Topic: Rox's Dog Advice Thread

[Elli]

Take her out every hour; every time she wakes up and after she has played for a while. If she even looks like she is sniffing or looking to dooty down then take her out. We did that with our pup and he was house trained in weeks. Have had the rare accident but even they were by the back door....
When you take her out tell her to be quick and really, really praise her when she wees. Tell her she is a good girl over and over again and she will begin to enjoy the praise and then realise that when she wees outside she gets praise....

...and when she wees inside she gets ignored, NOT told off - really important not to upset them for making puddles.

We had ours house-trained in what felt like minutes, just using the newspaper trick. Covered the whole kitchen floor in it, and let her choose a place to go - they will choose a spot furthest from their bed. Then gradually over the course of a few days we moved the rest of the newspaper away, leaving a little island, and moved the island nearer the door. (Happily we happen to have tiled floor across the short distance through the hall and out the door. We were also encouraging her to go outside as soon as she woke, after eating, etc - this was just for the ones where that didn't work. We've never had any issues or accidents with her at all.

[Corkboy]

I've had Westies for almost 40 years, bred & showed them, talked with lots of other breeders at shows etc, and if you read up above, I now have one with Pulmonic Valve Stenosis. 

I did some research and found out that terriers, and westies prominent among terriers, have a hereditary disposition for this, never knew this!  Just shows what you don't know, even when you know a fair bit!

My neighbour's dog, a Golden Cocker who has been buddies with my lab for the first year and a half of their lives, was in my back garden the other day and dropped dead of a heart attack. Disposition to adult onset heart problems, apparently.

[jason42]

...and when she wees inside she gets ignored, NOT told off - really important not to upset them for making puddles.

We had ours house-trained in what felt like minutes, just using the newspaper trick. Covered the whole kitchen floor in it, and let her choose a place to go - they will choose a spot furthest from their bed. Then gradually over the course of a few days we moved the rest of the newspaper away, leaving a little island, and moved the island nearer the door. (Happily we happen to have tiled floor across the short distance through the hall and out the door. We were also encouraging her to go outside as soon as she woke, after eating, etc - this was just for the ones where that didn't work. We've never had any issues or accidents with her at all.

Yep, it is not their fault if they have an accident and should not be punished or reprimanded for it....you could even make them go pee in a hidden spot just so they don't get a row.
We didn't bother with the newspaper - we just took him out every hour, every time he played, woke up, after he ate and drunk. He quickly got used to the fact that he needed to pee in the garden....

[JP-65]

My neighbour's dog, a Golden Cocker who has been buddies with my lab for the first year and a half of their lives, was in my back garden the other day and dropped dead of a heart attack. Disposition to adult onset heart problems, apparently.

That's sad, you just don't expect it to happen so young.

[Aristotle]

Thanks for the advice all. Looks like it was just first day shakes. She is in fact remarkably (although not the most convinient of times) reliable and won't leave us alone if she has to go outside.

I reward her everytime she does her business outside and try to ignore when she does it inside. The biggest problem now is the puppy mentality. Everytime she get's remotely excited she bites well not bite but kinda nibbles at everything and everyone in sight. She doesn't bite hard but her teeth are alarmingly sharp and although I can take it for the most part she bites my mom a lot harder (or lower pain threshold the point is still the same) and I don't think she's ready to be around little kids until she stops that. What can I do about that? I smack her on the nose when she bites (when we're not playing and it's accidental) but apart from that I don't have a clue what to do.

[Corkboy]

Thanks for the advice all. Looks like it was just first day shakes. She is in fact remarkably (although not the most convinient of times) reliable and won't leave us alone if she has to go outside.

I reward her everytime she does her business outside and try to ignore when she does it inside. The biggest problem now is the puppy mentality. Everytime she get's remotely excited she bites well not bite but kinda nibbles at everything and everyone in sight. She doesn't bite hard but her teeth are alarmingly sharp and although I can take it for the most part she bites my mom a lot harder (or lower pain threshold the point is still the same) and I don't think she's ready to be around little kids until she stops that. What can I do about that? I smack her on the nose when she bites (when we're not playing and it's accidental) but apart from that I don't have a clue what to do.

