Hi guys, I'm feeling so down about Bob at the moment... it's just one thing after another. First we got him neutered and since then he's been attacking other dogs when he meets them out on a walk. So that is very upsetting. Secondly he sprained his shoulder just after he was allowed off lead again after his op. So he had to have over a week of crate rest and then we had to build it up again gently. He was prescribed Metacam which proceeded to give him a really bad tummy. He was actually pooing blood. So he had to have Metronidozol for 2 weeks which completely blocked him up and he stopped pooing altogether. We've just finished the course and managed to take him out on a couple of gentle off lead walks to build his fitness back up gradually. Thirdly he now has kennel cough. So we are back on lead because he can't run around and risk infecting other dogs. We were supposed to going to visit OH's family for Christmas this weekend and because they have dogs I now have to stay behind with Bob. Fourthly we are struggling again with his lead walking. It's the ONLY thing we can do with him at the moment exercise wise so we were feeling pretty confident we'd made good progress. And he's started pulling like a trooper again for some reason. (I did have a lady walk him a couple of times last week as we were both working, I'm wondering if she let him pull. I did explain exactly what she needed to do, but I'm not convinced she did it) We have been so rigid in our training with him. It's boring and tedious but we have stuck to the rule of not allowing him to pull. Today I've just come back from a walk and it was a total disaster. Admittedly I had my little boy with me who is off on his Christmas holidays now and is a total distraction for Bob. Arthur just ran off into the distance and I was just stranded holding a pulling/whining dog. But he needs to get used to being walked with Arthur there.. I can't leave my little boy at home on his own and equally the dog needs to get out. Catch 22. Also lastly Bob has turned into a total wimp with the fire upstairs in our lounge.. he's scared of it because he knocked into the fire irons once and they crashed down making an almightly racket. And also when a log drops suddenly or the kindling starts crackling he just runs off downstairs. So lovely chilled evenings with the dog are a no go, because he's just hiding downstairs in his crate. Sorry for the moan, just feeling so down about everything. Lou x
Oh Lou , I do feel for you , what a horrible run of bad luck you are having with Bob . I think we all need a blinkin good moan at times , so don't worry about coming here for a moan . Things will improve , tomorrow is another day , wish I could promise that tomorrow will be great but I cant, just that when things are so horrible, there is only one way to go, and that's up x
So sorry about the things you are going through at the moment. Just get it off your chest, it will make you feel better. Sorry I can't help you but I can listen.
Oh dear, Lou, you must be due some good luck now. It's 'just' time and patience in the meantime - not at all easy, and certainly not with Christmas too. I hope things get better soon.
Hang in there Lou. This is a difficult time, but it WILL get better. Just keep doing what you are doing. Don't try and make Bob sit with you near the fire; just let him sit downstairs. Eventually he will work it out that everyone else is upstairs having a lovely time and he isn't... Keep on with your determination with his on-lead walking. And keep the faith regarding his health - he will get better. Big hugs to you!
Oh Lou you are having a time of it and so is poor Bob Is Bob attacking other dogs whilst on lead? Could you maybe clicker train Bob's lead work to keep his focus on you instead of pulling? I agree with Karen regarding the fire. Charlie used to dislike it when we were all watching a film in suround sound, loud music etc. he would swiftly leave the room but we left him and he soon realised he couldn't stand not to be with us snuggled up on the sofa infront a lovely log fire and now he doesn't bat an eye lid with suround sound!! I think with the pressures of Christmas, children etc. dog training especially for you as poor Bob is on lead only, you have had a lot to contend with. Sometimes things just seem to pile up and over whelm us. Just deal with one thing at a time, so at the moment his lead work is so important for you. Come and vent we all do from time to time so don't worry. Keep going xx
Sounds like you and Bob are having a rough time, with one thing after another! Kennel cough is a real drag and I'm sure Bob feels pretty low too. I can understand that you're a bit over it all. When you say he's 'attacking' other dogs out on walks, do you mean barking and lunging at them? The most common reasons for this are fear, excitement, frustration or a combo of all of the above. What does he do and what do you do when he sees another dog? The period of confinement due to his various illnesses won't have helped with his behaviour, but hopefully soon you can get back to normality.
