Dog Community

at an all time loss here...

Posted : 1/23/2013 3:21:11 PM

Hi all! I am new to this forum and haven't yet posted in the introduction section but soon will. I have joined here looking for help, idea, opinions and more. And hopefully I am posting in the right section as well. Also i am from syracuse ny. This will be lengthy but I seem to have somehow acquired a house of chaos.. First I will start of with my boys.. Chopper is a 10 yr old american pit bull and beagle mix that I have had since a puppy Cid is a 5 year old Boston terrier beagle mix also had since he was a puppy Micro is around 4 years and is a longhaired chihuahua I have had him for 2 years Tuco is a chihuahua mix who is about 2 and I have had him for a little over a year. Now I know I have made some mistakes raising these 4 dogs in my household but I am beyond ready to get things in control. I have worked as a dog groomer and animal care taker at a vet hospital and as a pack leader of a pack of 80 dogs in a dog day care. I know how to handle a dog I know the care and commitment however I have let my own dogs down and have been providing them love of course but no sructure. First I brought home cid and looking back on it chopper wasn't ready to accept another dog into the household but over time it worked out. Chopper was much more accepting when I added the chihuahuas. And cid loves all dogs. However it was much easier with 2 and now I have 4. I am committed to making things work and just need a fresh look at where to start. There is so little information o multi dog households. I have bought books and read all of cesears books but I only agree with some of his opinions. Well that's a brief run down I will now get into what exactly is going on that's causing this chaos. Tuck came from an abusive home he is terrified of new people and a big barker at every little noise. Chopper also is a barker. And this just isn't if someone's at the door any noise at all chopper and tuck bark at a pin drop. Chopper is also high anexity. He will chew his way out of a crate he has chewed the door frame in my bedroom. We now leave him out in the house and I know he just barks all day. And his anexity can turn towards aggression never towards people but towards the other dogs or cats. He also barks when he sees his food barks if I play with the other dogs barks if you get on the floor like on your hands and knees. He will also growl and try to attack if I am playing with the other dogs. I can tell its the energy and excitement but I don't know how to correct it. Tuck and chopper however are the best on walks. Cid is bad on walks he gets so frustrated when he sees other dogs because he wants to play that he barks jumps whines and looks aggressive but he just doesn't know how to calmly approach another dog. Cid and micro and far better inside the house though cid doesn't bark unless someone is at the door and micro never barks expect when he's out on a walk he turns into a tough guy inside the house he is so mellow and calm. Another thing is the door. They are so bad with the front door (chopper cid and tuco) I can't even open it when someone knocks I have to sneak around to the side door and meet the person outside and if someone does come in tuco barks in fear and chopper and cid bark and jump all over the person its has gotten so bad! I know they need training I know I could seek arofessional but I got myself into this and with the right resources I know I can live in hamory but I have no idea where to start they are just controlling the house. Also cid and tuco and micro will mark in the house! Very frustrating. Looking forward to hearing some new advice and I'm sorry for any typos I'm on my phone.

Freedom

Posted : 1/23/2013 6:58:43 PM

Hello and welcome!

I can make suggestions for some of the things you wrote about.

Make sure the cats have safe zones. Use baby gates, and put their food and water bowls, perches, pet beds and litter boxes in those areas. They need to have dog free safe places.

For the marking, use belly bands on the boys. As long as the alpha marks, all other males in the home will mark as well. I only have one male, Willy, he wears a belly band in the house as he marks. Very annoying! I'm not sure if you are familiar with belly bands. You can make them easily with fabric and velcro. Use a Poise pad (not a sanitary napkin which is made for a different type of fluid). You will need to check the pad and change it when wet; dogs can get diaper rash much as a baby can. If you don't sew, this is where I buy belly bands: www.pawstoadmire.com She has good prices and lots of fabric patterns to choose from. Belly bands will save your carpets, your furniture and your sanity!

I'm sure others will come along with ideas for the rest of the things you wrote about. I am a huge fan of group obedience classes, you learn how to communicate with the dog and read its body language, and you learn as well by watching the other folks in class. All my dogs are rescues (I"ve had 7 bichons in 5 years) and as each one arrives, I take them through the classes. Yes, I still have things to work on, but it sure makes things easier! Oh, it helps the dog bond with you as well.

JackieG

Posted : 1/23/2013 8:42:33 PM

Hi and welcome. It does sound like a chaotic situation and I applaud you for reaching out for some advice. It's not really something any of us can truly help you with other than pointing you toward some professional guidance. Patricia McConnell has a helpful book. Here's a link:

http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/multi-dog-households

parkway212
I know I could seek arofessional but I got myself into this and with the right resources I know I can live in hamory but I have no idea where to start they are just controlling the house.

