Need help with dog behavior issues | GTAMotorcycle.com

Need help with dog behavior issues

DJM

DJM

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We are watching a 2 yo female Wheaten Terrier which I drunkenly agreed at a party to watch for 2 weeks while the owners travel the Carribean. Dog seemed fine at it's house and we have watched many other friends dogs, usually without issue. But, we're at day 5 and it's driving me nuts.

Big issue is discipline. Doesn't listen to commands like stay or come, jumps up on people, constantly goes after food on table or in hand, bit me and my father-in-law enough to draw blood and has viciously attacked my dog a couple of times (8 yo F Golden) for no reasons that I could see.

I have tried giving the dogs their own toys, separate blanket areas etc. but they still clash. The Terrier (Terror) also jumped up on kitchen island when my wife's back was turned and ravaged the cold-cuts platter she was preparing on xmas day, which really didn't go over well.

Short of putting it in the garage for the next 9 days if someone has any ideas I'm all ears.
 
Put it in a kennel. On lead when it's out and suspect. When it doesn't listen, reinforce the kennel. Unless you wanna go back to abc(s). Then it's tire, train, treat.

For 9 days I'd just make sure that dog wasn't in my household again.
 
When they come back from their vacation, slap the owners upside the head.

In the meantime, that dog is going to be comfortable in your garage the next 9 days.
 
Leash it while it's inside. (like leashed on a couch or something)

Helped us breakdown a very territorial shi-tzu as she associated leash with owner. So when she's leashed all the time, she understands shes not in control.

Jumping on people is usually trying to establish dominance in A LOT of cases, and its overlooked with smaller breeds as hugs and kisses...

anyhow.. enjoy your boarding. If you're doing it for money it might be worth the headache in the end. The shi-tzu was the worst i had to board but once she settled down she was actually pretty nice. Good luck!
 
Put it in a boarding place and give em the bill when they return. Seriously.
 
If you have a way to contact the owner contact them and tell them the issue. Ask them if it's okay to put it up in boarding or someone else can pick it up.

You can always visit with the dog to my house. My husky will tear it apart in 30 seconds guaranteed.
 
LiNK666 said:
If you have a way to contact the owner contact them and tell them the issue. Ask them if it's okay to put it up in boarding or someone else can pick it up.

You can always visit with the dog to my house. My husky will tear it apart in 30 seconds guaranteed.
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Wheatens aren't that small.
 
lesson one, you volunteered while drunk, pay the toll.

Its only nine days, clip a leash on it and a correction collar (choke chain ) and get its attention. Don't yell or get wound up, terriers feed off your excited behaviour and it gets worse. When it jumps up on people tell them to put a knee up when they see it coming.
Take it on longggg walks, weatons are like all the friggin terriers, when your tired they are building stamina, tired dogs are less trouble. Walk it till it drops.

If you board it out you will be forever the pussy that couldn't deal with a small dog, don't contact the owners and wreck the holiday, give it some garage time if you have to, but assert that you are the alpha dog, it cant jump if your standing on the leash. Your better than a weaton.

You guys that have dogs that would rip up smaller dogs have your own issues , get training for yourself and the dog.
 
OK thanks for the ideas.

Picked up a crate from a workmate and got a choke chain from Petsmart and some treats this morning. I don't think this dog has ever been walked, was all over the place and tried to pull me like a sled until I thought it would strangle itself. My arm and hand are killing me, but she's tired, so that might give me some reprieve for a while. Practiced come and stay commands with the treats for an hour but the dog is like "Squirrel!" so I gave up for a bit.

I'm keeping the leash on while she's in the house, see if she calms down a bit. Last night was bad, she knocked my laptop off the couch armrest and broke the case while trying to get at my son's bowl of chips. She's in the crate tonight, will let her out for a walk and then right back in. I'll extend the time outside of it a little bit at a time.
 
100% agree with you.

The dog is the alpha in the house right now, take control with these tips but it takes work.

This is why I laugh when someone says "i want a puppy" they have no idea the amount of discipline and work and some people should never own a dog.


crankcall said:
lesson one, you volunteered while drunk, pay the toll.

