Meet "Rocky"

[MatsonMusicBox]

hehe ... well first of all ... we've (I've) had many dogs and never had the problem training them as we have with this one ... and yes - he goes out right after waking up, naps, etc. We know the drill ... he's just slow getting it!

We don't hit the dogs, that's not what I meant ... that can really hurt them ... long ago we learned (were taught by a trainer) to either flick them on the nose or pull their hair around the face to punish them, and it had to be immediate and obvious ... like right after they poop in the house and putting their nose in it ... or, as Billy says, they can't correlate why they're being punished.

Putting him outside (w/o tying) won't work as he'll be happy-go-lucky 3 miles down the road and probably get run over.

As for chewing ... he has every kind of toy there is ... rope, plastic, rawhide, stuffed, real bones, etc. and still prefers the wood on the table or the stone on the hearth LOL. He also is particularly fond of the other dog's tail which gets him nipped about 3 times a day! He's just a wound up puppy ... forgot how much like toddler's they can be!

He is getting better ... just need patience I guess. He's so darn cute and lovey-dovey snuggly that it's hard to actually get mad at him ...

[ramrod]

Looks like a cool little guy Ken....really cute.

Our little Maltese is pretty fiesty. (had a vet tell us the other day "I like Maltese..they think they're dogs"..LOL ) And I know Yorkie's can be pretty zippy too...he probably is a little tornado for now.

I'm a big fan of crate training, It's a pretty widely used method and has been an awesome thing for our little house dogs, Beau Beau and Tucker. Dogs have a natural liking for a "den"....and when the crate is small enough, they won't pee in there. We never put them in the crates for punishment but rather make them live there (while training) between potty breaks and eating and playing. I'm talking the wire type crates....with complete visibility.

Now both dogs have the doors open most of the time and it's amazing how much time they'll spend in there on their own choice...napping, chewing on a toy, set of headphones etc. ...coming out ony to crap on the rug or whatever...just kidding..Tucker's about 80 percent there...The Beau Beau unit is long since house trained.
Beau goes to bed in his open crate at night without being told and stays there all night. (tucker at 4mos. is still shut in at nite )

Well...congrats on the new family member. They're a constant source of chuckles for me.




.

[MatsonMusicBox]

Originally Posted by ramrod

I'm a big fan of crate training, It's a pretty widely used method and has been an awesome thing for our little house dogs, Beau Beau and Tucker. Dogs have a natural liking for a "den"....and when the crate is small enough, they won't pee in there. We never put them in the crates for punishment but rather make them live there (while training) between potty breaks and eating and playing. I'm talking the wire type crates....with complete visibility.

yeah - we actually have a crate like that and instructions for crate training - may give it the full go.

"Tornado" is about right - fast little sucker ... especially when he has your shoe and you're trying to get it from him!

[jm207]

That's a cute little bugger alright! Wish I could have one, but I just can't. I've had dogs since I was a lad and had them their whole life. I just can't take it when they pass. It breaks my heart. I treat them like a son and love them completely and even now, I think about Sqwatch or Farley or Bummer Goofball, and it makes me sad all over again.

[MatsonMusicBox]

Yeah Jeff ... can be sad for sure. Growing up in the south, we always had dogs, but they were larger "outside" dogs, and while we loved them as pets, and maybe it's the culture or something, but you didn't get quite as attached as you do to a little inside dog that becomes almost like family.

Our dogs would die or disappear and it was like "bummer ... guess we'll get another one" ... I was, however, VERY sad when my first dog died - run over by a truck right in front of me when I was about 6. Cried and cried for hours.

We had to put one down when she was only 7 (about 12 years ago now) and that was tough ... but not as much as the little things we have now will be. Our Yorkie is going on 10 and slowing down quite a bit. It will be mega-sad when she goes - hopefully not for another few years at least. Getting this new one has made me realize what a wonderfully behaved and well trained dog she is!

[geo524]

Originally Posted by jm207

That's a cute little bugger alright! Wish I could have one, but I just can't. I've had dogs since I was a lad and had them their whole life. I just can't take it when they pass. It breaks my heart. I treat them like a son and love them completely and even now, I think about Sqwatch or Farley or Bummer Goofball, and it makes me sad all over again.

We know how you feel Jeff. We had to put our 2 Shepherds down inside of a 5 month period. One in August and one in January. They were Mother and Daughter pure breeds. Both had cancer.Tore us apart and we've decided we're not getting another dog for awhile yet. We have plenty of cats and 2 snakes to deal with for now.

[MatsonMusicBox]

6 Month Old Update ... well Rocky is still one of the worst dogs ever ROFL! But he's also become a "part of the family" for sure now.

In fairness ... he is better - pees outside most of the time and poops outside 1/2 or more of the time. Doesn't tear up quite as much stuff and gets along better with the other old dog.

He has hit puberty full stride though .... we nicknamed him "humpty dumpty" - in a couple weeks though, he's gettin' snipped - should calm him down a bunch. My 7 year old has to constantly kick him off ... "Dad - Rocky's being "happy" on my leg again!" is the line - cracks me up.

One of my favs from him is the "body check" move he does on the other little dog. if she has the bone or they're both going at each other a bit, he does this spin move where he goes in a zero-radius circle and just whacks her with his butt and hips .... ... it's hilarious!

He also is finally coming to you when you call him ... doesn't quite have the sit with you calmly and relax thing down yet though ....