She's playing but you need to teach her not to. If she bites, you need to yelp (yes, like a little girl) and turn your head and hands away. The point is to deny her the attention when she bites. A mum dog will do that with her pups, i.e. pretend to be hurt so they learn not to bite.

[JP-65]

Thanks for the advice all. Looks like it was just first day shakes. She is in fact remarkably (although not the most convinient of times) reliable and won't leave us alone if she has to go outside.

I reward her everytime she does her business outside and try to ignore when she does it inside. The biggest problem now is the puppy mentality. Everytime she get's remotely excited she bites well not bite but kinda nibbles at everything and everyone in sight. She doesn't bite hard but her teeth are alarmingly sharp and although I can take it for the most part she bites my mom a lot harder (or lower pain threshold the point is still the same) and I don't think she's ready to be around little kids until she stops that. What can I do about that? I smack her on the nose when she bites (when we're not playing and it's accidental) but apart from that I don't have a clue what to do.

I gently extract my hand out of the mouth, hold the pup snout with my hand and sternly say "no bite".  Do this a few times, and when you say "no bite" the pup will let go, give verbal encouragement when they comply.

[jason42]

I gently extract my hand out of the mouth, hold the pup snout with my hand and sternly say "no bite".  Do this a few times, and when you say "no bite" the pup will let go, give verbal encouragement when they comply.

Exactly - just keep saying "No Biting" in a firm voice and eventually she will get the message. You need to not play any type or rough game with her while she is in this stage as it will only confuse her....

[Rox]

We tend to deal with this in a different way; we encourage the pup to grab a toy.  What I try to do is show a dog what they 'can' do, rather than show them what they can't.  By showing what behaviour you do want, it sets them up to be able to solve their own problems in the future in the way you want them to.  This technique now lays the groundwork for when they hit 4-5 months and lose puppy teeth and starting teething their adult teeth.  If you've already taught them to grab a toy when they are feeling 'mouthy', they'll be able to 'teeth' themselves. 

What breed is your new pup?

[JP-65]

We tend to deal with this in a different way; we encourage the pup to grab a toy.  What I try to do is show a dog what they 'can' do, rather than show them what they can't.  By showing what behaviour you do want, it sets them up to be able to solve their own problems in the future in the way you want them to.  This technique now lays the groundwork for when they hit 4-5 months and lose puppy teeth and starting teething their adult teeth.  If you've already taught them to grab a toy when they are feeling 'mouthy', they'll be able to 'teeth' themselves. 

What breed is your new pup?

Rox, I start using a puppy kong "bone" that way, use the "no bite" when they're persistent.  My current one likes a nylabone as well, first one I've had that way!

[Aristotle]

We tend to deal with this in a different way; we encourage the pup to grab a toy.  What I try to do is show a dog what they 'can' do, rather than show them what they can't.  By showing what behaviour you do want, it sets them up to be able to solve their own problems in the future in the way you want them to.  This technique now lays the groundwork for when they hit 4-5 months and lose puppy teeth and starting teething their adult teeth.  If you've already taught them to grab a toy when they are feeling 'mouthy', they'll be able to 'teeth' themselves. 

What breed is your new pup?

Thanks. She's a border collie.


And although I don't wanna be spamming this thread is there anything I can do (I've already tried taking her for a long walk) to make her sleep through the night. I'm waking up at 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and sometimes more because she has to go outside or she's just whining and lonely.

[JP-65]

Thanks. She's a border collie.


And although I don't wanna be spamming this thread is there anything I can do (I've already tried taking her for a long walk) to make her sleep through the night. I'm waking up at 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and sometimes more because she has to go outside or she's just whining and lonely.

She's winning the battle

When I've brought pups home, I've put an old t-shirt, which my wife or I have worn, into the bed/crate/pen which the pup is to sleep in, I've also put a "ticking" clock in the bed/crate/pen with it as well.  The first night is usually difficult.  A firm "no" or "in your bed" every time the pup whines, and placing it back in it's sleeping spot.  This has always resulted in the pup learning the boundaries, and sleep is OK after the first night.  Some suggest a DAP (google it, loads of products around) helps out a lot, but I haven't had to do this.

