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sjlparis
Crate Trained
Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 56
Location: Reading, UK
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 Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:13 pm Post subject: We really need some help.......... |
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We really need some help and advice regarding our darling crestie Snowflake. We've had big problems getting him to be clean in the house - we've tried pretty much everything the books, the vet and trainer recommended. We take him outside every hour and praise him lavishly when he wees but 2 minutes later he's wee'd on the sofa. We've tried having him tethered to one of us all the time he's out of the crate but if you turn your back for 2 seconds he's peed on the floor. Crate training hasn't exactly been a success either - he loves his crate so much he pees in it so I'm having to wash the bedding everyday (I add an enzyme cleaner to the wash to help get rid of lingering smells that might be attracting to him).
And today he peed all over me whilst I was sitting feeding our 3 month old baby................
We've been talking about rehoming him for the last month or so but really, really don't want to as he is such an amazing dog. He's very affectionate and has a great personality:) Today though was the straw that broke the camels back and we called the UK Chinese Crested Club rescue to see if they would be able to help rehome him. The lady we spoke to was very honest and said that they could take him but that given his toileting issues he would probobaly be moved from home to home which is a horrible thought and not what we want to happen at all.
The other issue is that he barks constantly, he used to bark everynow and then (when another dog walked by the house) but since the baby arrived he barks at everyone who walks past and tries to bite people that come in the house. He has even started barking at my partner.
We're going to try and find another behavourist to help but we really don't know where to go from here and whats for the best. I am at my wits end, I love Snowflake very, very, very much but it's got to the point where we just can't continue anymore.......
So please crushers give me some advice!
PS. He is neutered and is walked everyday and is very rarely left home alone (if it looks like the dogs are going to be home alone for more than a couple of hours they go to my mother-in-laws house). |
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ladydaisy
Top Dog!!!!
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 3630
Location: PA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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Did you get him from a breeder? I think most breeders have it in their contract that you will return the dog to them if it doesnt work out.
I think consulting with a trainer/behaviorist is a good idea. Good luck! |
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hlboyz
QueenLaQuintli
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 11921
Location: Paradise
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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I would say your pup is totally dominating your home, but I will be given way too much criticism for that. Needless to say my first crestie went though a slew of homes for much the same thing yet when I used the dominance techniques was a golden "child" some 6 months later. It was a nightmare before I was clued in by my sister of all people who saw a show on Animal Planet.
Be sure he doesn't sleep with you and his bed is on a lower level, best a lower floor than you. He cannot lay on you or in any way be above you. You should enter the house first and everything should be on your terms. I know, sounds wierd, but no wierder than having a 10 lb dog compete for your home. If you want to PM me, feel free. Am sure you can search some sites on the web on this.... or resource guarding if you want to look at it that way. I am not going to argue over training techniques when a pup is going to lose his home otherwise. And you both clearly love each other.... I guess what I am saying is - whatever works!!!
Good luck! |
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Ups N Downs
Admin
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 15939
Location: Whoville
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree with Hlboyz, it sounds more like a dominance/attention issue than a potty issue. Maybe taking that approach may help. |
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Ace
Her Royal Nakedness
Joined: 29 Dec 2005
Posts: 17542
Location: Florida dreaming
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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| hlboyz wrote: |
| I would say your pup is totally dominating your home, but I will be given way too much criticism for that. |
No criticism from here! I totally agree.
You've been given some good advice here, I do hope you try some out and/or consult a behaviourist. There's no such thing as a lost cause. |
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StellaLeigh
Best in Show
Joined: 24 Nov 2009
Posts: 1211
Location: wonderland
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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Oh no!
Have you had him checked by a vet, could he have bladder control issues or a urinary tract infection.
If your are consistent with the training maybe it's a health issue. Just a thought.
If the vet says there are no issues with his health then i would agree with hlboyz it sounds like it would be a dominance issue.
Side note did you get Snowflake before or after your son was born?
Cresties are very sensitive and he maybe upset over sharing his time with you and the baby.
I'm not sure if this is shared by the other members here, but in general I have found Cresties are a bit difficult to house train then other breeds.
But peeing in your lap makes me think health issue or dominance.
It sounds like you love him very much and these problems can be solved.
I do hope it works out.
