I am so done with this dog.

DoubleTrouble · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Everyone has made awesome suggestions. Have you tried crating her when you can't watch her? I have two dogs who are rescues and I do this with them when I can't watch them. This keeps them from ever breaking my rules. If you just want to be able to grab a soda and keep her from jumping on the couch, I recommend walking away and getting somewhere she can't see you and the second she puts a paw up on that couch, saying "NO!" or even just "oops" so she knows that you are there. Keep this up for a few days at least so she NEVER gets a chance to get up on the sofa when you aren't there and always thinks you are watching her.

I'm guessing you got her from Heartland, since I see you you are in KC and you got her from a rescue? They are good with providing trainer referrals if you need it. Another good resource for local dog help, if you haven't already discovered it, is: http://www.wcgkc.org/page/page/1451487.htm

CherrystoneWeims · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:12 pm Post subject:

One thing that I tell my puppy buyers is to think of their dog as a 2 yr. old. Would you leave a 2 yr. old unattended? Would you leave things around for the 2 yr. old to get into? You need to keep your home dog proof. Crate when you aren't at home with her. My dogs were crated as pups and very slowly got privileges to not be crated when left alone. My adults still go into their crates when I brush my teeth getting ready to go out! They love their crates.

You need to teach your dog to "leave it". Instead of "no" use a low gutteral "Nah". I also employ the use of a squirt bottle if they are a little hard headed. Give pup a squirt in the face with water if they are getting into things. LOL Mine know if I pick up the squirt bottle all undesirable activity must cease. They get a look of "Ok Mom, you're the boss. We'll behave".

ICARUS · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

the squirt bottle was also a success for me. Also, just a suggestion, try getting one of those dog back packs and fill it with water bottles for her walks that will help tire the dog out. It also sounds like there's not enough mental stimulation, have you tried a kong?

kcolsey · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:51 pm Post subject: hang in there

Gracie was a terror up until about 8 months. The training finally starting paying off and now at almost 10 months, she has calmed down so much and she listens and obeys the commands that she has learned. Stay consistent with the training and be patient. You might want to look into clicker training to reinforce good behaviors; it worked really well for my dog. Good luck!

versatilek9s · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:53 pm Post subject:

It does sound like a weim with boundary issues. To them, "loving" you and needing your companionship is often different than complete respect. This relationship is always changing and needs tune-ups now and then. My dogs--the oldest one in particular--constantly test my authority and check to make sure I'm still going to discipline her and expect her to obey my rules. It can be exhausting! How old is your dog? It sounds like she just settled in a bit more and needs to see where the boundaries are with you. She'll get it--if you're consistent and firm--I promise.

momofZaneandWyatt · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject:

We babyweim proofed our house a week before we bought home our pup. I also think of it as a toddler, what you don't want chewed up pick up put away, we hid wires to lamps, computers, tvs, we took out all small important things around there eye sight and put it away... We were fortunate to have two Weims that left everything alone, antique wood pieces, and leather couches and home items. We are firm believers in the water squirt bottle, we squirt in the butt and say NO loudly, and by the second or third time we did it, we now only have to pick the bottle up and walla the boys would stop if they were in trouble. Its worth a try.

When a dog is bored, then you have a trouble maker...if the dog is tired and exercised really good it is a happy dog obedient dog. Be patient...it can be overwhelming, but honestly exercise, exercise and more exercise...

Shannon, Bill and Wyatt

DukesMom · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject:

I too used to use a squirt bottle for extreme behavior and do have to pick it up once in a while still (jumping on people) and it is VERY effective. All I have to do now is pick it up and they stop doing whatever it is that I want them to stop. I preferred not to use it for everything. The only things I really used it for were puppy biting and jumping on people. I do set it next to the sliding glass doors when they are outside and it keeps them from jumping up on it. They know that it's there and that is enough to stop them. And it is soooo true that if they are under excersized and bored that's when they get into things. Gracie is more destructive outside digging holes and such but Duke has become a mastermind thief! He loves to grab things such as my pen off of my desk and I swear he thinks it's funny Laughing

They're just being Weims. Get used to it and adjust your life and household so there are less temptations and you will be happier. You may also want to try hiding her treats throughout the house. My dogs love it and go nutso running around gathering them all up. I'm even teaching them to bring the toys back to their bucket and drop them in. Weims need mental stimulation as well as physical.

ange165 · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:53 pm Post subject:

Does your girl have her own bed (soft bed not crate)? Or do you use the crate for everything? If you don't maybe you could try and give her a doggie bed to encourage her to sleep on this.

it's probably been said.. but the thing is consistency. If you are saying 'NO' for something wrong you have to make sure everyone else in the house says "NO" (the same word).
When Ruby first came we had issues with her wanting upsies on the couch when noone was on them. I would say "off" and my OH would say "down" - talk about a confused puppy!! She is now only allowed on the couches for snuggles when we are on there and under invitation. If she tries to get up we go "uh uh" push her off and she will go and sit on her bed.

