Trouble

Jena_shahadi

Ok my lil demon is now about five months old and I need help in how to stimulate him more. I play with him but find out when we play tug he's hurting me by snatching the rope. Plus the tugging is hard on old hands. Also my dh is going thru a serious health crisis. He is not house trained because I can't get after him as I should. Also and this is amazing but I'm teaching him to sit for a treat and he will NOT do it beside me but will walk several feet away and do it. No, I'm not quitting on this dog. I made a commitment and I'm keeping it. I'm wondering if a second dog might be a good idea to keep him up with him. He does very well with an older female pit bull but she just visits. When she does everything goes smoothly. Oh he barking for attention and then lunges at me and nips me if I don't respond quick enough. I'm not sure how to react to this cuz it's my failure here not his

Jena_shahadi

I have to get a pic posted cuz he's a brindle and has a white cross for his chest marking. I didn't realize that immediately as its on his chest and under his neck. Oh he has little white boots too

Jena_shahadi

Oops need to add he's not crated and has plenty of enclosed yard but sticks to the porch and steps unless he has company. He also will bite me when he wants ME to go to sleep

erikashea

Pin method worked amazing with Bianca with unwanted behavior, especially nipping. Do you pin? Do you have a dog park nearby to wear him out? We have the same issue with the rope. I have found that if i hold both ends she will go for the middle and then i let go of one side for the tug.they are incredibly strong and i know what you mean about rope burn on the hands! Maybe wear a pair of gloves during rope time to save your hands? As far as potty training we had a VERY tough time with her, she was not fully potty trained until about 8 1/2-9 month mark. You need to definitely let him know that the lunging and biting is NOT an acceptable way to get your attention. What do you do when he does this? Pics please!

Jena_shahadi

Thank you! It's not as bad as it seems. I just want to get a grip on it now. Unfortunately, I got him in high winter and my dh health issues have left me alone for now in getting him out. He's let out plenty and even after hours outside in this early warm weather he will come in and mess.

Also when playing he nips my fingers not intentionally but his bite is hard. He's really going for the toy not my fingers. As for dealing with his aggression this just started and my reaction was to smack his snout. I'm not a hitter so this bothers me. He has a habit of doing it when I really can't give him attention. Example, I was speaking to my husbands specialist. He was making it impossible to hear.

It's so obvious what the problem is. What isn't easy is how to deal with it. Which is why I'm thinking of another dog.

This dog has been a godsend in that he's been a miracle in improving my DH coping with a serious disease and the pain. It's just during treatment his energy level is very low too.

Also, he's not getting that he's now too big to sit in my lap. His sad face is heartbreaking when I tell him : you're too big! He's presenting all typical ebt behavior I've read on here. Including mastering the I know what I did and I'm sorry your mad but not that I did it.

Also he's clever, my yard is fortress. Double fenced and staked underground and this guy figured out how to time gate opening to sneak out. This must be stopped immediately too. He will actually sit and look off to the side disinterested and then bolt.

What I really don't get is his refusing to do for treats what he will do without them. I'm using the treats so I can develop his sitting into staying until I say go. Also funny but he's turned come, sit, shake into one complete movement. No pause between.

My newphew keeps telling me rule one is be smarter than the dog but this dog is making an idiot of me

Jena_shahadi

Oops I must remember to have nephew show me how to post pics. Hopefully he can come tomorrow last time I forgot. Oh and thx for the encouragement on potty training. Another thing is his farts smell just like manure. I think he's too gassy. Another issue to investigate. I'm not catching him cuz I think he's gone and it's just farts. I hoped making my own beef jerky without seasoning for treats would help but it hasn't. I don't think it's his diet.

Kf2112

Given everything that you have on your plate, I wouldn't suggest getting another dog. Five months in should have him housetrained. Adding another dog will add to the frustration and it won't be fair to either dog. Given that you are helping your husband can you get a dog walker to come in on a regular basis or get up earlier to get him out walking. I'm sorry you are dealing with so much.

Jena_shahadi

Thx KF. I know it seems as tho it would be 2xs the trouble but my past experience tells me herd and social mammals almost always do better with a companion. When I was breeding horses what appeared to be a herd of them were actually carefully selected mares whom watched over each other's foals. An older mare can be critical to teach a new mother to be a good mother and chase away other aggressive foals. I've found kids do better in pairs as well as dogs. As even when I younger I'd never have the energy of an ebt. It's been my experience that dogs are less destructive especially when your not home with a companion. I'm speaking mostly about terriers as I've leant mainly toward them. I'm sure not everyone agrees but it appears to have worked best for me. Not that it's not without issues too.: Just less of them

Jena_shahadi

Oh and thx for ur reply! And no a dog walker is unheard of in my area. I'm in a rural area and there isn't even sidewalks. All my dogs and I've had plenty just roamed leash free on my property. I no longer breed livestock so there isn't even that concern any more. Your right he should be potty trained but I'm finding I'm not the only ebt owner who's dog is late to train.

Also when we are playing I've begun stuffing his own leg and tail in his mouth to let him feel his own bite. His barking and lunging I'm working on. I haven't settled on a single method as I said he's mostly prone to this behavior when I can't get after him immediately and he knows it.

Jena_shahadi

I forgot to add he will leave a mess after being outside for hours. I'm certain it's somewhat intentional .