So sorry that you and Bob are having such a hard time at the moment, but it WILL get better. Just keep doing what you're doing on the walks and he'll soon stop pulling again and some great advice from Karen and Helen to get Bob to join you, he will work it out for himself that it's much nicer with you than by himself in his crate
Poor you and poor Bob. Molly and I had none of the problems you and Bob have encountered but I can remember feeling truely fed up. Training is long, slow, repetative slog, anyone who says different is trying to sell you something (or making a TV programme), it is alright to admit you get cheesed off now and then. There is always the Forum to let off steam on. A thought has just struck me, if the dogs had access to a Forum what would they be saying about us
Oh Lou, it sounds like you've had an awful time. Sorry, I'm the last person you'd want giving advice as I have my own long list of negatives! Funnily enough though, they're all completely different to your issues! I hope Bob feels better soon and hopefully that helps with some of the issues you're having, making the training list a little smaller.
We often envy those who's experience of dog ownership is plain sailing. You have certainly had your challenges. So difficult to avoid the feeling that everything is stacking up against you. There is no reason to NOT expect things to get better. Try and look forward, tomorrow IS another day. It won't always be like this. Sending {{{hugs}}} x
Thank you everyone you are so kind and supportive. I think the aggression thing is fear and I'm dying to get back with our trainer for some doggie socialisation classes. But the kennel cough means thats a no go for a while. We think he's recovered one day and then he'll start coughing again. The vet said we have to leave it one whole week after he's stopped coughing before he can be near other dogs again. I just worry it's going to make him more fearful of other dogs. He's had so much confinement over the past 2 months. I love him to death. I just want my normal happy dog back!!
So sorry you are having all these issues, and at Christmas too. That just makes it all worse. You will get through this, but in the meantime it's one day at a time and try to find the positives where you can. Maybe there are some things you can train at home that are fairly simple but give Bob something to do and give you a feeling of accomplishment? It's hard when every experience with your dog is a downer. Even silly things like shake paw or roll over, etc. Just a suggestion!
I'm sure it will make a big difference once you can return to normal, with normal outings and sessions with the trainer. It is a right pain when these things get disrupted with a young dog - and you've had more than your fair share of it too.
Hi Lou,,sorry you've had such a bad run.....being on restricted excercise can have a huge effect on their behaviour ,I'm sure once Bob is over the kennel cough and feels a bit better in himself and his activity level goes up you will see and feel an improvement.You have been conscientious about your training and that will Stand you in good stead. Chris my Husband isn't consistent about not letting Dexter pull ....I feel a difference when they have done a few walks together so Bob might have had a bit more freedom with your dog walker...it's not ideal but Dexter remembers when he's back out with me ,a few stops and direction changes remind him of his lead manners and it comes back....x
Sorry to hea things are so tough right now. Lots of good advice above. Just two thoughts/things that helped me whenI had Charlie on restricted exercise as a teenager for 8 months (nightmare! Do things that allow your dog to be successful - lots of things that earn him treats, praise. That allow you both to jump round the room together celebrating how clever he is. They need to feel it's going well too. Get a dog walker that will train your dog to walk on a loose lead - pay more for this if you can and have to do so. This shares the burden and does speed your progress. Send Bob out with the dog walker if you can't train. Charlie was beyond ridiculous - seriously, it was SO bad at one point it took 2 people to hold him on a harness to get him 50m, he is a very, very strong dog - and my dog walker took 5 months to get him to walk 200m alongside the park's tennis courts (ball obsessed dog!) while I worked on the school and the high street....even when he was back on full exercise we continued to do this. With the help I had, he went out on 4 training walks a day, I did 2 and the dog walker did 2. I completely appreciate that the dog walker one costs money (it worked for me because the walks were also dog care so I could go to work) but the first one anyone can do. Try it, even if you don't feel like it - it really works.
