Help dog owners

[Jdarg]

Yikes! Oh Cork! So sorry you and Sunshine are having such a hard time!

GGTBM and everyone else have great advice. I think we are all on a mission to get Sunshine fixed up! Definitely talk to your vet. Also, the "working up" to longer times in the crate may help, and try keeping her in the crate some while you are home, so she gets used to you being there AND not there when she is in the crate. Sometimes mine start playing too rough, or start harassing Kate while she is eating ( a 4 year old is a dog's food dropping dream). Anyway, I will tell one or both to go "get in the house" and they usually go very willingly, and I keep them in there for awhile while we are walking around and doing stuff. We are to the point now where sometimes I crate them when I leave and sometime not. Fiona has to get in her house when I vacuum or she will kill the vacuum.

Like children, it's not overnight.

Oh- this is funny- the Dog Whisperer's promo material was at work Monday- I guess he is coming to town. For $150, you get Sat/Sun sessions, doughnuts, coffee and lunch. We were talking about the benfit of going to this program, and decided that even if he wasn't that good, it is still a good way to maybe re-think your dog's behavior and how dogs "tick" in general, especially for newer pet owners, or owners with small children. It promotes an awareness of concepts.

That said, my dogs are about a 4 on the 1 to 10 good behavior program. Too loving, too bouncy, love to lick too much. We are working on it, but I think I'm going to throw in the towel and go to a trainer for a few sessions to train me first!

 

[Allifunn]

Cork... I sure hope thigs go better for you and Sunshine today...I feel so bad for both of you....I wish I had some words of wisdom for you ....this stress can't be good for either of you. Good luck girl!

 

[audie]

well cork - i am fresh out of suggestions... sorry you guys had a rough day. i know how upsetting it is when the dog isn't happy. good luck with your next try and keep us posted !

 

[Cork On the Ocean]

GGTBM and everyone else have great advice. I think we are all on a mission to get Sunshine fixed up! Definitely talk to your vet. Also, the "working up" to longer times in the crate may help, and try keeping her in the crate some while you are home, so she gets used to you being there AND not there when she is in the crate.

You're right, everyone has had so many good ideas and suggestions so I have lots of options to try. I'm convinced that I just went too fast and that my little girl is gonna need lots of patience and understanding which is just fine. I'm sure that no matter how much she wants to love a new owner, it's going to take time to have complete trust and thats OK.

Sometimes mine start playing too rough, or start harassing Kate while she is eating ( a 4 year old is a dog's food dropping dream). Anyway, I will tell one or both to go "get in the house" and they usually go very willingly, and I keep them in there for awhile while we are walking around and doing stuff. We are to the point now where sometimes I crate them when I leave and sometime not. Fiona has to get in her house when I vacuum or she will kill the vacuum.

I wish sunshine would start bouncing around again right now. She's either exhausted from yesterday or mad at me. She'll be OK because she still follows me around everywhere and lays at my feet. She's just not her perky self.

We were talking about the benfit of going to this program, and decided that even if he wasn't that good, it is still a good way to maybe re-think your dog's behavior and how dogs "tick" in general, especially for newer pet owners, or owners with small children. It promotes an awareness of concepts.

Is that shaking what they deem "ticks"? That's a heartbreaker for sure. Plus with no hair, she shakes when she's cold so no telling what her deal is. she certainly has the best routine I've ever seen if this is acting.

I do know that a tired dog is a good dog. Perhaps a long walk at the beach (if her paws are okay) would help her be more relaxed during your absence?

That's a great idea too CIL! Of course, it's difficult to always plan for an abscense. Like yesterday had a developer call and want to meet me in an hour so had to get some stuff ready for him, get dressed and run. There was no time for a walk BUT in the training process, I can plan for crate time with soft music (or even "alone" time without the crate) after a long walk on the beach. She'll be too tired to go ballistic . Great idea. Eventually, she'll learn that she's going to be OK and that I'm coming back.

 

[Sheila]

Even though we use the palstic travel crates we also own a couple of pop-up soft crates. I bought them one time to try them out when I come solo to the beach. This may be at least the answer to poor little shredded paws. They are soft sided and really durable. Our neighbors son has a black lab and they keep one of those type crates at their house in Seagrove for visits from the "grandpuppy". The "puppy" is actually full grown and the crate contains her.

Just a thought. I feel really bad yesterday was so awful for you both.

 

[Miss Kitty]

Even though we use the palstic travel crates we also own a couple of pop-up soft crates. I bought them one time to try them out when I come solo to the beach. This may be at least the answer to poor little shredded paws. They are soft sided and really durable. Our neighbors son has a black lab and they keep one of those type crates at their house in Seagrove for visits from the "grandpuppy". The "puppy" is actually full grown and the crate contains her.

Just a thought. I feel really bad yesterday was so awful for you both.

Oh yes...I bought one of these pop up crates at Target for the car. It was larger than the one we had and Molly's bed fit in it. I hate to say this, but it would be easier to clean....never mind, think positive...that won't happen again.

 

[Cork On the Ocean]

Oh yes...I bought one of these pop up crates at Target for the car. It was larger than the one we had and Molly's bed fit in it. I hate to say this, but it would be easier to clean....never mind, think positive...that won't happen again.

Do these crates have any zippers or places where she could stick that pointy little nose into and get it open. that's what she did with her little purse/bag that I carry her in but now she's great with her as long as I'm next to the bag. There's hope for her. I'm confident that we're gonna get through this with the help of you guys.

 

[MKH]

Do these crates have any zippers or places where she could stick that pointy little nose into and get it open. that's what she did with her little purse/bag that I carry her in but now she's great with her as long as I'm next to the bag. There's hope for her. I'm confident that we're gonna get through this with the help of you guys.

I have a soft-side crate for Halle, and yes it has lots of zippers. I had to keep Halle in her crate a lot when she was a baby, and she really liked it-like other people have said, it was her den, her safe place.

But Sunshine obviously does not feel that way about her crate. Even though Halle is a model dog now when I am gone, I am sure she would become agitated and scared if there was a lot of noise outside, like your construction going on. Get Sunshine a Kong and she how she takes to it. It will hopefully fascinate her (that's what they are designed to do) and distract her.

BTW, I always keep soft music on when I am gone for Halle to listen to. That's a good idea, too.

M

 

[Cheering472]

Cork and Sunshine,

This thread is breaking my heart. But stay strong, you'll both be fine. Shorter time intervals in the crate while you are home, then gradually increasing them worked for us. The Kong is the greatest. Go get 1 or 2 right away. Good luck!!!

 

[iwishiwasthere]

Do these crates have any zippers or places where she could stick that pointy little nose into and get it open. that's what she did with her little purse/bag that I carry her in but now she's great with her as long as I'm next to the bag. There's hope for her. I'm confident that we're gonna get through this with the help of you guys.

They do have zippers. Sophie is a master at undoing them when she wants to get out, but for some odd reason when we are gone she stays in there. The classical music helps, also. I guess because it is her safe place, but she would not want me to know that! Very independent and strong-willed dog. But sooo cute!