Question:

Ok, yesterday im watching TV, my dog walks right up to me and starts pissing… like right next to me that it practically splashes onto me. My dog can walk in and out of the house on its own and it never done this before… I also know that dogs can hold it in so Its not that she HAS to take a pee… ok and then today I’m sitting in  my chair browsing the net and my dog again walks right up to me, squats and lays a friggin river of piss next to my feet… Each time I freak out and scold her for what she did… She gives me this "oops" look and although I don’t hit her I forcefully grab her by the neck, point to the puddle and say "NO!"… I’m really puzzled to why the heck she does this. What does it mean?

Response:

Lets see, both times she did this and you were doing something that had absolutely nothing to do with time and attention to your animal, right? You mentioned that she  can come and go as she pleases to relieve herself, but do you walk and run her? Dogs need alot of attention, and correcting her like that will get you nowhere, it will only piss her off even more. Give us some more details, k?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok, yesterday im watching TV, my dog walks right up to me and starts > pissing… like right next to me that it practically splashes onto me. > My dog can walk in and out of the house on its own and it never done > this before… I also know that dogs can hold it in so Its not that > she HAS to take a pee… ok and then today I’m sitting in  my chair > browsing the net and my dog again walks right up to me, squats and > lays a friggin river of piss next to my feet… Each time I freak out > and scold her for what she did… She gives me this "oops" look and > although I don’t hit her I forcefully grab her by the neck, point to > the puddle and say "NO!"… I’m really puzzled to why the heck she > does this. What does it mean?

Response:

> Ok, yesterday im watching TV, my dog walks right up to me and starts > pissing… like right next to me that it practically splashes onto me. > My dog can walk in and out of the house on its own and it never done > this before…

Your very first step would be to collect a urine sample and go off to your vets. Most likely there is a medical problem. Only after that is completely ruled out can you look at behavioral issues. — Toni www.irish-wolfhounds.com Click the "Update on Steve"

Response:

Toni’s right……. I suppose I assume that everyone has enough gray matter goin on to take the dog to the vet when something changes that can otherwise not be accounted for and there has been no extreme changes in the dog’s envronment or diet. (LOL)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok, yesterday im watching TV, my dog walks right up to me and starts > pissing… like right next to me that it practically splashes onto me. > My dog can walk in and out of the house on its own and it never done > this before… > Your very first step would be to collect a urine sample and go off to your > vets. > Most likely there is a medical problem. > Only after that is completely ruled out can you look at behavioral issues. > — > Toni > www.irish-wolfhounds.com > Click the "Update on Steve"

Response:

Ditto…GG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok, yesterday im watching TV, my dog walks right up to me and starts > pissing… like right next to me that it practically splashes onto me. > My dog can walk in and out of the house on its own and it never done > this before… > Your very first step would be to collect a urine sample and go off to your > vets. > Most likely there is a medical problem. > Only after that is completely ruled out can you look at behavioral issues. > — > Toni > www.irish-wolfhounds.com > Click the "Update on Steve"

Response:

> Ditto…GG

Likewise. That’s another good example of WHY we have no damn business punishing or scolding dogs for their behavior. They’re supposed to do things because they’re animals. We’re SUPPOSED to FIGURE OUT better ways to deal with things because we’re SUPPOSED to be the ones with the opposable thumb and the bigger brain… Let’s PROVE it. Start using them, people… Here’s a good example of why our Gang Of Thugs are lying, dog abusing, cowards: "The first step of correction is to confine the dog closely in a part of the house when you go away, so that he is constantly reminded of his obligation. The fact that he once was reliable in the house is proof that the dog knows right from wrong, and it leaves you no other course than to punish him sufficiently to convince him that the satisfaction of his wrongdoing is not worth the consequences. If the punishment is not severe enough, some of these "backsliders" will think they’re winning and will continue to mess in the house. An indelible impression can sometimes be made by giving the dog a hard spanking of long duration, then leaving him tied by the mess he’s made so you can come back at twenty minute intervals and punish him again for the same thing. In most cases, the dog that deliberately does this disagreeable thing cannot be made reliable by the light spanking that some owners seem to think is adequate punishment. It will be better for your dog, as well as the house, if you really pour it on him." Ask yourself "WHY DOESN’T JERRY HURT DOGS TO TRAIN THEM?" And then just answer "BECAUSE JERRY KNOWS HOWE TO TRAIN DOGS WITHOUT HURTING THEM." And THEN SAY OUT LOUD: "IGNORE JERRY, HE’S MEAN TO DOG ABUSERS." You can get all the information you need to PROPERLY handle and train your dog using non force, non confronatational, scientific and psychological methods, in the Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual available for free at http://www.doggydoright.com The Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual is provided compliments of  the BIOSOUND Scientific Elves as an alternative to Doggy Do Right (and Kitty Will Too). Your pal, Jerry "The Phony," Howe. j;~}

Response:

> Ok, yesterday im watching TV, my dog walks right up to me and starts > pissing… <snip> >What does it mean?

