At The End Of My Rope...

[Erny]

Sorry, I do get angsty about it, I love them both equally yet I have to put up with Jacques getting favoured in this household (and out of the household) all the time (because he is smaller, and therefore somehow that correlates with being cuter according to the general population) even though he is the 'naughty' one (and like people have mentioned, only because the majority of the household allows him to be).

That's ok. And I understand your frustration. I was just now out walking my boy (RR) when there was a swf off-lead on the footpath. The owner picks up swf and as the swf is snarling/growling at us whilst we walked past, owner, who didn't move off the path and is just standing there letting swf snarl/snap and growl, is saying in an encouraging tone " ooh, good boy that's right .... act big and tough and tell the big doggy to go away". I said on my way past : "Would you encourage a big dog to behave that way? Your dog is little but its still a dog." I didn't wait for the response, but that would be irrelevant anyway. And doubtful that it would have made a difference. I'm just saying that I know what you mean by people regarding little dogs differently to big dogs and forgetting that they are both, ummmmm ........ dogs.

[Jen21]

Try getting your dog to do a bit of exercise when you take him out to toilet. When I haven't seen my pup poo for too long, we go for a walk around the block, or play ball for a while, and the movement tends to get things moving. Then when he goes you can treat and praise a lot, and he'll start to get the message.

[Fevah]

Just an update.

Crate training is working really well, turns out no wonder I didn't catch him in the act during night time because he whines to go out anywhere from 3am to 6am (and its pretty random). So guess who has had a fair bit of broken sleep?

He did have one accident when I wasn't home and mum let him out of the crate. I had to explain to her that either she keeps him with her 100% of the time so he's never out of her sight or puts him in the crate and that it isn't 'cruel' or 'punishment' (I've made it really cosy in there, he has a soft pillow, towels go over the holes - its an airplane crate - to stop cold from entering and his favourite stuffed ghost toy is in there).

We go out for our main walk as well as 'mini' walks around the block after dinner to encourage 'movement' but ultimately I would like him to realise the backyard is his toilet too (for those extremely cold/hot days).

So yeah, so far, so good, thanks for all the tips