Stewie_the_Frenchie

Ok, I have just been PMed some good advice and am throwing it all out the window until I see a professional dog trainer next week. I don't want it to get out of control and cross a line I shouldn't be crossing. Sorry for this being such an irratic post...it's just been rediculous! I am now accepting the fact that, yes, I am new to this and I really need some help with it (it's just so hard when you're remote, you kind of have to rely on advice w/o physically taking the dog to see someone - just not possible out here). I understand that I may have to up the consequence, but I'm not going to go any further until it is confirmed by and in an environment with experienced advice and observation. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me out here...allof your advice has been greatly appreciated and considered. I just feel I need some help from a professional who can see Turtle and his behaviour, as I DO NOT want to cross any lines. Ok, thanks again guys for the help. Even though I now feel like the crazy woman everyone tries to avoid, I'm not, I'm just an inexperienced new dog owner who is going a little stir crazy in a remote community in hot weather! I'm very glad to be coming home to civilisation and working towards improving my dog's behaviour. EDIT: I will leave the prior post up, even though I feel bad about it, hopefully if anyone is in the same position in the future and reads this thread, they can benefit from the unfolding events

Ugh. Ok after much talk with the OH and thought, we have decided to go ahead with a more stern course of action. Turtle nipped at the back of my leg tonight and I swung around and bopped him on the nose (I'm using the word "bopped" for the more sensitive of us out there - for those of you who realise my circumstance and know the level of consequence I need to take it to; he would have felt it.). He then barked at me (defiance, no?), so I bopped him again and outside he went (I feel like if I had let it go and ignored the bark, he would have won...was that right?). He was quite compliant when he came back in. But then when I sat down on the couch (about 20 min later) to read a book, he came around in front of me, sat down, and started that really annoying barking. So I stood up and put myself in time out. OH said he hung around the door and then went to see what he (OH) was up to. I felt horrid after doing it, I know it's not supposed to feel good. By the way, we are going to book into a trainer who deals with behaviour issues when we get to Melbourne in a week. It's time for action. I will keep you guys updated, hopefully there will be no more nipping - fingers crossed for me. I'm not entirely confident though.

Thanks guys! Poodle Wrangler, what's an Elizabethan collar?

my aunty's silky terrier had quite a bad seizure the other day...vet actually diagnosed epilepsy and she's on meds. it was very scary for her owner, touch and go for a while there, but now back to normal. good luck

haha, promise I won't quote anyone! thanks guys

Hey guys, having trouble getting in contact with my vet (live remote), so I thought I'd post a quick one here for an idea. Was just wondering what a roundabout figure for desexing and fixing umbilicle hernia surgery costs? I know no-one can say exactly, but what am I looking at? $250? $500? $1000? Anyone had it done? (dog, not you!) It's a standard procedure, so I'm told. 6 MO male Newfoundland. Weight: approx 40kg. PM if you think it's inappropriate over the forum - I have no forum etiquite! Thanks!

ah that's awesome...isn't it great when it works!

will do, thanks cosmolo

You read my mind - yes, I am coming to Melbourne next wednesday night for two weeks. I was thinking of seeing a professional with him, but wasn't sure if I should as he isn't in his normal environment. I bet he wouldn't do it during this session, that would be just my luck at the moment! Are private sessions something that is possible? Actually, you know what, I've just looked at your signature I'm very interested to book in with you if you've got the sessions available...should I PM you? Or email?

thanks cosmolo, it all gets a bit confusing. I did a lot of reading about Newfoundlands before I got him (naturally), and a lot was written about how sensitive they are - so that's why I was gentle to start with. For some strange reason, I don't think I have a sensitive one! Your advice and opinion makes sense to me, thank you.

nekhbet, how harsh do I need to be with him?...the amount of times I have grabbed him by the back of the neck and growled LOUDLY at him, I've lost count. I have tried smacking him, he thinks it's a game...I don't want to start beating him. He isn't allowed on the furniture, this has been the rule from the start. I am well aware of the size he is to become, this is why I am seeking help. When kids are around he is on a lead. Just how do I get the message across without damaging him or our relationship? A lot I hear on this forum and in other literature is hands off, hands off - and if you hit your puppy you damage your relationship with him. I don't want him to be afraid of me, but I also want him to respect and have faith in my leadership. It's all such conflicting and in turn confusing information. Do you know what I mean? I always hear that it's not good for the dog to know that the pain is coming from you. They associate the pain with you. Argh! It's so frustrating. You're absolutely right, generally well behaved IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Lilli, I hear what you are saying, but you guys are being a little cryptic...so I'm supposed to hit him when he does this? How hard? With what? Where on his body? My hand has stung after the few times I've smacked him (on the rump) and he hasn't flinched! I've held him on the ground and growled at him...nothing. I'd just like to know where the line is. But then, where is the line for him! I get it, I do, I just need a little guidance. You're 100% right about the high pitched squeal, he backs away but then comes at me for a game. Thank you, and centitout for your replies. I would greatly appreciate a little more guidance as I am new to this, but I'm not a lightweight, I just need to know exactly how to go about it. I appreciate your time to reply, if I have been curt I do not mean to...it was not a good weekend with him (I seem to remember it ending in yelling!).

thanks guys, I've been trying and failing...I keep snapping and giving him attention. The other day he was having an "extinction burst" and doing crazy barking by getting up on the chair and barking at the back of my neck and I got through it. But then yesterday he was being horrid and I gave in and snapped at him, damn it, now I'm back to square one. I know all about negative attention is still attention, and now he is going to try even harder...but it's just so hard. I get so tired of it. Oh well, another day...