Begs the question, what are the sleeping arrangements for the pup?  A pup needs to have a separate area for eliminating, away from where it's sleeping.  If you allow the pup access to water & food up to when it goes to sleep, it will wake up in the middle of the night and need to go, and will need a place to do its "business".  Some pups will be restless even if they have an area to go close by, as they can still smell it.  You'll have a better chance to have good sleep by taking the food & water up an hour before they are to go to sleep and take them out just before they are to go to sleep.

[jason42]

Thanks. She's a border collie.


And although I don't wanna be spamming this thread is there anything I can do (I've already tried taking her for a long walk) to make her sleep through the night. I'm waking up at 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and sometimes more because she has to go outside or she's just whining and lonely.

JP gives some good advice...when we got Smudge he whined and cried all night for the first 2 nights. We then got him to sleep all night but it was hard work....we just kept him away and played with him for ages before bed time and he was knackered so slept. We took up his food and water about an hour or so before bed and made sure he had gone to the loo before bed. We also left the radio on quietly for some noise. Then he starting crying again after a few nights for no real reason and the missus nagged me to let him sleep in our bedroom. Eventually I gave in and now he comes to bed with us. He lays on our bed for the first half hour or so and then we put him in his bed and he sleeps all night. He has never had an accident upstairs. He has woken us a few times when he needed to go out during the night but not very often. He is only a Shih Tzu so he is small enough to but it does go against what all of the experts say.....

[Corkboy]

Thanks. She's a border collie.


And although I don't wanna be spamming this thread is there anything I can do (I've already tried taking her for a long walk) to make her sleep through the night. I'm waking up at 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and sometimes more because she has to go outside or she's just whining and lonely.

The first thing you need to learn to do is ignore her. Sorry.

[Bennyo]

Thanks. She's a border collie.

Best breed in the universe

[JP-65]

Best breed in the universe

Smart too, smarter than Aristotle in fact

Sorry mate, couldn't resist

[Bennyo]

Just read through this whole thread. Now cannot wait until I go home for Christmas so I can see my dog!! (not quite so bothered about my parents )

[Corkboy]

The first thing you need to learn to do is ignore her. Sorry.

Just to expand a little on this...

My Lab is only one and a half so all this is still quite fresh in my mind. If you go to a dog when they whine, all that teaches them is that they can get you to come to them on command, which is really where you start to wonder which is the owner.

Firstly, we cage trained ours. It sounds awful but it's actually really good. The dog likes it and as long as you follow the rules, it really works. It's good for both toilet training and leave me alone training and the great thing is that when your dog is trustworthy, both in terms of toilet training and also not chewing the living shit out of anything in the room, you can get rid of the crate. Our dog liked hers and would go in there most of the time even though we only closed it at night and if we were gone out. Here's a link.

I'll give you one example of the ignoring thing, though. My wife used to come downstairs in the morning and Roxy would immediately start up in her crate, jumping and whining. Although she found it very difficult, my wife ignored her, put the kettle on, opened the back door and generally arsed around for a few minutes. When Roxy had calmed down and sat down again, she would open the crate and give her lots of hugs and kisses. They have to know who is in control, so if you lay down a good foundation when they're young, it makes them much easier to deal with.

[JP-65]

Just to expand a little on this...

My Lab is only one and a half so all this is still quite fresh in my mind. If you go to a dog when they whine, all that teaches them is that they can get you to come to them on command, which is really where you start to wonder which is the owner.

Firstly, we cage trained ours. It sounds awful but it's actually really good. The dog likes it and as long as you follow the rules, it really works. It's good for both toilet training and leave me alone training and the great thing is that when your dog is trustworthy, both in terms of toilet training and also not chewing the living shit out of anything in the room, you can get rid of the crate. Our dog liked hers and would go in there most of the time even though we only closed it at night and if we were gone out. Here's a link.

I'll give you one example of the ignoring thing, though. My wife used to come downstairs in the morning and Roxy would immediately start up in her crate, jumping and whining. Although she found it very difficult, my wife ignored her, put the kettle on, opened the back door and generally arsed around for a few minutes. When Roxy had calmed down and sat down again, she would open the crate and give her lots of hugs and kisses. They have to know who is in control, so if you lay down a good foundation when they're young, it makes them much easier to deal with.