 Damien, I gather from what you wrote that your dog is a housebroken adult, and not recently spayed. (A small number of female dogs develop incontinence after spaying.) It probably means that she’s got either a bladder infection or some sort of kidney problem, and can’t help herself. The fact that she’s doing it next to you may be coincidental, or may mean that she’s asking *you* for help.   Get her to a vet right away, and please DON’T yell at her any more. Scolding her for something she can’t help will only make her afraid of you and increase the stress of the illness (assuming there is one). Also, next time she might go hide the fact that she’s peeing instead of coming to you for help.   If the vet doesn’t find a physical problem, then you need to figure out what is different in your life or in your environment; *something* caused it, and I can assure you it wasn’t "spite" on the dog’s part. (It could be something really simple, such as the dog being scared of something that was outside.) Let us know what you find out, Ok? Sarah (Pack Leader and Mamcat) Brenin,  CGC, AD, S-OAC, S-OJC, O-OGC, EJC, 1/2 EAC (formerly the Puppy From Hell) Gwydion, Purring Monitor Ornament and Wicked Cat Extraordinaire Morag, the Levitating Lurcher Landshark,  NAC, O-NJC, NGC Robyn the Meezer-Brat, Inspector of Human Activity & Intrepid Door-Climber we can be seen at: http://ememories.com/pf/default.asp?PF=98A197877B92 New (and funny) pics at: http://www.ememories.com/pf/default.asp?PF=949D9283B0C2A393

Response:

I suspect a clinical deficiency of some bogus electronic noisemaker. Now if only there was some way to buy one of those on the net.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ok, yesterday im watching TV, my dog walks right up to me and starts > pissing… like right next to me that it practically splashes onto me. > My dog can walk in and out of the house on its own and it never done > this before… I also know that dogs can hold it in so Its not that > she HAS to take a pee… ok and then today I’m sitting in  my chair > browsing the net and my dog again walks right up to me, squats and > lays a friggin river of piss next to my feet… Each time I freak out > and scold her for what she did… She gives me this "oops" look and > although I don’t hit her I forcefully grab her by the neck, point to > the puddle and say "NO!"… I’m really puzzled to why the heck she > does this. What does it mean?

Response:

> I suspect a clinical deficiency of some bogus electronic noisemaker. > Now if only there was some way to buy one of those on the net.

  Now is that a comment on the most frequently shilled scam in here, or is it an elegant way of saying "I smell troll shit?" <G>

Response:

I agree with the others here. Take her immediately to the vet. Once time my cat did this behavior, we were perplexed – just like you. I went to the kitty manual ("You and Your Cat") and it said there what folks are saying here. I took her to the vet, and sure enough, she had cystitis in her bladder. A short course of antibiotics and she was back to regular. Marie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ok, yesterday im watching TV, my dog walks right up to me and starts > pissing… like right next to me that it practically splashes onto me. > My dog can walk in and out of the house on its own and it never done > this before… I also know that dogs can hold it in so Its not that > she HAS to take a pee… ok and then today I’m sitting in  my chair > browsing the net and my dog again walks right up to me, squats and > lays a friggin river of piss next to my feet… Each time I freak out > and scold her for what she did… She gives me this "oops" look and > although I don’t hit her I forcefully grab her by the neck, point to > the puddle and say "NO!"… I’m really puzzled to why the heck she > does this. What does it mean?

