn't necessary to take more, but you do have to keep up
with the training on your own from time to time.

You don't say how old your dog is, but in general, after 2-3 years of age
(depending on breed) a well excercised, well trained, well socialized dog
matures a bit and is not so prone to destruction.

Good luck!
Dogstar716
My Dogs: http://hometown.aol.com/dogstar716/TheBoys.html


  #5  
Old April 8th 04, 06:34 PM
DogStar716
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Oh, nevermind, you do say the dog is 8 months old

Right now he is starting adolesence. This is the time when many dogs are give
up to shelters. If you can make it through this period using the suggestions
you get here, you will have a nice well mannered pet when he does mature

Dogstar716
My Dogs: http://hometown.aol.com/dogstar716/TheBoys.html


  #6  
Old April 8th 04, 06:34 PM
DogStar716
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Oh, nevermind, you do say the dog is 8 months old

Right now he is starting adolesence. This is the time when many dogs are give
up to shelters. If you can make it through this period using the suggestions
you get here, you will have a nice well mannered pet when he does mature

Dogstar716
My Dogs: http://hometown.aol.com/dogstar716/TheBoys.html


  #7  
Old April 8th 04, 06:34 PM
DogStar716
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Oh, nevermind, you do say the dog is 8 months old

Right now he is starting adolesence. This is the time when many dogs are give
up to shelters. If you can make it through this period using the suggestions
you get here, you will have a nice well mannered pet when he does mature

Dogstar716
My Dogs: http://hometown.aol.com/dogstar716/TheBoys.html


  #8  
Old April 8th 04, 07:00 PM
Michelle
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Bill F" wrote in message
...
SNIP

Looking for more suggestions on how to appropriately correct
misbehaviors as well as moral support.



I have had similar experiences recently with my newest addition a male
pound puppy adopted at 10 months... Buddy could not be left in the house for
ANY length of time unattended without destroying something (things that
were put up when I left, apparently not well enough) and I have two dogs so
loneliness should not be a factor...

I started leaving him in a crate then slowly (for short trips at first)
leaving him out making sure to dog proof as much as possible and after a
couple tests we left him for a few hours and he has been fine.... he does
get rewarded when I come home and on occasion (when we will be gone for over
3 hrs.) I give them both kongs with peanut butter when we leave...

I disagree that there is no hope for a destructive dog (especially at 8
months) and yes it may get worse before it gets better, I would go for
crating him when you are gone and making sure you give him a LOT of exercise
and chew toys for strong chewing ie. kongs and air kong toys... check this
site for good prices, Very important with a destructo dog
http://www.upco.com


Best of luck,
Michelle




  #9  
Old April 8th 04, 07:00 PM
Michelle
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Bill F" wrote in message
...
SNIP

Looking for more suggestions on how to appropriately correct
misbehaviors as well as moral support.



I have had similar experiences recently with my newest addition a male
pound puppy adopted at 10 months... Buddy could not be left in the house for
ANY length of time unattended without destroying something (things that
were put up when I left, apparently not well enough) and I have two dogs so
loneliness should not be a factor...

I started leaving him in a crate then slowly (for short trips at first)
leaving him out making sure to dog proof as much as possible and after a
couple tests we left him for a few hours and he has been fine.... he does
get rewarded when I come home and on occasion (when we will be gone for over
3 hrs.) I give them both kongs with peanut butter when we leave...

I disagree that there is no hope for a destructive dog (especially at 8
months) and yes it may get worse before it gets better, I would go for
crating him when you are gone and making sure you give him a LOT of exercise
and chew toys for strong chewing ie. kongs and air kong toys... check this
site for good prices, Very important with a destructo dog
http://www.upco.com


Best of luck,
Michelle




  #10  
Old April 8th 04, 07:00 PM
Michelle
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Bill F" wrote in message
...
SNIP

Looking for more suggestions on how to appropriately correct
misbehaviors as well as moral support.



I have had similar experiences recently with my newest addition a male
pound puppy adopted at 10 months... Buddy could not be left in the house for
ANY length of time unattended without destroying something (things that
were put up when I left, apparently not well enough) and I have two dogs so
loneliness should not be a factor...

I started leaving him in a crate then slowly (for short trips at first)
leaving him out making sure to dog proof as much as possible and after a
couple tests we left him for a few hours and he has been fine.... he does
get rewarded when I come home and on occasion (when we will be gone for over
3 hrs.) I give them both kongs with peanut butter when we leave...

I disagree that there is no hope for a destructive dog (especially at 8
months) and yes it may get worse before it gets better, I would go for
crating him when you are gone and making sure you give him a LOT of exercise
and chew toys for strong chewing ie. kongs and air kong toys... check this
site for good prices, Very important with a destructo dog
http://www.upco.com


Best of luck,
Michelle




 




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