Stewie_the_Frenchie

Turtle did this exact same thing...it was definitely defiance. He didn't have clear boundaries from us, so when he was told off he knew he could get away with it. Haven't worked out how to fix it...we've been on holidays with him so he hasn't done it recently. I know, it's really annoying. What we would sometimes do is when he barks like that, we make him do something we want, like "sit", and that usual puts him in his place. But it's easy for us, as the spot he always barks at us from (in front of the couch), is in front of a corner which he backs himself into and can't run away. It's quite frustrating, I feel your pain and am sorry I can't help more...

Thanks guys! He is a pretty robust pup! I have put him in a very nice boarding kennel for a couple of days as I cannot keep him dry (he loves rain, and as anyone in VIC knows, we're having tropical storms at the moment!). The people at the kennel know about his condition and are keeping him dry. If the forecast had of been for clear days, I would have kept him here, but I don't want to risk infection. Thanks for your help everyone!

Thanks guys. There were no complications. I took him for a 5 minute walk around the block then and he enjoyed it...just mainly let him sniff around and we did some training to work his mind a bit. Checked his stitches and they're fine. I was thinking I might take him for a drive? He likes to look out the window...

Hi guys, I had my newfie desexed yesterday and was told to confine him and keep him dry for the next 5 days. I am staying at my father's property in Victoria, and some of you will know, it is forecast to rain for the next few days. He is not allowed inside, he does have shelter in his run, but loves the rain and plays out in it. He is also really active, he's running around a lot. I'm at my wit's end a little...do I keep him confined? Or do I take him out for a short slow stroll to get some energy out? Should I dry him after each time it rains? Would love some advice! Thanks in advance

Hi everyone, sorry I took so long...xmas party last night :rolleyes: Well, Tamara came yesterday to work with Turtle. Good news, he is not a dominant dog...just a very big dog wanting to have fun! It is such a huge relief to know that he is not struggling for leadership, he just wants to know what is expected of him. Tamara was excellent at explaining what goes on in a dog's head in order to back up her methods of training. Everything she said made a lot of sense. She told me that Turtle needs corrections for wrong actions, and that just positive rewards on their own doesn't work for him, he needs a reason to do what I am asking. She gave me some strategies and thinks it will only be a matter of 10-14 days before he is the gentle newfoundland I wanted. OH and I have just come back in from doing some of this training with him, and it seemed to go quite well. I need to remember, he has gotten away with a lot in the past with us, and it's a bit of a shock for him that we are all of a sudden taking charge. He is definitely responding. The next couple of weeks we will be working on this with him, and I will keep you guys updated along the way. The amount of support I have recieved from the DOLers has been amazing, and I'm not sure how I would have coped without your advice and support...thank you all very much for caring about the crazy outback woman and her crazy snowdog! Watch this space....

Thanks Doggrooma...I hope that good guidance will end his wicked ways Ashka1 - thank you for that insight into your experience with the breed, it's nice to know I'm not the only one...sometimes I think, oh what have I done to this breed?! I should have been more aware of variables within a breed before I made the purchase, just to be more prepared. I will let you guys know this arvo how it goes, what the diagnosis is! We touched down in Melbourne late last night...Turtle was a bit dazed and confused at what was going on, but had a very sound night's sleep at my dad's. He hasn't seen the ciy and lots of lights and cars since he was a pup (I doubt he remembers that), so it's all very new for him! In the last couple of days before we left, he became really "cheeky" again! Not too much of the dominance (OH and I just weren't allowing it to even start), but definitely the teenager was coming out...disobedient!!! I think he knew something was going on though with the suitcases and cleaning. Not an excuse, but could have contributed to the outburst of adolescence! Ok, will see you guys either this arvo or tomorrow morning...big city xmas time now, busy busy busy!

yeah chloebear, I thought that too...what's wrong with giving him lots of love? Now I know, too much and he thinks he's top dog! Deelee2, thank you so much for sharing your experiences...sometimes I feel I'm on my own a bit! That's nice to know that someone else has gone through something similar and gotten through it...gives me hope. UPDATE: Over the last couple of days, I have remained really really calm with Turtle and tried to be assertive and strong, but calm. I took a really quick look at Cesar Millan's website and just read about the calm leadership part. He has definitely responded (who woulda thunk it? ), so there is hope for me! Booked in with underdog training for next thursday and really looking forward to learning heaps, and will update you guys after that to let you know. Thanks for all your well wishes and support everyone...it means a lot!

