Dawg Training

[latingirl]

Can anyone tell me what has worked for them with regards to training/breaking habits? I know some of you are pet owners.

I am renting a backhouse behind my friends mom, my friend got a g.retriever puppy who is now 7 mos old who now shares the back (yard) with me (I was here before the puppy). Since she's here, Ive gotten attached to her (she's a lovable dog) but there are a few things that are difficult for me to live with and because of that & few other things, I'm moving in the next couple of mos. My friend is a very busy & active person, is hardly ever here and when she got the dog I think in her mind she decided that everyone one else would help her take care of it (although, she does buy everything the dog needs). B4 she got it, her mom was adamatly against it because she didn't want to take care of it and of course, I wasnt asked my opinion (even though I do pay rent).

In the meantime, need to keep my sanity. She is starting the non-stop barking thing. She stops when I tell her no, but starts right back up again after awhile and its becoming very frequent. If you allow her to, she will bark non-stop for an hour. How do you stop this?

She poops everywhere! There is a path where I walk in and thats her fav spot. I have to be careful not to step in it when I come home at night. And during the day, I have to avoid it and then walk through a wall of disbursed flies. She only p/u 1x per day. Her mom is home all day, but leaves it there. And I p/u too, but the last thing I want to do when I get home is p/u poop. Is there a way to get her to poop in one spot all the time or change her poop area or NOT poop somewhere?

She jumps on people still, and has torn some of my clothes. How do you break the jumping on people habit? And I don't know if she'll be broken of digging, since shes a retriever. Its funny cause she doesnt actually bury stuff, she digs a hole and then puts her toys like halfway in the hole. But theres mounds of dirt everywhere.

I would have her trained professionaly, but it isn't my dog. And her owner is too busy to have it done right now. Anyhow, any answers will help. And I'm glad to have an outlet to vent my frustration cause its a sensitive subject to bring up with her (she doesnt like for anyone to tell her shes wrong) and we are already having other issues that have damaged our friendship.

[revil]

Originally posted by latingirl
She poops everywhere!
She jumps on people still, and has torn some of my clothes.
Hey! that sounds like Grimm at the last union meeting! That's the last time we give him any alcohol.

anyways, the best way to train dogs is my patented method. it's called, "beat the crap out of it until it stops." this works with other animals as well, like humans. I don't really use this method on dogs too often, but i'm guessing it'll work... :dodgy:

[dbax791]

OK, I have a golden retriever as well, and I need to know a few things before I can give advice.

First of all, is she an outside-only dog or is she allowed in the house? Goldens are very social dogs and need to be near people and do NOT do well as outside-only dogs.

Second, goldens are a larger-breed dog, which means that their "puppy" stage lasts much longer than a smaller dog. They are very smart, and easy to train, but still like to get into a lot of mischief at that age.

They need LOTS of exercise to be happy, especially in the early am. Take her for a long walk or play fetch in the morning, and you'll have a tired little pooch. Its hard for them to cause problems when they are worn out.

Digging can be stopped if she always tries to dig at the same hole. I'm being serious here...put some of her poop in the hole she's digging and most goldens will avoid it.

[dbax791]

Originally posted by revil
anyways, the best way to train dogs is my patented method. it's called, "beat the crap out of it until it stops."

I'm hoping that was a joke :rolleyes: If so, that's not funny at all.

[latingirl]

She's an outside only dog. She was inside for the first 3 mos and tore up the place. I actually used to take her to the dog park once a weekend and a few times during the week which did tire her out and on those days, she was mellow when she got home. But now that I'm having these issues and voiced them, I feel hypocritical taking the dog out. Plus, my friend used to leave the leash for me which she no longer does so now the dog rarely goes anywhere. Drama.

Anyhow, how bout the barking and controlling the poop spot??

Wait, didnt you show a pic of your golden? Was he blonde?

[dbax791]

Originally posted by latingirl
She's an outside only dog. She was inside for the first 3 mos and tore up the place. I actually used to take her to the dog park once a weekend and a few times during the week which did tire her out and on those days, she was mellow when she got home. But now that I'm having these issues and voiced them, I feel hypocritical taking the dog out. Plus, my friend used to leave the leash for me which she no longer does so now the dog rarely goes anywhere. Drama.

Anyhow, how bout the barking and controlling the poop spot??

Wait, didnt you show a pic of your golden? Was he blonde?

OK, well I believe that is the root cause of your problems. Goldens do NOT do well as outside-only dogs and that contributes to the barking and digging and a lot of the other problems. They need to be inside and considered "part of the family". If you are inside and they are out...they are VERY unhappy.

Yes puppies will "Tear the place up", especially goldens since they were bred to retreive and are very mouthy. But she will never learn what is off-limits to chew if she is kept outside. First, I would puppy-proof the house, but removing trinkets etc...that are in reach. Next consider getting some baby gates to block of areas of the house where she is not allowed. Also do some research on crate-training, and look into puppy obedience school.

Exercise also helps with a lot of the behavior problems. A golden should be walked A MINIMUM of 20 mins a day, or at least a mile in the am. More is better.

