Bad Puppy Bad Owner Now What

[annanicole18]

thanks for all the responses. He really is such a good boy thats why it frustrates me that he still has these behaviors. the dog walker would be a good idea but we live in a rural area so that wont work since few people offer it. plus it makes me sad that i would have to do that since he could be outside if he hadn't developed his territorial aggression from the kids in our town. i can't leave him out because he has came close to jumping upright over our 5+ foot fence and i fear he will. The problem is that hes too smart much smarter than our lab. for instance once he figured out that going potty in the house was a bad thing he would go to the opposite part of the house we were in to 'hide" it longer and he would never go near a door. The only reason we use the crate as time out is that hes too happy go lucky and doesn't give his behaviors another thought if you just let him free he just resumes playing with our other dog like no harm is done. He still loves the crate though he will independently go in there take a nap chew a bone he just understands that when he has done wrong he gets separated from the rest of the family.

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
Yeppers!

I wish the OP the VERY BEST of luck! Good dog companions are a huge part of our lives!

 

[gritsar]

Brindle and Redyre give excellent advice and have been a tremendous help to us with our pup.
I've found that 95% of our puppy's unacceptable behavior is under control now that I walk him twice a day, every day. That and a few games of fetch in the yard and he's tired to cause trouble in the house.

 

[texasgal]

Quote:
Then learn to be smarter than him. Really.

I would stay a step ahead of him.

Don't give him an opportunity to fail .. or self reward.

Make a commitment to walk with this dog every evening.. WEAR HIM OUT.

He is 11 months old and will have puppy tendencies until 2 or 3.

Keep doing what you've always done .. keep getting what you always get.

Change up your game-plan!!

Keep us updated ..and best wishes.

 

[Wynette]

I agree with those above..but, having a smart puppy shouldn't be viewed as "a problem" - I've got one of those, and yes, "challenging" but the good thing is, my girl challenges me to be a better dog momma! BEST of luck!

 

[annanicole18]

i've been toying with the idea of getting into an agility class because i think he would absolutely love it. he always wants to please, loves to jump (i have homemade standards for both my dogs to jump), and he is obedient and looks to me for guidance. i would love to also compete after i would go through all the levels they have at the training school. does anyone here know more about agility? obviously hes a mixed breed he stands about 19 inches high at his shoulder so would he qualify as a large dog? i think it would wear him out and i would enjoy bonding with him and my other dog by doing it.

 

[texasgal]

It would DEFINITELY wear him out .. physically and mentally .. And for the next several months, he wouldn't be required to jump very high (4-8 inches) until he learns, and matures.

I think it would be an excellent outlet for ya'll .. and would improve his confidence to boot.

Do you have classes close to you available? Look for someone who trains VERY positive .. and I think most do nowadays.

 

[Brindlebtch]

1 He really is such a good boy thats why it frustrates me that he still has these behaviors.[/b]

The frustration should be directed at yourself. It is your responsibility to extinguish these behaviors, not the dog's.

2 plus it makes me sad that i would have to do that since he could be outside if he hadn't developed his territorial aggression from the kids in our town. i can't leave him out because he has came close to jumping upright over our 5+ foot fence and i fear he will. [/b]

He should not be left outside anyway. Crating has a very civilizing effect on dogs and makes them feel more a part of the pack. A certain amount of territorial aggression is normal, but you don't want a fence jumper, so he should be inside crated.

3 for instance once he figured out that going potty in the house was a bad thing he would go to the opposite part of the house we were in to 'hide" it longer and he would never go near a door.

You fault. A puppy that is not thoroughly house trained should be under your direct observation at all times when he is loose in the house. As soon as you see him try to "sneak away" it is time for him to go outside. It is up to you to make sure he eliminates outside until he understands what is expected of him.

3.5 him free he just resumes playing with our other dog like no harm is done.

Well of course he does! Do you expect him to act sorry or something? He is a dog! Don't expect him to act like a guilty human.

4 He still loves the crate though he will independently go in there take a nap chew a bone he just understands that when he has done wrong he gets separated from the rest of the family.

He probably understands that when you act a certain way he will be separated from the family and may not have the concept of "done wrong".

You are really burdening yourself and your dog with unrealistic expectations of dog behavior.

 

[MelissaR]

Hi there. It looks like you're getting some great advice from the other posters. I foster dogs for a pitbull/rottweiler rescue and understand how frustrating it can be to work with a dog on behavior issues. One thing that helped me get a better perspecitive on behavior was a book called "The Power of Positive Training" by Pat Miller. It has good explanations of how to use positive training overcome issues.

Good luck!

P.S. I think doing Agility is a great idea. Another thing you could try would be turning him into a disc dog (frisbee). I think it was last year (?) that the #1 disc dog in the country was a pitbull. This is his website: http://wallacethepitbull.ning.com/

 

[annanicole18]

see and my little boy loves to catch balls in the air too he has so much potential i just need to make the time to work with him