I know this a long post, but I need help with Shadow.
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/showthread.php?t=53288
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/showthread.php?t=53429
Those are the links to my first 2 threads.
I am really losing my patience with this ungrateful stubborn mutt. OK ... I got that out of my system ... and no, she didn't see me type it.
1) She is digging even worse and in more places now ... poop, cayenne pepper worked briefly. Not anymore. The places where she is digging is difficult to put wire down because they are established gardens. I have caught her in the act and said NO! OUT! and then taken her to a good place to play for a little while. Still not working.
2) She has not had one accident in the house ... that is great. But she goes "outside" about every 2 hours. About 4 bowel movements a day (Feeding Pro Plan). At night she sleeps in my room on the floor and wakes me every 2 to 2 1/2 hours to go "outside" and she does. Wearing me out!! I have been putting her on a leash, so straight out, business done and straight back in ... no playtime. Not in a crate because she hates the crate, but lately has been balking at going into the bedroon a "nite nite" time. Have to trick with treats.
3) She is stubborn. I would also say obsessive. And I mean to a fault. I know some of you got a smile on your face when you read that, but it has gotten bad. She rarely listens and only usually when it benefits her. eg.s. When we are eating, she will constantly try and take food or beg. When told no or to lie down just goes into a barking (playful) spell or walks away only to return in 10 seconds. She is obsessive about trying to play, sniff, herd the 8 y/o Chih/JR mix who is not very happy Shadow is here. Some times she acts like she isn't there and then she will do anything to get to her. Going through us, knocking a table over to get behind the couch. Even with me saying no and trying to get her attention. Most of the timeI have to go grab her collar. there are times when I just keep the leash on her and wirth me in the house. Constantly jumping on the family (a 75 and 68 year old in the house), mouthing hard and when to told no just thinks you are playing and becomes more "playful" which is becoming dangerous, destructful, and nerve racking. Will absolutely ignore any commands if something else is on her mind. She is in the crate right now because she would not obey. Was playing fetch in the house. But she has to run back and jump on you and mouth you (bite) for fun. When told no she just keeps on doing it or stops for 5 seconds and goes to somebody else and does the same thing. She hates to go in the crate. The last 15 feet to the crate are just dragging her. Once in she barks for about 1-2 minutes but then quiets down.
I take Shadow on at least one walk a day, most days, play in the yard, to the dog park twice and she was scared of the bigger dogs (or the number of dogs) and snapped a few times so I left, and to church softball field. Good exercise.
I have worked with her training. She seems to do well for a while and then loses focus.
I have had her for 23 days. She seems to be getting worse and not better. I know, some of you think I am getting worse. This is not my first dog or golden. I have never had a dog that is just so totally stubborn that the human's voice doesn't mean much, if anything. While training, of I don't show treats she will walk away even when being called. I am almost at my wits end with this dog.
No, I do not know her history.
I have considered training. But, frankly I don't want to put a lot of money into that if it is not going to have much of an effect. And I have got to tell you, I am not very confident. But I know, how will I know if I don't try. I went with an older (I know 1 1/2 is still puppy years) rescue because it would be saving a dog and so I would not have to go through the initial puppy stages. If I am going to put the time and money into doing the puppy "stuff" and training and get up so often, etc., I would rather just do some research find a great breeder and and get my own puppy. Actually, the more I think about it, the better that sounds.
I will answer any questions you have for me.
Please help. Desperate.
Dan
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/showthread.php?t=53288
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/showthread.php?t=53429
Those are the links to my first 2 threads.
I am really losing my patience with this ungrateful stubborn mutt. OK ... I got that out of my system ... and no, she didn't see me type it.
1) She is digging even worse and in more places now ... poop, cayenne pepper worked briefly. Not anymore. The places where she is digging is difficult to put wire down because they are established gardens. I have caught her in the act and said NO! OUT! and then taken her to a good place to play for a little while. Still not working.
2) She has not had one accident in the house ... that is great. But she goes "outside" about every 2 hours. About 4 bowel movements a day (Feeding Pro Plan). At night she sleeps in my room on the floor and wakes me every 2 to 2 1/2 hours to go "outside" and she does. Wearing me out!! I have been putting her on a leash, so straight out, business done and straight back in ... no playtime. Not in a crate because she hates the crate, but lately has been balking at going into the bedroon a "nite nite" time. Have to trick with treats.
3) She is stubborn. I would also say obsessive. And I mean to a fault. I know some of you got a smile on your face when you read that, but it has gotten bad. She rarely listens and only usually when it benefits her. eg.s. When we are eating, she will constantly try and take food or beg. When told no or to lie down just goes into a barking (playful) spell or walks away only to return in 10 seconds. She is obsessive about trying to play, sniff, herd the 8 y/o Chih/JR mix who is not very happy Shadow is here. Some times she acts like she isn't there and then she will do anything to get to her. Going through us, knocking a table over to get behind the couch. Even with me saying no and trying to get her attention. Most of the timeI have to go grab her collar. there are times when I just keep the leash on her and wirth me in the house. Constantly jumping on the family (a 75 and 68 year old in the house), mouthing hard and when to told no just thinks you are playing and becomes more "playful" which is becoming dangerous, destructful, and nerve racking. Will absolutely ignore any commands if something else is on her mind. She is in the crate right now because she would not obey. Was playing fetch in the house. But she has to run back and jump on you and mouth you (bite) for fun. When told no she just keeps on doing it or stops for 5 seconds and goes to somebody else and does the same thing. She hates to go in the crate. The last 15 feet to the crate are just dragging her. Once in she barks for about 1-2 minutes but then quiets down.
I take Shadow on at least one walk a day, most days, play in the yard, to the dog park twice and she was scared of the bigger dogs (or the number of dogs) and snapped a few times so I left, and to church softball field. Good exercise.
I have worked with her training. She seems to do well for a while and then loses focus.
I have had her for 23 days. She seems to be getting worse and not better. I know, some of you think I am getting worse. This is not my first dog or golden. I have never had a dog that is just so totally stubborn that the human's voice doesn't mean much, if anything. While training, of I don't show treats she will walk away even when being called. I am almost at my wits end with this dog.
No, I do not know her history.
I have considered training. But, frankly I don't want to put a lot of money into that if it is not going to have much of an effect. And I have got to tell you, I am not very confident. But I know, how will I know if I don't try. I went with an older (I know 1 1/2 is still puppy years) rescue because it would be saving a dog and so I would not have to go through the initial puppy stages. If I am going to put the time and money into doing the puppy "stuff" and training and get up so often, etc., I would rather just do some research find a great breeder and and get my own puppy. Actually, the more I think about it, the better that sounds.
I will answer any questions you have for me.
Please help. Desperate.
Dan