Quote:
Originally Posted by FirstYorkie  Welcome to the wonderful world of canine adolescence. (At least I assume Ferdinand falls into that group). They truly do lose their minds for a while, don't they?
Here are my thoughts...
As far as the break in housetraining, I think you are doing exactly the right thing: go back to the basics as if he were a new puppy. Contain him when you can't watch him, hurry him to the correct spot if you catch him going in the wrong place, and most important, REWARD correct pottying heavily (with praise and yummy treats). Reward, reward, reward. Make it exceedingly clear which pottying pleases you. He has lost his mind, he doesn't remember, so you'll have to start over. 
Barking. It sounds like he is taking your "good boy" as a release from the "no barking" command. I'd do 2 things. 1) I'd try very s-l-o-w-l-y increasing the amount of time in between the "no bark" and the praise. 2) I'd change the words you use to praise his quiet. Oh, and one other thing - if he is sitting on the couch barking at things outside, I'd close the drapes.
Sleeping. You might not want to go this route, but how would you feel about him sleeping in your bed? That might get him through the night.
Hang in there. You'll eventually get your good little boy back.  |
Thank you for your great advice. I guess he is still an adolescent - he's 14 months old. He had his neuter later.
We have started
very heavily praising when he barks at the door and goes outside - I told my boyfriend we need to have a mini party when he pottys outside. I sure hope he learns again quick!
As far as the barking - those are things I hadn't thought of. I'll try to say "thank you" or something after the "no barking." I don't think he is barking at anything outside. He just looks at us and barks (talk about a headache creator!).
I generally do sleep with him in the bed when my boyfriend is out of town... but he moves around ALL night long. Maybe we'll give it a try for a week or so and see how it goes. Maybe I'll put his crate in the living room so he can use it during the day. I just don't want him to lose his good crate behavior if he isn't using it at all - never know when we might have to crate him and I want him to be comfortable in it.
Thank you again!!
I really appreciate it (and my boyfriend I'm sure will as well).