Help Before I Give Up On My Dog!

[redditchlady]

I do agree with the above posts. 6 hours plus is a long time for a young, barely excercised dog to be left. It sound to me like she has heard shouting etc, so is insecure. She is lacking in stimulation and excercise.

 

Please try to get her out more. Maybe you could get someone to sit with the kiddies??

 

On the 2 long days she is left, is there someone who could pop in to walk her or even sit and give her cuddles to break up the day.

 

Kazz

Edited December 7, 2006 by redditchlady

[Melp]

"I took her to training lesson but learnt nothing we hadnt already done ourselves If i could drive then i would consider agility as she would be real good. she Just needs to learn to ignore other dogs though first she will run to them when out if she could to play but she is very domineering."

 

How many training lessons? She's a staffy, they play hard. She's not being naughty she's being characteristic of her breed!

 

"There is nothing wrong with going on holiday i just dont have the luxury of sending her to friends or family like other people so dumping her is not the right word but i want to know that she will be ok not miss me or that it wont make her worse. "

 

Lots of people, including myself don't have the "luxury" of sending our dogs to freinds or family while we go away, therefore, we don't go. A dog is a commitment and a member of your family and should be treated as such.

 

"I leave her 9 -3.30 tues and fri, 7- 10ish fri nite curry nite weekends im out sat 10-2pm sunday 1-6

I dont think these are excessive times to be left"

 

I'm sorry but I do. Yes other people work, sometimes long hours but they make provision for their animals and get someone in to feed/walk/stimulate their dogs.

 

"She has been with us since 10days as her mom was my sisters dog who moved in when her partner left. But i was left with Amber my bitch."

 

So you handreared her then? no wonder she has such a strong attachment to you. Think about how she must feel for a moment, you've been there for her since she was 10 days old and now your'e getting fed up of her wanting the attention. She must be very confused.

 

 

"Exercise has gone out the window a little for her and trips to nans are her walks 5 mins with a 30mins lie in front of the fire then back. I try at least one good walk a week but then she isnt getting a run due to me not trusting her when out or to come back and other dogs and stuff. "

 

Not acceptable. She needs the exercise and if you don't trust her offlead, keep her on it!. Is she aggressive with other dogs or just playful? whatever behaviour she's learnt she's learnt from you. You were her "mother" during the really important socialisation time. You cannot blame the dog for her behavious now.

 

"Feeding - she has meat, chicken frozen mince offal or beef knuckles occasional meat or spag bol left over in her own bowl at the end. No feeding tit bits or stuff of the kids nanny i have to watch her she gives her the odd crisp i go mad. She has on top of that kongs with biscuits and paste or peanut butter. that stinky stuff We do pedigree when desperate but she not keen or just the biscuit complete i will leave there till she eats it but she is stubborn might take a day or so."

 

She needs a proper balanced diet. If you want to make your own food for her you need to make sure she's getting everything she needs. Spag bol is not a balanced diet for a dog. You appear to have the luxury of having a nanny so why is your time with your dog so limited?

 

 

"I dont leave her out when in if you know what i mean but when i just come in and she is barking i am reluctant to open the door until she stops. Isnt that teaching her if she barks she can come in so. I wait till she stops then make her wait outside sitting then tell her she can comein lol "

 

How else is she to let you know she's ready to come in or go out?

 

"Does anyone thing coming upstairs with me would help or keep her staying down? it more for the kids toys she would pinch them I am hoping to give her acces to the hall way and landing when i am convinced she wont wee as she does still have accidents especially if i fed her something late evening. once my wooden floor is in hall it wont matter."

 

If you're happy with her going upstairs then yes why not but if you really want her to stay down, then the stairgate is your only option and you'll have to put up with her crying. Don't feed her late evening!

 

"I just dont want her to be a nuisance to my neighbours in or out."

 

Unless your neighbours have complained then she's not being a nuisance, she's just being a dog!

 

 

"You dont realise how hard it is too get motivated to go walking when you have kids in tow with dark nights and the weather"

 

Yes actually I do. I have kids and old sick dogs, my husband when he works, works away. My children are younger than yours and they just have to put up with dog walking no matter the weather. It won't hurt your kids to go out in the cold and dark. Wear warm clothes and get on with it. Your dog needs the exercise and the stimulation. When you take on a dog your whole family needs to adjust!

 

.

