• @tanza:

    There is a saying among breeders… The girls have an agenda, the boys don't have a clue

    Ain't that the truth!

    Ruby can be a little snot to Brando…but in my case when she goes off on him for something, he just looks at her and if a dog could laugh, I think that is what he does...he could care less, he is so easy going. However, in the few instances when Ruby has pushed and pushed Brando to his breaking point (and it takes a lot to do that), he goes off on her (as if to say "hey b*tch") and then she avoids him. Of course the avoidance never lasts more than 10 minutes and then they are back at it again.

    My brother always thinks the Brando is being rough with Ruby when they play (he is so much stronger...biting neck, legs, etc), but I tell him that 90% of the time she starts it and she does the same to him and they'll tell each other if they have had enough. Both kids always have scabs because it is a knock down dragout at the house all the time...they love it and I find it quite entertaining. 😃


  • I feel ur Pain Vanessa Phoenix is being the SAME way today he's in one of those hmm what can i rip apart or better yet what can i reach so i can just hear a loud bang and crash on the floor moods Or when that gets old who can i got mess with so they'll fall into my trap and i can steal there spot lol Of course when I'm busy and have to get something done is when he goes into this "play with me " mode

    On a side note: I got him a treadmill {ok maybe i will use it too but i got it mostly for him } lol he needs to lose some wieght and i've tried all else so i figured i would give this a try
    Here's to hoping he likes it and it get him REALLY REALLY Tired 🙂


  • Hmm…. Tired Tri.... interesting concept... (LOL)


  • I wish wearing the little gremlin out would do the trick. Nope. No matter how hard you run her or wear her out she has these bursts of energy.
    Crates….ummmm no. Bad Idea.
    I've done it and she will chew and scream like her brother does..and if you know her brother....he is one loud guy!
    I think your right Pat. She must be the Titus and Gabbi in her which makes her such a rebel. LOL
    I'll tell you what though...I have got to learn a way to be top dog in her eyes. There can only be 1 bitch in my house and it better be me 🙂


  • I have to say, last night it was a bit better. Instead of jumping up to our bed every 30 minutes. She jumped up every 1.5 hours. Maybe in a week we will have her jumping up a couple of times a night, which is manageable.

    So it is slowly getting better, or maybe I am loosing my mind from sleep deprivation.


  • You really have to find a way to keep her from jumping on the bed. She is rehearsing a behavior you don't want; and she is getting your attention when you push her down…a win for her.

    I can think of a couple ways to deal with this, but it will take fortitude from you 🙂 I think I would crate her as far away from the bedroom as possible. Make sure she is safe, and let her scream. You could also use an xpen around your bed...or some seriously tough mosquito netting 😉 You *could tether her to something, but most likely she would chew thru it, and it could be really dangerous if she gets freaky and panicky.

    She sounds so much like Ivy. I can tell you that for us what worked was setting up parameters so that she could feel like she was in control, and get rewarded for good behavior. The rules we created worked for us, and worked for her. What didn't work for her was getting in trouble all the time, and getting yelled at. It just made her push us more. I learned SO much about difficult dogs from her, that it lead me to an interest in working with difficult dogs.

    The good news is at eight years old she has mellowed into one of our easiest going dogs 🙂 She is sweet and cuddly, and rarely snarks at another dog anymore.

    But, yes I could definitely use a support group for dealing with some of the other dogs 😉


  • Dang, I didn't realize until this post what makes Bongo so challenging - apparently he's a rare red and white Tri! :p It's a darn good thing these pups are so cute, isn't it? Or I'd be writing my next piece on the delicacy of basenji stew! 😉


  • Consistent and regular training is also key and helps contribute to the tired part. When I first brought EL D home it was a challenge but once we started working on obedience training it helped with some of the other behavioral issues as well. He also had bedtime issues and when he got snarky in bed I threw him out and let him know in no uncertain terms that was not something I would tolerate.


  • I would institute NILF (nothing in life is free) and use an umbilical cord (leash, a lightweight chain one if need be). I'd tether this dog to me at all times in the home. Make her follow me, watch me, and abide by the rules, and EARN rewards. Of course, I would consistently mark her correct behaviors w/ a clicker, and treat appropriately, slowly phasing out the tether and treats over time.

    Our dog is well behaved, and as a result is allowed certain special things, like being on our bed. However, we have taught him that he must be INVITED on the bed before he can come up. if he's not, he is to sleep in his kennel. I really believe it's a matter of being consistent, having a routine, and ALWAYS following through.

    Tiring her mind is just as effective as tiring her out physically. In addition to the daily exercise, I'd incorporate training along with it.


  • Update
    So last night I decided to try another tactic. The ever famous squirt bottle. Just the pure sight of it stops both our B's and it worked!
    I only had to use it 3 times and she got the clue. It was great. 🙂
    At 7am when it was time to get up I let her know it was ok to sit on the bed and cuddle with us for a few minutes. We have always allowed Chance to do that in the mornings as a reward for sleeping on his bed the whole night. Kiya was really pleased when I told her it was ok to join us (for a few minutes only) before it was time to get up.
    I just have to sleep with the squirt bottle now. Fun Fun!


  • @Vanessa:

    Update
    So last night I decided to try another tactic. The ever famous squirt bottle. Just the pure sight of it stops both our B's and it worked!
    I only had to use it 3 times and she got the clue. It was great. 🙂
    At 7am when it was time to get up I let her know it was ok to sit on the bed and cuddle with us for a few minutes. We have always allowed Chance to do that in the mornings as a reward for sleeping on his bed the whole night. Kiya was really pleased when I told her it was ok to join us (for a few minutes only) before it was time to get up.
    I just have to sleep with the squirt bottle now. Fun Fun!

    Glad to hear that that worked for you. Be sure to find a way to wean her off the presence of the squirt bottle, or you really will have to sleep with it forever!!

    I just want to point out, that it sounds kind of confusing from Kiya's point of view, that Chance is allowed up on the bed in the morning and she may not be. Keep in mind that dogs CANNOT understand consequences that don't immediately follow a behavior. So, if she is not allowed on the bed because she didn't stay on her bed all night, there is NO way she can put all that together. Keep it really simple for her…good behavior equals reward immediately...if you are going to use consequences they have to happen immediately.

    Good luck, and good sleep 🙂

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