cammidge

This is so great! Congratulations on creating your own peaceable kingdom. I'm still waiting for mine. Bracken (13 years old) can't be bothered with Sables (19 weeks) shenanigans, but she gets super focused on him and stares malevolently at him. I have to really work hard at getting her attention off him (making weird noises, throwing a wash cloth near her, chucking a kibble) but it seems to finally be working.

I would also add that three hours of early morning activity is too much! At eight weeks old, they need LOTS of sleep. Sable goes about 45 minutes to an hour, then absolutely needs a nap. Put puppy in his crate with a bully or a Kong, let him crash for an hour to recharge. The crate is your friend.

Because I'm somewhat disabled from MS, I use a walker. The main problem I have is a wonky gait, and terrible balance. This puts me at risk of a rambunctious puppy changing directions suddenly pulling the walker out from under me - I've had two falls in the past two days, one from accidentally putting the walker on a piece of plywood that we use for a bridge, sitting down, and the wheel of the walker fell off the edge, bucking me off onto the lawn. That one was my own fault, but then today Sable decided she would rather play than go on a loose leash walk with the leash wound around the handle of the walker, pulled too hard and the walker fell over, along with me. Luckily she thinks this is a fun new game and comes and mobs me very gently (no biting - I'm surprised). Hubby bought a Halti yesterday and I'm intimidated by it and need some courage to try it on her. She's 19 weeks old now and needs a lot of attention/training/games so this should be interesting for her.

Have you taught him 'leave it'? That is one of the best cues for this (and lots of other things).

Not all treats are created equal. My trainer got me onto Rollover, which is solid meat sold in a 'salami' looking thing which you cut up into whatever size you like and freeze it. Great stuff, and good for them, so they are getting nutrition as well.

Yes, that's what I do, so glad that I'm doing it right!

I think I have a handle on it - she's magically stopped doing it for the most part, except for jumping on hubby, but he refuses to acknowledge her once she's four on the floor, so of course she keeps jumping to try and engage him. If he would just listen to me!

I also feel that freedom has to be earned. It's not a right, it's a privilege. Put him on the leash and use that to control him.

This is also our ongoing issue - that and biting (hard) the hand that feeds her.

Redirect to something she should be licking, and click and treat for that. How old is the puppy? No hitting.

Is there some information on 'flirt poles'? I've seen one in action, by Cesar, but there was no real information on the do's and don'ts.

My trainer saved my life (and Sables!) by teaching me the 'take it' method. You put a kibble / treat in your closed fist, then offer it to the pup, fingers up. They may just look at you like, what are you trying to pull? but eventually they may sit, move away, touch your hand, look at you, at which time you quickly open your hand, and give the treat. Say 'take it' and mark with 'yesss'. Eventually, you can start to move into 'leave it' for other things. Here's a video on it;

I don't feel confident enough to get one without my trainer doing some work with it. I find that if I'm by myself (no Bracken) I can get her moderately under control by my walker. I haven't tried my ski poles or canes yet! The trainer is coming up at some point soon when she can shake loose a couple of hours, so that's what we'll be working on - along with 'leave it' and a few other things.

There's absolutely no point in getting a custom made collar for a three month old puppy who has a LOT of growing to do, but thanks for the info.

I used a prong collar for a while on Bracken but we both hated it. Some people swear by them, but I'm no longer in that camp.

I got hubby to pick up some Zucks natural minis, which so far she loves - haven't opened the liver treats yet - saving the big guns for when I REALLY need them (going to the vets on Thursday for second vaccinations?) but we'll work on the redirection a lot more. Adrienne, I think we cross posted as I didn't see your reply. I'll see if my trainer has a Halti I can try. I used one on Bracken very briefly (terrible pulling and lunging at the same kind of age) but hated it as it cut into his eyes (not literally, but the skin below). Maybe I just didn't know how to adjust it!

I would treat any dog with seizures or other health issues as a brand new puppy - on leash at all times when not crated, and you go with to witness the production. Also use a cue, go pee, get busy etc with lavish praise and/or treats. How old is the dog?

Oh your situation sounds somewhat similar. In our case, Bracken, old and mostly blind, very arthritic, is so attractive to Sable who runs up to him to gently bite on his shoulder or hock, gets thoroughly rebuffed/corrected by Bracken who just wants treats and to be left alone to sleep. I hate the idea that Sable will keep terrorizing him so I call her/drag her away to give treats to a marked behaviour, whether that's to sit and give me eye contact or just get away from B. His last few months of a great life should not be dealing with a bratty bully.

I'm in a rural area too, so it's hard to socialize dogs in the situation - I discovered lots of videos on You Tube that might help to desensitize him (which I'm using too) like fireworks, so maybe look for those, door bells, door knocking, voices etc.

Thanks so much for your support, Jennifer. The problem is that I decided a few years ago that I wanted a new dog, before Bracken (spaniel x retriever mix) got too old to deal with it. Well now he's 13 and not enjoying it much, and hubby is resenting puppy for picking on Bracken (which I get) but it's translating into 'everything puppy does is malicious and mean' rather than it's up to us to educate her. He is very poverty and lack in mindset, doesn't think we should spend money on getting help to train her, but doesn't want to contribute himself. While I'm struggling to even get around, I see the huge strides she's making, and I also have this visualization of her as an adult, helping me, assisting me, and generally being a 'good dog'.

I would put him in his kennel with a Kong a few minutes prior to getting ready to prepare his food.

So far, no harness, as it's another expense on top of everything else. She's going to be big, so right now, it's keep it simple and succeed. I've been using Rollover, which she likes, cut up very small, on the recommendation of our trainer. I did some loose leash practice in the house, as there are so many distractions for her outside, and then did a pratfall, which caused her to come running - not sure if it was 'hey Mom's down, here's my chance to dominate' or 'oh, no' - hoping for the latter. Maybe hubby will clue in that this is important.

It's everything. Did I mention that I'm a bit disabled, so sudden turns may not be ideal for me. Hubby is extremely frustrated with her, and 'walks' consist of a trek through our property with her going in every direction, practicing unwanted behaviour, but he doesn't want to listen to me. This is supposed to be my service dog, which may be the wrong term by the time she's done with me!

My trainer gave us some advice and tricks for loose leash walking, but so far all I seem to be doing is creating a lunging beast with absolutely no manners and dragging her around to put her in her crate as frustration mounts. Got any ideas?

Momo has the perfect life!