Buddy is driving me NUTS! What am I doing wrong?

[michelle1017]

Ah, I often wonder how Buddy is doing every time Thunder and I have a go round. I am having the same problem as you are. Thunder pretty much does whatever I tell him to do, but not so much with the rest of the family. He scares them, including hubby, whom he has bitten a few times. I don't back down, therefore I am alpha dog, he looks at the others as just part of the pack. I have pretty much stopped concentrating on training the dog and started on the family instead. So far, if they will listen (thinking of offering them treats

) and follow my lead he is a pretty good dog. It takes special patience to take in an older rescue dog with baggage. I am glad to hear you haven't given up on him yet!

 

[thebritt]

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Hi Michelle! I was wondering how you all are doing as well! Did you get a chance to read Jaimee_dog_trainer's advice to me regarding Buddy and DH? It's great advice, but like you said, the family has to be on board as well. Maybe have your family members take turns feeding and giving commands w/treats? That's what we've been doing, though we stopped the treats because Buddy is SO food-driven that he loses focus on the task and just stares at my hand, sometimes barking'demanding the treat, so no more for Buddy!

 

[michelle1017]

I did read what she said and it makes a lot of sense. Actually I took Thunder to the vet around Christmas time hoping I could blame some of his behavior on arthritis. She remembers him from his previous owner and said he has always been a stubborn cranky dog! She told me pretty much the same thing Jamie said. I almost felt like I had Supernanny giving me a speech about how to raise my 2 year old! I have backed off on most of his care and have let my daughter do it. (son and hubby) She also puts him on his leash to go out and has been working with making him sit and stay before running out the house or coming back in and things like that. She does a good job with him, but there is still that fear and I know he can sense it. I also had her read Jamie's post to confirm what the vet said.

Did I tell you the story about him and vehicle riding? We had a major issue with that a while back, but I don't mean to hijack your thread!

 

[thebritt]

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Oh please, do tell! Any sharing of dog training issues are very welcome on this thread! Buddy has SERIOUS car-riding issues. Also, if any dog trainers read your question, they are more than welcome to respond here!

 

[michelle1017]

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Oh please, do tell! Any sharing of dog training issues are very welcome on this thread! Buddy has SERIOUS car-riding issues. Also, if any dog trainers read your question, they are more than welcome to respond here!

Well, not sure if I handled it right, so maybe Jamie can jump in and give me advice on it.

A few months ago I told him I would give him a ride in the van soon. (yes, I talk to him like he is a person and I think he really does understand more than I realize). So, that evening, it was a rare occasion that I let him outside without his leash (he runs off) and he went to the van with me to get something out. As soon as the door opened, he jumped right in. It was about 9 and I told him not tonight. He stayed in there. I left him for a while then realized he was not going to get out. My daughter and I tried everything from treats, feeding the treats to the cats in front of him, begging, pleading, tried to drag him out, but he would not budge. If I tried to reach for him he would growl and nip. Finally hubby, with less patience than me, went out there with a welder's glove and reached in. After much ruckus and fur flying and teeth showing, hubby came out with a bite through the glove and Thunder still in the van. I even gave him a ride around the block a few times, daughter tried to get in also, but he wouldn't let her go. To make a long story short, I left him in there overnight. It was fall and not too cold yet. In the morning, I tried again. Nope, he had found a coat and made himself a bed and was quite comfy. I took him for a drive again (running late for work) no go. So, I took him to work with me. About 9 am I went out and he climbed out to go potty, jumped back in. A few hours later a friend came in and I told her my problem, she went out and he came right out for her. Brought him in and he ate and drank and acted like nothing ever happened. At lunchtime I loaded him up and took him home and he was fine. He has done this 2 other times since and he was easier to get out then. But, I am afraid to take him anywhere anymore.

The vet told me to get a nylon muzzle and drag his butt out of there next time.

But, let me add, most days I wouldn't trade him for the world! Other days, I would give him to anyone who would offer!

 

[thebritt]

Well, Michelle, I hope Jamie jumps in. I have slip-leashes, the kind used at the vet's, and I probably would have attempted to slip it over Thunder's head and drag him out of there, but that's just me. Buddy's happy to jump in or out of the car, but BARKS REALLY LOUD the whole time I'm driving, so I'm not taking him ANYWHERE until he learns to shut up(!). Unfortunately, DH doesn't seem to mind the noise, so I don't know if I'll make any headway w/the dog. Sure sounds like Thunder needs to learn a lot more respect for all the humans in his life, but I'm sure you know that. That biting thing sounds a bit scary!
He sure is a cutie, though!

 

[michelle1017]

We have had problems recently with barking in the vehicle also, but he will usually settle down when I get on him. Then he just whines like he wants to bark. The last trip to town hubby thought it was a good idea to wash the truck. It made Thunder very nervous and then he growled at hubby when he tried to get back in the truck!

As far as the biting, he has gotten both hubby and son a few times. He is very lucky he still has a home, much less still breathing! But, we are trying to be patient with him, it is just hard sometimes. Overall, he has come a long way.

The vet told me the same thing, muzzle and drag his behind out of the vehicle. At the time, I didn't have anything in order to do that. I now have a muzzle. I can't wait until it gets warmer and he gets his first bath! We can't even pick him up without him growling.

Oh and this winter he parked his bed in front of my electric fireplace and staked it as his own, he growled at daughter when she tried to unplug it one night. He just needs to be put in his place!

 

[thebritt]

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Back when I would take Buddy to the beach (he got to go 4 times before I couldn't take it anymore) he'd do that whining thing too. Like he was on the verge of a bark. That's when I was trying the method of teaching him to speak on command for a treat, then say "quiet" and give a treat when he was quiet. However, while trying to drive, it's not so easy - he'd whine until he got a treat, then immediately whine until he got another treat, and so on. No treat and he'd BARK. Then I'd lose my cool and yell QUIET! and he'd bark right along with me. I'm lucky we didn't crash - he drove me absolutely NUTS! And wouldn't you think that, maybe, he'd be worn out and quiet on the way home, after running (literally) over 6 miles w/out a leash - just running the whole time? NO, NOT A CHANCE!

 

[Godsgrl]

When my dog, Sweet Pea, pulls, I just stop. She learns, 'i pull, we go nowhere. I walk nicely, we get somewhere.' I'm not sure about the barking thing, though. Good luck, it sounds like you are a good owner, and really trying with this dog.

 

[thebritt]

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I've done that. Buddy BARKS out of frustration after a couple stops. However, Buddy had such a crappy and bizzar(sp) life for the 8 years befor I got him that "normal" training techniques don't seem to work. I can see why people return dogs to shelters. It's sad, but unless someone is prepared to truly deal, I can see how it happens. Ideally, "problem" shelter dogs would "come with" a few training sessions w/a professional, IMO.
Thanks for your input, Godsgrl!