AlexiaCarley

Hi Adrienne, thanks for your response. I didn't know that you had replied until i decided to check! I'd like toys to be a good method of training because he's adopted so theres a lot of work to be done in regards to training. When he came to us we didn't know anything about his previous 4 years of life. just that he was hit by a motorcycle. so we had to name him. So basically we started from scratch. he knows sit, down and heel (a bit) he is getting better at starting to play on his own and we have been teaching him biting inhibition and he has since improved drastically with how quickly he snaps. but he still will snap if its something he's really scared of... like the ear drops that the vet prescribed for him. On walks he takes treats but not always as i think he gets in the zone with the motorbikes and wants to get them. but working on that and he is progressing slowly. he sometimes resource guards certain food and toys but it also improving on the toys quite well. I am able to put my hand on the toy right next to his nose and tug at it and he will not bite me. and if he does its a play chew and then he licks me. He won't "drop it" on cue just yet. my main concern is that when I leave the house he knows I'm about to go and he won't take anything ... not even a wing tip which he loves. so he leaves them till we get back and sits at the door crying and howling for ages (minimum 30mins) then he stops and just sits right at the door whining. I want him to learn how to occupy himself but I think he's just really scared that he will be left again. The strangest thing is that when I go for a shower or to the toilet he doesn't care that I'm gone will just sleep or chill out somewhere but as soon as i go to the bedroom he will cry till i open the door (he does sleep in the bedroom at night in the crate with no door on because he's still not sure about that part). Thanks Alexia

Hi all, was wondering if anyone has any advice for me about what to use to train my dog. Treats are very effective on him (within the home) but he doesn't know how to play - with ball or with ropes or anything. I think his idea of play is growling at the people who have hold of the toy (sometimes can be confused for play but i think its more that he thinks its his and we cant have it) Even to encourage play in the first place takes a lot of excitement and it only lasts for short bursts of time. He is 4, we know nothing about his previous life except that he was hit by a motorbike so very hard to know his likes and dislikes etc. Im trying to get him to be more independent. Also when I try and teach him to 'drop it' as soon as he figures out that i have treats anyway he doesn't care about the toy. I tried to hide them but he's clever! Thanks