Good luck. |
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Ace
Her Royal Nakedness
Joined: 29 Dec 2005
Posts: 17542
Location: Florida dreaming
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Good point. Bladder issues are certainly something to check out. I've had only one cc pee on me and she is the perfectly house-trained one so I knew it wasn't normal. She did have an infection which was cleared up, no problem. |
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sjlparis
Crate Trained
Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 56
Location: Reading, UK
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies! We hadn't thought of it as a dominance issue but thinking about it it does seem to make sense so we're planning on spending the night on google looking up what we can do.
He's been checked by the vet for urine infections etc and medically he is fine. We've consulted a trainer before but so far none of the training techniques have worked. I've left messages with some behavourists so hopefully one of them will have some new ideas. In the meantime we've put a nappy on him as a belly band (much to his disgust!) and are feeling a little more hopeful that we will be able to find a solution as we really do want him to stay with us. |
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Matisse
Canine Good Citizen
Joined: 17 Dec 2008
Posts: 290
Location: Aylesbury
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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| I wonder why your vet hasn't prescribed propalin syrup? It might be worth going back and asking the question, as you can only get it on prescription. |
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jennie_c_d
Best in Show
Joined: 16 Mar 2009
Posts: 1958
Location: Brunswick, Ga
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Google "NILIF". Nothing In Life Is Free. Belly bands are a good step, to soothe your frustration, while you get ready to train. It sounds like you're on the right track, with the hourly potty breaks. Does he eat and drink on a schedule, too?? That can make a big difference. |
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dog_mom
Joined: 26 May 2009
Posts: 17
Location: Portland, ME
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| Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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| We're having similar issues with our boy. I think a lot of it is anxiety related. We've been thinking of asking the vet for something to help with his anxiety. Anyone ever tried that? |
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Matisse
Canine Good Citizen
Joined: 17 Dec 2008
Posts: 290
Location: Aylesbury
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| Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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| dog_mom wrote: |
| We're having similar issues with our boy. I think a lot of it is anxiety related. We've been thinking of asking the vet for something to help with his anxiety. Anyone ever tried that? |
You can get a DAP diffuser from the vet (although may find it cheaper online), or you can use Bach Rescue Remedy, Skullcap and Valerian and/or Tellington wraps to help your little one reduce anxiety. I would avoid even a mild sedative - a very good vet once told me that there was a theory that the sedated dog still suffers from the same fears and axieties, it just cannot react in normal fight or flight way. Her own anecdotal observations seemed to support the theory too.
Having spent the last 11 years living with a dog that had been very badly abused for the first year of his life, and at one stage seemed to find something new to be neurotic about every week, I can tell you though that while the above will help, it won't cure the problem. The only way to do that, is to change your dog's emotional state about the source of fear. So that means lots of high-value, positive consequences of being arond a source of anxiety, and as the dog becomes happier, slowly working closer to the source of fear. There is a fab vid on YouTube of Dr Yin working with a terrier that is aggressive when you blow in his face, and by time she is finished, he is happy and playful. That's exactly the kind of thing you need to be doing. |
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honeylyn
Crate Trained
Joined: 30 Sep 2009
Posts: 68
Location: Preston, Lancashire
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| Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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You've had some good advice, this is my input for what it's worth. Take a deep breath and relax. Your dog is feeling that his territory has been invaded and mummy is giving this newcomer way to much attention. So obviously he need to let this newcomer know its place but guess what no matter what he does it doesn't work. Very frustrating. But don't worry use your nappies and do what you have to do to make life easier.
When you get your baby into a routine fit your dog in too. So when baby gets fed pup gets a treat or stuffed kong Go back to basics with training giving rewards for toileting outside, even on walks. Give it six months for your dog to adjust to the new baby before you make any decisions.
If your dog will go on paper or a puppy pad give it time out in a separate room whilst you focus on baby. Then when baby goes to sleep give your dog some one on one play time then toilet then snuggles.
If you are going to use anti dominance techniques be aware that you may get what is called an extinction burst partway through. What I would suggest is making sure you get a routine in place and just insist on good manners. don't be too hard on yourself you are still getting used to a new baby and your hormones have had a lot of changes all of which your dog can pick up on. Just get yourself settled and then fit doggy in, things will improve when he knows where he fits in.
Take care |
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Esylum
Top Dog!!!!
Joined: 13 Mar 2009
Posts: 3034
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:26 am Post subject: |
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| wow, lots of good advice! |
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