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New Dog, New Owner - Help, Help, Help (please)!
Laura Kozikowski
Posted : 1/7/2007 10:54:19 PM
Hello all, new poster here but I've finally come to the conclusion that I need help : rops down onto knees to beg:: [ ] ...so please bear with this long post as it will be a slight introduction as well. And thanks in advance for your time [ ]
I recently acquired Charlie, bird dog stock type, probably a short haired Pointer mix. He's about 7 years old, 70lbs, a very solid pup. He belonged to a friend of mine since 5 months of age (she found him on a back dirt road in the middle of winter). His life, up to this point, has consisted of living with other dogs in a wood floored kitchen and dining room area, only to go outside on a long leash for potty breaks, and then back to the kitchen. He was in no way neglected and actually had a large area to roam, but he came into my hands since we both knew he's be much happier with a more 'normal' life.
Chuckie has severe allergies and will break out in staph infections (think nasty hot spots) when he comes across something on his 'no' list. He is also very timid, cautious (not afraid) or strangers and particularly apprehensive about men. He has always lived with other dogs and been accustomed to my friend, her husband and children, but never really learned to walk on a leash, sit, etc --your real basic stuff. He also was horribly tense and terrified of the wood floors (anything shiny that he perceives as slippery, basically). He would creep across along the wall, walk backwards, or scramble around on a daily basis to get around. He didn't get much exposure to new people and although he lived with his 'pack' (two bull dogs and a lab), he never ran across any new 'friends'.
Charlie made the 14 hour car trip (an *excellent* traveller) and is now living with me in a two-bedroom apartment with my (male) roommate and two cats (one year old and 5 months old). 95% of the apartment is carpeted... this will come into play later. We will soon be moving (May) into a much larger area with plenty of room to roam around outside and time to 'just be a dog'.
Basically, I'll outline the problems I'm having and what I have been doing up to this point to try and work on some things. I appreciate *any* and *all* advice and will not take any offense to someone telling I made the wrong choice or am going about things all wrong, I promise. I just want to do what is best for all involved...
When we arrived home, I kept him on a leash for about a half hour to give him a tour and allow a controlled introduction to the cats. The kitten ran off to hide in my room, while my other cat sat up on a trunk and just observed. He was quite excited about the new environment and *loved* the carpet. He walked past the older cat once and took a sniff where she promptly hissed and growled at him and he just went off to look at something else -no drama there. He was then let off the leash, fed a light dinner and we went to bed, him locked in my room and the cats left to the rest of the apartment.
He seems to be adjusting quite well and some of his nervous tendencies have already disappeared (after 3 days) which I think is a combination of constant attention (not necessarily lovey dovey stuff, but just interaction on a constant basis), the less-than-scary carpeted floor, and frequent walks. We walk about three times a day and work on leash manners (he doesn't know any) for about 15 to 20 minutes and then I allow him to wander around in a grassy area to roll, sniff, whatever he likes as his reward. He is also starting to jog with my boyfriend at night and it's perfect to drain his energy. We are working inside on 'Sit', 'Down', 'Stay', 'Leave it/Drop it' and 'Come'. He is a very smart dog and learning very quickly. He quickly warmed up to my boyfriend (who accompanied us on our 14 hour car ride and loves my roommate and any friends that come over.
The problems:
1) He is not outright aggressive or at least, outwardly seeking 'interactions' with the cats, however... the larger cat usually makes herself scarce while curiousity has gotten the best of the kitten and he is out and about. Both cats are able to lay around and walk about without being attacked, but if they make any quick movements, he targets right in and barks and lounges. I don't know of his intentions (I don't know him quite well enough) and although I think he has been smacked a few times with claws, it doesn't seem to do much to discourage him. When I see him turn and stare, fixated on a cat, I'll say, "Charlie" (to gain his attention) and "Leave it" to which he will usually turn, look at me, and then lay back down and ignore the cats. However, of course if someone runs by, etc, he goes off barking, loungeing and chasing until either the cat makes it to high ground or he sees me and remembers cats are a 'no no'. As I said, I don't know his intentions ("Ooh, a plaything" versus "Ooh, dinner";) but I really do think that when he goes after the cats, it's not necessarily intentional or planned, but a reaction to a fast movement or them running past (instinct to chase, one would assume).
I really need to know what I can do (besides give them time which I'm sure will help) to make sure he understands that cats are not appropriate to mouth on, and how to appropriately and effectively reprimand him. He is a very sensitive dog and any harsh words, etc will almost depress him.
