Another who needs help!!

[Michelle23]

Hello there I have posted in the newbie section but I am Michelle, I have a 9 month old Yorkshire Terrier named Charlie. He has already been spayed upon vets advice. He is a lovely little dog and we have 2 others a 2yr old Bichon Tilly and a 1year old Shitzu, Lucy. Lucy and Tilly are the most lovely placid dogs you could wish to come by and have no training issues at all. However Charlie has a few small issues, he toilet trained to use the garden very quickly and has picked up many training commands. The main problems are with walking him whether it bevwith the other dogs or on his own he walks fairly well but quite often stops to check nervously if I'm still with him, he's fine off lead and uses a harness which I gave hound better over a collar. The main problem here lies with actually getting him out as soon as his lead cones out of the cupboard his ears go down and he runs nervously away, I feel as though it's torturing him to actually get him out, a local trainer advised simply not taking him out when he does this, however I do not think this is fair or appropriate. Next is he will bark whenever I go upstairs to be as near to me as possible, he often shows his teeth when greeted by people so I'm wondering if there is a nervousness issue? Recently he has just started urinating on the sofa within the conservatory at times, I've tried puppy repellent spray to no avail Im not sure of the cause if this as at any other time as even at 3am he will bark to alert you he would like to go out to pee. I know it sounds like he has many problems but he is truly a lovely, gentle dog. Im willing to find a trainer but on nurses wages I would ideally like to see if anyone had any suggestions to help or had experienced anything similar. He is very sociable around nearly every dog we have ever met so I do not feel this is the case. Thank you very much! Michelle and Charlie xx

[nick_j007]

Originally Posted by Michelle23

Hello there I have posted in the newbie section but I am Michelle, I have a 9 month old Yorkshire Terrier named Charlie. He has already been spayed upon vets advice. He is a lovely little dog and we have 2 others a 2yr old Bichon Tilly and a 1year old Shitzu, Lucy.

Lucy and Tilly are the most lovely placid dogs you could wish to come by and have no training issues at all. However Charlie has a few small issues, he toilet trained to use the garden very quickly and has picked up many training commands. The main problems are with walking him whether it be with the other dogs or on his own he walks fairly well but quite often stops to check nervously if I'm still with him, he's fine off lead and uses a harness which I gave found better over a collar.

The main problem here lies with actually getting him out as soon as his lead comes out of the cupboard his ears go down and he runs nervously away, I feel as though it's torturing him to actually get him out, a local trainer advised simply not taking him out when he does this, however I do not think this is fair or appropriate.

Hi. Not taking him out will do nothing to further this issue. Leave it all next to his feed bowl for a couple of weeks, so he is right next to it when he feeds. Daily have short sessions where he is being treated high-value treats as you place it near him and then eventually begin to place it on his shoulders etc. Take your time, go at his pace. Of course, you could drop the whole harness idea, and use a lead and collar? I do. Is he nervous outside you mean, or is it the harness itself?

Next is he will bark whenever I go upstairs to be as near to me as possible, he often shows his teeth when greeted by people so I'm wondering if there is a nervousness issue? Recently he has just started urinating on the sofa within the conservatory at times, I've tried puppy repellent spray to no avail I'm not sure of the cause if this as at any other time as even at 3am he will bark to alert you he would like to go out to pee. I know it sounds like he has many problems but he is truly a lovely, gentle dog. I'm willing to find a trainer but on nurses wages I would ideally like to see if anyone had any suggestions to help or had experienced anything similar. He is very sociable around nearly every dog we have ever met so I do not feel this is the case. Thank you very much!

1) Barking when you go upstairs. Teach him gradual 'stays', whereby you ask for a sit and stay and then back off 2/3 stairs, pause, and return to treat calmly. As you build this up it can become greater distances and times when you pause. Make all your returns from work or being out of the room mega low-key. No fuss and affection until the dog is calm, then call over, ask for a sit and then gentle affection. Make your departures really low-key also. Maybe offer a stuffed Kong to distract him as you leave.

2) Snarling at people. This is nervous aggression by the sounds of things. Keep him on a lead with visitors, and ask them to simply drop in small bits of chicken, liver that type of super-food. Allow the dog to approach at a pace to suit him. You may need pro help for this? See how you go, but try to set up lots of meetings.

3) In house urination? Still happening? If simply just the sofa in conservatory, then block access to that and see how it develops (if at all). How long ago was he castrated?

Michelle and Charlie xx

Thanks, and good luck, Nick

[Ecenur]

It's nice to know that Lucy and Tilly have picked up their commands. I wish my dog Stanly could do the same he is 7 months old, I wanted to train him earlier but just started recently. It would be nice if you could share with me how you started your basic training. I want to train Stanly in a fun and exciting way for the both of us, do you know how I could do this? Any input would be great.