Good advice Corkboy.  The other advantage of crate training is it becomes their "home".  When you take them in the car, you put them in the crate and they feel safe, and so do you driving.  When you travel, stay in a strange hotel or a friends/family home, they're in their crate and they're "home" so they're comfortable.

I've had loads of pups in my life, acquired, as well as bred at home, so I'm comfortable now using a pen rather than a crate, but crate method was definitely the better way when I was less experienced.

[Aristotle]

Smart too, smarter than Aristotle in fact

Sorry mate, couldn't resist

It's true. When I was 2 months old I did not know any tricks. I couldn't sit on my own, I had to use a diaper while she let's it known when she has to go do her "business". I barely knew my own name, couldn't walk, didn't recognise anyone apart from closest family and I still lived with my parents (and still do today).


She's a lot braver than me as well. Not everyone would dare to jump under a stranger's car when faced with the offspring of Cerberus the mighty Chihuahua.

[Rox]

Right then Aristotle with a BC, you've wandered into my specialist area of expertise.

When she is 'biting' when excited, it isn't a bite, it's the collie 'nip'.  This is used to herd livestock.  It's is absolutely vital that you get the next steps right.

What are you feeding her at the moment? 

If you've read the rest of the thread, you'll note my big thing (and where I always start) is with dog food.  I suspect you're feeding puppy food - for a VERY active dog like a collie, puppy food is high in protein and acts like a real rocket fuel for them.  When there is too much protein (or colourings, additives, etc in the diet), the collie nip can become a bit and actually they are doing it to try and get rid of the energy and pent up frustration the food is giving them.  You may even find that she isn't settling at night because of this extra energy.  Let me know what you're feeding, and at what times. 

As I said before with training, it's very important to make sure with a collie that you teach them what you DO want them to do, rather than what they can't...  As they are always looking for jobs, you should always replace whatever you don't want them to do with something you do want them to do.  If you tell them no all the time, you're just telling them off for trying to find a job.

[MerseysideRedsFan]

Right, I need some advice. I am thinking of getting a dog but not sure which breed to go for.  Although I wanted to adopt a shelter dog at first but then being my first dog, I fear I may not be able to cater to their emotional needs just yet. So a breed dog it will be. I have shortlisted either a golden retriever or a Dalmatian.  Things to consider are a) I live in an apartment and want to make sure I keep the dog and the neighbours in harmonyand b) since I work, my parents will be with the dog most of the time and them being old, I don't want a hyper active or a powerful dog dominating them. Does the last sentence rules out Dalmatian as I've read they are hyper active indoors?

[Rox]

Right, I need some advice. I am thinking of getting a dog but not sure which breed to go for.  Although I wanted to adopt a shelter dog at first but then being my first dog, I fear I may not be able to cater to their emotional needs just yet. So a breed dog it will be.

You're starting off on a false premise there...

You're assuming all dogs in rescues have issues: they don't.  Dogs are handed in to rescues for loads of different reasons; marriage breakups, changes of circumstances, people losing their job, people losing their homes, or just people being too stupid to understand that a dog is a living creature and not a convenient toy they can switch on and off.  In 90% of cases, when dogs come to us with so called 'issues', it's actually that the owner didn't understand the breed of dog they had, and had the wrong expectations of them.

Dalmatians are active, because they were bred originally to run alongside carriages.

There are always lots of Lurchers and Greyhounds looking for homes.  People always think these are a breed that need a lot of excercise - but they don't.  99% of the time they are very lazy, and would be very easy for elderly parents to look after.  When you take them for a run, they have a mad 10 minutes running round like a loon, and then want to go home and have a snooze again.  Like an Olympic Sprinter, they are built for short bursts, whereas a dog like a Dalmatian has more endurance.

Don't rule out a rescue dog; there are thousands upon thousand of lovely dogs looking for homes that get overlooked because people think that there must be something wrong because that dog is in a rescue home.

Good luck!

(Where are you?  Your profile says Yorkshire, but 'shelter' and 'apartment' suggests a US slant...?)

[imissrafa]

I'm wanting to get a dachshund soon but I currently have two house rabbits. I read dachshunds are bred to hunt, but if I introduce them properly and don't leave them alone together will they all be able to get along? Also just a general question, if a dog is bred for something in particular originally does that mean it's in their instinct to do that all the time?

