Livi

Australdi by 8pm last night I was considering printing out about 20 copies of your first post in this thread and sticking them up all over the house If I had a video camera it would have been so funny....he would get up, told "off" then jump on the other lounge..told "off" repeat until I get him to "drop" on the mat..and praise. At one point he just stood there with his head on the lounge cushion...of course my camera battery chose that exact moment to DIE..but it is on charge so hopefully some photo opportunities tonight. He ended up settling well on the floor, I layed on the lounge and when he wasn't sticking his nose under my arm for attention would give him a pat. He is outside sulking again today ;) Well he can come in if he likes, two nice comfy spots on the floor for him to choose between...I've even given him a cushion for a pillow ;)

Wow, I wouldn't have thought the topic of "nerves" could be so....debateble !!! As a 'pet owner' I think my dogs nerves are good. Example : We are out walking, sniffing the smells, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine when suddenly !!! at a fence line is a barking and running the fencline like crazy dog. My dog shows a keen interest, I keep walking ignoring it, we pass house, dog resumes sniffing the smells and enjoying the walk in a relaxed manner. Now to me, even though he may have fussed a bit (not rip my arm of raging battle for me to get him past offending house fussing though) the fact he settles straight away is good nerves ?? Is that right ?? He wasn't always so good. We used to pass by a house with two big cranky GSD's..I think they may have been trained guard dogs as they were later declared dangerous by council (according to signs on fence). It was really hard to pass that house and I couldn't cross the street as it was a one way access road and there was no path on the other side, too narrow and busy to walk on road either. Anyway I used to just stop when he was pulling, while the GSD's were going NUTS on the other side, wait till he relaxed, take a few steps....repeat till we got past with my arm still intact. So I guess you could argue he is desensitised and doesn't have good nerves ?

I don't care about the furniture, it is leather, I clean and condition it..whats a few paw marks between friends ?? I just don't have enough seats anymore hahaha

I know myszka, this is traumatic for me I have thought a long time about this before trying to do anything !!! Maybe we should move to a place we can fit another special "dog lounge" in

Ohhh how true Aus !!!! How do you think we got in this position in the first place ;) He is a good boy and I really didn't see it as a problem him sitting up with us (when there is space), but the fact that he doesn't know how to lie down anywhere else is a bit pathetic I think the best course of action is total banishment from the lounge until he accepts that it is OK to lay down on a bed on the floor. I will then probably be back to ask if it is OK for him to come up for a cuddle when I say so ;)

Hmmm well I left the stuff on the lounge to stop him getting up today, I just don't have the heart to have to tell him 50 times "Off" only to have him back ON every time I turn my back LOL Rotten sook wont come inside now, he is doing the sulk outside in his kennel :D He comes in, looks around forlornly and goes back out. The kitten has claimed the bed I put on the floor for him I couldn't trust mine with bean bags :D wish I could, would make me feel a lot better about booting him off HIS lounge

I'm thinking of getting a baby playpen, not for the puppy but to throw all the kids stuff inside that they leave laying around for puppy to eat.

Yes it is only an issue when we want to use it, putting some bedding on the lounge is a great idea !!!

Oh poop I meant to put this in the Training forum..is there someone I can ask to move it ?? Sorry !!!

After three years of allowing the dog on the lounge, and noticing that the other night half the family was in the bedroom and half in the loungeroom both watching the same show on TV because there isn't enough room for us all to get comfy on the lounge I have decided that it is time to put some dog beds inside for them to use and retrain them. Shouldn't be too hard for the pup, but the big sook of a Dobermann is going to be a challenge I've spoken to my OH and said if we are going to do this it has to be a 150% effort, I'm not wasting my time and causing confusion to the dog if he is going to give in and let him up "sometimes" Today I have put an upside down coffee table and three upside down dining chairs on the lounge seats so they can't get up..I don't sit on the lounge during the day. I'm encouraging them to lay on the mats and praising. Any other tips appreciated. If I had the space I'd get another lounge for the dogs :D but this house is simply too small (unless we biff the dining table and all eat Japanese style on the floor ) Oh and don't yell at me for allowing him on the lounge in the first place (well you can if you like, I do deserve it) I very clearly remember the day he arrived and hubby snuggling on the couch with the cute little puppy, and I said "You do realise if you let him up now he will want to be up when he is a 35kg adult !!!" I also told him that when he was grown the kids would also be bigger and might actually prefer the lounge to the floor which funnily enough they preferred as toddlers/preschoolers :D Can you picture it ? Kids lying on the floor dog/s up on the lounge (I did cook better meals for the kids than the dog/s though :p and the dogs don't get anything from the Ice Cream van !!!) I am only embarking on this mission now because I feel there are times when the dog needs to be off (so we can all use it) and it is unfair on him at the moment because he honestly has no idea where to lie down if there is no room on the lounge for him..he paces around looking confused and gets in your face being annoying and we are trying to relax while telling him to "drop". OH will then get cranky, I tell OH off because the dog doesn't know what he is doing wrong.......it is ridiculous !!!!

