New here..just want some answers

[melaniebosano]

Lynzy - Dogs are not wolves, the pack theory was based on a study of captive wolves who were forced into unnatural behaviours because of their circumstance. The same theory has been discredited by exactly the same group of scientists.

Interestingly I have two yorkies (and two Jack Russells) on my sofa right now with no issues. I expect the 'pack mentality crew' would have a little to say about that.

In public response to your PM asking where my information comes from I have a folder full of dog training and behaviour certificates some earned whilst I was a military dog trainer, others when I was training small dogs to be deaf peoples ears both full time respected dog training jobs. In addition to many years of rescue work.

Yet exactly why I have to defend myself against your misguided theories in personal messages I do not know? So I won't reply and kindly refrain from doing that again! You may live with three yorkies, but you know nothing about me, so be careful who you run around accosting!

Thank you!

[impish]

On the bells - we use them, and they work. Pluto lets us know when he has to go.

On the training, just wanted to chime in that Pluto always does better with positive reinforcement - so I would agree with one of the other posters about not punishing or disciplining outside of timeouts - get them to do what you want (good behaviors) through reinforcement.

Example - If they are mouthing, get them to stop buy training them that they get treats when they don't mouth. A puppy training class is money well spent!

Just like kids, you have to redirect a lot - but redirection works really well. For both kids and dogs and training can be fun.

Good luck in whatever you do.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by melaniebosano

Lynzy - Dogs are not wolves, the pack theory was based on a study of captive wolves who were forced into unnatural behaviours because of their circumstance. The same theory has been discredited by exactly the same group of scientists.

Interestingly I have two yorkies (and two Jack Russells) on my sofa right now with no issues. I expect the 'pack mentality crew' would have a little to say about that.

In public response to your PM asking where my information comes from I have a folder full of dog training and behaviour certificates some earned whilst I was a military dog trainer, others when I was training small dogs to be deaf peoples ears both full time respected dog training jobs. In addition to many years of rescue work.

Yet exactly why I have to defend myself against your misguided theories in personal messages I do not know? So I won't reply and kindly refrain from doing that again! You may live with three yorkies, but you know nothing about me, so be careful who you run around accosting!

Thank you!

Why so defensive? I asked you where you got your information from? Obviously you were stating from a source. Albeit, I disagree.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by impish

On the bells - we use them, and they work. Pluto lets us know when he has to go.

On the training, just wanted to chime in that Pluto always does better with positive reinforcement - so I would agree with one of the other posters about not punishing or disciplining outside of timeouts - get them to do what you want (good behaviors) through reinforcement.

Example - If they are mouthing, get them to stop buy training them that they get treats when they don't mouth. A puppy training class is money well spent!

Just like kids, you have to redirect a lot - but redirection works really well. For both kids and dogs and training can be fun.

Good luck in whatever you do.

Redirection, is for me the best course, it does work; however, when they are doing something wrong, I also say NO and redirect.

[melaniebosano]

Originally Posted by lynzy420

Why so defensive? I asked you where you got your information from? Obviously you were stating from a source. Albeit, I disagree.

My source was my own learning. And if you go back and read the pm you sent to me then perhaps you will be able to answer your own question on why so 'defensive'



But we are talking about dog training, are we not? So let's do that...

[melaniebosano]

Originally Posted by lynzy420

Redirection, is for me the best course, it does work; however, when they are doing something wrong, I also say NO and redirect.

Redirection has its place. But it fails to prevent the behavior taking place initially. To be a good dog trainer you need to be two steps ahead of your dog at all times - For example jumping up - You need to know that he is going to jump up before he even knows it himself then offer another option.

To allow a behaviour to get to point of the dog doing something wrong, ie he has already jumped up when you redirect him, and you having to tell him 'No' is still allowing the habit to develop. It is too late by this point and he has then learned to repeat the behaviour.

So if your dog jumps up, teach him to sit instead. BUT do it before he has begun to think about jumping up.

If you see what I mean....

[lynzy420]

Quoting myself: "Where are you getting your information from? Yorkies are not pack dogs? They most certainly are and ignoring bad behavior will never help to train a Yorkie. What makes you say this?"