[Jemimap]

 

i had been fostered her, mom and 8 pups from my sister. So fell in love with her so to finish my 2 point 4 family she stayed. Same reason everyone else gets a dog - we all loved her. Not everyone sits pondering WHY?? She wasnt for xmas if thats what your thinking

 

This morning i was annoyed maybe i should advertise my X on here and spend 24/7 with the dog and let her sleep in my bed!!

 

I give her plenty of mental simulation with food based toys which she will spend hours on.

I do teach her new tricks too and we play fetch in the hall

 

You dont realise how hard it is too get motivated to go walking when you have kids in tow with dark nights and the weather.

I used to take her when hubby got home a walk around block or he would take her out. I just need to reorganise my time. I hope the exercise helps but she hates it lol when i get the lead she runs off to hide lol or lies in her bed submissive lol she is ok once she is out. I think its more the halti she dont like!

 

That isn't why everyone get a dog! Its more than just love, you need to spend time playing with them, exercising them and training them. Wanting their companionship and being willing to do this is the reason to get a dog, not just because you fell in love with a puppy.

 

You may think you are giving her plenty of mental stimulation but it is not enough, she needs far more, especially at the age she is now.

 

I do realise how hard it is! I have 2 big dogs and i work full time but, if you are committed to them it works. I walk them before work and after work, i also pay a dog walker to visit while i'm out. I never go out in the evenings as its unfair.

 

Maybe going back to the training classes would help, she needs to meet other people and dogs and the training would help her to do that.

[plecostrum]

but she barks when i am not in lol it is one of them i think where we will just have to dissagree lol barking is unwanted behaviour so to give in to her bark letting her in isnt that reinforcing it. when i want her to stay out if i have visitors who dont like her etc she shouldnt be dictating when she wants to come in by barking. If she barked at birds or other things then far enough but if you saw her on that trampoline looking in for me to let her in when she sees us she runs to the door.

You know she never ever barked it was loverly till i babysat my friends boxer bitch for few days and she taught it her lol so i blame LOLA lolol I had to sit her while they had the garden done she barks at everything birds cats people noise and aeroplanes.

I know she is a dog but i would really not like to annoy the neighbours by a dog barking if i leave her in the garden this weather it is no more than 1 hr.

WHAT do you all think What could a neighbour class as excessive barking during the day which leads to a complaint to the council etc?

 

I live in west mids.

 

Has Anyone tested or got a dog bike bar as i think i would like to try that out in the summer

I was going to take up jogging(fast walking) but when i run she goes stupid and jumps up me and has legged me up numerous times lol

 

As far as the diet goes I always feel like complete biscuits are boring she never took to it! I would swop her gladly if i thought it would help her

 

I just think of her as my baby and she is clingy still and by what everyone has said that wont change and i should be grateful she loves me! AT the end of the day i just thought it would help her to try to make her less off a clingon

 

I promise to walk her everyday for a week Rain or doubetdly shine lol could do with the exercise myself

i will make a note of the time and length and see how she is? and if it alters her fussing behavior? Myself i think it wont might the slightest, in the summer we did long walks every morning and biking with the kids.

 

I think i do agree with the insecure i think she not protects me but worries about me when i am not here and stuff i think he contributed to that. He really wasnt ready for the dog but didnt say nothing till she here. He grew to like her but didnt like her around him then other times real soppy with her -so bit confusing i guess. I did every thing for her and think thats made her bond to me stronger.

[redditchlady]

Do you not think it is unfair on her to leave her out in the garden in this weather. Without you out there stimulating, it is not doing her any good whatsoever.

 

Instead of shutting her out when people visit, pop a stairgate between a couple of rooms so she can still see you when you have visitors, if you must move her.

 

Kazz

[plecostrum]

luxury of having a nanny lolol my childrens nan my motherinlawlol OHH I WISHED

spag bol around 2 table spoons worth is hardly what i call part of my dogs diet it called scraps and she loves it so it is a treat to be allowed some of our food! My dogs diet is balanced with biscuits added to her meat, she is allowed pasta and rice in small quantitys when i am a little less flush she is given pedigree not aldi rubbish!! the dog and kids are always fed first

 

You are all soooo perfect its funny you know when your down and you feel like youve been kicked in the teeth well thanks to a few of you i really appreciate it

 

Thanks to the rest of you who have been a little kinder and understanding that things are hard and difficult when your life and situation changes.

 

Far too many keep quiet and dont ask for help well that is why so many end up in kennels and homeless.