Response:

>Ok, yesterday im watching TV, my dog walks right up to me and starts >pissing… like right next to me that it practically splashes onto me. >My dog can walk in and out of the house on its own and it never done >this before…

OK, a change in behavior like that for a normally housetrained dog, haul the dog off to the vet, pronto.  Probably some kind of urinary tract infection. –Cindy —

Response:

Ok, you guys got me worried, which I thank you all, and I took her to my cousin who is a vet and after exhausting efforts in getting a urine sample,  it is not a urinary tract infection. I would’ve killed myself if it was after the way I treated my dog. So now I’m thinking it might be some behavioral problem… To be honest I haven’t been spending much time with her after I changed my work schedule. Maybe an hour or two after getting back home and I usually let her inside the house until morning then I let her outside for the day. Coincidentally, my parents have been staying at my place and they absolutely hate my dog and totally disapprove of it being in the house  (which is theirs, they bought a place in utah and I live here now) I sneak her inside since its been raining pretty hard lately I know my mom would just throw it outside in the rain if she found out (they really really hate my dog,  its some religious thing or whatever that humans shouldn’t live with animals) but anyway they’re leaving next week so… I dunno… It only happened twice so far… Its not an infection… its odd that she’ll pee right next to me, practically on me when she knows she’s gonna get scolded. I’m just hoping she won’t do it again..

Response:

> Ok, you guys got me worried, which I thank you all, and I took her to > my cousin who is a vet and after exhausting efforts in getting a urine > sample,  it is not a urinary tract infection.

    Well, that’s a good sign. I would’ve killed myself > if it was after the way I treated my dog.

    Well, you shouldn’t think that just because it’s not a UTI, you shouldn’t have scolded her or treated her badly. She needs you to love her and be kind and attentive to her, all the time. If you get upset, go somewhere she can’t follow and let out your frustration somewhere else. >So now I’m thinking it might > be some behavioral problem… To be honest I haven’t been spending > much time with her after I changed my work schedule.

    This is part of it, I think, But more so… >Coincidentally, my > parents have been staying at my place and they absolutely hate my dog > and totally disapprove of it being in the house  (which is theirs, > they bought a place in utah and I live here now) I sneak her inside > since its been raining pretty hard lately I know my mom would just > throw it outside in the rain if she found out (they really really hate > my dog,  its some religious thing or whatever that humans shouldn’t > live with animals) but anyway they’re leaving next week so…

    I believe *this* is why she has been doing this.     Because of the stress of your parents being there, and their feelings about the dog. She’s looking to you for some attention, and is doing this right in front of you to get it. Any attention is better than none, and some dogs would rather be scolded than be ignored. Sad, but true. > I > dunno… It only happened twice so far… Its not an infection… its > odd that she’ll pee right next to me, practically on me when she knows > she’s gonna get scolded. I’m just hoping she won’t do it again..

    She doesn’t care that you’re ’scolding’ her, (and you should NOT scold her again, if it happens anymore, EVER, no matter what the reason), she only knows she’s getting that needed attention from you, the *only* one she looks to for care and affection.     It’s a sad sign that she has come to this to get some of your time for her, but it’s a call for help in any case.     Think about this. We have our daily lives, filled with plenty of other things. They have ONLY us, they watch our every move, they listen to everything we say, they are so one-sighted, that everything in their world is about US. Yeah, they may play alone for a bit, but they really only have us as their center of their world. And hers is being *drastically* changed with your parents there, and especially with their attitude about her.     She knows this, and is acting out to show her fear, displeasure, anxiety, whatever. And she’s doing it *right in front of you* because she is getting your undivided attention then.     So, stop the scolding, spend more time walking her whenever your parents are there, and make sure she gets extra attention then. How long do they usually stay? Is there anyone else she can stay with while your parents are visiting? This may work out better than tossing her in the yard, especially in the rain and this cold time of year.     Poor thing, she had no other way to convey her feelings. They don’t do things like this for no reason. At least not out of spite, but to get you to interact with her. So go play with her, take her on a long walk, to the park, wherever you two have the most fun, and where she is happiest. Which, to a dog, is in *your* heart. MaryBeth

Response:

>Coincidentally, my >parents have been staying at my place and they absolutely hate my dog >and totally disapprove of it being in the house

And this may be what’s wrong with your dog. :} I wouldn’t be surprised if the problems cleared up after the people who are making her uncomfortable disappear. Learn How to Can Spam http://www.whew.com/Spammers/reportspam_stepbystep.shtml http://www.spamfree.org/ WHITE HAT OF THE MONTH – Nominate At:  http://www.whitehat.com/whotm/ Internet Secrets, 2nd Edition, by John Levine (All About Spam, p. 277)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok, you guys got me worried, which I thank you all, and I took her to > my cousin who is a vet and after exhausting efforts in getting a urine > sample,  it is not a urinary tract infection. >    Well, that’s a good sign. >I would’ve killed myself > if it was after the way I treated my dog. >    Well, you shouldn’t think that just because it’s not a UTI, you >shouldn’t have scolded her or treated her badly. She needs you to love her >and be kind and attentive to her, all the time. If you get upset, go >somewhere she can’t follow and let out your frustration somewhere else.

