It's been a tough week, my hubby was away on a short trip and I've been dealing with work, house, cats and Rufus all alone. I'm getting worried about Rufus having dominance problems - he really fights me on putting on and taking off the harness - no matter which style I try, even just the plain collar, it's the same battle every time. I know I mentioned this in another post and many of you have never had this problem, but it really concerns me. Also he's nipping my fingers very hard at times. I say "ah, ah" in a stern voice and if he contines I stop play or cuddles and put him back in his xpen.
Anyway, some words of encouragement that this is just a puppy thing - and any suggestions! - are very welcomed at this point!
Fear not! This is typical puppy behavior! Rufus is very young and has a lot to learn yet. He is a baby whose gums are sore and he bites, hard....Substitute a chewy toy when he starts teething on you.. Do it everytime. If he gets by with unacceptable behavior sometimes and not others, then he is totally confused...Use one stern command word that means NO. Use it only for serious situations and make sure he stops what he is doing when you use the command. Physically stop him while saying the command. He will learn with consistent and patient training. The NO command should sound different than anything else he hears you say. Pick a phrase such as "Rufus,halt!" or whatever you choose and say it in a no nonsense tone that makes him realize this is different. Hang on, he will grow up and then you'll wish he was a baby again!
-- Edited by chiDeb at 14:33, 2006-09-20
-- Edited by chiDeb at 14:34, 2006-09-20
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siggy by Chicoluver The wind of anger blows out the lamp of intelligence.
Oh Lin, I am sorry; you were so excited and bouncy, and now you're sounding very deflated and like you're not having much fun. I'm sending you a mental hug!
Deb gave you some wonderful advice there. Listen to her, she is one of our experts! Puppies are cute, but hard work. It'll all turn out ok, your patience and hard work will pay off, honestly.
Keep your spirits up hon, and give us an update really soon, yeah?
Our Envy did the same thing, I used a treat to calm her about the harness, I put just her head through and give her a treat, then finish putting it on, when she started realizing there was a treat coming for putting on the harness calmly she stopped freeking out! she used to shake her head back and forth when we took it off, but now she's good about it. I know what you mean about the trips, my hubby travels 12 times a year to the u.s, we have 3 kids, 6 dogs and a huge house that's hard to keep up with alone!
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You think dogs will not be in heaven~ I think they will be there long before any of us... stevenson
HELLO, same problem here!!! But his collar is always on now so i haven't had that problem in a while. And the biting thing....whoa does it hurt!! I have just been saying "NO!" and if he bites me when i pick him up i say NO and put him down and ignore him.
Thanks, ladies, for your encouraging words and e-hugs! I do realize it's a puppy thing - I guess the reality of how much harder puppies are than kittens is now hitting
Andy got home last night, and we decided to just put on Rufus' collar and let him get used to it. Now we have a very depressed puppy, whining and wanting to be held. Oh the poor little thing. But we are sticking to our guns and hoping he gets used to it soon! The funny thing is with the collar on he is totally submissive - no biting at all, just kisses.
I just set up a place for him to be with me here in my study so I can get some work done. Right now he's trying to chew a hole through my desk
I will say this - life is definitely not boring with a puppy around!
I'm so glad I found you guys so I'm not going through this alone. I know I will have a wonderful companion soon once we get through the puppy phases.
As Sattie said, we love having you with us Lin, it's a two way thang!
It sounds to me like you have all this pretty much sorted, and no doubt Rufus will follow suit and have it sorted too soon. Hang on in there, you're doing the right things Lin. I hope this particular puppy stage doesn't last too long!
Love, Jess x
P.s.
Did you ever get to meet up with Rufus' brother? The person who owns him is probably going through the same ptoblem right now!
Jess, we finally did get to have a puppy play date with brother Casper yesterday afternoon. Rufus had a blast playing with Casper and a little girl chi named Dixie. But Casper is a much more mellow puppy, very submissive to Rufus' dominance. His mom says she hasn't forced the collar/harness issue since the dogs stay in the house or fenced yard except for going to the vet.
(BTW, the lady has about 15 dogs! Chis, yorkies, chi-orkies, and a great dane. What a zoo!)
I'm just planning to stick to the collar regimen for now and trust that Rufus will get used to it.
I do have a plan to try with the harness now that Andy is home. Bribe Rufus with his favorite treat (hot dog bits) as we put the harness on, then take it off with more bribes. Do this a couple of times a day until he gets it into his head that he gets yummys when he puts on and takes off the harness.
Worth a try anyway
Thanks again Jess and everyone else for your support.
That sounds like an excellent plan to me on the harness front. Well done to whomever it was who thought of it!
Good luck Lin, although to be honest I dont think you'll need it. You seem to know what you're doing honey!
Great that you got to meet Casper and all his brothers/sisters! The woman who bred Ellie had thirty! Can you imagine?! You didn't happen to take any snaps while you were there did you? I'd, we'd, love to see Rufus nd his brother!
I tried to take some pictures, but they were moving so fast I'm afraid all I got was little tails and butts As soon as I have a few minutes, I'll download them and see if there's anything good to post.
Visit Rufus at www.dogster.com/?350768
Dogs are unconditional LOVE!
You didn't happen to take any snaps while you were there did you? 
