So Freaking Mad... Cannot Even Get It Together... Some People Can Just Be So... *Warning, Rant Alert

[howfunkyisurchicken]

It sounds like crate training and tethering will solve most of your issues. And starting over with potty training.

Treat her like she's a new puppy you just brought home. Take her outside after every meal, playtime, when she sniffs around....seriously. If she pees every hour, its probably because she has to go that often. You have a small dog, that means a smaller bladder which means more trips outside for you. Get used to it

Just like a new puppy, don't let her out of your sight. Unattended puppies are naughty puppy. Attach her leash to your belt loop. If she's always with you, she can't get into trouble. If you can't be with her, put her in her crate, with her toys or a bone. Bored puppies are also naughty puppies.

As for the digging, my aunt had Doxies. They had a shallow box filled with fabric scraps. My aunt would hide some toys or toss some kibble into it and her wienies would go crazy digging.

The most important thing is not to set your dog up for failure. By leaving her unattended in the house, you're setting her up to fail. By not taking her out as often to potty, you're setting her up to fail. If you invest the time and effort, you'll set her up to succeed and end up with a great friend. I used to do some dog training, and have seen sniveling messes end up as calm, well behaved companions. You dog is not broken, she's just frustrated (it sounds like you both are). I bet once she figures out what you want from her, she'll be a lovely little dog. If you need some extra help, kikopup does some youtube videos that are fantastic. Everything from potty training and basic obidience to dealing with destructive and aggressive dogs. Feel free to PM as well, if you'd like. Just please, and I know there are lots of Cesar fans on this forum and I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers, don't try to alpha your dog. Positive reinforcement and praise are so much easier and will help you bond with your dog. Good luck!

 

[showbarnmom]

I'm glad you wrote all that out. It helps to hear from multiple sources the same solution. I have been PMing with OP to help her out.

 

[Chickenfan4life]

It sounds like crate training and tethering will solve most of your issues. And starting over with potty training.

Treat her like she's a new puppy you just brought home. Take her outside after every meal, playtime, when she sniffs around....seriously. If she pees every hour, its probably because she has to go that often. You have a small dog, that means a smaller bladder which means more trips outside for you. Get used to it

Just like a new puppy, don't let her out of your sight. Unattended puppies are naughty puppy. Attach her leash to your belt loop. If she's always with you, she can't get into trouble. If you can't be with her, put her in her crate, with her toys or a bone. Bored puppies are also naughty puppies.

As for the digging, my aunt had Doxies. They had a shallow box filled with fabric scraps. My aunt would hide some toys or toss some kibble into it and her wienies would go crazy digging.

The most important thing is not to set your dog up for failure. By leaving her unattended in the house, you're setting her up to fail. By not taking her out as often to potty, you're setting her up to fail. If you invest the time and effort, you'll set her up to succeed and end up with a great friend. I used to do some dog training, and have seen sniveling messes end up as calm, well behaved companions. You dog is not broken, she's just frustrated (it sounds like you both are). I bet once she figures out what you want from her, she'll be a lovely little dog. If you need some extra help, kikopup does some youtube videos that are fantastic. Everything from potty training and basic obidience to dealing with destructive and aggressive dogs. Feel free to PM as well, if you'd like. Just please, and I know there are lots of Cesar fans on this forum and I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers, don't try to alpha your dog. Positive reinforcement and praise are so much easier and will help you bond with your dog. Good luck!

Thanks; Showbarnmom is also PMing me about her and between all you guys who have been helpful, I really do appreciate it. I really love this dog; I really want her to have abondy with me, and I would not mind keeping her. It's not that I hate her, like some peeps were saying, but rather that she just frustrates me and wasn't my first choice.