I’d never put out my personal anger on my dog. Actually the only thing that makes me happy is my dog. Its completely true. If I had a terrible day, just seeing my dog practically melts it all away. A true stress reliever… The reason I scolded her was that I thought that you’re supposed to punish dogs when they do something bad. Never hit them but in a stern voice say NO while holding onto her.For instance when I’m playing with her and she starts getting rough or starts nipping at my clothes I would punish her by telling her "NO!" then she somewhat knows that she shouldn’t do it… I guess..   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->So now I’m thinking it might > be some behavioral problem… To be honest I haven’t been spending > much time with her after I changed my work schedule. >    This is part of it, I think, But more so… >Coincidentally, my > parents have been staying at my place and they absolutely hate my dog > and totally disapprove of it being in the house  (which is theirs, > they bought a place in utah and I live here now) I sneak her inside > since its been raining pretty hard lately I know my mom would just > throw it outside in the rain if she found out (they really really hate > my dog,  its some religious thing or whatever that humans shouldn’t > live with animals) but anyway they’re leaving next week so… >    I believe *this* is why she has been doing this. >    Because of the stress of your parents being there, and their feelings >about the dog. She’s looking to you for some attention, and is doing this >right in front of you to get it. Any attention is better than none, and some >dogs would rather be scolded than be ignored. Sad, but true.

I never thought of this… I guess it could be true. Sometimes when I tell her NO and scold her, she would try to rub up to me and we would more or less "make up"… so in a way its not really punishment… She’s not a bad dog and doesn’t misbehave much at all and I don’t scold her often maybe once every month  so I didn’t really notice these subtle things… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I > dunno… It only happened twice so far… Its not an infection… its > odd that she’ll pee right next to me, practically on me when she knows > she’s gonna get scolded. I’m just hoping she won’t do it again.. >    She doesn’t care that you’re ’scolding’ her, (and you should NOT scold >her again, if it happens anymore, EVER, no matter what the reason), she only >knows she’s getting that needed attention from you, the *only* one she looks >to for care and affection. >    It’s a sad sign that she has come to this to get some of your time for >her, but it’s a call for help in any case. >    Think about this. We have our daily lives, filled with plenty of other >things. They have ONLY us, they watch our every move, they listen to >everything we say, they are so one-sighted, that everything in their world >is about US. Yeah, they may play alone for a bit, but they really only have >us as their center of their world. And hers is being *drastically* changed >with your parents there, and especially with their attitude about her. >    She knows this, and is acting out to show her fear, displeasure, >anxiety, whatever. And she’s doing it *right in front of you* because she is >getting your undivided attention then. >    So, stop the scolding, spend more time walking her whenever your parents >are there, and make sure she gets extra attention then. How long do they >usually stay? Is there anyone else she can stay with while your parents are >visiting? This may work out better than tossing her in the yard, especially >in the rain and this cold time of year. >    Poor thing, she had no other way to convey her feelings. They don’t do >things like this for no reason. At least not out of spite, but to get you to >interact with her. >So go play with her, take her on a long walk, to the park, wherever you two >have the most fun, and where she is happiest. Which, to a dog, is in *your* >heart. >MaryBeth

Thanks alot MaryBeth for all the great insight you have brought upon me. You’re so right about us being their life. especially true when you live mostly alone without any kids or other family members. Jessie is on the floor laying down to the right of me at the moment, sniffing at the floor… I look down at her, and she without moving her head looks up at me and perks up her ears a bit… I can’t help but feel so much emotion… for all the help she has given me I really haven’t given back enough. I’m gonna go for a drive with her now… she likes that… thanks again

Response:

>For instance >when I’m playing with her and she starts getting rough or starts >nipping at my clothes I would punish her by telling her "NO!" then she >somewhat knows that she shouldn’t do it… I guess..  