Those breakaway collars look great, anyone used one ?

They are adorable and look suitably spoilt Two lucky puppies there :D

I do take the kittens collar off at night and put it on first thing in the morning as he bed hops at night and the bell would drive me mental hahaha.

Ooohhh that it pretty scary Mine can't get out, but I would still worry if they did and didn't have a collar on..... They are microchipped but still would rather if they were found to get a phone call than have them end up at a pound/vet while details of microchip went through. I have found a couple of dogs with collars/tags and owners were most relieved and grateful for the phone call.

Could be onto something there, I think mine has required FAR more training than any dog (and that is only with regard to dogs !!!)

I have a puppy and a kitten here and they take each others collars off :p I'm thinking of investing in some really good quality collars, I only have cheapies for puppy because she is still growing, and kitty is a foster so tend to get cheapies and let them go with them to their new home. However I would rather spend extra on good ones then suffer the torment of one of them going missing sans collar

No one mentioned puppy kisses either....sucked in to he or she who rubs puppy's nose in then gets rewarded with a big sloppy one on the face once puppy tries to get back in the good books :p

ls_l I can see you are upset by some of the responses, but from the other point of view some people find it upsetting when people talk about rehoming their puppy due to an inability to solve a common and normal puppy problem. Your pup is probably jumping up to say "hello" to lick your face ? That is what puppies do to greet the higher pack members. It is up to US to teach them that it is not acceptable in OUR pack. I don't know how old your pup but it might take a little while to undo the habit, it will take a lot of consistency, patience and diligence. Did the breeder give you any advice about this when you bought the pup ? Have you contacted the breeder to see what works for them ? Breeders are a great help because they know the pups, they have raised them and have a good knowledge of the temperement of the parent/s too so are invaluable for helping find out what might work for your pup.

It is a lot of work to raise a puppy with children to care for. The only answer is to dedicate yourself to fixing the problem/s, be firm with the children in following the same rules and co-operating with the training of the pup. Seperate the children from the puppy unless under adult supervision and control. The hard work pays off with a lovely, well behaved dog you can all enjoy.

My pup is about 16weeks and we still need to take her out in the evening. She is fine during the day (but is outside if I'm not home). You just have to persevere until they are 100% mine is good that she knows what we are out there for a will go straight away. Though tonight I think she tricked me, she looked like she was going, took her back inside, then was acting 'suss' about 1/2 hour later, took her out again and she definately went that time LOL She knows I expect her to go, so I guess she tried the first time but didn't really need to LOL, I don't know if a dog can be that clever though ??

Had a pup many years ago who chewed up my Dad's glasses LOL Plastic lenses, lucky for the dog. He was a maniac though and wouldn't have put it past him to eat glass, he also did a good job of trying to destroy his own tail :p

The most interesting thing I've had destroyed would have been my address book. The whole thing a-z shredded . Most numbers I was able to find, or the people eventually rang me, a couple didn't and I couldn't get their number, but I guess since they haven't come looking for me that Jones did me a favour :p

*note to self...don't wander off then come back with an answer that has been posted six times in the meantime....refresh first !!!! * :p

Because it doesn't work.

Just an update. Jess is going really well, she will come and sit for my daughter, rolls over for tummy rubs and they are getting along beautifully. I was watching them the other day, Jess happily goes up to child, child pats her, puppy steps backwards, child leans over to grab her, puppy's tail goes between legs, I bring it all to a swift halt. So we have had a good chat, I explained that she was unintentionally scaring Jess, that is why she growls. She has been really good (child) with the rule that when puppy backs off she has to let her, coax her back with a gentle happy voice but DO NOT chase or grab at her..so far so good :p