 

I came here to help my dog with her obsessiveness with me:-

I will take on some of the advice

* more exercise being the main point

* training (when i am in better position to afford it, tryin to find it locally was hard enough i dont drive)

 

Thankyou

[ReikiAnge]

Does your dog have any shelter (waterproof kennel with bedding etc) when you leave her out in the garden? Even the very basic animal welfare legislation we have in the UK at present (which is due to be improved very soon) stipulates I believe that animals are provided with access to shelter and water.

 

I would hope that you don't leave her outside without shelter though - in this weather (rain, gales, cold) it's cruel. In the summer you would need to ensure she has shade - a dog died earlier this year in the summer because it was shut out in a garden with no shade The poor dog was trying to squeeze behind the shed, where there was shade, but couldn't get to it

 

Even if she does have shelter, if she's barking all the time she's out there, it would appear she doesn't want to be out there on her own. If she's barking a lot, shelter or not, I would say that gives your neighbours grounds to report her for the noise she is making.

[DanishPastry]

as another alternative to her staying out when you have friends over (who'd have friends who doesn't like dogs anyway ), is making her crate nice and comfy for her, with bedding and some stuffed kongs. She would be with you, but not able to pester your friends for cuddles.

[our little godsend]

I'm going to go along with what most people have said so far, your dog is bored and needs more stimulation.

 

On another note, please don't resort to any aversives Despite what people may say in their replies, we are all here to help your first step has been that you are being open and honest about your current circumstances and there is always something you can do to keep you and your doglet happy and content

 

On a personal note (and maybe even something that other fugees may agree with ) this post is one that stuck out for me:-

 

when i want her to stay out if i have visitors who dont like her etc she shouldnt be dictating when she wants to come in by barking.

 

If ANYONE (family or friends) don't like my dogs, they are not welcome in my home. In fact my FIL when he visits stands outside the front door to chat, and that suits us fine. My dogs are my family and are treated as such. The only time I EVER shut my dogs out the back garden is if it is for a short time (and I mean under 10 mins) and that is only if said visitor has brought a dog with them. This is simply because Stitch can be aggressive towards other dogs and I am worried for the safety of Stitch and visiting doglet. I have never had a visitor that has objected to my "rules". If they don't like them, they can bog off

Edited December 7, 2006 by our little godsend

[ReikiAnge]

wow that's a really helpful reply Cheryl. The woman is asking for advise. Did you get all your knowledge in with mothers milk, or did you also have to learn a little at the time like the rest of us?

 

I agree. If someone has posted for help and is willing to take sensible comments onboard and work to improve things for the dog, this should be encouraged.

 

To the original poster - I wouldn't personally rate Pedigree as a good pet food I'm afraid I don't know how much it costs, but I would think there are better options available for a similar price. Burns is a good dried food, but I know it's pretty expensive, but others on here feed stuff like Autarky and CSJ (I think it's called) and I think one of them is more reasonable. Naturediet is excellent but again it's not cheap.

 

I'm pretty sure Pedigree has quite a few additives in - maybe looking into a food with less additives might also help? You can buy more "natural" dog treats too, such as the Burns Kelpies, or make your own?

 

If you think she would like agility and your garden is a reasonable size, you can buy agility sets for home use - maybe that's worth thinking about? I bought a little jump and a set of weaving poles from Pets at Home a while back, they were about £15 each then. Not sure if they still sell them. I appreciate money is probably tight but maybe you could set something up for her?

 

Do you have pet insurance for her? Some insurance companies will cover a vet-referred behaviourist.

 

 

as another alternative to her staying out when you have friends over (who'd have friends who doesn't like dogs anyway ), is making her crate nice and comfy for her, with bedding and some stuffed kongs. She would be with you, but not able to pester your friends for cuddles.

 

Indeed. I put ours in the kitchen sometimes, but wouldn't ever shut them in the garden, especially in this weather.

[snow]

You came looking for advice and you got it - maybe some of it wasn't what you wanted to hear, but that's to be expected. So you ask for advice but choose to ignore the bits you don't like? Why then bother asking? Yep that might well sound harsh, but please take a step back and read your own posts as if reading a strangers words because to all of us that is what you are a complete stranger who came onto a welfare forum asking for help then shooting down anything that didn't happen to fit in with your way of thinking - yet the fact is your way of thinking clearly isn't working else you'd not be here asking for advice and help.

 

As for having perfect dogs - many of those posting have put in years of work with their dogs some of whom have had far more serious behvioural issues than yours currently does.

 

Take a deep breath, have a cuppa do whatever it is you do to relax a bit, then read the thread again, sadly the issues your dog has are down to her situation, and being defensive about it isn't going to alter anything to help either her or you.