I’m finding that my puppy responds best to different types of corrections for different behaviors.  When she gets too rough in play, I say "Ow!" like I’m really hurt, and stop the play.  She always reacts dramatically to that, sitting back and looking intensely (as only BC’s can :} into my face to make sure I’m okay, and then switching to kissing instead of nipping.  She’s stopped biting faces altogether, which was a big problem her first week with us. (Though she just started recently nibbling gently on lips, which hurts no matter how gentle. :} I trained her out of nipping at my clothes when I’m trying to get dressed by making a strange noise that sounded like "PHTLAP!"  I’ve only had to do it twice – she lets me get dressed unmolested now. As for chewing things she’s not supposed to, I make a displeased "Unh" noise, and immediately substitute one of her chew toys and praise her for taking it. For a 4-1/2 month old pup, she’s been fairly good about restricting her chewing activities to her toys.   I’m not getting good results trying to train her not to pull on her leash, though.  She just got over a really bad case of kennel cough (it took about 3 weeks for her to stop coughing), so she’s on a harness because I don’t want anything around her throat.  I’ve been trying to correct her by giving a quick pull back on the leash, and then praising when she loosens up.  It’s not working very well. Anybody have any suggestions?  I’d really like to keep her on the harness if possible. Learn How to Can Spam http://www.whew.com/Spammers/reportspam_stepbystep.shtml http://www.spamfree.org/ WHITE HAT OF THE MONTH – Nominate At:  http://www.whitehat.com/whotm/ Internet Secrets, 2nd Edition, by John Levine (All About Spam, p. 277)

Response:

Leah wrote … >I’m not getting good results trying to train her not to pull on her leash,

though.  She just got over a really bad case of kennel cough (it took about 3 weeks for her to stop coughing), so she’s on a harness because I don’t want anything around her throat.  I’ve been trying to correct her by giving a quick pull back on the leash, and then praising when she loosens up.  It’s not working very well. Anybody have any suggestions?  I’d really like to keep her on the harness if possible.<< If you’re really opposed to using a choke chain, maybe you can try the "make like a tree" thing that others have suggested in the past. The dog pulls, you stop dead. The dog eases up and you move forward. oooieoo

Response:

[..] >As for chewing things she’s not supposed to, I make a displeased "Unh" noise, >and immediately substitute one of her chew toys and praise her for taking it. >For a 4-1/2 month old pup, she’s been fairly good about restricting her chewing >activities to her toys.  

I find playing with the pup, rather than just giving pup something to play with, worked better for me. Distract, praise and some activity. If you know the signs that signals that she is about to start looking for something to do.. some play or activity will distract her before she gets to the chewing. >I’m not getting good results trying to train her not to pull on her leash, >though.  She just got over a really bad case of kennel cough (it took about 3 >weeks for her to stop coughing), so she’s on a harness because I don’t want >anything around her throat.  I’ve been trying to correct her by giving a quick >pull back on the leash, and then praising when she loosens up.  It’s not >working very well. >Anybody have any suggestions?  I’d really like to keep her on the harness if >possible.

First, I’m so glad to hear that you use a harness! I just read a report on dogs and neck problems caused by pulling or jerking of collars. (Btw.. there was no difference between the neck damages caused by chokes and non-chokes) I think Oooieoo gave you good advise, stop everytime she pulls and start walking when she eases up. An "easy" command may come in handy. Command "easy" (or something like that in a calm voice) when she eases up, and praise her immediately. Helle

Response:

>First, I’m so glad to hear that you use a harness! I just read a >report on dogs and neck problems caused by pulling or jerking of >collars. (Btw.. there was no difference between the neck damages >caused by chokes and non-chokes)

A couple of days ago, I noticed that my shoulder was getting sore.  Last night when I could hardly work without crying in pain, I realized what the cause was – a repeat stress injury resulting from Madigan pulling at the leash. If a 22 pound puppy could injure my shoulder that way, then I certainly don’t want to risk her little neck! >I think Oooieoo gave you good advise, stop everytime she pulls and >start walking when she eases up.

I’ve been trying that, too, but probably not consistently enough.  We’re going to end up doing quite a bit of standing still, I think. :} Learn How to Can Spam http://www.whew.com/Spammers/reportspam_stepbystep.shtml http://www.spamfree.org/ WHITE HAT OF THE MONTH – Nominate At:  http://www.whitehat.com/whotm/ Internet Secrets, 2nd Edition, by John Levine (All About Spam, p. 277)

Response:

I imagine the topic of using choke chains is a topic worthy of the Dead Horse (as in "Beating the…") award, but…… Leah, if the "make like a tree" option doesn’t pan out, you could probably stop all of that pulling if you would go ahead and use a choke chain. I find in the long run it’s use is a ton easier on a dog than fighting with this pulling business. In reality, not a lot of choking and jerking goes on if used correctly. Different tools and methods work for different dogs. Most of the dogs I’ve had in the past did great with using a choke chain to train with. The puppy I have now pretty much figured out really fast not to pull, with just a flat collar. I had an Aussie pup years ago who was bar-none, the smartest dog I’ve every lived with. She was also a dog whose only mode was frenzied. A choke chain didn’t faze her and her pulling felt like it just might strangle her. I "resorted" to using a prong collar and couldn’t believe the results. I think it only took one pop–not even a jerk– and she immediate settled into working with me. I’d tried the collar on myself before using it on her and was surprised that the prongs didn’t dig into my skin. I think it must work because of the particular sound it makes (more metal-on-metal than a regular chain), or maybe it’s the evenly distributed pressure… or maybe a combo of both. In the long run, using the prong collar on *that* particular dog was the most humane way to go. I could use very subtle "finger jiggles" to ask for what I needed and she ended up being a terrifically happy dog who was a great companion. oooieoo

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->First, I’m so glad to hear that you use a harness! I just read a >report on dogs and neck problems caused by pulling or jerking of >collars. (Btw.. there was no difference between the neck damages >caused by chokes and non-chokes) > A couple of days ago, I noticed that my shoulder was getting sore.  Last night > when I could hardly work without crying in pain, I realized what the cause was > – a repeat stress injury resulting from Madigan pulling at the leash. > If a 22 pound puppy could injure my shoulder that way, then I certainly don’t > want to risk her little neck! >I think Oooieoo gave you good advise, stop everytime she pulls and >start walking when she eases up. > I’ve been trying that, too, but probably not consistently enough.  We’re going > to end up doing quite a bit of standing still, I think. :} > Learn How to Can Spam > http://www.whew.com/Spammers/reportspam_stepbystep.shtml > http://www.spamfree.org/ > WHITE HAT OF THE MONTH – Nominate At:  http://www.whitehat.com/whotm/ > Internet Secrets, 2nd Edition, by John Levine (All About Spam, p. 277)

Response:

Hello Helle, You’re close, but not close enough…

> As for chewing things she’s not supposed to, I make a > displeased "Unh" noise, and immediately substitute > one of her chew toys and praise her for taking it.

And she’ll continue going "unh unh" till Kingdom comes, because that’s not BREAKING the dog’s DESIRE for the activity. >For a 4-1/2 month old pup, she’s been fairly good about > restricting her chewing activities to her toys.

Oh! That’s different! At four months old, you can start correcting your puppy using MOORE than just chin cuffing and scruff shaking. At four months they can be corrected just like a big dog using shock or pronged choke collar corrections, according to lyingfrosty dahl. > I find playing with the pup, rather than just giving pup > something to play with, worked better for me.

Here again, we’re avoiding the problem. The objective is not to prevent chewing, but to BREAK the HABIT. Simply distracting the dog will only put that habit next in line… > Distract, praise and some activity.

NO. That’s why you’ll always need to distract and supervise. The PROBLEM is, that when we distract the dog too far from thinking of the activity, we MISS the OPPORTUNITY to address the problem several times in succession, which is the ONLY way to EFFECTIVELY, QUICKLY, and PERMENANTELY change or break the unwanted behavior. > If you know the signs that signals that she is about to > start looking for something to do..

THAT’S THE PREGNANT MOMENT. USE IT. DON’T DISTRACT THE DOG TILL SHE’S THINKING OF OPENING HER MOUTH, CREATE A SOUND FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY PROLONGED, NON PHYSICAL PRAISE, AND WAIT… Wait till the dog begins AGAIN, and once again, a brief sound distracton from another direction (the sound distraction must never come from the same source twice in succession), and follow it IMMEDIATELY with prolonged non physical praise, and WAIT SOME MOORE. THEN, when the pup LOOKS at the object he WANTED to chew and THINKS of chewing, PRAISE THAT THOUGHT. That’s right. Don’t ask why, just DO IT. And then the dog will likely take ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY, and if you follow the method, THAT object in THAT location, will NEVER be touched again, without permission. SEE? That makes much more sense than playing policeman with our dog’s behaviors. THAT’S WHY my students don’t need to crate and fuss with training their dogs for months on end… But our Gang Of Thugs WANTS to HURT dogs, because they don’t know any better and they’re AFRAID.  That’s why they crate dogs for the first two years… THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND HOWE DOGS THINK AND LEARN. It’s all available for FREE in the Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual. I strongly suggest you read and understand it, rather than spending time reading posts here that cannot enlighten you in any manner whatsoever. Then, you’ll be able to give solid, viable, advice for ANY behavior problem. > some play or activity will distract her before > she gets to the chewing.

