dee lee

Ok, for once I'm not in here whining! I have bitten the bullet and booked a session with a trainer for next Monday! I'm a bit apprehensive, the last trainer who I used wasnt much chop, but then she was recommended to me by someone who owned a petshop spoodle, so served me right I guess . This time I have a highly respected recommendation so I'm crossing fingers I will have a transformed dog soon.... ish. Just wanted to let all of you who have helped me (put up with me) know. I will keep you posted. Dee

Do you clean the area he has previously done it on with bleach or vinegar? The smell might be attracting him back and those cleaners will destroy that smell. Dogs do like to go in the same spot- my dog cracks me up, on our early morning walks she stops in the exact same spot in the MIDDLE OF A ROAD to do her poo. More considerate than on the footpath I guess

Thanks everyone! Still a bit confused what to get- nothing seems failproof- I should know better than to look for a magic bullet :p Hmm, was going to go on about my crap financial situation, but had a sleep on it (and walked the dog ) and considering that K9 force has such a long waiting list I am going to discuss with OH about making an appointment and hope the money appears somehow. Its getting ridiculous- I'm starting to really dislike my dog, this walking thing is just the tip of the iceberg. Will keep you posted.

I sooo need to see a trainer, but a bit tight with funds at present so this is just a bandaid to help me not lose it!! Trying to weasel my way into a training club, could be a while though (waiting on OH :rolleyes: ). So... here I am, desperately trying NOT to feel like a failure. Now, just looked around to buy a Sporn Harness- to complicate matters now there seems to be a new mesh version! Tricks at every corner!

Ok, SOLD! At least I can give it a shot. I feel the over the back correction is preferable to the front correction, so Sporn it is. And thanks to all who have given me support and advice.

After reading that (which I am sure I did the first time), now I just feel like a failure. Especially after reading this:

Aint that the truth!!! Still confused. Harmony or Sporn? Maybe toss a coin. And Nanna- now you've got me worried nothing will help. Just like EVERYTHING its beginning to sound like there is no magic solution. Why oh why????

They look great- I cant seem to find where to buy them? Do you just email her?

Oh great!!! I hope I'm not getting my hopes up too much, but it would be SUCH a relief to be able to just walk for a whole walk. I feel like I've been stopping and starting forever... StaceyB- do you still use it? I found a patent-pending listing on Ebay for something called an " Easy Walk No-Pull Harness"- sounds pretty interesting, anyone heard of it?

Righto, back again! I hope you havent all lost patience with me. I'm still working hard on my dog's lead pulling a year on and I feel like giving up. Yes I am practising NILIF and TOT at home- last night I left her waiting for her bowl of fresh roast chicken for 5 minutes- No problem! But walking at my side is NOT something that seems to sink in, its two steps forward, two steps back. The big problem she is still overly focused on other dogs and cats. Sooo, until the behaviourist appointment becomes a reality (one day) I have reached the point that I need a tool to help me walk her. She is strong and very quick to lunge so I am not going to risk a head halter but I thought that a training harness would be a good option. I have seen the sporn ones- are they ok? Evie is a staffyx so Im worried they look a little flimsy. Any other suggestions? Thanks again guys!!

Yep, you are in prime chewing age and those lovely hard yet soft kids plastic things are like heaven to a staffy's jaws. When my dog was that age she ate everything in the yard and in the house that we left lying around. The spray stuff (I think most commercial ones are ok) worked but generally she would just get into something else. At 18 months she seems to have gotten better but I think that is mostly because there is nothing left in the yard for her to chew! Have you tried kongs, bones etc? At her worst phase I would chuck her a chicken wing if I was going inside for even 5 mins. When going out we would make sure she had been for a long walk (a tired puppy is a good puppy) and leave her an assortment of toys, a frozen kong (the only kind for a staffy!) and a marrow bone. Pretty successful. These days she is even too lazy to chew her kongs properly, but I still never leave anything lying around I don't want chewed. Good luck!

Jess, Great advice!!

i don't know whether that can be related to submissive and dominant behaviour as he is very obedient and does what he is told, at home, i have a series of commands, back, drop, food (he eats his food when i say and not before) sit, bed, mat (to sit on the loungeroom mat not allowed to wander around aimlessly in the house unless we are there to supervise). i think with him and alot of other dogs as im talking to other owners and it seems its a common problem, that they just focus on another thing and just forget you and anything else is there, nothing you say and do gets through. Big Dog, my dog behaves like this. She is a staffy x and is OBSESSED with other dogs, will leap towards them excitedly, is totally focused on them. Yet at home she will do anything I ask of her. I struggle to understand how to assert MORE leadership. Personally Im working towards getting to obedience classes (easier said than done ), bit concerned that her behaviour might just escalate there though. Anyway, no tips, Im in the same boat- just wanted to add my support. :D

Calsonic- my 18 month old staffy x does the same thing. When we go out she is put outside (learnt the hard way not to leave her in the house unsupervised ) and we expect that anything plastic, wood or bedding that is left out is given a good going over. Ive just accepted it, so she gets a pile of old towels when outside and we got a big cheapie moulded plastic dog bed from kmart to put them on. She does chew it but it has lasted a long time so far. Ive heard trampoline beds are comfortable and cant be chewed- might try that when this bed disintegrates. The other day I stupidly left outside some bench cushions while I picked the kids up, since we hadn't had a bedding episode for a while. Got home just in time- she'd chewed the corner off and had pulled out only a little of the stuffing- any later and it wouldve been snowing in Sydney! ;)

I think its a great idea.