[jason42]

Right, I need some advice. I am thinking of getting a dog but not sure which breed to go for.  Although I wanted to adopt a shelter dog at first but then being my first dog, I fear I may not be able to cater to their emotional needs just yet. So a breed dog it will be. I have shortlisted either a golden retriever or a Dalmatian.  Things to consider are a) I live in an apartment and want to make sure I keep the dog and the neighbours in harmonyand b) since I work, my parents will be with the dog most of the time and them being old, I don't want a hyper active or a powerful dog dominating them. Does the last sentence rules out Dalmatian as I've read they are hyper active indoors?

Agree with Rox there mate. We got Smudge from the RSPCA centre locally and he is a pedigree Shih Tzu. The inspectors took about 13 puppy litters from a family where the breeding had gotten out of hand. They had Westies, Shih Tzus, Staffies and Laso Apsos among other breeds and we were lucky enough to get Smudge. He is absolutely wonderful and such a clever dog. It is always worth a look at the local rescue centres as you could find a wonderful dog and you also get satisfaction from knowing you have saved a life.
Dalmatians are very active....

[Rox]

I'm wanting to get a dachshund soon but I currently have two house rabbits. I read dachshunds are bred to hunt, but if I introduce them properly and don't leave them alone together will they all be able to get along? Also just a general question, if a dog is bred for something in particular originally does that mean it's in their instinct to do that all the time?

Depends on the strength of instinct of the individual dog - working instincts vary from one dog within a breed to the next.  That's why some dogs make it as a working dog and some don't.

If you have house rabbits, irrespective of the dogs instinct, NEVER let your dog have fluffy squeaky toys - you'll be confusing them over what fluffy stuff they are allowed to grab and shake.

Hope that helps.

[imissrafa]

Thanks for that, I don't want to get one if it's going to put either the rabbit or the dog under any unnecessarily stress that why I want to be sure!

[WorldChampions]

I'm wanting to get a dachshund soon but I currently have two house rabbits. I read dachshunds are bred to hunt, but if I introduce them properly and don't leave them alone together will they all be able to get along? Also just a general question, if a dog is bred for something in particular originally does that mean it's in their instinct to do that all the time?

I've got a miniature dachshund and it goes for cats like a bastard but I also have a parrot and it doesn't care about it at all.

[Rox]

I've got a miniature dachshund and it goes for cats like a bastard but I also have a parrot and it doesn't care about it at all.

Make sense though.  Little thugs who will get into a fight with any pussy around will try their best to avoid the beak...

(so, so sorry...)

[JP-65]

Make sense though.  Little thugs who will get into a fight with any pussy around will try their best to avoid the beak...

(so, so sorry...)

Ha, ha....that's the best you've done Rox!

Just got my little guy back from his balloon valvuloplasty at the RVC, he looks sad after all the shaving done on him (and the blue stuff all over his chest), we worked so hard to get a beautiful coat on him (westie), but it seems to have gone well and after confirmation in a month, he'll hopefully have a normal life.

Everyone at RVC was sad to see him go, they loved him as much as we do.

[Aristotle]

I have a problem with her. She is terrified of every little sound there is and with New Year's Eve coming up (which is insane in Iceland, last year we bought 3.2x more than anyone in the world per 100k population) I'm afraid she'll have a nervous breakdown.


She runs away, whining and barking from my electric razor, the washing machine is a thing of the devil's in her eyes and car engines/horns make her jump like a gazelle when she hears them. Is there anything I can do or should I just get her drunk

[MerseysideRedsFan]

Thanks for the advice Rox and Jason. I totally agree that the "issues" that arise more often than not come from the owners themselves.The part of the world where I live in, the rescue centres only house stray dogs, dogs which have been abondoned for some of the other reason and dogs with phychological issues. This being the case, how easily do you think they will take to me as a new owner?. Believe me, I'd love to adopt one if only it was left to me.

[cathy-lfc-taff]

Hope your little Westie makes a speedy recovery JP!

Great thread this, Aristotle I have the same issue with biting and mouthing. I have an Airedale Terrier and he's 11 weeks old now and he is getting better, although the state of my hands and especially my feet would say otherwise!