I'm not seeing anything wrong with that statement that I sent you, still didn't answer, what is the source? I've got a lot of experience with dogs as well, many many many and much experience. There is a pecking order and there is a pack mentality....so I'm asking what source can you direct me to that says they are not packs? Is their verifiable research? I asked in a pm so as to not go off topic....so if you can provide a link I'd be interested in reading this.

[melaniebosano]

Originally Posted by lynzy420

Quoting myself: "Where are you getting your information from? Yorkies are not pack dogs? They most certainly are and ignoring bad behavior will never help to train a Yorkie. What makes you say this?"

I'm not seeing anything wrong with that statement that I sent you, still didn't answer, what is the source? I've got a lot of experience with dogs as well, many many many and much experience. There is a pecking order and there is a pack mentality....so I'm asking what source can you direct me to that says they are not packs? Is their verifiable research? I asked in a pm so as to not go off topic....so if you can provide a link I'd be interested in reading this.

Lynzy I am not going to carry on getting into this with you. Read anything by Gwen Bailey, John Fisher, John Bradshaw, Karen Pryor. Dogs live in groups with different roles. They have strengths and weaknesses. They are not all wanting to get to the top of the pile. They just want to be understood, taught properly with effort and without punishment. Thats all I am going to say on the subject. I am not interested into getting into this with a stranger for no reason other than they won't open their mind and seem to want a row. Read read and read some more but I'm not trailing around the internet to find links for you. Half of the content out there is slush anyway Do it yourself if you want to learn.

End of conversation

[yipyap]

All dogs, like people, have their own personality differences, but it is good to Let your little furball know that With Taffy, all my husband or I have to do is say "Taffy...." in a really disappointed, low tone, and his whole body language changes. His ears droop, head lowers, and he stops whatever he's doing. That's all it takes with him! (Sure, my hubby likes to play all kinds of crazy games with Taff on the den rug...they tug stuffed toys at Taffy's own height-level which Taff loves. I told Mike that he needs to "win" some of these games, too, so Taffy will "respect him" as the other male in the house, and Taff now knows that after 3 yrs sometimes "Dad" will win a game! Taff is perfectly fine with this, and he returns happily for a 'rematch'...no nipping, no anger issues. I also read in a couple of good training books that to keep a puppy from ever getting all "possessive" and "growly" over their food dish, that when your pup learns to "sit or stay", tell him to "sit" and then let him see You bend over and Let him sniff the food while You Hold the Bowl! Then, you just put the dish down in his feeding area. He begins to realize that You (his wonderful owner) are in Control of his food...it doesn't just appear on its own and need to be 'guarded' from everybody...you Gave it to him..that is so nice of Mom, or Dad! It only takes a second to do! I also try to remember to have Taff "stay" when we come to our back porch door, so I can hunt for keys or close an umbrella, and then he follows me inside. Since I'm in my 60's, I am less afraid of tripping over his little 5 pound body if I can get in the door first & then hold it for him. Yorkies are smart, and you can train them to 'stay' or 'stand' while you put on a leash or a hooded coat when it's raining outside.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by melaniebosano

Lynzy I am not going to carry on getting into this with you. Read anything by Gwen Bailey, John Fisher, John Bradshaw, Karen Pryor. Dogs live in groups with different roles. They have strengths and weaknesses. They are not all wanting to get to the top of the pile. They just want to be understood, taught properly with effort and without punishment. Thats all I am going to say on the subject. I am not interested into getting into this with a stranger for no reason other than they won't open their mind and seem to want a row. Read read and read some more but I'm not trailing around the internet to find links for you. Half of the content out there is slush anyway Do it yourself if you want to learn.

End of conversation

Its not that deep Melanie, really....your over an edge that I have no idea the reason for, because I disagree with you? That is what a forum is all about, try to be a little more open to responses.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by impish

On the bells - we use them, and they work. Pluto lets us know when he has to go.

On the training, just wanted to chime in that Pluto always does better with positive reinforcement - so I would agree with one of the other posters about not punishing or disciplining outside of timeouts - get them to do what you want (good behaviors) through reinforcement.

Example - If they are mouthing, get them to stop buy training them that they get treats when they don't mouth. A puppy training class is money well spent!

Just like kids, you have to redirect a lot - but redirection works really well. For both kids and dogs and training can be fun.

Good luck in whatever you do.

