Dog Community

New here! Help with pup please?

Posted : 7/14/2006 2:49:12 PM

I adopted a puppy from the pound about 2 months ago. She was only 8 weeks old and they said that the next day she would be euthanized if no one adopted her in the next 24 hours. She was labeled as a Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix and according to the people at the pound everyone saw "Rottweiler" and thought, Man Eating Beast! So no one wanted her. I looked at her and told them if she was a Rottie mix I'd eat my hat! I have an 8 year old Rottweiler/Shepherd mix who at 8 weeks was 4 times her size! But I adopted her! And I was right! Turns out she is a Doxen mix (possibly some Terrier or Chihuahua in her, I don't know). She is black and tan so I guess they just assumed Rottweiler *rolling eyes*
Now, she is a sweet dog, most of the time. I love her. But, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, she is dumb as a stump! I've had many dogs throughout my life and this one just baffles me! I've tried EVERYTHING I can think of and I cannot train her! It has taken me 2 months to teach "sit"! And she will NOT potty train! I take her out about once an hour, wait for her to potty, praise the heck out of her, give treats and she still goes in the house! She hates her crate, whines and cries the whole time she is in it. I am at my wits end! She also jumps up on us and her little nails are SHARP! I mean, draw blood when she jumps sharp! I've trimmed, filed you name it and they are still sharp! If anyone has a suggestion to dull her nails, I'd appreciate it! We have a 19 month old daughter and she is constantly scratched up from the dog.
Does anyone have any suggestions for training/housebreaking a not so intelligent pup? I use a clicker and she just doesn't get it. HELP!
Thanks in advance for any help!

Elizabeth Onsurez

Posted : 7/14/2006 3:55:33 PM

seems she has taught you to let her out of her crate when she whines, perhaps shes not so dumb after all.
how often do you feed her, how often do you give her water? Terriers are usually very smart, can be stubborn. your going to have to ignore her whines when she`s in her crate, I know this worked for our mini doxie, she didnt want to poop or pee in her own kennel when she was in it.
let her out every hour, good luck

LovinMyLife

Posted : 7/14/2006 5:10:59 PM

I should have been more specific. I NEVER let her out of her crate when she cries! Never ever! She only gets to come out if she is quiet. She will usually whine for a good 20 minutes or so then she will quiet down for maybe 3-5 minutes before she starts again. When I hear her settle down she can come out. But she spends 90% of the time in her crate crying.
I feed her 3 times a day and she always has water whenever she wants it.
Sorry for not being clear in my OP. I should have mentioned not letting her out until she is quiet.
I am also from CA, BTW!

Xerxes

Posted : 7/14/2006 6:59:39 PM

I think two things are going on here. The first being that this dog has you totally trained. The dog is pretty smart but not properly motivated, so she does what she pleases. And in the process she's convinced you she's dumb...so you expect less.

I think clicker training this would be the best method. In fact, it's the only method I'd use. Hounds can be stubborn, and it seems to me that hound mixes are even more stubborn. They're not interested in proving anything to you, rather they're interested in you proving something to them. So prove to her that she's smart, and she'll turn out to be the smartest dog you've ever had.