|
Weimaraner Forum |
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Urquhart
|
Guest |
|
|
|
Me and my wife have 2 dogs a 7 year old pit bull and a 2 year old weimaraner. The pitbull is great always has been. never chews, never even had to crate train or anything.
Now the weimeraner.. I am about fed up. He destroys things constantly. We have two children and coming home to chewed up diapers is probably the worst thing you could come home to. Everywhere, all over the floor the beds etc.
We have tried EVERYTHING! Tried crate training, he's gone through 3. They are too expensive to keep buying them for him to destroy. He wears a muzzle when we leave the house now, but he can chew things with it on.
Can't leave him outside because he would bark constantly and the neighbors will call the cops.
Muzzles don't work
Crates don't work
How do you train him not to do something when he only does it when your not there?
They have muzzles that would prevent him from chewing but then he can't eat or drink.
If I lock him in a room he will scratch up the door chew carpet etc.
I know he is a high energy dog, but he gets alot of exercise! The two dogs run around and play in our large yard, and we play fetch alot.
I don't know what there is left for me to do or try.
Oh yeah and the door to the babies room is always left closed when we leave, and we use a diaper genie. Nothing stops him.
somebody please help. |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Corwyn
|
Guest |
|
|
|
Fetch and playing in the yard is not the right kind of exercise. Your dog needs walks and long ones. Weimeraners are sporting dogs and naturally high energy. If you can go on hour long walks with your dog put a backpack on him for additional weight.
If you don't have the time for structured and disciplined pack activity (walking) please consider giving him up to a breed rescue. |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Maddockson
|
Guest |
|
|
|
|
leave to the wilderness witha shovel the dog and a gun and come back with the gun and the shovel |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Stephanos
|
Guest |
|
|
|
|
Keep everything up high install high shelves if you need to.. or pay for someone to train your dog (dog obedience) |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Faro
|
Guest |
|
|
|
|
Get Him trained, you shouldn't hate your dog its not his fault he is acting out. |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Urquhart
|
Guest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Corwyn
|
Guest |
|
|
|
|
They are high energy dogs, I agree,You may be dealing with separation anxiety since he only mis behaves when you are not home. They have plug ins to help and the vet has med's that can help. He is a high energy dog and maybe needs some more options on that end like learning so he has purpose.Exercise is always great..as much as possible..But my belief is it is anxiety if he gets plenty of exercise.If you can't afford a behavior expert and even if you can a vet would be my first choice/option. You also want to be sure he is given a healthy diet as he may be seeking minerals or vitamins he is craving..but all to me leads back to anxiety..PS It is apparent you don't hate him just what he is doing..otherwise you wouldn't be writing..call your vet! |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Maddockson
|
Guest |
|
|
|
Oh Dear! I thought my puppy was a villain....!
This sounds to me like it may be worth investigating behavioural techniques for anxiety. If I'm reading your post correctly, he seems to engage in these behaviours when you are not around? Where is your other dog when you are not home? Are the two able to be outside unsupervised? Ordinarily, young dogs learn behaviours from their elder pack members (in this case, you and your pit bull) so I'm wondering how much interaction/ impact there is from the better behaved, older dog?
The other option may be to do some formal training in "drive" to really occupy the dogs mind... or a sport like Agility.
Sounds tricky, good luck!
Hi Again,
Sounds to me very much like a separation anxiety. You can try medication perhaps in the short term while you use behavioural techniques to reduce the anxiety. There's a post here that talks about leaving for short intervals and gradually increasing them... spot on. Make as little fuss when leaving as possible, and make a HUGE fuss of that VERY VERY good dog when you return (say 1 minute later to begin with) and he has done the right thing. Time and perseverance is the trick. I agree, sounds like you dont hate your dog, just hate his behaviour. Frustration is tremendously understandable.
Good Luck! |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Stephanos
|
Guest |
|
|
|
What a frustrating situation :o(
It does sound like separation anxiety.
How about training him to accept your absence by leaving him for short intervals, and then returning and correcting whatever he is doing wrong at the time? You could leave him for gradually longer and longer periods of time, and he would never be sure when you were going to return. That worked for me, with a dog who barked when I left her alone.
Or.. is there anyone who could visit him during the day when you are gone, so he does not feel so alone?
Just a couple of thoughts...... |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Faro
|
Guest |
|
|
|
LOL I was going to recommend Cesar too! That was the first thing I thought of!
But my question is do you really know for sure that it is the weimaraner and not the pit chewing things up? How do you know it's not both of them? I don't know what kind of crates you are buying, but if your dog is destroying them, it doesn't sound like you are getting the steal or metal ones, unless he's a very strong dog.