I am with the others about not leaving her alone. I learnt the hard way. Whilst we have been extremely fortunate in not having destructo dog (inside) - one day I was in the shower and she destroyed the one thing in the whole house that was very dear to me. She has not destroyed anything inside since. Outside is a different story. I had (note past tense) many beautiful pot plants and herbs that have been destroyed by a curious Weim puppy, also bags of fertilizer, mulch and potting mix.

Good luck with you weim.. I too am sure she is just testing the boundaries - which you need to set concretley. A trainer is a great idea.

ZaneTheBrain · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

I agree with some that said don't bring another weim in until you have corrected the issues you're dealing with now.

It doesn't sound like anything really out of the ordinary, though. I went through a period this spring when I was soooo frustrated with Zane's mass destruction of everything that I own, and I know my attitude towards the situation made it worse. I just made a decision that a dog was not going to call the shots and outsmart me and got very consistent and more structured with him. That did the trick for me, along with regular exercise and day care to tire him out once or twice a week. If you want to fix this and give it a fresh start and are consistent you can do it!!!

luana80it · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:26 am Post subject:

i wouldn't leave all the toys available for her all the times, i give them toys when they deserve it, or i make them work for it. you said you only walk/run with her once a day. maybe is not enough for her. my girl gets tired after 30 minutes walk. my boy gets tired onky afterhours and hours of walks and exercise. this could be the problem too. if a weim is bored and has lot of energy, you will have problems

Kiarazoom · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:42 am Post subject:

I dont know much as mine is 6mths and first dog and first weim, hes not too bad but can be naughty so ive just listed the help of a Amichien trainer to try and help bump us up to Alpha status maybe its worth looking up although I have had our session just yet but will post back once its over with some feedback Smile

best of luck x

versatilek9s · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:16 am Post subject:

anne · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:32 pm Post subject:

You are giving her too much "credit" as far as understanding you. She doesn't reason like humans. When you tell her NO your timing needs to be correct otherwise she won't get it. Just becaudse she's slinking around after you tell her no doesn't mean she understands, all she gets is that you are mad.

PLEASE get the book Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson as it will help you understand how dogs think.

Alsos omething that I always stress....
SET YOUR PUPPY UP FOR SUCCESS not failure!

If you are telling your dog NO don't do somtehing, you are leaving 100 other options for the dog - 99 of which are WRONG.

Give the dog the opporutnity to ONLY do the 1 right thing! Create the situation for her to succeeed so you can praise her! YOU are the one that has control of her enviorment, that is why people recommend crates, that way you can control what she gets into.

Once she realizes that chewing her toy brings praise and treats, then that is what she'll do, she doesn't have to GUESS that chewing other things are wrong. If you tell her no chewing shoes, does that mean your shoes, or a certain type of shoes, or someone in particular's shoes? Does it mean that shoes are not OK but the TV remote is OK? If you only tell her no but don't SHOW her the RIGHT thing, you are making her guess.

versatilek9s · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:08 pm Post subject:

Rosko · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject:

don't let her in your space (room, bed, couch, whatever) EVER (at this point anyway).

Make sure you eat before her and she's good and hungry while she watches you do it. Act like you are eating from her food before you give it to her.

skip all the toys. Focus on just one at a time and make sure you stuff it with something she likes (yogury, carrot mulch, pumpkin, etc.). Kongs work great. She will lose interest in toys if they are scattered all over... use just one at a time at most two different types (one rubber, one plush maybe depending on her habits).

Focus on teaching her fetch... why? Because that means you teach her to 'drop it' and 'give it' and she learns if you want it... you get it. Period.

Never let her walk through a door before you do. If you are letting her in the house (and you are outside with her), make her sit and stay before you go inside and she has to wait until you say it's okay for her to come in.

There are plenty of other 'dominance' activities you can also do. The book Anne recommended is getting a hold of this thought process.

Just because she listens to you (sounds like only sometimes) doesn't mean she respects you as leader, but rather as the choice (between the two of you it sounds like) that is most likely to give her food. If she respected you, when you say 'off' once and point at the floor... she'd be instantly off the couch and on the floor. Rosko doesn't blink. I say 'off' and he hits the floor (rare he even gets on 'people' furniture anymore though).

Keep your chin up and pretend you are a queen and she is your servant, basically. You determine everything with her and NILF (explained in other post) is a great way to do it.

Finally, find a good _certified_ trainer in your area and get into some classes. The mental work is key and the socialization of a class will make it's impact even stronger.