| Author |
Message |
    
Amateur Night
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1862
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 9:08 am: | 
|
Sounds like Brett has gotten quite enough good advice here, but I will put in one more vote for Innova -- it is really terrific dry dog food. |
Barb
Citizen
Username: Flannery
Post Number: 219
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 9:09 am: |
|
For what it's worth, dogs of this age are a lot like kids: they will progress in their social skills rapidly and regress just as fast on occasion. That's why they need constant and consistent behavior reinforcement on what is acceptable.
Just when you think they've advanced past the most annoying phase of puppyhood, they'll surprise you 8 months later and revert back to a week or two of misbehavior... |
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 1248
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 9:39 am: |
|
Brett, Very cute Pup!
All our Westies were chewers until they got to be 2 years old. Our old apartment complexs' kitchen had the baseboards all chewed off. We had to go around and put tobasco sauce on the edges to break them from chewing. We got them Smokey Chew Hooves. (Cow's Hooves) They loved those suckers, and would lie there for hours chewing them. They are good for cleaning their teeth too. We got them the Boodah Velvet bones to chew on also. They have outgrown most of the chewing. They are 2 9 y/o and one 3 year old....
(Note: Westies DON't SHED! They are loud when they see squirrels or the mailman walking up the sidewalk!).......
 |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 584
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 8:01 pm: |
|
Brett:
I did post here the other day but it must have not posted properly.
Shiba Inu (translated small underbrush dog) is as you I am sure know an asiatic breed. The are the little brothers of the Akita.
You are seeing some of the Shiba's typical bad traits. Shiba's are rarely good with other dogs. It's not just a socialization issue it is part of the breed. I would be very careful in the dog park since Shibas are not really dog friendly once they are adults. Overly protective, too good of a watch dog and VERY dominant are fairly typical in Shibas who think they are alpha.
On the other hand, shibas are highly intelligent, great sense of humor, very loyal and owners of Shibas rarely leave the breed. I have a Shiba mix and man she has em all the good and the bad traits.
As Jersey girl said...be on him like white on rice and at the same token start asserting your dominance. For instance dog never walks through a door ahead of you ...always behind you. Randomly make him sit down throughout the day. Expect compliance and if he doesn't then get stern. You mentioned he nipped you while you brushed him. You got to nip that in the butt right away.
Unfortunately he is a full fledged teenager right now and he will challenge you so make sure he knows at all times that you are alpha. Shibas as well as most of the asiatic breeds have extreme strong personalities. Remember this is your dog ... you are not his human.
Talk to other Shiba Inu owners to find out what has worked for them:
http://www.dogster.com/group/grp_page.php?g=226
Also understand that a Shiba is a Shiba and not a Lab:
http://www.shibas.org/index.html |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 608
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 3:56 pm: |
|
Here are my three stooges:
 |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4767
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 4:52 pm: |
|
Brett- You can also put him on the leash in the house and attach it to your belt loop. This way he has to stay by your side and not roam the house. Every time you sit down, he'll have to sit down too and be a good boy as opposed to being able to wander around chewing. Get lots of nyla bones, etc, and always trade him one of 'his' toys if he's got one of 'yours' in his mouth. |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4768
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 4:52 pm: |
|
Maplewoody- I just love your dogs!! |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14663
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 6:04 pm: |
|
Amateur Night, Red ate Innova for about three months and developed a sensitivity to it. Took three trips to the vet and lots of tests to figure it out. He's eating canned food now, which I hope to move back away from, because it costs so much. But at least it makes him happy and healthy.
Here he is, recovering from his stomach troubles.
|
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3965
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 6:30 pm: |
|
Um, Tom, based on my experience during my weekly visits to your house, that's pretty much how you find Red most of the time. So, unless he always has stomach troubles, I'd say that photo is pretty typical for your doggys life. 
(My dog would never dare be on my furniture. I'm the alpha and I've made it pretty clear he's not allowed!)
And, as long as we're posting pictures of our puppies, here's mine:
 |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14664
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 6:37 pm: |
|
Youandtheboys, your reminder that you visit my house weekly, at times when I am never home, makes me feel violated. However, you are correct that lying down still is Red's most common posture. And as he lacks bodyfat, he has special needs for soft furniture.
Ask my wife about bringing Buster along for a lesson. That might work out. It will perk Red up a bit.
|
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1966
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 8:23 pm: |
|
Aleygater and Ffof are right on.
You HAVE to be the leader - that relaxes your dog and makes life easier for humans and canines.
Re: the BARF diet - it scared me at first, but I met a woman with a *perfect* doggie and I jumped into the deep end and never looked back.
Benefits are: gorgeous coat, no more yapping, no more insanity, less chewing, no gulping down food, no huge smelly pick-ups, and clean teeth. Plus BARF is cheaper than commercial dog food.
|
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 383
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 9:16 pm: |
|
I just think all these pup pictures are terrific! Tabby suggested in another thread that we should post pictures of our cats. Maybe there should be a "Proud Pet Parent" thread.
