so true. Read any practicing vet blog…it’s very common
My dog is no longer a puppy. I discussed the issue with both trainers and my vet. If you are working with professionals, consult with them. I was told that this was not something that I would be able to train out of my dog.
I respectfully disagree. I know too many people who have taught alternate/incompatible behaviors.
It is not the case that spraying her with water in the crate will make her shy, no more than spraying her anywhere else as long as she figures out that is it due to the barking. I am not a big fan of stuffing dogs with treats, pray tell me what happens if you are not there and the treat is not forthcoming to divert the dog from the particular problem. If that does not work, a sharp shake of the crate, and quiet, each time a correction, use quiet. I cannot stand clicker training, the operant behaviorists are nuts. The dog needs to focus on you and the discipline, not a stick, not a Pavlovian response to a noise and she does not need to play games in the crate. She is by now an adult and should be treated as such but even a puppy has no reason to be playing in a crate. Safe chew toys are one thing, making it a game is counterproductive. It is a place to be quiet and relax, and you have to make her understand that you mean business.
Some dogs are so overindulged and treated like spoiled children they are totally confused. She has to stop barking and throwing a fit and hopefully letting her know that is unacceptable will work.
[QUOTE=Calamber;6234217]
I cannot stand clicker training, the operant behaviorists are nuts. The dog needs to focus on you and the discpline, not a stick, not a Pavlovian response to a noise and she does not need to play games in the crate. [/QUOTE]
I am so sorry for your dogs.
[QUOTE=threedogpack;6234234]
I am so sorry for your dogs.[/QUOTE]
Yup. Negative reinforcement doesn’t create a willing happy dog, and often creates more problems. Calamber’s suggestion of more exercise is a good one, but I respectfully disagree with the negative reinforcement.
OP- Reread wendy’s post on the first page. She has some very good info there.
I’m in Canton ohio. I just am trying to get her to be somewhat civilized before I move in with my parents to recover from surgery. I’m not giving up, she’s a very sweet dog just a little neurotic at times
I’ve also never sprayed water at her while she’s crated I don’t feel it would solve any problems
[QUOTE=threedogpack;6234234]
I am so sorry for your dogs.[/QUOTE]
My dogs are fine happy dogs. Currently I have a 10 year old alpha female Lab and a Jack Russell terrier that I acquired and trained at the same time. We just added a new Australian Shepherd/Cattle Dog to the family. We have moved 7 times in 3 years one of which was cross country, and the dogs are perfectly happy, and adapted. I have trained beagles and retrievers for field trials and hunting and have had multitudes of puppies and young adults to rehome when I had a small rescue. Would you like to talk to the people who would continue to call me when I moved out of state to find another puppy who was as well socialized and trained for a friend, family member or another one for them? I would routinely walk 15 - 20 puppies up to six months old together off leash in an unfenced 150 acre farm. Never lost one. It’s all fine, have fun with your New Age trained doggies. I am happy and they are happy and non of us feel abused. Click away.:lol:
[QUOTE=elmerandharriet;6234350]
I’ve also never sprayed water at her while she’s crated I don’t feel it would solve any problems[/QUOTE]
Have you even tried to correct her in the crate? The more neurotic you act about this situation, the more she will follow suit.
[QUOTE=jetsmom;6234306]
Yup. Negative reinforcement doesn’t create a willing happy dog, and often creates more problems. Calamber’s suggestion of more exercise is a good one, but I respectfully disagree with the negative reinforcement.
OP- Reread wendy’s post on the first page. She has some very good info there.[/QUOTE]
Why don’t you just try playing chess with her, I am positive she will feel reinforced.:lol:
This evening she brought geese eggs to the porch… I’m thinking I’m not going to put the geese eggs back! Good Cassie lol
[QUOTE=elmerandharriet;6234349]
I’m in Canton ohio. I just am trying to get her to be somewhat civilized before I move in with my parents to recover from surgery. I’m not giving up, she’s a very sweet dog just a little neurotic at times[/QUOTE]
Glad to hear that. You might teach her to bring you what she finds rather than chew it up. I’ve saved a lot of items (and probably a dog or two as well) by installing a good, solid retrieve.
[QUOTE=elmerandharriet;6234405]
This evening she brought geese eggs to the porch… I’m thinking I’m not going to put the geese eggs back! Good Cassie lol[/QUOTE]
That is so odd, I was just going to suggest that you try playing a game with her where you hide a ball, chew, or whatever motivates her most, and tell her to find it. It would be almost perfect if you can get her in a down, or sit stay while you do that but it is not necessary, you can start by throwing it into brush or a wooded area and encouraging her to find it and bring it back to you. Critical is that she bring it back to you, and at least lay it at your feet. My Jack will throw the things to me now because he is just too too studly to do something so plebian as put it in my hand. He is after all a terrier. Retrievers and the bird dogs are so much easier to teach this to if they have a retrieve instint.