Rob, I agree with Ojay. I have a very similar story to yours. Last year I got a pup, thinking that my family would benefit form it and enjoy it as much as I had as a kid. I didnt listen to my husband when he told me he didnt want a dog, I thought he'd get over it- especially when he gave in to the kids requests (emotional blackmail on my part!). The first few months were hell- much the same as you are describing plus a massive strain on our marriage. and my Oh refused to help at all which was his way of punishing me. Eventually we had a BIG emotional heart to heart and cleared the air. We decided the dog is my responsibility, but he will feed it when I am not home and help out if I ask. It was sad, there went my family dog dream, but life goes on. I dont think it is necessary to rehome the dog- she will (hopefully) improve with lots of training, if your wife wont help out with that try to get the kids involved. BUT you do need to have a big talk, understand that she may have some issues and be open and listen to her. My life has settled somewhat (dog has issues, not OH now ) and I suspect that the dog is slowly winning over the family (though like yours, my kids would rather have a poodle ). I hope the same will happen to you. Good luck.

I think settrlvr was talking about the NILIF principle (Nothing In Life Is Free) where the dog must do something for you to get what it wants. For example, If your dog wants a pat make her sit, and only pat her when she does. Make her sit for EVERYTHING- food, toys, attention. Then she gets the idea that you have the power in the relationship. I cant help with the barking and stealing (my dogs no angel, but those are prob the only 2 things she doesnt do ) but if you find the ignoring thing doesnt work (didnt for me) I managed to stop my dog jumping by using a pop top water bottle and squirting her and saying ah ah if she jumped. Worked almost immediately. Then again you do have a lab- she might like being squirted with water!!

This all very interesting.

Be thankful he likes the dog! My OH constantly bitches about our dog- never wanted her, blah blah blah... But he will feed her when Im not home and has defended her when Ive been frustrated by her. No poo picking up though!! I think you have some issues unrelated to the dog, if you are talking about marriage maybe it is time for joint bank accounts? Maybe you need to tell him you dont like being ordered about? maybe things need to change..

can you put him IN bed with your OH?

Nanna, my 18 mo staffy kelpie x has attitude and energy to burn and also has fear aggression issues, so like it or not she is stuck on the end of a leash. Its not my preferred situation but she gets a jog with my OH a couple of times a week and an hour walk with me the other days. She copes fine= she has no choice. Being young and silly she has been a huge pain in the butt on leash but she is making tiny improvements and after many many months she will wont "pull", just walk faster til she feels resistance then comes back "here" to me (while Im being a tree! ) . Dont ask about when there is a cat or dog around though! :D Oh actually one thing I have found helped immensely lately has been the "here" command. When she gets ahead of me (im pretty strict) I stop let the leash go taut and while pointing to my knee direct her "here" . The visual cue just seems to have been the trigger. I have got a lot to learn! If you need some loose lead walking tips I posted a thread on it some months back- just search under pulling on leash and my name. Good luck!

Its really only guesswork with rescue pups isnt it? Mine, we were certain is cross kelpie, but sometimes I wonder if she has whippet due to her shape, but then she gets that chocolate kelpie glow... and who knows?? Could be all of the above- as with Missy (who I must say does have a bit of a staffy shape to her head, hmmm).

She might just be a skinny dog naturally. My 18 month old rescue staffy x seems to be getting more streamlined the older she gets and she is seemingly crossed with kelpie. Actually i had a look at your pictures in rescue and if anything missy isn't as skinny as my girl- my girl is very muscular but doesnt seem to be filling out at all. We call her the supermodel of staffies!

Obviously when it comes to bad walking habits, don't ask me! :rolleyes: !! Just want to send my sympathies. Hope she improves with someone elses good advice! Dee

Lead and Feather, your situation is very like mine. At this point (my dog is just over one) I have accepted that I will in all probability have to walk my dog on leash all her life as I cannot control her behaviour offleash and specifically cant trust her not to be aggressive with another dog. She gets to say hello to the occasional dog whilst walking but thats it for socialisation. She gets an hour walk a day, lots of human company and interaction, she gets to sleep inside- I figure her life isnt that bad, considering the alternative is risking her attacking a dog and being put to sleep. Having said that, I get massive pangs of envy when I pass an offleash park, but thats my problem.