Dakota is a German Short Haired Pointer of about 4 years old. We got him at the Animal Shelter. The only problem we have is that he will find an article of clothing and chew off the buttons for tear holes in it with his teeth. We keep the bedroom door shut to try and avoid this. When we find him with an article we will tell him to "Leave It" and he does. And I know by the tone of our voices, he knows this was bad behavior. What can we do to break him of this?
He has had 4 years of doing what he wants and problaly is why he was put in the pound . You might try puttig bitter apple on some clothes and see if he will leave it alone. He might associate the bitter taste with all clothes. When he drops the clothing praisie him verbally for doing that and then give him a doggie toy . I would stay away from toys too much like your clothes . Rawhide, heavey rubber toys and large rope toys. You can also put a pyle of clothes in a training area. If he goes to it an reahes for an article give hime aa loud veral correct (NO TOUCH) you may also try squirting him with a water pistol, or a loud noise maker . One of those portable alarms (one you set up next to your door so if a person enters durig the night and knocks it over it starts screeching ) might work if set in the clothes pile where he would be most likely to knock it over .If you are playing tug o war don't. This will cause not only aggression but he may associate the game with the clothing and doing his own one on one game I would also recommend having private lessons
He needs something hard to chew. I suggest you go to the butcher and start giving him dog bones,. not treats. If you know someone who hunts, deer bones are great, oxtails are also good. Another thing is where is he getting these items from, are they on the floor or is he stealing them from the closet? Keep doors shut to closets so he doesn't get into shoes, and tear things off hangers. True enough dogs should leave things that do not belong to them alone, however, this dog doesn't know his boundaries yet.
Obedience classes are always good as it teaches the humans to be the Alpha in the pack, but i feel you are doing a good job in telling him to leave it and he listens to you. Just be patient with him, like Lee says he has had 4 years of not knowing what his boundaries are, and now all of a sudden there is someone who is making him mind. He's intelligent, he'll get it.
I guess I need to clarify. Dakota is a very obedient dog in all other aspects. We tried obedient training, but he was afraid of the clapper. He is well house broken. A very smart dog. Animal Shelter said that these dogs are expensive and when they do not respond to hunting, guns, etc. The owners turn them loose, rather than feeding and caring for them. He was found in a preserve for hunting. He is terified of rain, thunder and we can tell by his actions when a storm is on its way. He has toys that he plays with and we give him rawhide bones, etc. He will even take items off the bed or chair. We do try and remember to keep doors closed. Thank you very much for your replys
Don't use a clapper when you train him.. Your voice, energy and body language, determination and patience, is all you need to train a dog.
This dog has been traumatized, and the only way he is going to come out this is through private training with a dog behaviourist who knowledgeable in dog psychology.
When a dog is afraid of so much Joann, they must re live what brings them fear, so they know that nothing is going to hurt them. I honestly believe that they never fully recover, however, the confidence in the dog going through the experience that brings them fear will be elevated so he has "less" problems.
Please let us know how things are going with him. I think it's deplorable what people do to animals when they feel their animals are commodities, and nothing more.
When he is upset about the weather he will try and bury himself under our bed, he did once and we had to take the matteress off the bed to raise the frame to get him out. I ended up breaking my leg. Ha Anyway my husband will lay down on the floor with Dakota, loving him and rubbing him until he quits trembling. He hates going out when it is raining or snowing and will wait until he HAS to go. I have seen him turn around and refuse to go out as soon as the door is opened for him. Then later he Has to go and will really hurry. We have a large underground fenced in yard for him. We have had him almost 2 years. It took 3 months before he accepted me. He now will take food out of my hand and no longer runs when I have something in my hand. And will look for me when I leave. It is so sad when my husband has to leave and cannot take him with him. Dakota will watch him from the time he leaves the door until the car goes down the hill and he can no longer see it. Then he will go and lay down in one of his favorate places until my husband returns. He follows my husband in the house wherever he goes, no matter if he has been sound asleep. It is funny, when we set down to eat he has his meal too. He will wait until my husband is in the middle of his meal and then wants to go out and will finally bark until he is let out. This happens every time we eat.
When he is shaking do not coddle him, don't fell sorry for him because what you are doing is nurturing that state of mind. Block the areas where he can hide, and try to distract him while the storm is there., Do not give him a choice to go out or not go out. When you want him to go out put him on a leash, and go with him and stand in the snow or the rain. This way you will be showing him nothing is going to harm him if he goes out in these conditions. Another thing you are showing him is that YOU are boss, NOT him.
As bad as he is, this may take you all winter, but don't give up. This dog is not happy and free, and by you not coddling him while he is going through this trauma you are helping him to be free and happy dog.
I really encourage you to find an animal behaviourist to really come and help you... He the dog may have to go to boot camp for awhile, but it will save the dog. If you live in the states, call Caesar Milan to help you...He's awesome. If you are in Canada, you can call Brad Pattison, he too is awesome...
or you can call the AKC and ask for a recommendation in your area.
Posting Permissions
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote