Viewing Single Post From: Please help

Viewing Single Post From: Please help
piwoodhouse	Feb 24 2009, 06:39 PM
Total Gas Bag! Posts: 3,970 Group: Full Members Member #282 Joined: August 18, 2006	I really sympathise, first of all. Secondly, I don't know what finances are like but I wonder if there would be any way of say paying a dog walker or if not a trusted friend/relative to take the dogs out (on lead obviously). As things are, I'm sure Molly and Snow must be picking up on your very understandable frustration and when things have got to that stage I think you almost need to do something entirely unpredictable to jolt them out of things. If someone else steps in to provide them with a change of scene (whether they want one or not!) they'll get exercise and you'll get some much needed relief and a chance to get on with other things. Being taken on a different route, by someone less familiar ( and who they can't influence) will have the added advantage of bombarding their senses too, so they may well sleep when they get back! I get the sense they could be looking for attention and probably because you are naturally kind and generous you may be feeding this manipulation simply by getting up to let them out over and over even though they don't really want to go. I was told (albeit in relation to Pixel's mood swings when having a phantom pregnancy) to treat my dog is a very matter-of-fact, almost brusque fashion because treating her as though she was fragile was actually quite harmful. Cutting down on picking her up and cuddling her, even eye contact and soothing words seemed to bring her round quite quickly. If you think there is some natural sensitivity there, have you thought of Bach's flower remedies or rescue remedy? Not a quick fix obviously, but started now it could have a positive effect within the next few months. As for aggression towards other dogs, I went through that myself with both of mine defending the other at times. The Multivet Citronella spray collar worked amazingly well for me - in about one week Widget was almost a different dog! It can be used to all manner of bad habits such as inappropriate toileting though you'd need to catch her doing it for it to have any value. One thing apart from the collar that made a difference was keeping Widget on lead in a sit as another dog approached and giving him treats for sitting quietly. Keeping his attention by virtue of the treats, I would only let hiom off the lead when the visiting dog was physically part of our little group; Widget generally went for other dogs as he saw them approaching, particularly if they were running towards him. Provided we could control the approach, his temper stayed pretty much on an even keel. Lots of treats though when new dogs are milling about so that Snow gets to learn their presence is a positive thing. But I'd recommend keeping Molly on lead while all this is going on. I'm sure the others will have some good advice though.


Please help · Training & Behaviour