Michigan

[teeville5]

My mom did look up Submissive Urination a few months ago, and tried that training method, but I think it is overwhelming for her where there are 8 plus people giving commands and enforcing it. Would she respond better with just me working with her?

When she first came here at 10 weeks old, she have never left home, we have not taken her anywhere. The reason we got her is to guard our place, not to accept strangers uninvited.

She would do best with only one person training her. It gets too confusing for the dog, especially if each person is using a different word or phrase for the command you want them to learn.

Socializing is important. Doing so doesn't make the dog accept every stranger. My dog will still growl or bark at someone she doesn't know. She only accepts them if she is with one of us and we don't act like something is wrong and are being friendly with the person. I understand wanting a guard dog, but an improperly socialized dog can become a hazard. I come into contact with dogs all the time in my job and can tell when one is not friendly so I don't do anything that would be considered provoking it, but there are still times when a dog will come racing out of nowhere that is intent on harming. I had one of those incidents and when the owner ran out to help they couldn't even control the dog and if it hadn't been for the parcel I used to block the attack, my leg would have been severely mauled. I no longer deliver parcels there because an untrained, unsocialized dog is a dangerous dog. There will be times when you cannot avoid having someone on your property whether it's the mailman, meter man, byc friend. You do not want a dog that will automatically harm anyone no matter who they are and if you do I hope you are willing to accept the consequences if she should harm someone.


eta- Olive, you posted while I was making mine and it looks like we are mostly on the same page in our thoughts. I have not had first hand experience with her as you have so I trust your judgement with it.

 

[chicken grandma]

Another day for the books. The bank decided we had abandoned our home, not sure how when I talk to them every three days, we are in foreclosure but even if it sold it would still be ours for 6 months. They sent in a company to "secure" our home for us. They managed to "secure" some things for themselves and stole several items including, with value, silver notes etc. and priceless, my husbands rolls royce derby car. Of course they deny it and say the house was open. I'm glad they talked to my DH on the phone because had it been in person I think he would have come unglued on them. He made a police report but what can they do.

This is incredible/horrible. Please let us know how/if we can help. I'll pray for you and sometimes God kicks a_ _. Think I'll prayfor that!

 

[1muttsfan]

Good morning Michigan, looks like I beat Opa up for a change

Farmerboy, has she gone to the veth for her shots? At 10 weeks of age she would have been due for 2 more distemper shots and a rabies shot. We are coming into the parvo season and those shots are very important for a young dog especially. Vet clinics often have to deal with dogs that are fearful or temperamental, so you should not let that stop you. And she should definitely have a rabies shot, both because she is a farm dog and because she sounds like a dog that may be more likely to bite.

 

[ladyfeather]

Taprock that is awful! The banks are just disgusting regarding the foreclosure and short sale processes. I agree with chickengrandma, let us know if we can help.

Mom2- Everyday is another adventure or level of frustration with my son. 5 years ago I thought I was ready to tear my hair out over my extremely better behaved daughter. She is a bit more drama but a lot calmer and laid back. He, on the other hand, is always tearing into something or dashing all over and way more sensitive. She is into all things stereotypical girly (

) and he is into all things dubbed manly and anything his sister has. Hopefully everyone will mellow out with the nice weather and the chickens/ducks have their own little areas to run around in to protect them from predators and overzealous toddlers.
You should know about rabbit babies pretty shortly

Farmerboy: It sounds like there is a ton of great advice on here and I hope that you get her more settled in the scheme of things.

 

[Opa]

Another day on the green side so live is good. I was up much earlier than Mary but just read the thread and logged off without posting. Lots to do today. I've got to transplant some red raspberries from my neighbor. Pick up the pile of frost heaved rocks that I racked up in the garden yesterday and then start working up the garden. It will soon be time to start planting.

Hope had to hit the ground running this morning. First she had to check on her stepfather. Yesterday he was acting so bizarre that she took him the the hospital in Howell. After some initial testing he was admitted for further testing. When she checked this morning all they could tell her was he had some type of incident last night and they couldn't tell her more until later this morning when the doctor comes in.

She came back home, grabbed a few things and headed for Ann Arbor to help her son and daughter-in-law with the new babies. I guess the babies are having to be fed every 30 minutes and for some reason they have to have her help. Roy's wife is an RN and intends to go back to work as soon as possible while Roy, who is unable to work due to injuries sustained in a mortar attack in Iraq, will be taking care of the babies. From the sound of it I think it is going to be more like Hope is taking care of the babies.

Hope feels she needs to be there doing all she can while I tend to be more of the "you shouldn't have them if you can't take care of them" attitude, but if I say much I automatically become the heavy. Neither of Hope's boys seem to be able to cut the apron string.

Granny returns home later this morning after having spent a week in Muskegon at my youngest brother's home. While she always enjoys spending time with them, she is always glad to be back home. Both my brother and his wife still work so she is alone though out the day and they live in a subdivision with small yards with little to see. Here there is always some kind of wildlife visible so it helps to make the day more interesting. While she always takes some type of "hand work" project to work on, there is always something from her sewing room she needs.

Hope everyone is able to take advantage of what looks to be shaping up to be a great day. No wind, no rain, lots of sunshine yet not too hot. Another day to enjoy being alive.

 

[ladyfeather]

Opa, it sounds like it will be non stop for a little while. I hope Hope's stepdad gets better quickly and she gets a chance to slow down.

 

[NovaAman]

Mom, that is exactly what that means. Be prepared for babies tonight or tomorrow. Hope you got a rabbit nest box.

 

[SillyChicken]

Thanks everyone for the advice. She does loves me and all of our family members, likes to play with us, and is great with chickens. She has never chased a chicken or bit one, but loves their droppings.

We got her when she was 10 weeks old, and was the last of litter to be sold.
Her issues are-
Going bathroom where we don't want her to go, want her to go in one spot only. But getting better at that.
When we come home, she is on the landing on top of the stairs in the house, and she does not come down to greet us, but stay in her spot for like 5 to 10 minutes before coming down. When she does comes down, she have her ears flat, and tail semi tucked, but wagging a bit.
She wets a spot on the floor when we greet her.
Is skittish of things, would sometime bark at someone behind one of us.
Scared of the cows and would not go within 50 feet of the cow fence, but would go right up to the hog fence.
Biggest issue is that she only obeys part of the time, like- not coming when we call ''Come'' 50 percent of the time, she would go under a van or truck or a bench and lay down and wag her tail, but won't move.

Any help is appreciated.

So, Farmerboy... hate to say it, but it doesn't sound like there is anything wrong with the dog...as much as how she's handled. 90% of the issues people have with their dogs are problems they've created themselves. She doesn't have any confidence for one. And I have a feeling, she doesn't understand what you want from her either. Have you considered taking her to obedience classes? PLEASE, do not breed her. Rehome her and get a different dog if you're not happy with her.

 

[NovaAman]

Opa, I quite agree with you on the kids thing. But that being said... It is reins, so I am sure a helping hand will be nice. The reason for 30 minute feeding schedule is to keep the babies weight up. And get it up fast. It is not unusual for small babies and multiples to lose weight in the first few days. My oldest was born at 6 pounds 9 ounces... The next day when we went home, he was 5 pounds 11 ounces, and he was CONSTANTLY on the breast for the first few weeks. It made doing anything very difficult.

 

[NovaAman]

Daron, Ruby is like that. She was so bad when got her that she would puddle if I reached down to fast to pet her. She is much better now, but not escaping part. Lol.