Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Friley Our 2nd issue is their constant need of attention, whining, & barking. Our henever they whine or bark not to take them out of their crate because it teatypical routine during the evening is the dogs use the pee pad for their business before we take them out to play, since Belle will pee anywhere in the apartment. We then take them out to play or run around for 30 minutes, about which time Belle usually stops to find a corner to pee in. They then go back in the crate to rest or to allow us to eat dinner. Then we do the process all over again, if its nice outside we'll take them on a 20 minute walk. But anytime we crate them they whine and bark like crazy, even when its time for them to eat, they'll ignore their food and just sit and whine. We try to ignore them because otherwise it just encourages them to bark and whine louder and longer. I've read that wches them to whine and bark to get what they want, which of course interrupts the routine we're trying to establish and they get less play time. |
Have you tried Kongs or chew toys? Banks isn't TOO interested in his Kong (to my dismay!), but he loves his boba (?) rope. Figures - they always like the cheaper things! Kongs are great and you can put food in them to keep them occupied. Plus, all dogs, paticularly terriers (originally working dogs), which are bred to hunt small underground game, like to work for their food. I haven't done this yet, but I've heard that it's good to train and play games that the dog was bred for. The word terrier comes from the latin "terra" meaning "of the earth" becuse terriers are DIGGERS at heart. my plan is to bury something like a bone or treat and tell Banks to find it. I know this will take time and many people might not be able to do this (i.e. you can't go digging up someone else's yard or dig in the park), but maybe even shredding a bunch of newspaper and burying a little treat will help them work for food AND do the things that they are bred to do.
I also talk to Banks when he's awake in his crate and being quiet...like when we're eating - I encourage his calm, relaxed behavior in there and ignore his bad behavior or say "eh-eh in an assertive tone that lets him know I dont like what he's doing. Also, when he's being good, I'll open the gate, but not let him out and just pet him and rub his belly, telling him what a good boy he is. Hopefully this helps!
Just curious, but did you think that getting two would make training, seperation anxiety etc. etc. easier? I've heard this from some people as the two can entertain eachother, but heard the exact oppisite from others - that the dogs bond more with eachother than with their owners and it makes training more difficult..dunno though, cause I don't have two!