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Jessie and Simon - advice needed
Jessie is such a smart little girl, she knows how to sit, shake, lie down really well and is learning to scratch at the back door to go out and/or ring a jingle bell hanging from the door knob if we don't hear her. She knows "leave it" for things like electric cords.
We are working on stay out of the cat box - can't say we've mastered that job, yet. What I am asking for advice on is how to keep her from constantly hanging on to and bugging Simon. She doesn't listen well when they are playing. He makes it worse, he loves to play with her, so after we get her to "break" he takes a toy to her to play. How do I discourage her from the constant play when we ask, but still encourage them to have play time? I just want her to "break" when we ask, but not stop them from ever playing. Looking forward to advice from smarter folks than me. Diane
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A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -Josh Billings |
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Oh that brings back such a memory... The morning after, a good half dozen beheaded and betailed... Sigh.
Can you give me a bit more background on age, sex, and breed for both? |
#3
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Simon is almost 7 (we think - as he was dropped off) mixed breed lab and ? male, and Jessie is 3 mths, mixed breed, border collie and ? female. Diane
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A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -Josh Billings |
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Okay. Here are some thoughts to start you off. The trouble with Jessie is going to be that for a border collie, the line between like's great and life sucks is very fine, and that's the line we're aiming for. She will grow out of the behaviour, to a certain extent. If Simon is showing any active resistance toward her, showing teeth, growling, etc. the best thing might be to let it play out, and let them work it out themselves. If he fights back, gives her what she deserves, maybe pins her to the ground or grabs her muzzle, she will learn the right lesson. Your risk of her being actually injured by a lab are slim. However, if Simon may have pit in him, or if you have any other reason to believe that if a fight starts it could go beyond pushing, shoving, and dominance and reach the point of him causing serious injury, don't do it. You also might, like many people, just be too nervous to do that, or Simon might be the kind of dog who is just lying there saying, Mom, please help... Jessie needs to learn two very strong commands, come and go play, the actual words you choose to use are neither here nor there. During any play session, you should be able to call Jessie and have here leave the fun right in the middle of the best moment. Do NOT get in the habit of every time you call, the leash goes on or she has to come in the house or go in her kennel or the game is over. Sometimes that will happen, sometimes she will get a pet or hug or treat and get to go back to playing. You can also establish separate resting areas for each dog. Jessie is never allowed in Simon's private zone, so when he learns how that works, he will go there when he wants to be left alone, and come to the neutral zone when he wants to interact with Jessie. Jessie's zone can be more of a time-out area. Put her there when she is relentlessly bugging him, and give her a favourite toy that is taken away at other times, so it is a special enjoyable spot, not so much a corner for naughty dogs. You would teach her something like "go to your mat". This is not a strict "stay" that means don't move a muscle until you're told otherwise, she will be allowed to do just about anything, as long as all four paws remain on the mat. |
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Hi Diane. I am going to suggest you PM luckypenny or one of the other members who have tons of experience with training. You could even try tenderfoot. Sounds to me like Simon and Jessie are just being rambunctious. Simon isn't baring teeth, is he?
Just have to say something about that "pit" comment- as a new member SamIam you will not know that most of us here do not place labels on dogs because of breed so I will excuse you. Some of our members have pitties. They are much loved, gentle members of their families. We blame the owner - not the breed. Why even put something like that in the equation? As for labs - I have one. There are moments when she has felt threatened because of an incident that happened to her when she was younger that she could very easily injure another dog.
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Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me. We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD! |
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Yes, as I mentioned, although letting the dogs work it out on their own is often the best solution, a dog like your lab, because of her history, would be a dog to use more caution with in this type of situation. Last edited by SamIam; March 21st, 2011 at 09:19 PM. |
#7
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dmc to you. I hope you get the advice you need. That little Jessie of yours is such a cutie pie
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Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#8
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Hi dmc. The good thing about all this is that your older dog has tolerance and is not bothered by the constant playing. That in itself is a great sign as you will have harmony as the pup matures. The fact that they play well, they will bond well as the pup reaches maturity. So that's all good.
For puppies during this period of excitement, it is very difficult to use recall as they are thrilled with the interaction. What I would suggest is to use a distraction when you want everything to simmer down. I use a teething bone to get the pup's attention. I then put it in the crate and let the baby have some down time. If you don't like using the crate for this, then bring the pup in a room with you along with favourite toys and/or teething bone and let her entertain herself. I am currently fostering an 8 week old boxer X and I have 5 dogs of my own. My GSD and this pup seem to keep going...and it is I that is going nuts with the constant playing. but the GSD has not lost patience and seems to encourage this play. So I am going through EXACTLY what you are. I have found that this method works. It also gives everyone time to have their own space and also the opportunity for the puppy to bond with you alittle, if you take her into a room with you while you do chores, go on the computer, fold laundry..whatever.. It sounds like you have a great little family and everything is working out great. All that you describe thus far is healthy interaction. As for the cat litter box...well when you know how to keep the dogs out of it..please let me know. |
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