 

Those who are offering advice, I empathise with the frustrations, but lets remember you do catch more flies with honey and personal attacks are never the way to go mmmkay?

 

This message has been brought to you by your friendly but firm forum admin snow

[chickentikka]

I think your dog may also be confused by your change in circumstances, you say that you have recently split up with your partner and he used to excercise her. She is probably a bit bewildered as her dad has gone and that will have made her more clingy and anxious. Also I expect that prior to the break up the atmosphere in the home was tense which would cause your dog to be anxious.

 

I appreciate that you are going through a difficult time and trying to sort your life out but you will need to make time for excercise and interraction with your dog.

[Jemimap]

 

I know she is a dog but i would really not like to annoy the neighbours by a dog barking if i leave her in the garden this weather it is no more than 1 hr.

WHAT do you all think What could a neighbour class as excessive barking during the day which leads to a complaint to the council etc?

 

I live in west mids.

 

Has Anyone tested or got a dog bike bar as i think i would like to try that out in the summer

I was going to take up jogging(fast walking) but when i run she goes stupid and jumps up me and has legged me up numerous times lol

 

As far as the diet goes I always feel like complete biscuits are boring she never took to it! I would swop her gladly if i thought it would help her

 

I promise to walk her everyday for a week Rain or doubetdly shine lol could do with the exercise myself

i will make a note of the time and length and see how she is? and if it alters her fussing behavior? Myself i think it wont might the slightest, in the summer we did long walks every morning and biking with the kids.

 

 

You do seem a lot more concerned that your neighbours are happy rather than your dog! If you haven't had any complaints then don't worry about them. To be honest if my neighbour shut their dog in the garden it wouldn't be the noise i would complain about, i would report them to the RSPCA.

 

I run with my dogs sometimes and he used to get over excited and jump up. I just told him no and when all 4 paws were on the ground he got a treat and lots of praise. He stopped jumping up.

 

Whatever complete food you buy get one that has no additives or colours in. Wagg is very cheap £8.99 of 18kg and has no additives.

 

 

Keeping a note of how her behaviour is and time and length of walk is a great idea. However, this is not something you can do for a week, you need to walk rain or shine every day for the next 10 - 15 years!

[our little godsend]

Thanks ChickenTikka that is something I also meant to incorporate in my long-winded post

[cockergirl]

I definitely agree with what's been said regarding the exercise.. I have two working cockers and I don't like having to get up at 6am every day so I can walk them in the cold and dark before work, paying for a dog walker to come in during the day to take them out again and then coming home from work and walking them again in the cold and dark but I do it because they are my dogs, my babies, my responsibility and their happiness and welfare is paramount and that's the same now in the horrible winter as it is in the summer when it's nice and warm when we go out. If they didn't get at least 2 hours of exercise every day they would have torn my house to pieces by now and would be making my life hell so I think if your dog was getting sufficient exercise you would probably see a significant difference in her behaviour.

 

Regarding her diet, I think Amber's diet sounds quite good apart from the Pedigree which really is cr@p food. I feed one of my dogs on a raw food (barf) diet and I highly recommend it. He has meat, offal and raw meaty bones plus pulped vegetables, raw eggs and sardines. If you want to look into this a bit more if you google BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) there are lots of websites. Britbarf is a good one. My other dog is currently being weaned onto a raw diet as she is a rescue and I've only had her for a few weeks. The food I am using in conjunction with the raw is Autarky which is very good natural food and reasonably priced.

 

I would never recommend shutting your dog outside, think how she must feel to be lumped out into the garden in the cold. If possible a child gate across a doorway or a crate and some toys would be a much better idea and would reduce her stress levels significantly.

 

My dogs follow me everywhere in the house, if I go to the toilet they will try to climb onto my knee and if I am in the kitchen they sit behind me watching me and if I stand still I will invariably get a bum plonked on my foot. I love this though, it shows that they value me and love me and yes, I do sometimes tut when I trip over one of them for the 10th time in a row but when you get a dog you have to realise that you can't just expect them to amuse themselves until you have a bit of time for them every now and then. Also, dogs never do things just to annoy you, they simply are not capable of thinking like that so no matter what she does, she is not doing it out of spite or malice, just because she is bored and unguided.

 

I hope this helps, please don't take the personal comments to heart and do persevere, there is nothing more rewarding than having a beautiful, well mannered dog which is a pleasure to be around and knowing that you helped to make them that way