I think it is a lot of fun seeing how the pets align (or don't) with the personalities we have come to know. For example, Meandtheboys, some might think a Pit to be a strange choice for you,with 3 little ones. But it just shows what an open mind and heart you have to appreciate this wonderful, but misunderstood breed,and the strength of character you need to show "all your boys" just who is in charge.
Bajou, your crew may seem very dissimilar in appearance, but they have one thing in common,I can tell by their expressions that they all adore you.
Tom, your Red is the epitome of a complete gentleman.
Maplewoody, your trio are bright and sassy.
And Brett, your naughty boy who started this thread, is smart and devoted.
Just my observations of some very smart people and their best friends.
Calli |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14666
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 10:53 pm: |
|
I do agree about Alleygater and Herandtheboys. I look up to them in matters of dog training. Calliope, have you met Red? I hope you haven't made that judgement just by seeing him lie comatose on the couch.
|
Calliope
Citizen
Username: Calliope
Post Number: 385
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 10:59 pm: |
|
No, Tom, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Red, but any dog who reads the New Yorker MUST be a gentleman!
Calli |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3967
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 6:28 am: |
|
Calli, Buster came before the rest of the boys, even before hubby and I were married. But when we got him we knew we would have kids one day, and planned accordingly. Pits are very misunderstood as a breed, and I like to think that Buster is an ambassador of sorts, who's job it is to prove how wonderful the breed really is. I'm pretty sure there are a couple people on our street who have come to appreciate him, who may not have been so crazy about him moving in!
When I think of what kind of dog I might get when Buster is gone (he's 10), I always come back to the pit (actually, he's an American Staffordshire Terrier). The breed just fits so well for me and my life! |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2236
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
|
It's funny, this weekend, I was giving dog advice (TOO MUCH OF IT in fact) to my cousin who has 3 unruly huskies. My grandmother was listening to the conversation and (I'm guessing) was bored when she suddenly says, "when did you all of a sudden become THE dog authority"? After being taken aback by the comment, I realized she is completely right. I replied something to the effect of those that can't do, teach. My dog is NO saint. I watch the Dog Whisperer so much because I'm looking for the silver bullet that will alleviate my doggy problems. My dog still is overly protective and barks too much and doesn't stop barking when I ask him too. He still jumps on the furniture when we aren't home to reprimand him. And we have yet to figure out what is the best approach to bringing strangers into the house without getting him riled up. So I keep watching and reading and trying new things. If my advice is useful to others that is awesome, but please...I am no master for sure. Maybe one day. 
Having said that, I am seeing progress with my pooch. He doesn't get twitchy when I am walking him and a bike, truck, people, etc. go by him. He doesn't lead me around when we go on walks pulling me like he's the boss. He doesn't bolt from me when the door opens or when I am walking him off leash (it's rare that we walk off-leash but it does happen occassionally). I love my dog, but I still need to work with him, most certainly. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14689
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
|
As far as I'm concerned, you are an expert. We took a walk this morning, and I followed your advice. I didn't let Red's shoulders get farther forward than my thighs. The result was that his pace was very steady. He didn't dawdle or jump ahead. This is because he understood that I was keeping tight control of him. I did have to give many, many corrective tugs, but I did not have to tug hard at all, and I didn't have to wait even a half second for him to understand me.
I'm not aiming for a perfect dog. He steals food when we're not looking. I'm not happy about that, but at least he doesn't do it when we're nearby. He sleeps on our bed when we're out of the house. I give up on that. It's not that important to me. I am vigilant about the important stuff. I reprimand him when he tries to jump into people's faces to greet them. That's really bad doggy manners in my book.
One thing I learned that has really helped Red and me is never to allow him to maintain tension on the leash. I either tug him back to reprimand him, or I stand still, making his pulling unrewarding for him. The leash is always dangling loosely when we walk. I see people with so much tension on their dogs' leashes that they have to lean backwards while walking. I won't tolerate that, and I don't think they should, either.
|
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2238
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
|
Tom, you can thank Cesar (the Dog Whisperer) for the doggy walking advice. That's all him. I just parrot him back to you all (sans the sexy latino accent). I'm glad it's working for you. It's working for me too. Just yesterday, I was perfecting it and realized that my dog likes to sniff the pavement (since I won't let him sniff the fire hydrants and grass) while we are walking for exercise and training. So I have started to pull the leash vertically up to keep his head upright and "present". I only just realized yesterday, that when his face is down and constantly sniffing that he isn't really aware of where I am going, what I am doing or what I want him to do. I'm going to keep experimenting with this, but I was encouraged by the results I was getting yesterday -- a dog that was much more in tune with me and what I wanted of him. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8020
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:32 am: |
|
When I was dealing with my mom's certifiably insane large dog last year, I found that the "heads up" method worked very well. He was an absolute gentleman when we went on walks. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 6301
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 5:47 pm: |
|
 |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page