Let me sum up my dogs 4 you guys!

4dogs3cats · 01-21-2008, 04:41 PM

Ok I have posted here a lot lately. Just joined like 2 weeks ago, and I'm probably over posting. But I post about my dogs a lot. The reason I joined this site was toget some feedback.

Reading my posts, it seems like I have 4 out of control dogs that run my life. This actually could not be farther from the truth.

Bailey is 4 years old, and does not do anything wrong, aside from the occasional accident in the house when it is too cold outside and the rocks hurt her feet. My fault, because I can let her out back before I go to bed where she doesnt mind.

Moose is a 2 1/2 yr old shelter dog, that has recently picked up marking. We replaced our carpet, and we crate him at night now, and there are no more accidents from him come morning.

Chance & Kody are my 2 little toddlers. They are the ones I focus most of my energy on, as they are the youngest, kody is 1 1/2, Chance is only 11 months. Their biggest problem is simply energy. I have taken up hiking twice a week. And i will also incorporate long walks on days we dont hike. I need to convince my finace to come with me, as it gets difficult walking 4 dogs constantly untangling them! Chance chews when left alone, so he gets crated whenEVER we leave the house. Kody has VERY recently taken up to biting me when i try to leave the house, but only certain times. he does this maybe 3 times a week. Depending on how often I try to leave the house right after I arrived home.

I am only 21 years old, I might be a bit naive on a lot of issues here, but I hope you all take me seriously. I feel as if I made some dog loving friends, and I hope that my presence here does not annoy anyone. I like talking (as you can tell) and I wanted to make sure you all know the issues I have with my dogs do not take away from the fact that I have a wonderful life with my dogs, and I do not feel overwhelmed, i just know they could use some fine tuning, but hey, who couldn't benefit from some fine tuning?? I know I would

Elana55 · 01-21-2008, 04:53 PM

I think you are dong well. Fact is, I could not imagine 4 dogs.. though I have 5 cats and 1 dog so most cannot imagine 5 cats!

I think that there is a book that would help you (two if you will read them) and both are by Jean Donaldson (my favorite doggy author):

The first is "Culture Clash" and the other is "Dogs are from Venus." She explains so much of dog behavior in plain language.. and why dogs do what dogs do. Understanding the WHY is a great way to next understanding how to prevent something you don't like.

I enjoy your posts. I can't always answer with any helpful ideas.

I have not been a member very long either (but I am old.. dinosaur.. at 52... and I have years and years of experience with animals of various species).

Keep posting.. If someone gets a little growly, treat them like you would a dog.. ignore their growling and don't reward it by feeding into it! This is the Internet after all!

LittleMoonRabbit · 01-21-2008, 05:06 PM

4dogs3cats... don't worry about what other people think. I would argue that no one here has a PERFECT dog... there are lots and lots of good dogs, but no perfect ones. We all have problems with them from time to time. I am relatively new too, and I have posted many questions about my dog. It's a learning process. We're like parents... we make mistakes and we learn from them, and we ask more experienced people for advice. And the only way they are more experienced is by going through the same mistakes and roller coaster rides with their dogs. The fact that you are here, seeking to learn as much as you can do benefit your dog-family is important. I am sure your situation with Kody will get straightened out eventually... you just need perseverance and probably a dog trainer. I have a dog trainer myself, to deal with my own dog issues- having a trainer help you is not a sign of inadequacy. You and I sound very similar... I am 21 also. However, I know you have much more on your plate as I have 1 dog, and you have 4. I give you many kudos, lol. Good luck, and don't worry so much about what other people think of you.

4dogs3cats · 01-21-2008, 05:09 PM

Thanks to the both of you, and Emily, I also thought we sounded alike! I just dont want people to think I got into 4 dogs without thinking, I did my research and I love them. But who wouldnt. I mean look at them, theyre adorable!

TooneyDogs · 01-21-2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4dogs3cats

Reading my posts, it seems like I have 4 out of control dogs that run my life. This actually could not be farther from the truth.

