cwm Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Well, my little angel, Rhodesian Ridgeback, is 8 and a half months old. She is my dog first and foremost, loves my husband, but I'm the one that trains her...and truth be told, smothers her like she's my firstborn. When we leave her outside, and she knows we've left. She's fine. she just puts herself to bed in her kennel. She sleeps outside in her kennel, safely tucked in (by him, not me ) and she's fine. When she knows we, or particularly I am around, she whinges, whines, and howls. It's worse when she can see me too - I was working in our front yard, so I had put her on the verandah so she could enjoy the sun and be nearby. She whinged and moaned so much we shoved her back out the backyard - whereupon she kept on whinging and moaning. Oh....what have I done?!! What can be done?? am I a lost cause? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueM Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Well, my little angel, Rhodesian Ridgeback, is 8 and a half months old. She is my dog first and foremost, loves my husband, but I'm the one that trains her...and truth be told, smothers her like she's my firstborn. When we leave her outside, and she knows we've left. She's fine. she just puts herself to bed in her kennel. She sleeps outside in her kennel, safely tucked in (by him, not me ) and she's fine. When she knows we, or particularly I am around, she whinges, whines, and howls. It's worse when she can see me too - I was working in our front yard, so I had put her on the verandah so she could enjoy the sun and be nearby. She whinged and moaned so much we shoved her back out the backyard - whereupon she kept on whinging and moaning. Oh....what have I done?!! What can be done?? am I a lost cause? :D I wish you luck My Flatmate has a dog exactly the same, not a sound out of her when she isnt here, but if she is home and the dog is outside she will not shut up, nothing has worked with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Well for starters start appreciating her as a "dog". All family members need to go back to dog basics & allowing her to respect you as the pack leaders & in routine she will feel secure & confidient. RR are hardy dogs but sadly we have boarded a number of very spoilt RR who i wouldnt trust .Very confused,lack confidience & have no idea about independance. RR are hunting dogs not companian breeds & enjoy doing jobs & area real masters dog. The key is you can love your dog dearly but you must never loss site its a dog,as soon as you start to treat it otherwise behavioural problems begin & there is nothing worse than 14 years of undesireable behaviours.Yours is only young but the pattern is starting. The thing is she whinged & you went running.Dog has you well trained Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelleva Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I feel your pain. We have a rescue cavalier who acts much the same way. I came to the realisation that I felt sorry for him because he had a tough life before becoming a member of our family. So I've had to take a step back, stopped the pity and shown him some leadership. I am fast becoming the pack leader in the house, and not the other way around. I've now worked out the reason Jake's behaving like this is because I allowed him to. He would bark at me, and I would give him what he wanted because I didn't want to hear it. I suspect you've been doing the same thing. What I'm in the process of doing is teaching him that barking is no way to get what he wants. Now when he goes outside, he's only allowed back in once he is completely quiet. I also make him sit and stay with the back door open and he must sit there until I tell him he's allowed in. We are seeing improvement everyday, but this problem has taken a while to develop so I suspect it will take just as long to un-do. You really need to nip this problem in the bud now, otherwise your baby will become a nightmare to live with, and I'm sure thats exactly what you don't want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 From your question, I think you already know the answer. Time to treat your dog like a dog and be a Leader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBL Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 We are guilty of doing the same thing with Oscar He is fine if we are out (we think), but carries on if he can see us, and has started acting up at night because he knows our bed is so much more comfy and warm. I am going away for 5 days tomorrow and so it will be interesting to see how hubby copes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwm Posted July 7, 2008 Author Share Posted July 7, 2008 aaah yes, the old adage... I need to be more 'trainable' better book into some k9force stuff hubby works from home during the day, and he puts her outside all day - she's quite happy, not a peep! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paws4Thought Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 I'm only inclined to disagree on one point above, and that is that ridgy's are great companion dogs IMHO. But yes, they are hunting dogs and do well when given jobs and work to do. I think the best thing here is that you realise you need a change in your own approach. With my guy, he is a bit sooky cuddly bear, but I try to make sure he is capable of being independant (i.e. not whining when he knows I'm near, not trying to manipulate me etc) but being aloof with him sometimes. Have you tried showing her that you are not interested in her behaviour when she is whining and carrying on? As mentioned before, only allow her to come in or interact with her once she is exhibiting the behaviour you want from her. Also, I suggest always keeping in mind which stage of mental development she is in when you're training her. It will help you keep in mind how dogs at different ages behave and relate to them a bit easier during those stages. Keep up your work with her, your commitment will show soon enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GSDhandler Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 I feel your pain. We have a rescue cavalier who acts much the same way. I came to the realisation that I felt sorry for him because he had a tough life before becoming a member of our family. So I've had to take a step back, stopped the pity and shown him some leadership. I am fast becoming the pack leader in the house, and not the other way around. I've now worked out the reason Jake's behaving like this is because I allowed him to. He would bark at me, and I would give him what he wanted because I didn't want to hear it. I suspect you've been doing the same thing.What I'm in the process of doing is teaching him that barking is no way to get what he wants. Now when he goes outside, he's only allowed back in once he is completely quiet. I also make him sit and stay with the back door open and he must sit there until I tell him he's allowed in. We are seeing improvement everyday, but this problem has taken a while to develop so I suspect it will take just as long to un-do. You really need to nip this problem in the bud now, otherwise your baby will become a nightmare to live with, and I'm sure thats exactly what you don't want. i had to do this woth Koda. becuase i got her in her first week of the behaviour we are seeing a lot of improvment, and truth be told she loves me more for it because she respects me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwm Posted July 12, 2008 Author Share Posted July 12, 2008 Well, I've been working hard at 'low key' comings and goings, and so far so good. Apparently she's been quiet now when I leave to go to work in the mornings. God, there's hope for me yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paws4Thought Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Well, I've been working hard at 'low key' comings and goings, and so far so good. Apparently she's been quiet now when I leave to go to work in the mornings.God, there's hope for me yet That's excellent! Keep at it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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