Its only nine days, clip a leash on it and a correction collar (choke chain ) and get its attention. Don't yell or get wound up, terriers feed off your excited behaviour and it gets worse. When it jumps up on people tell them to put a knee up when they see it coming.
Take it on longggg walks, weatons are like all the friggin terriers, when your tired they are building stamina, tired dogs are less trouble. Walk it till it drops.

If you board it out you will be forever the pussy that couldn't deal with a small dog, don't contact the owners and wreck the holiday, give it some garage time if you have to, but assert that you are the alpha dog, it cant jump if your standing on the leash. Your better than a weaton.

You guys that have dogs that would rip up smaller dogs have your own issues , get training for yourself and the dog.
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The dog will need to be walked for an hour (not free run), in the morning and again for another in the evening. In the house a crate can be used to contain the dog while you are busy for chunks of time, but isn't meant as a punishment. It's a tool. A great tool that may be of use is umbilical leash while in the house - attach the dog to your waist and wherever you go, it goes. It may be tiresome at first, but you should see improvement very quickly. Don't let it on the furniture, don't let it get up stairs or through doorways before you or walk ahead of you - shows you are the boss and the leader. The holidays are just as stressful for animals with new people and no routines as it is for us. There are doggy-day-care places if you need a break. If the owners wanted it kenneled, perhaps they would have done so instead of entrusting it to you. Check if there are Wheaten playgroups that can help you; generally breed specific owners have support groups for these types of things. Hope that helps - good luck.
 
Some nice tips there!

Let us know how that goes.
 
DJM said:
OK thanks for the ideas.

Picked up a crate from a workmate and got a choke chain from Petsmart and some treats this morning. I don't think this dog has ever been walked, was all over the place and tried to pull me like a sled until I thought it would strangle itself. My arm and hand are killing me, but she's tired, so that might give me some reprieve for a while. Practiced come and stay commands with the treats for an hour but the dog is like "Squirrel!" so I gave up for a bit.

I'm keeping the leash on while she's in the house, see if she calms down a bit. Last night was bad, she knocked my laptop off the couch armrest and broke the case while trying to get at my son's bowl of chips. She's in the crate tonight, will let her out for a walk and then right back in. I'll extend the time outside of it a little bit at a time.
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Ha ha. A terrier, lucky you. Terriers are people dogs, very dominant and very territorial. The best way to punish them is to remove them from other beings. That means if it gets up on the counter or fights with your dog you tell it to get down or stop in an angry voice and immediately tie it in the garage for 15 minutes. While it is out there, go back inside and make noises like you are having fun. It will long to be back inside with you. Dogs go by the tone of your voice rather than words. Dogs are communal animals that want to be part of the pack. They establish a pecking order in the pack and terriers want to be the pack leader, hence its aggressive behavior. Once it knows where it fits in it will settle down, but it will always be somewhat active and aggressive. Terriers are game dogs, bred to hunt rabbits etc. Larger dogs like Bull Terriers are used to hunt wild boar and pit fight because they are so aggressive. Terriers hate to be alone however and that is how you control them. I know, I have owned them in the past.
 
Well OP , only 6 days left. Dog still alive?
Growing up my mom had a kennel as a hobby and raised Wire Hair Fox Terriers. I will probably never own a pure bred terrier, having lived 16yrs with 4-10 at a time. Very determined little dogs that if not trained are a PITA, infinitely trainable but they want to be in charge. Being the alpha needs to be established almost daily till the dogs is about 8/9, then they seem to settle a bit.
 
crankcall said:
Well OP , only 6 days left. Dog still alive?
Growing up my mom had a kennel as a hobby and raised Wire Hair Fox Terriers. I will probably never own a pure bred terrier, having lived 16yrs with 4-10 at a time. Very determined little dogs that if not trained are a PITA, infinitely trainable but they want to be in charge. Being the alpha needs to be established almost daily till the dogs is about 8/9, then they seem to settle a bit.
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We were both exhausted last night after walks and command training. She seems to have settled a bit but I'm working all day today today till 7pm so I'm presuming she'll be a little wound up. She jumped up on me and then bit my hand this morning when I got up, that ****** me off. I left instructions with my son who's home today as to crate times and walks. Thing is any positive training will all be forgotten when she gets back to her owners.
 
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