Some idiot, and it wasn't me, thought our 8 weeks old pup was cute and would appreciate a cuddle on his lap. In the event pup wriggled so much it was soon ejected. Four weeks later, said very much larger pup will not leave us alone when we sit down. If I sit at the table or my desk her paws are all over me. I have given up sitting in an easy chair. Someone thinks (this is of course someone who has never read anything on dog training) that pushing the dog away roughly and shouting at it will work. I have patiently explained that Molly thinks he is playing so does it all the more. I tell her 'down' and gently place her on the ground. I have tried telling her 'down' and rewarding her when all four paws are on the ground. Trouble is, it doesn't last. She gets wound up and I put her I her crate to calm down. It is effective, but I wanted a companion animal not something crated in the other room. I would welcome suggestions She is a clever little thing and has learnt sit, paw and come. I know 'paw' is just a party trick but it gives her something to do. Does anyone have any fun suggestions. I think that a bored dog is like a bored child - always looking for mischief. Kongs are great but she cannot spend her life with her tongue stuck inside one I have just let her out of her crate with the comment "Are you prepare to behave now" Yes. I'm nuts
Re: Cannot sit down I can't help with the sofa question as Dexter was 5 months when he came to us and his breeders hadn't allowed him on the furniture so we just continued...any half hearted attempts where met with stern OFF and a point to the floor and it worked.......he creeps,up at the weekend when we are snoozing now and secretly,....we love it! ;D Where do you want her to be when she is being a companion?in the room with you lying on her bed,at your feet?i would decide exactLy what you want from her and where you want to her be.are you using or considering using a clicker?you could decide on where her place is to be and clicker train her to stay there.....you could use a mat ( we use a blanket in our living space and move it around depending where we are) you sound like you want to train her to understand that when she is relaxing with you her place to lie is where you say,a clicker could help you with that. At 12 weeks she is still only very young....it will take a bit of practice and perseverance,but you will get there. Dexter just chewed through toys of all kinds at that age....a lot,I spent a fortune....he also cottoned on to sitting at the back door,implying he wanted to toilet but he really wanted to hunt stones and dig up the irrigation system but he had us because we would never take a chance.....he's be there about 8 times each night..cheeky blighter! Your question ' are you prepared to behave now' reminds me of the time Dexter climbed through from the back of the car on a 6 lane motorway and sat on my knee..had there been a witness I would have been heard to say ' this is so NOT acceptable Dexter!' Like you say,nuts! X
Re: Cannot sit down Have you tried some games which would stimulate her mind? I play 'go find' on a daily basis with Harley. I get her to sit calmly on the sofa then will run round the house (well, the rooms she can in without us) and hide treats. I then say to her 'go find' and she spends at least half hour trying to find them. To start with I done this in the front room only and had to show her, but have since progressed to the rest of the house. Harley is only allowed on our sofa when she is calm and having cuddles. I will often sit on the floor and play with her for a while then get her to settle with a toy or something. Hope you manage to get something sorted Ternaya and Harley (18 weeks old)
Re: Cannot sit down I do play with her and we do a several short bursts of training every day. I'm having much more success in training her to DO things rather than NOT DO things, which is only to be expected as when she leaps up and nibbles she is only doing what comes naturally. She is only 12 weeks old. Unfortunately for Molly I still think I'm dealing with my previous dog who died at the age of 13 in April. She was only a smallish mongrel (but I loved her) Molly is now nearly as big as Holly and I think I expect too much from her. I think I need training too