As Cesar would say, "The dogs need to have at least a 45 minute walk each day" It will help with the energy level. I saw one of his shows recently where the couple was trying to get the dog to stop chewing on stuff and they were to walk the dog for 45 minutes, then come home and place all the things the dog would chew on in front of the dog. If the dog went for an item Cesar would make a sound and move towards the dog. You can learn a lot of pointers from him. |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Urquhart
|
Guest |
|
|
|
|
Either build a dog run outside and equip him with an anti bark collar ( they are great) or get a remote training collar and when he gets into something zap him.If he does this when you are not home them I would make him wear the training collar in the house and every time he goes to go into a room he is not allowed give him a mild shock..we used it on 2 of our six dogs and it works wonderfully..they only feel it for a second and it makes them stop |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Corwyn
|
Guest |
|
|
|
|
Are you using the wire crates or the plastic ones? A wire crate might keep him in a little easier. He has some major separation anxiety. So you leave him appropriate things to play with and chew while you're out? Maybe try stuffing a lot of Kong's and freezing them in the freezer so it takes him longer. You can put peanut butter in them. Do you exercise him right before you leave? I would also try to tire him out as much as you possible can before you leave. I would also talk to a behaviorist. Might cost money, but save you repairs to your house! A bark collar might work, but I don't think a shock collar will help because you have a remote and you aren't home so it won't do any good. It just sounds like separation anxiety to me and not a training issue. |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Maddockson
|
Guest |
|
|
|
|
You must remember that dogs are NOT human, and they understand NOTHING a human says. If your dog misbehaves, stare him in the eye, give him a few good slaps on his butt, and try to be as forceful as possible without hurting him. Pet experts say that by using motions instead of plain speech, a dog will be much more likely to learn. You have to be patient but VERY understanding because its your dog's natural instinct to do what he does, so you really can't blame him. I beg you to not give up, just keep trying, and eventually it will pay off. Sometimes it's just the breed. You should take him to training classes for big dogs, and I've gotten a lot of tips from videos on Youtube with Cesar Millan(s?). Dogs are really intelligent creatures but sometimes they just need an understanding but forceful pack leader to give them a push in the right way. |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Stephanos
|
Guest |
|
|
|
It sounds like he is not getting enough exercise. You might think thar running around in the yard is enough for him, obviously it is not. This high powered hunting breed needs MILES to tire them out. So you work, have kids, already have a busy life.
Could you possibly do any of these to tire this boy out:
1) Hire a dog walker to come pick him up during the day (maybe you could trade for his services, tutor him for school, do laundry, anything)
2)Walk him before you go to work, or better yet ride a bike and get some miles with him before you go.
3) Come home at lunch time and walk/run him?
4) Build a sturdy and I mean sturdy dog run for him to be in while you are gone, the diaper mess and destruction is way beyond acceptable to anyone. Run him then give him a kong with peanut butter in one day, chewie toy the next.
5) You could even call your local Humane Society and see if they have a Volunteer who lives near you that would be willing to help out.
6) You could call your local High School and see if there are responsible kids who could come and walk him after school, set your boundaries and rules and it might work.
These highly intelligent and ultra high energy dogs are really hard to wear out, and a huge handful but you have to try and find something or I can see you surrendering him to a rescue.
I hope something here is helpful. Best wishes! |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Faro
|
Guest |
|
|
|
Don't like your dogs behavior?
Figure out what you're doing wrong
Most of the time...you are responsible for your dogs behavior
You should take him on a daily run if playing isn't enough
Dogs can be destructive if they're bored
Do you have a wire or plastic crate?
Try the opposite of what you have tried
Leave him kongs. Any toys that he likes
But really...give him more exercise
Then try a trainer (NOT the dog whisperer...he's crap)
Good luck |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Urquhart
|
Guest |
|
|
|
First of all, don't even begin to think it's the dog's fault, because it is entirely yours. You failed to train it properly from a young age. Many times, behaviors like this are hard to break, and it will take a lot of work on your part. Your dog is doing things to keep itself occupied. Your dog is needing more than just a game of fetch and running around the yard. You should get something to challenge it mentally. Stimulation will keep your dog focused and will lessen it's need to rip up your furniture! I suggest some obedience classes. Even though your dog does these things when you are out, you need to teach it the basics either way. I think you should turn your TV on and watch some It's Me Or The Dog. Victoria deals with a lot of cases like this.
Remember its not the dog's fault. Don't yell at your dog, it will only be more scared and will do these behaviors when you are not there more often. It will not want to be in front of you doing anything because it is scared it will get in trouble. Be gentle and get some good ol' obedience training in. |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Corwyn
|
Guest |
|
|
|
|
You can probably get Cesar Milan from Dog whisperer to help.If you have enough money to pay for it. glad to be any help. |
|
|
|
|
|
Subject :I hate my dog, What can I do?..
2009-07-09 16:38:39
|
|
|
| Maddockson
|
Guest |
|
|
|
This seems a bit harsh and cruel, but it works.... sometimes.
If you come home and something is destroyed, grab the dog, and stick its nose in the mess, then spank the dog on the nose (Not too hard not too soft, and careful not to spank him/her on the eyes) Keep this up, if it doesn't work, do the following:
1. Get rid of it
2. Get some chicken wire and stuff, and build a pen in the backyard to put him in after a bad incident.
3. Get Cesar Milan or some trainer.
4. *VERY HORRIBLE, BUT LAST RESORT* Get a shock collar at a hunting goods store. (Please don't go shock crazy, a small one might do the trick.) |
|
|
|
|
Forum