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Originally Posted by Larry92  I understand completely what you are saying about him being supervised all the time but at the same time aren't dogs meant to enrich our lives? I'm not sure how having him on a leash all day in the house is going to gain anything from him or is a practical way of dealing with the situation. Dogs cannot be supervised at ALL times, be it yes most of the time, but not ALL the time as that just isn't realistic. Yes granddad is in most of the time and he keeps the dog in the same room as him when he is there but sometimes you've got to pop out. He is always taken to go to the toilet (even though he now refuses to go outside for one) but he is still taken out. It's as if he has gone back in his behaviour to when he was a puppy even though nothing in his life has changed or has any reason to make him stressed, he lives like a king and has more room to play than any dog would want or need.
When we find him on the work surface we don't have time to say down and as soon as he see's us he's off there quicker than anything.
He gets positive reinforcement constantly when he does something good (which is not very often ) but he does do sit so he is always rewarded after doing that or at the moment if he wees outside he's getting fussed which he does love. He's a naturally needy dog but he is just so stubborn that's the problem,, he will come to you if he wants too for cuddles but if you call him over or ask him to move he will not do it for love nor money lol. |
You make a good point about dogs enriching our lives but, if you're honest, would you say you feel this dog is currently enriching your life with the current behavior? Once all of that is put in check, the lessons will be lifelong. You only have to be strict for a few weeks or months, depending on how long it takes for you to teach and the dog to learn, then you never have to worry about it again. My dog is currently tethered to me all day because he's marking in the house. I consider training him to be enriching for his life and enriching for mine since I don't have to worry about him peeing on my stuff and I know this is only temporary until the behavior is corrected
Spoiling him or giving him freedom which hasn't been earned doesn't make for a good dog or a happy life. If you continue all of your current behaviors, then how is anything going to change?
I've said before, a stubborn dog is a smart dog...but it sounds like he's quite a bit smarter than most if he is getting to misbehave and still getting his way. Do you think this is his fault or someone elses
You must be a firm, loving parent to this dog before you can live a life together as friends. It's your responsibility to this dog so you are doing nothing wrong by teaching him how to behave in a human home. However, you are doing everything wrong by not teaching him and then blaming him or his personality for the behavior.