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Originally Posted by Carinhosamulher Well, now that Matthias is settled in the home his personality established and whatnot, the battle of the wills has begun. For two days now he has pooped in the house nonstop. I take him outside to go potty, he runs right back up the stairs to say no, then comes in the house and pees. This is not acceptable as he has been housebroken for a week now. I think his stubborness is coming out. So the hardcore obedience training is starting today. I make it fun but he will also come to learn that I'm alpha, not him. And boy is he under the impression that he is. He screams bloody murder when I put his leash on. I mean, he screams like someone is stabbing him to death! All because he doesn't want it on. My vet told me to just hold him firmly, tell him no in a very firm voice, and put the leash on anyway. So far, this method is working. The other thing he is doing - when I say 'Matthias, come' he will come towards me and then at the last second dart the other way. It's almost like he is challenging me on the command, or wants to play, or just knows I can't actually chase him so he takes off. I'm fairly sure most of the problem comes from the kids chasing him all day. Hubby and I have really laid in to the kids for this, grounding them to bed for the day until they learn not to terrorize the dog. The two younger ones have been told flat out they are not allowed to hold the puppy on their lap, call him to them anymore, or pick him up. I do believe this is probably the main reason why he runs off when I call him.
Otherwise the little bugger has been just a sweetie in other ways. I needed a nap yesterday. My back went in to a bad spasm so I had to take the double dosage of my pain pills (permitted for break-through pain). Matthias jumped in bed with me and slept on my stomach and chest, stretched out, for two hours. I got such a good sleep! And last night, the hubby and I watched tv in bed. Matthias again slept on top of me and we both fell asleep. When hubby was done with his shows, he put Matthias in his kennel, trying not to disturb me.  He is sleeping through the night now, thankfully. he's sleeping right now on my lap, but I have to disturb him for a minute cause the house is calling me to be cleaned and the kids have been fighting with each other all morning (I can't wait for Christmas vacation to be over!!). Ugh. |
Hahaha! You have a full house there! It reminds me of growing up...but my Mom and Dad had fourteen kids, a German Shepherd, a Cat called Honey, with six kittens, my menagerie of Hamsters, mice and fish and the odd wild thing I would bring home thinking it was homeless! (Francie...put that baby Possum back in the field..now!
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Believe it or not...this is the best time of your life! I'm sure Matthias will get over his "brat stage", how old is he now?
Francie