Member

Posts: 43
From:Phoenix, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-09-2004 01:34 PM         

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I took the advise all of you offered when I posted about my dog's bad habits, and found a good dog handler and behavorist. I told her that most of you thought these were the most destructive dogs on earth. I felt bad that I really really let them down. She told me the pounds and shelters are full of discarded pets for doing a whole lot less. She diagnosed Grace as having separation anxiety. Reese pretty much just observes. She suggested hiding toys around the yard so she can find them and get her a sandbox to did in. So I need to find some kind of chew proof sandbox.We have had several visits with Dr. Marsha and she said my dogs are very sociable with people. Grace has shown signs of being aggressive with other dogs. Reese is just pure passive. What really got me worried are comments about leaving them alone unsupervised. The behaviorist says there is go food, toy, attention agression between the two, so they could be fine left alone for short periods of time. But they are dogs and there's always a possibility. So now I am going to start taking them to work with me. We own our own business and have a large warehouse with two offices they can roam around in. But I have a problem with this for the reason being Reese gets really car sick. The Dr. suggested giving him child's dose of o.t.c. motion sickness medicine. Open for any any suggestions. In defense of my dogs, they are doing really good in the house. They know my new furniture is off limits and the stay strictly on their couch and on their beds.We're working on the outdoor thing. The behaviorist says not to punish Grace for being bad, but to reward her for being good. Thanks for listening. http://pittypat2az.tripod.com

[This message has been edited by loves-da-pits (edited 03-09-2004).]

[This message has been edited by loves-da-pits (edited 03-09-2004).]

[This message has been edited by loves-da-pits (edited 03-09-2004).]

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Member

Posts: 392
From:lewisville, texas, united states
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 03-09-2004 01:42 PM         

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wow, i'm impressed good job loves-da-pits!

quote:

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get her a sandbox to did in. So I need to find some kind of chew proof sandbox

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i dont know how handy you guys are but if it were me i would just go up to home depot and get some 2" by 12"s and make one myself.
too bad your pic didnt work. i haven't ever been able to figure that out either. other people seem to have good luck with it though.

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Member

Posts: 43
From:Phoenix, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-09-2004 01:46 PM         

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Thanks! That's a good idea. Just something to hold the sand in place. Still working on the pics. Would really like to show them off.

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Member

Posts: 136
From:CT.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-09-2004 02:31 PM         

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Now your talking, Good for you!

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Member

Posts: 70
From:Paducah, Ky USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-09-2004 02:34 PM         

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Your pictures loaded fine for me.
What gorgeous dogs!
Im glad everything has worked out so well for you.

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Member

Posts: 173
From:Canada
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-09-2004 02:57 PM         

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lovesdapits, your babies are beautiful! My dog had seperation Anxiety. It takes a lot of time and patience to work through it. I put my dog on a Nothing In Life Is Free program to help with her confidence. (I was advised by many trainers this would help and it did). The program is very basic. Your dog has to perform a command to get what they want. Ex: your dog has to sit/stay while you put the food down, they can not stand right by and plop their head into the bowl as you're putting it down. If they want a pet they have to sit or lay down first (you give the command) then you pet. If they do not follow the command, do not give desired attention. Wait about 1 minute and the ask agian. Repeat as necessary, pretty soon they will catch on and you won't even have to giv ethe command, they just know. This builds their confidence because they are being rewarded for doing something you like. I have a treasure hunt every morning for Harley. Trainers say that seperation anxiety is the worst in the first 30 mins you leave. The problem is your dog is having trouble transitioning to you leaving. If you can keep them occupied for that first 30 mins, it helps ease them into it. Every night before bed I fill Harley's kong with 1/4 cup of her kibble and close the top with peanut butter and stick it in the fridge. In the morning I put her in the bedroom and put the kong somewhere, I also tke 1.5 cookies and break them up into little pieces and hide them all over for her. Man, she just flys out the door to find her stuff and doesn't even care that I am leaving.
I am really proud that you decided to go that extra mile for your little ones. You both will appreciate each other so much more for it. Good Luck and keep us posted on the progress!
Leslie

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Member

Posts: 43
From:Phoenix, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-09-2004 03:13 PM         

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Thanks Lesley: That's pretty much what Dr. Marsha said to do with the hiding of the treats. I really have to work with her on commands, though. She has a tendency to ignore me sometimes when I tell her what to do. At first I thought she couldn't hear very well. Vet says she hears fine. She's just stubborn and spoiled. Time for tough love.

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Member

Posts: 173
From:Canada
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-09-2004 03:22 PM         

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hehe gotta love those pits. Always testing. One day we were in the basement and Harley wanted to play catch outside, but I said "not right now, we will later" I was busy doing something. Well, she walked right over to her blanket, looked right at me and peed on it! I couldn't believe it. She had just gone, but she managed to squeeze a little more out I suppose. Now I know dogs aren't vindictive or anything, but talk about trying to prove a point to mom! Test,test,test. I think thats really her fav. game, not catch.

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Member

Posts: 43
From:Phoenix, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-09-2004 03:43 PM         

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bullylove1: Question? Do you think maybe females are more stubborn and tenacious than males? Reese is so passive and eager to please. A real puss for a male. But Grace doesn't take advantage of his good nature. She's in love. It's just me and my husband she acts like a brat with.

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Posts: 157
From:
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-09-2004 08:10 PM         

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WOW!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING SUCH A WONDERFUL PIT OWNER!!!
HATS OFF TO YOU!!!!!!!!!

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