EXACTLY MY POINT. Doing so STEALS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN THE DOG. AND CONTINUING TO DO SO ONLY REINFORCES THE DOG’S DESIRE FOR THE INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. >I’m not getting good results trying to train her not to pull > on her leash, though.  She just got over a really bad > case of kennel cough (it took about 3 weeks for her to > stop coughing), so she’s on a harness because I don’t > want anything around her throat.

MEE TOO! > I’ve been trying to correct her by giving a quick > pull back on the leash, and then praising when she > loosens up.

Well, no wonder she isn’t able to train the dog. Our EXPERTS HERE like to jerk and choke dogs on pronged choke collars for the same reason. THEY DON’T KNOW OR CARE TO LEARN HOWE DOGS THINK AND LEARN, AND DON’T CARE ABOUT HURTING THEIR DOGS. In fact, they’d RATHER HURT their dogs than have to admit Jerry is RIGHT. Jerry is ALWAYS right about dog behavior, this is Jerry’s BUSINES… > It’s not working very well.

I’d expect not. >Anybody have any suggestions?

BWWWAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!! NO. Not here. This is rpdb. We don’t need to train dogs here, we just HURT them and everything works out FINE. Ask Fritz, ask Samson, ask Cubbe, and ask that little dog in the thread "interested in hearing." > I’d really like to keep her on the harness if possible.

Fine. Learn to handle the lead properly and learn to command your dog’s attention using praise, and you’ll have her heeling in a couple of days. > First, I’m so glad to hear that you use a harness! I just > read a report on dogs and neck problems caused by > pulling or jerking of collars. (Btw.. there was no difference > between the neck damages caused by chokes and non- > chokes)

Yes. Our Thugs will give those study’s a few arguments. Has something to do with physics and the amount of pain we can inflict on the points of the dozens of prongs in the dog’s throat, Vs the amound of pain you can inflict over the total contact of the chain choke collar… Makes sense at some level. People who NEED to HURT dogs to train them are usually better at inflicting pain than training dogs. That’s the state of the art here. I suggest you read the thread "interested in hearing." > I think Oooieoo gave you good advise, stop everytime she > pulls and  start walking when she eases up.

That’s about as ridiculous as jerking and choking the dog. > An "easy" command may come in handy.

You mean as a little THREAT? I’m sorry Helle, but a threat is a threat. That won’t teach heeling, that will turn the dog off. I don’t do anything that will make my dogs not want to be working for me. Threatening them actually compells them to try harder, just like all of the other behaviors we deal with, when we try to RESTRICT the dog. Restraining, restricting, and distracting the dog without properly addressing the way dogs think and learn is counterproductive and will reinforce, rather than change or extinguish, the undesirable behavior. > Command  "easy"

A 180 degree reversal WITHOUT PULLING and a "good boy" works much better, doesn’t threaten, and will get the dog working smoothly again. BUT THAT WON’T MAKE SENSE TO OUR CONTROL FREAKS. > (or something like that in a calm voice) when she eases > up, and praise her immediately.

It’s all explained in detail in Part 2 of the Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual available for FREE at http://www.doggydoright.com > Helle

Ask yourself "WHY DOESN’T JERRY HURT DOGS TO TRAIN THEM?" And then just answer "BECAUSE JERRY KNOWS HOWE TO TRAIN DOGS WITHOUT HURTING THEM." And THEN SAY OUT LOUD: "IGNORE JERRY, HE’S MEAN TO DOG ABUSERS." You can get all the information you need to PROPERLY handle and train your dog using non force, non confronatational, scientific and psychological methods, in the Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual available for free at http://www.doggydoright.com The Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual is provided compliments of  the BIOSOUND Scientific Elves as an alternative to Doggy Do Right (and Kitty Will Too). Your pal, Jerry "The Phony," Howe. j;~}

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>Leah, if the "make like a tree" option doesn’t pan out, you could probably >stop all of that pulling if you would go ahead and use a choke chain.

