The trouble with Dogs.....

[Misshalfway]

Ok. So I bought this little pittbull terrier mix and she is darling but is now 6 months old and causing so many problems. I am beside myself and my h is ready to give her the boot!

She has dug up our carpet and ruined our family room with chewing on all the baseboards. She has recently destroyed three books and a few pairs of shoes. I give her two 20 min walks a day and one training session. And when she is with us, I always try to lay out the boundaries. If I leave the room, that is when the problems start. I can't be with that dog every minute. And more and more I keep her outside or in her kennel. I have spent a fortune on dog toys and bones and chews. And I try to play ball with her every morning before the kids wake up or right before I make dinner.

Any ideas????? Anybody know what I could try to do with her? My kids don't want to lose her, but now that the carpet is destroyed, I don't think I can take it anymore.

I see all these people with the perfect dog. Are they all just lying about how wonderful it is??????

[hordak]

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

now 6 months old

There's you problem right there. If there is a next time get an adult. As for the chewing i don't know. My adult golden chews when she is bored but it sounds like you have plenty of options for him/her to chew on.

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

I see all these people with the perfect dog. Are they all just lying about how wonderful it is??????

Not lying per say, selective memory?

[DigitalShadow]

I think this is a job for... The Dog Whisperer

[Misshalfway]

I watch him religiously!

I even hired a trainer of his same philosophy at $50 a pop!

::::shaking my head:::::

I will tell you this......I am ready to drive to LA and drop her off at the dog psychology center!!

[FunkyTown]

Chewing is an easy problem to solve. I'll show you how I solved it:

Worcestershire sauce.

That's right. I used a cloth dampened down with Worcestershire sauce and wiped down everything she might chew on. She learned in a -hurry- what was okay and what wasn't.

However, did you purchase this dog prior to 10 weeks of age? Dogs 9 weeks and younger who are taken from their parents often have behavioural issues like this. The Worcestershire sauce will work. You won't even smell it and it -certainly- will keep away ants, but your dog will -hate- it when it tries to gnaw on something.

[DigitalShadow]

I've never actually had a dog, but I've never known other people who have dogs to have that big of a problem with them. I don't know what to tell you

[candyprpl]

Oh boy!! I've had dogs all my life and it's so important to be aware of the breed's attributes. You are not going to like my next thought ---- the breed that you have is famous for chewing and being a pain. They are high energy dogs and need lots of attention. Can they be trained -- absolutely -- does it take professional training -- most of the time --- are puppies more of a pain -- no doubt about it!

I wish I had better advice. I would hate to see you take it to a shelter because you give up -- unfortunately this is common practice. If you need to find it a home, be sure it is someone who is familiar with the breed. The best dogs come from the humane society -- poor cute little mixed breed dogs, even puppies. My best dogs and smartest dogs have all been mixed breeds from the shelter.

I love terriers (all of them) but they are a pain! My last dog was a terrier mix and I loved him. Notice the word mix. You may never want to hear my advice again -- I hope this was not too much of a downer. Bottom line, love him and do your best with him.

[Misshalfway]

Originally Posted by FunkyTown

Chewing is an easy problem to solve. I'll show you how I solved it:

Worcestershire sauce.

That's right. I used a cloth dampened down with Worcestershire sauce and wiped down everything she might chew on. She learned in a -hurry- what was okay and what wasn't.

However, did you purchase this dog prior to 10 weeks of age? Dogs 9 weeks and younger who are taken from their parents often have behavioural issues like this. The Worcestershire sauce will work. You won't even smell it and it -certainly- will keep away ants, but your dog will -hate- it when it tries to gnaw on something.

I tried the bitter apple spray. I put it on everything. It seems to have helped with the shoes. But I didn't know I need to spray the entire surface area of the house!

I keep thinking this is just puppy boredom. But...... I see people leave their dogs in the dog runs for extended periods....or just leave their dogs alone in the house and they do ok. Do people really spend hours and hours over months and months training their dogs to behave??? This just seems too hard.

[candyprpl]

Originally Posted by FunkyTown

Chewing is an easy problem to solve. I'll show you how I solved it:

Worcestershire sauce.

That's right. I used a cloth dampened down with Worcestershire sauce and wiped down everything she might chew on. She learned in a -hurry- what was okay and what wasn't.

However, did you purchase this dog prior to 10 weeks of age? Dogs 9 weeks and younger who are taken from their parents often have behavioural issues like this. The Worcestershire sauce will work. You won't even smell it and it -certainly- will keep away ants, but your dog will -hate- it when it tries to gnaw on something.

Absolutely! Tobasco sauce works too. And I agree totally about a dog being taken before 9 weeks of age.

[Misshalfway]

Originally Posted by candyprpl

Oh boy!! I've had dogs all my life and it's so important to be aware of the breed's attributes. You are not going to like my next thought ---- the breed that you have is famous for chewing and being a pain. They are high energy dogs and need lots of attention. Can they be trained -- absolutely -- does it take professional training -- most of the time --- are puppies more of a pain -- no doubt about it!

I wish I had better advice. I would hate to see you take it to a shelter because you give up -- unfortunately this is common practice. If you need to find it a home, be sure it is someone who is familiar with the breed. The best dogs come from the humane society -- poor cute little mixed breed dogs, even puppies. My best dogs and smartest dogs have all been mixed breeds from the shelter.

I love terriers (all of them) but they are a pain! My last dog was a terrier mix and I loved him. Notice the word mix. You may never want to hear my advice again -- I hope this was not too much of a downer. Bottom line, love him and do your best with him.

You know, I researched the breed and talked long with my trainer about getting a pitt. She kept telling me how wonderful they were once trained. I never read anything about chewing....other than the normal teething issues. She was literally adorable until like three weeks ago and then she has turned terrible. She runs the second the door opens and bites the kids. This just isn't fun. She is really good if I have her tethered to my waist. But the second she has free time......

I got her at 3 mos old. I don't know when she left her mother. I bought her from a gal who just had a baby and who didn't want a puppy anymore. She used to show them so I trusted she knew something about dogs.