I'm sorry, that's how I interpreted your posts...out of control ..protective/aggressive...biting the owner...destructiveness...accidents in the house...separation anxiety.

The issues came across as very serious and my responses were the best consul I could give with that understanding. They certainly weren't meant to be testy or annoyed and I'm sorry if it came across that way.

Aussiefan · 01-22-2008, 12:43 AM

4 dogs are a TONNNN of work, i know, i have 4 myself. High energy herding dogs to boot, just learn everything you possibly can about everything dog related, lol! Agility, obedience, frisbee, whatever you can do to give your dogs jobs will help A TON with not so positive behaviors you might be having.

4dogs3cats · 01-22-2008, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

I'm sorry, that's how I interpreted your posts...out of control ..protective/aggressive...biting the owner...destructiveness...accidents in the house...separation anxiety.

I understand, and thats why I said it must seem like I have out of control dogs. But the truth is, I gave the few examples of how they are not perfect. The accidents in the house was a phase, and is now over. They go outside now, and they are doing excellent at it. The new floor must have thrown them off, and it was pretty cold here, and their pen is just rocks, that must hurt their feet.

biting the owner- Kody is a 30 lb. beagle that nipped at me 3 times that I tried to leave. Considering Since the first time he did it I have left my house successfully at least a dozen other times, this seems to be an isolated incident that tends to revolve around leaving soon after I arrived home.

Seperation anxiety is what went with the nipping. he is fine while I am gone, it's more of the inital seperation he doesnt like. My house looks esxactly like I left it when I come home.

Destructiveness was Chance in his puppy phase, and he is a GSD that did not get to go out anywhere due to him having parvo, so for the first 6 months or so of his life, I learned my lesson on crate training! He now loves his crate and sleeps in there even without us locking him in there. Its his cave.

I never said my dogs were out of control. I liked seeing other opinions on these specific behaviors. I rarely get aggravated with my dogs, in fact they are all usually curled up by/on me at all times.

I enjoy my life and do not feel as if I am in over my head.

I did not take offense to your post, I just wanted to clarify, which was my original reason for my post. You dont personally know me or my dogs, and I apologize that I gave you the wrong impression of us. My dogs are actually very trained, they all know sit, shake, down, and the beagles go further with ask, speak, and roll over. I cherish the life I have with them, and it is my fault for making it seem as if I was at my witts end with them. I hope I cleared things up for you.

Elana55 · 01-22-2008, 06:54 AM

Sounds to me like your dogs hit the 'doggy lotto jackpot' when they moved to your house!

4dogs3cats · 01-22-2008, 12:49 PM

Yeah, it seems that way too!

Things have settled down a LOT, and the little oddities that were coming out have gone away now.. I am going to put down small pebbles in their dog run so they can go out at night if they need to.

They are back on schedule now, kody did grab my jacket which was hanging off my arm when i went to leave this morning, but I told him NO, put him in a sit, and left. Wonder if he is still sitting there??? Just kidding, I released him through the window haha.

wvasko · 01-22-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elana55

I think you are dong well. Fact is, I could not imagine 4 dogs.. though I have 5 cats and 1 dog so most cannot imagine 5 cats!

I think that there is a book that would help you (two if you will read them) and both are by Jean Donaldson (my favorite doggy author):

The first is "Culture Clash" and the other is "Dogs are from Venus." She explains so much of dog behavior in plain language.. and why dogs do what dogs do. Understanding the WHY is a great way to next understanding how to prevent something you don't like.

I enjoy your posts. I can't always answer with any helpful ideas.

I have not been a member very long either (but I am old.. dinosaur.. at 52... and I have years and years of experience with animals of various species).

Keep posting.. If someone gets a little growly, treat them like you would a dog.. ignore their growling and don't reward it by feeding into it! This is the Internet after all!

Elana55
Please, I am the one and only Dinosaur on this forum, at age 52 you do not qualify. Trust me on this.