I may end up having to do that, but I’d rather try other options first.  She runs at full speed and just about jerks my arm out of the socket when she comes to the end of the leash.  I just envision her breaking her larynx the first time she tries to do it with a choke on – or even a soft collar. Plus it’s too soon after her condition – she only stopped coughing last week.   Learn How to Can Spam http://www.whew.com/Spammers/reportspam_stepbystep.shtml http://www.spamfree.org/ WHITE HAT OF THE MONTH – Nominate At:  http://www.whitehat.com/whotm/ Internet Secrets, 2nd Edition, by John Levine (All About Spam, p. 277)

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If you do decide to use a choke chain, maybe you could start the lessons in a small space so she couldn’t get up to speed. If your living room isn’t small enough, maybe the bathroom would work. oooieoo

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Leah, if the "make like a tree" option doesn’t pan out, you could probably >stop all of that pulling if you would go ahead and use a choke chain. > I may end up having to do that, but I’d rather try other options first. She > runs at full speed and just about jerks my arm out of the socket when she comes > to the end of the leash.  I just envision her breaking her larynx the first > time she tries to do it with a choke on – or even a soft collar. > Plus it’s too soon after her condition – she only stopped coughing last week. > Learn How to Can Spam > http://www.whew.com/Spammers/reportspam_stepbystep.shtml > http://www.spamfree.org/ > WHITE HAT OF THE MONTH – Nominate At:  http://www.whitehat.com/whotm/ > Internet Secrets, 2nd Edition, by John Levine (All About Spam, p. 277)

Response:

>She >runs at full speed and just about jerks my arm out of the socket when she >comes >to the end of the leash.

Try keeping a couple feet of leash slack between both hands. When she gets close to the end of the amount of leash she has, let the extra come out from the hand between the dog and the handle, holding it progressively tighter. This allows stopping pressure to be applied slowly instead of all at once at the end of the leash, kind of like applying brakes. It also gives you both hands to hold the pup with instead of just one, so your shoulder shouldn’t have as much strain on it. My pup likes to pull when her flat collar is on, but this keeps her from hitting the end of the leash hard when she takes off quickly. I got a prong collar for her, and watched her carefully the first few times she wore it to see if it scared or depressed her like I’ve read happens to some dogs. Her tail was up and wagging, her head was either up checking out the sites or down sniffing the smells, the same as any other time. The only difference was that the pulling was almost non-existant. When she reached the end of the leash and the collar pinched a little, she immediately eased up with no loss of tail-wagging. It just takes a very slight twitch of the leash to get her attention. She doesn’t seem to care which collar she wears…but the difference on leash is amazing. Paul C Purebred…mix…their tails still wag the same and they’ll still grab your lunch. Scratch an ear anyways.

Response:

Yes, amazing isn’t it HOWE a few dozen spikes digging into your dog’s throat will slow him down. At least it slows them down on the outside by repressing the opposition reflex.  On the inside, the pronged choke collar stimulates the opposition reflex and represses it at the same time. That works with the dogs parasympathetic nervous system, and drives the dog out of control. That’s why seemingly un related anxiety behavior problems like excessive barking, compulsive chewing, digging, whining, pacing, self-mutilation, and aggression are never associated with he cause of the stressor, your pronged choke collar. You’ll learn the hard way like Robert Crim and Fritz and steve hanson and Samson and lia is learning now, with Cubbe. She’s dead meat too, they just don’t know it yet. Jerry.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->She >runs at full speed and just about jerks my arm out of the socket when she >comes >to the end of the leash. > Try keeping a couple feet of leash slack between both hands. When she gets > close to the end of the amount of leash she has, let the extra come out from > the hand between the dog and the handle, holding it progressively tighter. This > allows stopping pressure to be applied slowly instead of all at once at the end > of the leash, kind of like applying brakes. It also gives you both hands to > hold the pup with instead of just one, so your shoulder shouldn’t have as much > strain on it. > My pup likes to pull when her flat collar is on, but this keeps her from > hitting the end of the leash hard when she takes off quickly. > I got a prong collar for her, and watched her carefully the first few times she > wore it to see if it scared or depressed her like I’ve read happens to some > dogs. > Her tail was up and wagging, her head was either up checking out the sites or > down sniffing the smells, the same as any other time. The only difference was > that the pulling was almost non-existant. When she reached the end of the leash > and the collar pinched a little, she immediately eased up with no loss of > tail-wagging. It just takes a very slight twitch of the leash to get her > attention. She doesn’t seem to care which collar she wears…but the difference > on leash is amazing. > Paul C > Purebred…mix…their tails still wag the same and they’ll still grab your > lunch. Scratch an ear anyways.

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