Re: Toileting. Just a thought...someone please tell me if I'm wrong. The fact that you are playing when she pee's tells me she's excited. Also, around this time, pups go through a second fear period...this may have some thing to do with it? Perhaps, it all gets a bit much and she wets herself? Just a thought, don't know if it holds much merit

Thanks spotted devil...great tip, i'll give it a try tonight (I love DOL!)

thanks lolly...not sure if "settle" will work with 35 kg 5 1/2month old? Might have some trouble picking him up and putting him on his back :rolleyes: will give it a shot though! good, i'm doing "come" right!

all sounds pretty normal to me! you will need to teach him that biting is a no-no, but he is young and he will learn. I think PPS is a good idea, especially for socialisation...my pup has missed a bit of that (not very possible where we are), and as a result he goes bananas whenever another dog or person is around. Get your pup used to as many experiences as possible...make sure he is stimulated, it's such an important age. Make sure you look at the stages of puppy development as well (pinned to the top of this area of the forum), it really helps you to pre-empt what is going to happen...well, as much as possible!

please share, lolly - how do you get them to "settle", and what tweaking did your "come" need?

Thanks Eileen...I'm in the West Kimberley, about 2 and a half hours from Broome...near Camballin. My god! One of my good friends is a teacher at Warmun! He is just about to finish up! And his fiance who is one of my best friends was a teacher at Frog Hollow, just down the road (she just finished up last week). How funny, they would know each other for sure! What are you parents doing? Teaching? Nursing? In the parish there? Wow, I love it when that happens...

SUCCESS!!! Left the back door open tonight and waited to see what happened. He went up the coridoor and checked it out after a couple of hours. Then about an hour later he walked out the back door (with me and OH hiding in the office peering out the window) and he did the deed! We are so excited. Aahh, one step closer. What a clever little man... :rolleyes:

Thanks for your support and positive thoughts percyk...you don't know how much is helps! Don't worry, I will not give up on the little man...I believe he is a lovely dog that hasn't had the right leadership, and all of that is going to change over xmas (not the lovely dog part...I hope!). That georgous gentle nature of the newfie breed is definitely in there...just gotta will it out more often! Let the adventures of Turtle the Wonder Dog of the Kimberley continue...!!!

Oh my...that is freaky! Very cute though...I just wake up in the wee hours of the morning to Turtle 3 inches from my face letting out an almighty yap! Lovely alarm clock...it works! Spanner - I would love to have seen that little jig...how georgous!

yeah doggy doors are awesome, we used to have one for our papillion (well, a cat door). But as Turtle is a giant breed, it's not all that possible for him unfortunately! I will try leaving the door open...I just worry a bit about snakes getting in that's all (we live in the outback). But then, what snake is going to come in to a giant waiting for it?! I'll try it tonight and see if he takes himself out...will be interesting...will update tomorrow! Thanks guys

That's hilarious...I can just see her giving you a greasy and going "I'm gonna do it...look, I'm squatting, it's gonna happen..."

Ok, thanks for your reply Miranda

Thanks guys, I think I have an idea now...great response, helps me out a lot

Hi everyone, I now have Turtle toileting outside with I think about 2 accidents inside quite a while ago. He knows now that outside is for wees and poos and that we will take him out. He also stays in the laundry with the back door open during the day when we're not there, and I've never found an accident in the laundry (although he doesn't usually poo during the day anyway...just mornings), so I know he's doing it outside then. My question is: How do I get him to the stage where he lets us know he needs to go? I have heard of some dogs ringing a bell? So do you just ring the bell everytime you go out with him for toilet? Does anyone know? Or has it just been a natural progression for you? I do remember there being a post about this a while ago, but I can't find it! Thanks guys.

will do for sure peibe, thanks :D

Yes Lilli, I think you are correct here. I don't think he was particularly dominant when the breeder sold him to us (not over-bearingly anyway), she is a responsible and reputable breeder but we had information overload which transcribed to confusing and poor leadership. There was no clear path for him. I realise that now - hindsight is an amazing tool, yes? Believe me, I wish I could go back and chose one path and stick to it! Spikespuppy, I'm not sure what good giving you the breeder's name will do as I honestly do not think she is at fault...I am, for giving him poor leadership. If she had sold me a dominant pup, you're right, it would have been irresponsible, but I don't think this is the case. Thanks for your comments on Newfs, it's always good to hear from a fellow owner Looking back at things last night and talking with OH, it all made sense that he became confused and desensitised (as Cosmolo puts it). We are booking in for a session with someone who I believe will help. I agree, Cazablanca - it didn't feel like the right thing to do, and as I have said, I realise it was the wrong thing to do without professional advice. Thanks Chloebear, it's always good to hear from someone else that's struggling, it's great that it worked out so well for you...fingers crossed! Bub - it's nice to know you don't think I'm a monster! Thanks again guys for all of your advice and support. EDIT: I'm a slow typer! Spikespuppy, sorry you got in before me! The breeder did say he was the "naughty" one, but she explained it wasn't a bad type of naughty, just a little cheeky. I took that to mean he had some spirit, and that's what we wanted. I should have looked into it more, perhaps. But that's the naive first time puppy owner for you!

will do belgianpup! thanks eileen, appreciate it!