Presenting Snoopy!

[zooropean]

Frustrating 1st day. More on that later...

[gracielove]

If the product you are talking about is something that Snoopy has used in the past and it has good results then go ahead and get it. Most of us use a conditioner on our dog's fur. I think you said his fur was a medium length so a conditioner may be useful. I'd make sure it has the right Ph level for a dog.

I think you are going to have some difficulties with Snoopy. He is not accustomed to being away from his familiar surroundings. I hope you do not let him off lead at all. This is going to be a trying time for Snoopy. Please be patient with him. Don't subject him to too many changes.

[zooropean]

I just want him to be happy here, but it's hard. I'll just have to understand and be patient.

[zooropean]

So, the week is over and Snoopy is with her owner again.

It was a fun, albeit exhausting week. Taking care of two dogs, especially if one is Kaili, it's just insane.

Here goes a kind of synopsis:

1st day - Bath day, found out Snoopy has a type of fungus that needs a special shampoo and to go and buy it. Was out of the house for, like, 15 minutes and found Snoopy had peed on my bed. Had to yell at him and take him outside. Had to change the sheets. Finally time for the bath. Snoopy kept biting me and barking, which is not normal since I've already gave him a bath before. Had to confort him and he finally stopped. Found out the shampoo for the fungus smells horribly and doesn't help his coat at all. He finally calmed down after I started combing his hair. When I was about to change the sheets, caught Snoopy red handed trying to pee on a bookshelf in my room. Yelled at him some more and showed where to pee (outside). Kaili was insufferable, always trying to sniff him. When they were playing, Snoopy hid underneath my parents bed and couldn't get out. Had to lift the bed up and strained my back. Time for sleep, both dogs were next to me on my bed.

2nd day - Snoopy wouldn't leave me alone and Kaili would follow us everywhere. I took us 3 to a secluded beach. Left Kaili and Snoopy to play alone and "examine" the place while I set up everything. Called for Kaili, she came. Called for Snoopy, nothing. Went looking for him, nothing. I was getting nervous and started yelling for him. Nothing. I let Kaili sniff Snoopy's leash and she started looking for him. I went right on her tail and found him almost 1km or half a mile lying down and shaking. Scolded him for going so far away but was relieved Kaili and I found him. Took both of them to the sea. Kaili, as usual, just throwed herself to the sea and Snoopy ran away when water came near him (that last bit went on for the whole week). I tried training him by letting him go a bit far away from me and calling him. I tried for hour and a half, until finally he came to me and gave him a treat. Once again, now half an hour, then 10 minutes, then he came everytime (the next day he had completely forgot).

3rd day - Was a good day. Went to the beach again, I played with Kaili by throwing her her tennis ball. Threw one of Snoopy's balls... nothing. Again... nothing (5x). Gave up and just started running with them.

The rest of the week was ok. Snoopy was very frustrating at some points even if they were my fault a bit, but he's a very sweet dog. He just doesn't play and that's a bit sad for me since that's what I like most about dogs. And he just doesn't care when anyone calls him, which is a bit dangerous.

[msyorktown]

Sound like the poor thing needs training. You are right alot of what went on was your fault...He should never have been off leash on a beach, they are so quick and could easily have gotten hurt, or stolen. Scolding him probably did nothing but scare him more than he allready was.
Peein on the bed, why did you leave him there unattended...he is not housebroken.
I'm sorry if this comes across as kind of self riteous (sp?), I'm by no means an expert...I'm new to this myself.
Is he on a schedule for feeding and walking...that would help with the housebreaking. If you cant watch him for any reason, he needs to be confined ie an ex-pen or a crate. Patience is really needed, not scolding or yelling...he has no idea what you are angry about...they have a short memory for such things. Consistency is key.

[zooropean]

I know, it was the heat of the moment you know? I actually felt really bad for scolding him

After the 3rd day he was really well behaved and seemed to have understood where to pee and whatnot. I really like him and tried to give him a lot of love whenever possible so that he could get comfortable with me and Kaili and I think he did.

The truth is my gf always lets him go off his leash whenever we go to the beach. She wants him to be confident that not everything is out to hurt him, I just wanted to take the same approach.

[msyorktown]

Originally Posted by zooropean

I know, it was the heat of the moment you know? I actually felt really bad for scolding him

After the 3rd day he was really well behaved and seemed to have understood where to pee and whatnot. I really like him and tried to give him a lot of love whenever possible so that he could get comfortable with me and Kaili and I think he did.

The truth is my gf always lets him go off his leash whenever we go to the beach. She wants him to be confident that not everything is out to hurt him, I just wanted to take the same approach.

I can understand that...you just have to keep your cool and be patient.

Personally I don't let mine off leash at all..I'm too afraid of someone or something scooping them, ie: hawks, owls, eagles, or someone looking to either make a quick buck, or looking for a free yorkie. I don't even let them out in my backyard without me. Again that's just me personally...I may be a tad paranoid.
Fact of the matter is they do not realize they are small...they think they are Rottweilers! They can get hurt very easily, so I keep them close by for that very reason, for their safety and my peace of mind.
I'm glad Snoopy finally got used to you and your other dog...it may take some time, but he will become the happy confidant little guy you are hoping for. He just needs some time to adjust to his new surroundings...at the same time he does need guidlines that you and your gf set out for him.

[gracielove]

A dog that has been kept pretty well secluded all it's life is not going to change in a matter of days. Never let an untrained dog off lead. I know you would like Snoopy to be like your dog but he is not. It would take months of consistent training to change his already set behavior patterns. Apparently his owner does not know how to train a dog or is not interested. At this point it is now a matter of retraining and that is even more difficult than training a puppy. Dogs are creatures of habit and engrained mental attitudes are difficult to change. Another question about Snoopy. Is he neutered? Sometimes a dog that is not neutered can have a set of problems of a different variety as well.

[zooropean]

No, he isn't neutered although my girlfriend is considering it.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by zooropean

No, he isn't neutered although my girlfriend is considering it.

A male dog that is not neutered tends to want to mark territory, especially when they are outside their own home area. They will lift their legs and pee on everything in sight.

[msyorktown]

Originally Posted by gracielove

A male dog that is not neutered tends to want to mark territory, especially when they are outside their own home area. They will lift their legs and pee on everything in sight.

Very true...I have first hand experience wlith that! *sigh* Orion has since been fixed..one can only hope that this eleviates the problem.

[shelimcallister]

You sound like a nice boyfriend. I hope you can get Snoopy to play with you! Good luck!