I am going to get the bells. I am putting a totally enclosed fence closure on the back of my house for them. There is a privacy fence around my backyard which is 100 ft deep and and 80 ft wide, but they can get under the fence quite easily and we have hawks and coyotes in the are, in addition to other creatures and rabbit poop- which I find pups find delectable!

[yipyap]

I saw that you mentioned there are hawks in your area. We have several types here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. There was a very sad incident in Waynesboro, Va,a 30 minute drive from our area, about 6 years ago. The story was in the local paper and had owners of small pets very concerned. A lady
had put her small poodle in the family's fenced-in back yard for a bit of free play. She came to the door to bring her poodle inside when a "big hawk" swooped down and grabbed her poor dog. She ran out, screaming, the poodle was struggling and yelping, and the hawk was trying to carry the dog upward. Somehow, the poodle got loose, but died from the fall. The reporter questioned a local ranger from the nearby National Park, and the ranger said it was very probably a large Red Tail Hawk as they are common here. To the big hawk, the little poodle would have been an easy size to attack. If you have large hawk species in your area and if you buy a small dog, like a little Yorkie, try not to leave it all alone in your fenced-in area, especially if you have fields nearby. We have a pair of Red Tail Hawks which do circle our pasture for rabbits, etc. I keep our Yorkie on a leash and walk him along our lane, but there are too many wild animals that could make a "snack" out of our little guy if he was loose in the yard.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by yipyap

I saw that you mentioned there are hawks in your area. We have several types here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. There was a very sad incident in Waynesboro, Va,a 30 minute drive from our area, about 6 years ago. The story was in the local paper and had owners of small pets very concerned. A lady
had put her small poodle in the family's fenced-in back yard for a bit of free play. She came to the door to bring her poodle inside when a "big hawk" swooped down and grabbed her poor dog. She ran out, screaming, the poodle was struggling and yelping, and the hawk was trying to carry the dog upward. Somehow, the poodle got loose, but died from the fall. The reporter questioned a local ranger from the nearby National Park, and the ranger said it was very probably a large Red Tail Hawk as they are common here. To the big hawk, the little poodle would have been an easy size to attack. If you have large hawk species in your area and if you buy a small dog, like a little Yorkie, try not to leave it all alone in your fenced-in area, especially if you have fields nearby. We have a pair of Red Tail Hawks which do circle our pasture for rabbits, etc. I keep our Yorkie on a leash and walk him along our lane, but there are too many wild animals that could make a "snack" out of our little guy if he was loose in the yard.

We live within a few miles of a large Nature Preserve, their are Hawks and other huge birds that I don't know what they are....coyotes have been seen in the area...I just would never take a chance...That poor poodle. Unfortunately it happens more often than people realize.

Thanks for sharing this...its always good to be mindful of the surroundings.

[IzziBella_Zeus]

I'm 16 and just got a yorkie puppy. I have had Zeus for about a week and a half (Not long enough to give much advice) I would recommend getting it close to school holidays.I live in Australia and am currently on holidays. Don't let your age stop you from getting a puppy, as long as you have plenty of time and patience. Will your puppy be alone while you are at school?

[ShowGirlLola]

I'm sorry but this post has been bothering me from the beginning and I need to give you some things to think about. I don't want to be mean, but I've seen this situation play out badly.

First it's wonderful that you made this post, but I'm not sure you know what you're getting into. It sounds like this would be your first dog.

Are your parents 100% on board with this? Are they willing to help financially and with taking care of it? Are they going to freak if it pees on the floor or ruins things? If you can't take the dog to college are they ok with that?

You probably won't be able to take the dog away to college, at least for your first year. Most places make first years live on campus or at home.

How much time and money are you really going to have for the dog?
Your life is going to get expensive and busy in the next few years. Driving, prom, senior trip, college, etc. I didn't realize how expensive until my friends and I went through it.
Do you do after school activities? Go out with friends a lot? Have a job? Will you be doing these things in the future?

I'm not saying you shouldn't get a dog, but please make sure you know what you're getting into and that the dog would have a good life.

My friend got a dog when she was around your age, her family already had 2 dogs. Her family paid for everything for the dog until she got a job at 18. She doesn't go out much and someone in her family is usually home, so the dog has plenty of attention. She chose to go to a local college so she could stay home with him. She couldn't have afforded to get an apartment to take him.
When she was working and going to school she constantly felt bad about leaving him and she devoted all of her spare time to him.