There is lots of good advice on here but ultimately i think its just something you have to wait for them to grow out of, and try to shape good behaviour and the right thing to do along the way. I very much agree with the positive training methods such as offering something they are allowed to chew on as an alternative,but at the same time I think this is more a way of teaching them for the future than putting a stop to the biting right away, I just don't believe there is an instant solution. The books tell you a firm reprimand should be enough - they've never tried it with an Airedale obviously! We tried the yelping but no effect - he had 13 brothers and sisters to play with so I think he's just so used to this kind of play. So we've been giving a firm no and offering a toy to chew, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. He is much better with biting hands since we've done this, I've also found making a fist is effective. Biting feet is another matter though, and it bloody hurts. If he doesn't respond to the 'no' he goes into the kitchen for a 'time out' - we have a babygate up so he can see us all having fun without him - he calms down and seems to realise the attention and games stop when he gets bitey. It may take a few trips to the kitchen for time out before he totally stops but it does seem to be working, you really do discover new realms of patience when you own a puppy!

Similar problems here with the housetraining, we are taking him out regular and when he goes in the house I'd say more often than not its our own fault - except for when he won't go outside then goes as soon as he sets foot on the carpet again! Its just a case of perseverence I think, George is 11 weeks and we have a long way to go but we'll get there in the end. Do reccommend crate training too, he hasn't gone once in there, dogs hate messing where they sleep.

Had the crate in my room originally and it was fine for a while but now he just won't settle in there,he much prefers running around the room and cries and cries when I put him in there, so now he sleeps in the fabric crate in the kitchen where he spends a lot of time and feels a lot more comfortable. He can sleep from 10pm to about 6am but then he really needs to wee so you do have to be prepared for the early starts  

[JP-65]

Thanks Cathy.

i'm a big fan of Airedale's as well, think Airedale puppies are stunning.  I live in central London so Airedale's are out, but if I was in the country it'd be Airedale's, Irish & Westie's for me!

Any pics for us to see?

[jason42]

I have a problem with her. She is terrified of every little sound there is and with New Year's Eve coming up (which is insane in Iceland, last year we bought 3.2x more than anyone in the world per 100k population) I'm afraid she'll have a nervous breakdown.


She runs away, whining and barking from my electric razor, the washing machine is a thing of the devil's in her eyes and car engines/horns make her jump like a gazelle when she hears them. Is there anything I can do or should I just get her drunk

You need to get her more accustomed to the noise....Do you have a running machine?

[Crazynumber9]

So I have a bit of a problem, I had to put my 13 year old lab to sleep on Saturday. I have a 2 year old Ridgeback female who is now extremely depressed and very clingy towards me. She cries outside my window to sleep with me due to loneliness, I have already decided to get her another pup for company. The problem is I'm going on holiday next Friday and Im not sure if its fair to get a pup for just over a week and then leave it for 7 days. I am worried however that my ridgeback may get even more depressed if left alone. Any help would be appreciated as I'm very confused.

[Rox]

So I have a bit of a problem, I had to put my 13 year old lab to sleep on Saturday. I have a 2 year old Ridgeback female who is now extremely depressed and very clingy towards me. She cries outside my window to sleep with me due to loneliness, I have already decided to get her another pup for company. The problem is I'm going on holiday next Friday and Im not sure if its fair to get a pup for just over a week and then leave it for 7 days. I am worried however that my ridgeback may get even more depressed if left alone. Any help would be appreciated as I'm very confused.

Will the pup and the Ridgeback be staying together?    In kennels, or with someone you know?

[Crazynumber9]

They will be together at home with a friend who will be house sitting. And my uncle will be around to check on them

[Rox]

As long as you trust your friend.    I'd be saying something different if they were going in kennels.

If your Ridgeback really is this upset, I'd be doing what's best for her... just make sure you choose HER best friend and not the pup YOU like the best.  No point her having another dog in the house she doesn't like. 

That's what I'd do, but of course, it's your decision.

[Crazynumber9]

Thanks for the help. Its an awful decision to make anD I feel guilty for leaving them. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that made me have to decide. So u don't think leaving the pup alone for a week will affect its training too much? I don't want to stress it out too much either.