Excellent, thank you lilli, it's great to have feedback from the same breed owner...oh man, not bolshy! Yes, we suspected we had a dominant one (the breeder used the term "naughty", we took that to mean cute and cheeky ) - even the vet could see it first visit when he was 9 weeks old! Will he turn into a gentle giant with the right guidance? That is why I chose the breed! UPDATE: we tried setting up a circumstance last night where we were sitting down (this is usually when he comes up, puts his feet up on the couch/chair and lords it over me). When he did this, I lept up and made a loud high pitched noise and stood with my back to him, arms crossed. He thought this was a game and every time I moved to put my back to him, he would play with my legs - that's what he's interested in. SO, I decided to face a wall, that way he couldn't come around the front of me, so I didn't have to turn around, which in turn would have instigated a game in his eyes. I had OH watching quietly, and when Turtle moved away calmly I praised BIG TIME. After about 30 min (roughly, maybe less) of doing this, he started to get the idea and I could see the cogs turning. I think it will take a few more sessions, but there was definitely improvement. Gee, it's true when people say that different methods work for different dogs...it's taken us just over 3 months to find something that works for him and us. Hopefully it will continue.

haha! I know, my old flatmate used to have a couple of pugs, and the only other dogs I've owned are a papillion and a border collie kelpie x. Turtle is definitely a new thing...I'm enjoying it, but I have to force myself to remember he is still only a young pup, it's hard when he's the size of a lab!

You could try showing him where to do it...like catch him in the act, tell him "no", and take him to the place you want him to. I know, sounds easy enough. But catching them in the act (especially in toilet training) is quite powerful.

Me too! Me too!

that's so great chloebear, it's nice to hear you making progress!

that's ok chloebear...a newfie is a Newfoundland - or in other words, a massive bear of a dog :wink: Google it and look at some pics to satisfy curiosity...they're georgous looking creatures He will get to about 65-70kg, going off others. And I think about 70cm in height. BIG but gentle

AAAARRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!! UPDATE: Some of OH's kinder students came over yesterday to play with Turtle and we thought this would be a good socialisation opp. He was good with them once he calmed down but then he started nipping at them. We gave them treats and told them to give it to them when he was calm. One of the boys even did a little training with him, but he still nipped at his shirt after. What do we do...we've tried saying Ah! short and sharp and he stops, but then does it again soon after. We're trying so hard to get him to be good...we've also been watching "it's me or the dog", she has good tips in that. We might try a more harsh sound aversion. I don't know, any suggestions?

Sounds like a great idea definitely worth doing...almost every new puppy owner is going to go through this stage - I think it would be more helpful, as perhaps people may get sick of answering the same topics all the time. Although, I realise being a first time puppy owner, that you get a shock and think yours is the only one doing it!

When my Newfoundland was mouthing (the thing she's doing when you're trying to pat her), we would grab his snout and shut it while making a growling noise with eye contact and then put him in time out for a couple of minutes with the light off and no toys. However, my dog is big and dominant and really needs to be shown who is boss, so depending on what your dog is like, you might have to decide what is right for her. Some people use a method of yelping and walking away, it sounds similar to what you've been doing. Do you give your dog too much attention? Does she have to work for it? Google NILIF - it stands for "nothing in life is free" and is a method I used that really helped me. But just remember, your dog is going to be different to mine - different dogs need different approaches. Good luck, let me know how you go!

Yes, the OH loves it too :D

Thanks Rhi, I think I will go back to time out and see if that works. It is frustrating - you have a squirmy one, and I have a 35kg one that chucks a hissy fit on his back and I have to drag him into his room...oh man, it's sweaty work! I can imagine Jak would be tricky to catch, at least Turtle is slow!

Thanks sas. He is definitely testing the boundaries! Also, he thinks that punishment is a bit of a game sometimes too. When you say "up the punishment", can you give me an example? I'm glad to hear that your hard work paid off though, it gives me hope. Just yesterday and this morning, I was really strict with him and that seemed to work a bit, I think for those few moments he realised he wasn't top dog. It was a bit distressing to not be able to pat him and tell him it's alright when he looked at me with those puppy eyes! But I have to stay focused as I certainly do not want a pushy, dominant, 70kg dog! What did you do with Dante? EDIT: Leila and Dante are so georgous by the way, whenever you post I always admire the way that Leila holds herself...quite stoic!

hmmm, that's something I didn't even realise with the crate training. That's an interesting one, I think I'll try that one out. We used to put him in time out when he mouthed, but his time out room also used to be his toilet and now he is finally toileting outside, we don't want him to revert back. But I guess if he's only in there a few minutes...thanks boxerheart, that's some really valuable info!