The pooping problem can be helped by putting your dog on a strict feeding schedule...that way you can guess exactly when they will have to go...usually about 15 mins after each feeding. Then, walk them on the leash to the spot where you want her to go, and give a command like "Do it" or something, while you catch her in the act, then give her a reward. Repeat this EVERY time she goes out for a couple of weeks and she should get the idea.

[CluelessSi]

Originally posted by latingirl
She's an outside only dog. She was inside for the first 3 mos and tore up the place. I actually used to take her to the dog park once a weekend and a few times during the week which did tire her out and on those days, she was mellow when she got home. But now that I'm having these issues and voiced them, I feel hypocritical taking the dog out. Plus, my friend used to leave the leash for me which she no longer does so now the dog rarely goes anywhere. Drama.

Anyhow, how bout the barking and controlling the poop spot??

Wait, didnt you show a pic of your golden? Was he blonde?

i can't speak from experiance but my friend had a dog that constantly barked, she had a color attached to her that will give her a little sting if she barked.. i don't know if that works well and I don't know if it hurts the dog much but I think the dog is quite cute and still very active.

[dbax791]

Originally posted by CluelessSi


i can't speak from experiance but my friend had a dog that constantly barked, she had a color attached to her that will give her a little sting if she barked.. i don't know if that works well and I don't know if it hurts the dog much but I think the dog is quite cute and still very active.

NOO NOO NOO!

Yes it's true that shock or citronella collars can stop barking, but you are addressing the symptoms and not the root cause.

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, and you can actually tell from the pitch of the bark, what they are trying to say. A high-pitch bark can mean "I wanna play", a medium pitch can mean "I'm not happy", and a low pitch with a growl can mean "stranger coming" or "I'm threatened".

IMO, it is much better to understand WHY your dog barks and address that situation instead of finding a quick fix. Heck, my dog barks whenever people come by my house, but I'm glad he does.

[Merlin]

Originally posted by dbax791


NOO NOO NOO!

Yes it's true that shock or citronella collars can stop barking, but you are addressing the symptoms and not the root cause.

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, and you can actually tell from the pitch of the bark, what they are trying to say. A high-pitch bark can mean "I wanna play", a medium pitch can mean "I'm not happy", and a low pitch with a growl can mean "stranger coming" or "I'm threatened".

IMO, it is much better to understand WHY your dog barks and address that situation instead of finding a quick fix. Heck, my dog barks whenever people come by my house, but I'm glad he does.

Either that or you can bring it to the vet and have it de-barked.

[dbax791]

Originally posted by Merlin


Either that or you can bring it to the vet and have it de-barked.

:angry: OK you guys are starting to push my buttons here. Look, I'm not an expert on games or hardware or the other popular subjects here, but I do know about raising and training dogs. And the thought of messing with a dog's vocal cords b/c it is an inconvenience for people ticks me off.

OK, I'm just gonna let this go with a last word. Owning a puppy/dog takes a lot of time investment, understanding of the breed characteristics, exercise time, training and patience. If you're not willing to invest that, don't get a dog.

[latingirl]

Originally posted by dbax791


:angry: OK you guys are starting to push my buttons here. Look, I'm not an expert on games or hardware or the other popular subjects here, but I do know about raising and training dogs. And the thought of messing with a dog's vocal cords b/c it is an inconvenience for people ticks me off.

OK, I'm just gonna let this go with a last word. Owning a puppy/dog takes a lot of time investment, understanding of the breed characteristics, exercise time, training and patience. If you're not willing to invest that, don't get a dog.

Daaaaaannnnnnngggggg!!!!!

I JUST can't win here CAN I!!!!

(okay, i'm laughing as im typing but im half-joking)

Geeeezzz...is there ANY topic that doesn't push buttons around here?

:rolleyes:

[latingirl]

Originally posted by dbax791

OK, I'm just gonna let this go with a last word. Owning a puppy/dog takes a lot of time investment, understanding of the breed characteristics, exercise time, training and patience. If you're not willing to invest that, don't get a dog.

Although, I do agree with you dbax. I actually considered getting one of her puppies (my friend is going to let her have one litter, and I found a beautiful male red golden who hasn't been fixed yet to be her man...when she comes of age that is). But I know that until I have a house with a back yard...and some willing help. I couldn't do it. Its almost as much time, effort and responsibility (okay half as much) as having a kid.

[Jenny]

lol

latingirl, I don't think dbax was referring at all to you. The comments by Merlin & revil (although revil was joking, I think) made me a little upset, too. Some people just don't take care of their pets like they should. But I don't think d. was upset with you. :)

[latingirl]

Originally posted by Jenny
lol

latingirl, I don't think dbax was referring at all to you. The comments by Merlin & revil (although revil was joking, I think) made me a little upset, too. Some people just don't take care of their pets like they should. But I don't think d. was upset with you. :)

I know.

I was just "layin on the drama" for effect. ;)

But thanks! :D

[Jenny]

I swear, no one picked up on the fact that she mentioned multiple times it was her neighbor's dog? :hmm:

[i6s1]

Tell your friend:

"I'm taking "Cooking with Dogs" at the Chinese college, and, oh, by the way, the dog is barking a lot. Could you see what you could do to keep it quiet? I've got some ideas if your's don't work."