|
Author
|
Topic: Dog Psychology
|
JbS2578
Junior Member
Member # 928
Rate Member
|
posted April 29, 2004 08:00 AM
I need some help. I have had Punkin, a black lab mix, for 5 and a half years. She was always my baby, and was treated basically as an only child.
In the past 36 months, I have gotten married, had one daughter and am now close to delivering our second daughter, we have moved a few times and basically Punkin's whole life has been turned upside down.
She has gone from sleeping on the bed with me to sleeping either on the floor or on the couch. She was never allowed table s***** before, and since my older daughter has been eating big girl foods, she has been feeding Punkin, so much so that I am now having to put Punkin outside while my daughter eats because I don't want Punkin getting spoiled to eating table s*****. She is now punishing us by everytime my daughter has a snack bowl or plate, if we leave the room, she will clean it up quickly...and she knows she's not allowed to. She was used to taking 4 short walks a day, and now with having kids, we let her out to the backyard several times a day, and she has access to it almost all of the time, and we take her for one long walk/jog in the evening. But now, she is almost refusing to poo when we take her for a walk, like she's being defiant about it. We can tell she needs to go, but she won't even tee-tee because she knows it will cause her to poo. So even the walks are becoming fruitless.
My question, how do I help her to cope? She is still getting to play rough with us like she likes to do, she still gets to cuddle with us on the couch (as long as the baby doesn't try to bug her). She is still getting the same amount of attention, but because of all the changes, her personality has changed. What can I do to comfort her, and help her to understand that this is the way things are now?
Thank you so much for any advice and help you all have.
Posts: 1 | From: San Antonio, TX | Registered: Apr 2004
|
|
lou3
Member
Member # 343
Member Rated:
|
posted April 29, 2004 08:20 AM
The key to the toileting is to not take her out until she has been in the yard. That way the walk is a reward and she will be more inclined to toilet on her walk. Also NEVER turn round after she goes, try to always use the same route or turn round in the same place, that way she knows that when she goes does not have an effect on the length of the walk so she will be moe inclined to go.
Not sure i can help with the other problems - classic example of why a dog should never sleep on a bed.
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
|
|
Ken Nielsen
Member
Member # 922
Member Rated:
|
posted April 29, 2004 10:38 AM
Good answer lou3. Also, it is good that JbS2578 is asking what to do and I would encourage JbS2578 to keep the question of how to make quality of life good for every member of the family. There is still the issue of 'who's in charge' and any unwillingness on Punkin's part to not perform as she should can also be looked at as a challenge for leadership in a situation where she might see that JbS2578 is not able to be the leader. Stay strong about your leadership position and how you want things to be. Also be lavish with your praise and reward good behavior.
As Always, it never ends.
Posts: 94 | From: Portland, Oregon | Registered: Apr 2004
|
|
ellierat
Member
Member # 612
Member Rated:
|
posted April 29, 2004 02:33 PM
jb, are you feeling guilty? Don't!!!
You still love your dog, nothing has changed, only your house, kids, this happens all the time to many people with dogs.
I was living alone, Sophie on the beds, Jake and her sleeping in the lounge, Ellie anywhere. (my 3 labs). Then along came hubby, no dogs on beds, Jake and Sophie outside, only Ellie inside, shift of houses twice. Dogs in pens for 10 months till fences were built.
Now they are all up on the porch, wander around outside when i'm gardening, get heaps of attention, walks, swims etc.
We moved, got remarried, the dogs had to go along with it, I still loved them the same, that can be life, don't put too much time and thought into a problem, just love your dog, she will know she is still wanted, that's all that really matters.
--------------------
I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view of this topic