2) His allergies... Charlie is on Thyroid pills and always has been. He is also on Prednisone and an antibiotic for his recent staph infection (should be done with those in a few days). He is on Natural Balance's Fish and Sweet Potato mix as he is allergic to most every other food (or simply dislikes the taste). A short but main list of his allergies include: any tree, weed, or grass; cockroaches (meh??); corn; eggs; Brewer's Yeast; Green Peas; all poultry and poultry byproducts. He of course has bad skin and is prone to hot spots, I wanted to add some vegetable (i.e. soybean) oil in his food (actually did last night and this morning and he seems to really like it) but I am concerned that it contains too much Omega 6 and not enough Omega 3. In working in Equine Nutrition, I know that an overload of Omega 6 can get you an overworked immune system which will lead to allergies and other skin problems. I thought of using Fish Oil instead as it's high in Omega 3 but doesn't contain the proteins or anything --anyone done this with a dog?
*ETA: Just did some browsing and have seen this suggestion here with the added suggestion of Vitamin E. Is this because of the drop in Selenium caused by the Vitamin E? I know that hot processed oils in horses need the body to change the oil (using up some Selenium), but I thought they would have supplements out there that are cold processed and would avoid this probem --or am I totally off base?
I would ultimately like to be able to get him off the Thyroid medication, but in the least, I'd like to make his infections and outbreaks less and improve his overall skin condition.
3) We are working on leash manners as I said, but I don't know if I'm making enough progress with my method. He is a quick learner and is doing better, but I almost feel like if I weren't always there on top of things that his manners would go to crap. My ultimate goal is to be able to have him field trained so that he can run about in the fields and expend some of that energy, but I won't do so until I'm totally confident that he can safely do so --and obviously, leash work is the first step.
Currently, I have a choke collar on him. (I tried a prong collar but he screamed bloody murder and he doesn't protest to the choke). As I said, the first 3/4 of our walk is a schooling session. I try and give off as much positive and forward energy as possible, eyes up, shoulders back, looking forward. Asking him to remain near my leg and giving his short corrections when he either walks ahead too much, loses focus and starts looking around, or completely wanders off the side to check something out. When it's time for his reward, I'll ask him to sit and then switch to the longer leash (6 feet) and although he still has to walk where I want, he is allowed to wander about. He is very good about not pulling then, and can be reminded with a quick vocal, "Quit pulling" if he starts. However, when we're on the short leash and being asked to heel, he probably pulls 75% of the time. I imagine things will get better as he gets more used to being outside and the new wears off, but I feel like I'm missing something in the training. I also wonder if anyone has had any experience with 'texture sensitive' dogs. It would not surprise me as he is so sensitive with everything else, but I am easily able to have hit sit (without being told) when on the leash and we come to a stop in the apartment, but he does not want to sit for anything outside. It's not a nervous or excited/distracted issue, he just does not want to place his butt on the ground. Because of this, I keep our stopping/sitting to about two a walk and physically have to rock him back off his fore and help him tuck his butt underneath --totally an outside thing and I'm clueless.
4) And lastly... Charlie is very, *very* touchy feeling. He is that dog that absolutely thrives on "Good boy" but on the other hand, he will almost become terrified and depressed if a harsh word or tone is used. I don't know if anything happened to him in his first 5 months of life, but I'm sure that hardly ever being reprimanded (he never really had a chance to do wrong) at his old home contributed. He thinks he is a 70lb lap dog... now, I've said that about my Chocolate Lab, but he truly will crawl in your lap, curl up into a *tiny* ball and fit all 70lbs on a tiny lap. He also likes to curl up and lay in the cat basket (yes, it's a cat basket about the size of a cat... yet, he manages and quite enjoys it). He also wants to lay up very close to you. When you're sitting on the couch, he will come up to sit in front of you (which is fine), but he will almost push his chest onto you to be close. He is mainly attached to my hip (but is getting better as he becomes more comfortable here) but does this to other people as well. As first I thought it was totally a nervous dependency issue, but now I almost think it's a dominance or possesive thing. He rolls over and acts as if he is submitting all the time, yet, if you ever went to force him to lay down or roll over onto his back, he is less than happy. He likes to come up onto the couch (which I don't mind if he has manners) and lay half in my lap, and I think this morning he almost attempted a little 'too much' lovin' with mom. He is constantly pushed back and made to sit or lay down in appropriate spaces, but he doesn't seem to learn the 'respect my space' issue. I've never had a dog where I found myself 'not Alpha' but I've never had to deal with anything other than very willing and accomodating labs. I try and do all the right things when it comes to dominance, and not allowing him to do certain things, but I'm thinking it's not working. Surely a dog that truly is submissive wouldn't have possesive tendencies? Any advice here would really be helpful.
*ETA: I just reliazed I posted this in Health when it really has some training issues in it, but I suppose I was initially focused on his allergies and just started rambling... forgive me 
Alright, if you have made it to the end of this post, congratulations, I applaud you. Again, any and all information is *much* appreciated and I look forward to your insightful responses [sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]
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