Charlie's Thread

[HuffleClaw]

If anyone would like to link any anxiety chews for dogs that seem to have good reviews, that would be great! I want to try “natural” supplements before resorting to any sort of prescription anxiety medication.

 

[NatJ]

In both frustration and worry, I yelled at Charlie to leave it alone, and he cowered down in front of me. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach and I sat on the ground and had a good cry. Charlie was just barely wagging his tail, and licking me. I’m part of the problem. It’s my fault he can’t gain confidence. He was just trying to help.

Yes, it would have been better if you had not yelled.
But he did what you said (left the duck alone.)
I hope you remembered to tell him he was a good dog (for obeying your command) before you sat down and cried.

This is not an impossible problem, just one you'll have to keep working on for a while.

I seriously need to put him in his crate while I do things like this.

Yes, thinking ahead and putting him in his crate does sound like a good idea for situations like this

 

[HuffleClaw]

Yes, it would have been better if you had not yelled.
But he did what you said (left the duck alone.)
I hope you remembered to tell him he was a good dog (for obeying your command) before you sat down and cried.

This is not an impossible problem, just one you'll have to keep working on for a while.


Yes, thinking ahead and putting him in his crate does sound like a good idea for situations like this

Well it was more of during the cry-session but yes I told him he was a good dog, and apologized to him even though he doesn’t know what an apology is. I think being sick has my emotions even more out of whack, I swear I never cry this much

Thank you for your words, they are very appreciated

 

[HuffleClaw]

Ideas on what I should freeze for Charlie tonight? Last night was peanut butter, blueberries, a chicken foot, pumpkin seeds, and a fresh egg

 

[NatJ]

Ideas on what I should freeze for Charlie tonight? Last night was peanut butter, blueberries, a chicken foot, pumpkin seeds, and a fresh egg

You can put ordinary dry dog food in a dish with water, and freeze that. (Not as much fun as the other things you did, but sometimes handy as a backup plan for when you can't think of anything better.)

 

[StinkyAcres]

Feel free to share any stories or things that seem to make it easier for you, and I’ll do the same. We’ve got this

So a long line is just a really long leash? How do I recall him if he can still travel pretty far? Or is it just to ensure he doesn’t run off?

(Experts, correct me if I'm wrong) I believe a long line is to be used to guide the dog in the correct direction and ensure he does what you want him to do. You can choke up on the long line to keep him near when he needs to be and let it out to let him roam when you give him the release command.

I have to ask - why are you giving up using the e-collar?

 

[HuffleClaw]

(Experts, correct me if I'm wrong) I believe a long line is to be used to guide the dog in the correct direction and ensure he does what you want him to do. You can choke up on the long line to keep him near when he needs to be and let it out to let him roam when you give him the release command.

I have to ask - why are you giving up using the e-collar?

Well in cases of emergency, if the e collar isnt on, he needs to be able to be recalled. That, and the AMOUNT of dirty looks I got when we visited the Pumpkin Patch last year was astounding. It makes everything more stressful when people start to stare. But I’ll say for his first huge event like that, he did great and remained calm for the most part (he didn’t like when the cleanup guys would get close on their loud four-wheelers and talk to him, he would hide behind me).

 

[StinkyAcres]

Well in cases of emergency, if the e collar isnt on, he needs to be able to be recalled. That, and the AMOUNT of dirty looks I got when we visited the Pumpkin Patch last year was astounding. It makes everything more stressful when people start to stare. But I’ll say for his first huge event like that, he did great and remained calm for the most part (he didn’t like when the cleanup guys would get close on their loud four-wheelers and talk to him, he would hide behind me).

I see. I didn't think about how people would react in public.
My dog is afraid of loud vehicles as well...and masculine people and kids and strange dogs and almost everything in the dark. We have basically had to teach her to stay behind us because she barks and raises her hair and scares people and dogs. We help her by standing/walking confidently in front of her to show we are in charge and she doesn't need to try to defend herself. She has mostly overcome her fear of cars after we started using this method.

 

[lomine]

A long line is basically a very long leash, but not a retractable leash. I adopted my dog in May when he was about 3 months old. He spent the first few months on the long line anytime he was outside with me. I used a 20ft line. First, I kept it a bit shorter and held one end or tied it up next to me while I completed my barn chores. Then I eventually gave him more freedom and let go of the end but kept it attached to him and made sure he stayed close to me. If he got naughty I could easily step on the leash and bring him back under control. He's now off leash while outside (my property is fully fenced). He still does naughty things sometimes and he still has puppy brain sometimes. I will get mad sometimes too and yell the command a little louder than needed. It's easy to do in the heat of the moment when he's trying to play with a chicken, and I know it's getting stressed. But when he stops, I'll call him to me and reward him when he comes. I tell him good listening and give pets.

If you have the long line on him and he won't listen to your recall, you simply pull him to you. (Not yanking) You can then repeat the recall and treat/reward. Make sure that whenever he comes it's a positive interaction.

Herding would be great. My pup kind of taught himself to herd my goats into their stall. It actually really helped me when a couple does didn't want to be milked. You could check out some herding videos online and look at the commands they teach them. If he's doing it naturally it should mean he likes it.

I used CBD (Hemp Girls) treats and Rescue Remedy with my anxious dog. He developed doggie dementia in his later years. Towards the end of his life, I would give him the Rescue Remedy every evening. It was the only thing that would help him sleep through the night.

Give yourself a break. You are going to trip up. He is going to trip up. Celebrate the triumphs and learn from the mistakes. Baby steps.

 

[HuffleClaw]

A long line is basically a very long leash, but not a retractable leash. I adopted my dog in May when he was about 3 months old. He spent the first few months on the long line anytime he was outside with me. I used a 20ft line. First, I kept it a bit shorter and held one end or tied it up next to me while I completed my barn chores. Then I eventually gave him more freedom and let go of the end but kept it attached to him and made sure he stayed close to me. If he got naughty I could easily step on the leash and bring him back under control. He's now off leash while outside (my property is fully fenced). He still does naughty things sometimes and he still has puppy brain sometimes. I will get mad sometimes too and yell the command a little louder than needed. It's easy to do in the heat of the moment when he's trying to play with a chicken, and I know it's getting stressed. But when he stops, I'll call him to me and reward him when he comes. I tell him good listening and give pets.

If you have the long line on him and he won't listen to your recall, you simply pull him to you. (Not yanking) You can then repeat the recall and treat/reward. Make sure that whenever he comes it's a positive interaction.

Herding would be great. My pup kind of taught himself to herd my goats into their stall. It actually really helped me when a couple does didn't want to be milked. You could check out some herding videos online and look at the commands they teach them. If he's doing it naturally it should mean he likes it.

I used CBD (Hemp Girls) treats and Rescue Remedy with my anxious dog. He developed doggie dementia in his later years. Towards the end of his life, I would give him the Rescue Remedy every evening. It was the only thing that would help him sleep through the night.

Give yourself a break. You are going to trip up. He is going to trip up. Celebrate the triumphs and learn from the mistakes. Baby steps.

Thank you sooo much!