I don't really understand why you wouldn't turn to a professional for some help. A certified behaviorist with experience is really your best resource toward getting a handle on things. Maybe I misunderstood your meaning but it almost sounds like you feel you must somehow do this alone because you got yourself into it. Believe it or not, many professionals turn to their peers for help with problem dogs. Here's a link to the Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist directory. http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSAppliedBehavior/caab-directory There are other professional groups such as this one: http://avsabonline.org/resources/find-consult

The money spent on a behaviorist is worth it when you've got problems that have you overwhelmed. The advice available online may or may not be worthwhile so why not go to someone who has made a career, with the education and experience, of helping people with dog behavior problems? Naturally, you've got to do the work and commit the time toward changing things but knowing how and what to do has to come first.

If you want to educate yourself on dog behavior and such you would do better reading books by those who are proven in their field. Sophia Yin, Patricia McConnell, Jean Donaldson, Pat Miller are some of the best out there. I don't think that reading books will solve your problems but it may give you some more information and insight that will help when you meet with a behaviorist.

parkway212

Posted : 1/30/2013 11:02:46 AM

In response to freedom, thanks for the advice. And dont worry my cats do have safe zones. we have a finished basement that is a no no area for the dogs, where they have furniture food and their litter so they have a place to be safe and they have free access to come upstairs through a pet door, but they would just rather be upstairs with the people i guess. but thanks for thinking of the kitties! Also I dont know why I stopped! i use to belly bands, i think that i thought things were getting better so stopped now to just figure out where i packed them away. I think a lot of the tension in the house is my fault on lack of exercise which doesnt help. but its winter here and im also pregnant. I need to find some way to release some of their energy indoors or in the backyard for the time being until we can start going on walks again. Also I have realized that I dont have a distinguished alpha in the house I feel that chopper and cid are going back and forth in this which is causing some instability. Since my last post I have made some small changes like making them stay in a sit position and wait before feeding. And sitting and waiting before entering a room, I have been working on sit and wait with the door to the back yard but that is still way to exciting for them so we havent made much progress. Still feeling overwhelmed but I think i have just let MY 'babies' get away with not being a dog for to long, Like i mentioned I have worked years in the animal field with much success but then I come home and just spoil mine and have not been giving them structure or security in the house. In response to JackieG. Thank you for expressing your concern and I do understand where you are coming from and wondering why I havent gone to a trainer or behaviorist. I stated above that I have had experience in the animal field and with that comes suggestions and opinions from all the people i have been blessed to work with. I have worked with many dogs and have had much success. so why are my dogs not the staple of what i can succeed? I have never challenged them, directed them, taught them properly what i expect of them. Work is work and I treat it as so but when i come home to my pups they are just overly spoiled and given no direction, then when they get scolded they are confused because they can get away with something one second and not the next. I need to develop structure I know what I need I just am trying to seek different opinions and advice because it never hurts to try. Now if i go into this for a while with no results then of course I will be seeking professional help, I dont feel alone But i am a do it yourselfer and feel that even though it seems I cant handle anything from my first post I can, I have, just sadly not with me own dogs. I love hearing all advice though and educating and giving myself the best understanding I can. Thank you so much for your recommended readings, I will definitely be looking into them :)

JackieG

Posted : 1/30/2013 12:20:10 PM

parkway212
I need to develop structure

I agree. I understand that when you work with animals all day it's easy to let your training at home slide. I used to train dogs, my own and other peoples, so I get how sometimes you don't feel like taking the time. I did and still do love training dogs so it's something I rarely felt was a chore but sometimes I just don't feel like it for one reason or another. My dogs are spoiled about some things but they've been taught the house rules since day one. You say your dogs have gotten away with not being dogs. They are being dogs. Dogs do what works to get them what they want. :) It's up to us to teach them how to get along in our world of human rules. Nothing we consider bad behavior is considered bad in the dog's mind or in the dog world. :) I know from your post that you know most of this but maybe you just need a booster shot. :)

I have learned that mental stimulation is as important to dogs as physical exercise. Try some indoor games. I taught my dogs to play find it, using small treats hidden around the house. They love it. I also have a few puzzle type games that they all enjoy. Spending ten minutes a day with each dog individually can make a huge difference. Trick training is fun too. I don't know if you've done any clicker training but if not, you might look into that. Doing some simple obedience in the house or yard with each one for a few minutes will help.

As for the dogs going back and forth being alpha. That's normal too as dogs have fluid societies and it's humans who try to label and define their roles when we often are unaware of just how fluid their relationships with each other can be. I focus more on my relationship with each dog as I've seen their relationships with each other change as new dogs are added and others are no longer there. Age and maturity also have an impact on their relationships with each other.

Freedom

Posted : 1/30/2013 4:16:58 PM

parkway212
I dont know why I stopped! i use to belly bands, i think that i thought things were getting better so stopped now to just figure out where i packed them

From my understanding, this is a "for life of the dog" type thing. I only have one male, he marks, and I will be using belly bands for the rest of his life, lol. Go unpack yours!