She has been in less trouble as I am following SHowbarnmom's instructions, and I will use yours soon. In addition to these new rules, I have decided to rotate her toys, setting out some toys for her and setting other aside for a later date. She is also getting longer walks, in which we walk through the neighborhood, rest at the community park, then hike back. At the park she gets a drink of water from the water bottle and small cup I bring along; my parents had a dog die from heat stroke when they left it with a person they thought they could trust, and I don't want that happening to her.

 

[dainerra]

another good thing might be to get a puzzle ball for her food. Or you can leave a trail of kibble to a "jackpot" at the end so that she is "hunting" for her food. This will help tire out her brain which is the quickest way to tire out a dog!

 

[Chickenfan4life]

another good thing might be to get a puzzle ball for her food. Or you can leave a trail of kibble to a "jackpot" at the end so that she is "hunting" for her food. This will help tire out her brain which is the quickest way to tire out a dog!

The kibble trail is a good one!

 

[Sonia]

Kong toys are wonderful. I had a gsd with severe (like I couldn't leave the room severe) seperation anxiety. He literally tore apart metal dog crates if I left him alone. But he loved the heavy duty black kongs, they come in many sizes. You can fill them with food/treats then pour water over and freeze them. Very little effort, they have to 'work' for their food and it keeps them busy for hours.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

This device won't let me thumbs up, but excellent post and advice by howfunky.

There is a favored game my husband and I play with our working line/high energy ACD. We stand far apart and call her back and forth, sometimes hiding in a tree or bush to make her search a bit. It wears her out but not us, stimulates her brain, she goes nuts for it, she learned our names (now we can tell her "go find ---" and she will search the house until she finds the person), and it strengthened her recall and focus to very high levels while just having fun. It does take two or more people though. Could mix that in with some of the games more suited to her breed mix, like the digging or trail games mentioned.

I have a rule with my dogs. Go outside to play, be calm in the house. It helps keep guests unmuddied and saves rented apartment wood floors. Not everyone wants a calm dog in the house...and goofy indoor play is fun...but throwing that in there in case you do like that divide.

 

[Chickenfan4life]

This device won't let me thumbs up, but excellent post and advice by howfunky.

There is a favored game my husband and I play with our working line/high energy ACD. We stand far apart and call her back and forth, sometimes hiding in a tree or bush to make her search a bit. It wears her out but not us, stimulates her brain, she goes nuts for it, she learned our names (now we can tell her "go find ---" and she will search the house until she finds the person), and it strengthened her recall and focus to very high levels while just having fun. It does take two or more people though. Could mix that in with some of the games more suited to her breed mix, like the digging or trail games mentioned.

I have a rule with my dogs. Go outside to play, be calm in the house. It helps keep guests unmuddied and saves rented apartment wood floors.

Not everyone wants a calm dog in the house...and goofy indoor play is fun...but throwing that in there in case you do like that divide.

That is an interesting game. And I like the rule of calm and play; I think that's very clever!

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Its also important with small dogs (any size dog, really) that the crate is not too large. Crates work best when they are just large enough for the dog to lay out, stand up and turn around. When they are too large, it can be confusing for the dog and they may still pee/poop inside the crate in an area they don't use to sleep. Also, crate time should be a peaceful happy time for dogs and never used as a punishment (Not saying you do this, but its just a reminder I like to give!) The crate should be their "own" sanctuary.

Good luck! It doesn't sound like your dog is un-fixable. It just sounds like she may be a bit more difficult than others!

 

[Chickenfan4life]

Its also important with small dogs (any size dog, really) that the crate is not too large. Crates work best when they are just large enough for the dog to lay out, stand up and turn around. When they are too large, it can be confusing for the dog and they may still pee/poop inside the crate in an area they don't use to sleep. Also, crate time should be a peaceful happy time for dogs and never used as a punishment (Not saying you do this, but its just a reminder I like to give!) The crate should be their "own" sanctuary.

Good luck! It doesn't sound like your dog is un-fixable. It just sounds like she may be a bit more difficult than others!

Yeah, she has a good sized crate, not too big, not too small. Thanks.