Which brings me to another point, I want you to know where I am coming from so to speak. Your dog is a product of some very strange ideological problems in this country today, that of miniaturizing or supersizing everything around us without any thought as to what we are doing. Who in God’s name every thought anyone would want a miniature Australian Shepherd, but then I have seen some whompers out there too which is absolutely as stupid. As a result of miniaturizing living animals, you tend to create a slightly askew neurological system, or perhaps better stated, you exagerate a neurological reflex. In other words, your dog may be more neurotic than what would be normal, you have to keep that in mind. That is why the right kind of discipline is absolutely critical, you want to repattern those nervous impulses so that the dog become accustomed to knowing what it is to become calm and stay that way. Setting boundaries is one of the easier ways to do that so that you will be the one that the dog looks to, not so much for comfort, but for guidance. This is why I hate the patterning of behavior/learning with clickers/treats and even an overstimulation with voice. Less is more in many cases. I use hand or finger motions to guide the dogs to look at me. When all else fails I yell really loud to get their attention, I do not become angry but I do raise my voice. Try it, it works. I am not a student of Pavlov and I do not want robotic dogs.
[QUOTE=Calamber;6234795]
As a result of miniaturizing living animals, you tend to create a slightly askew neurological system, or perhaps better stated, you exagerate a neurological reflex. In other words, your dog may be more neurotic than what would be normal, you have to keep that in mind. [/QUOTE]
do you have any studies that prove this or is this more anecdotal evidence?
OP, there are plenty of stable mini “whatevers” out there. There are a lot of small dog breeds, small randomly bred dogs and dogs bred to be small on purpose that are fine companions.
LOL I never wanted a mini… I was waiting for another Corgi but this is what I was blessed with. A Corgi breeder once told me in her experience people who spayed Corgis early brought out the bad in Corgi. I would say true to my moms Corgi except I truly think its their fault she’s crabby so I’m not blaming early spays. In Cassies case I think she lived the first twp years in a cage.
We have been working on sit, lay, shake, and roll over, we have mastered play dead. I’m surprised she brought up the eggs because to date she has had no interest in bringing me anything. She sits and barks while my corgi plays fetch I even hold my corgi off so she can go get it and she looks at me like yoy expect ME to go get that pshh… lbut today she brought me a dead muskrat so maybe she’s a hunter
The problem with a mini, is not the size it is the fact that despite what they tell you, they are a mix and do not breed true yet as to type, temperment and soundness. This makes it difficult to predict temperment, health etc. Many of the people attracted to designer dogs are inexperienced and overly sensitive to poopsies feelings. After all, their dogs are special, and are different from other regular dogs… Not saying this is the case wit the OP. I am not a sensitive new age dog person. I have rules, my dogs listen and there is zero negotiation. It is for their safety as well as my sanity. The majority of my clients dogs are rude, obnoxious, ill behaved, and difficult to treat by any animal health care professional. The majority of them have been postive “trained”… They have been taught to beg, and don’t listen unless it suits them. These owners have drank the koolaid, and it appeals to there sensitive new age demeanors…They can’t even walk these animals on a loose lead. I am not talking formal heel position, just polite walking…The word no is an amazing thing and one that alot of dog owners could benefit from learning. While I do not believe in the old snap and jerk method, I do believe in being a firm consistent leader, which is something most of my clients dogs would benefit from.Their children incidently would as well. We have entered an age where everybody and everythings little feelings must be protected at all costs. It has resulted in horribly behaved, children, dogs, and young adults. No respect, no sense of right wrong, or consideration for those around them. I have dealt with the public and pets for 30 years in just about every capacity and they get worse every year. To the OP, find a method that suits you, stick with it, be consistent and your dog will improve. Being wishy washy and back and forth on methodology will only make the situation worse. Any dog can learn to be polite in a crate. Having to master a degree in dog behavior is not neccessary.
[QUOTE=tradewind;6235450]
Being wishy washy and back and forth on methodology will only make the situation worse. Any dog can learn to be polite in a crate. Having to master a degree in dog behavior is not neccessary.[/QUOTE]
I agree. But it is important to understand the theory behind how all animals learn if you have a dog with anxiety issues. Harsh methodology will absolutely make those issues worse.
Well, if you want to “discipline” your dog for acting up in a crate, I have these words of warning:
Any attention, even “negative” attention, can be a reward to a dog.
You think your dog barks a little bit now in a crate, wait until you’ve spent several days “disciplining” your dog for barking in the crate. Gee, bored dog says, I can get attention by barking! so he does.
As to the shaking the crate, I once watched a “famous” dog trainer turn a barking dog into a “freaked out terrified of crates won’t go NEAR a crate” dog in one short session of yanking on a rope tied to a crate. You think a dog who barks in their crate is a problem? wait until you own a dog who will fight you hysterically, peeing and pooping in terror, clawing and biting in fear, rather than go into a crate.
If you want to teach your dog to RELAX in a crate, you might want to think about things you could do to encourage relaxation rather than alternative states of mind.
[QUOTE=wendy;6235554]
If you want to teach your dog to RELAX in a crate, you might want to think about things you could do to encourage relaxation rather than alternative states of mind.[/QUOTE]
+1.
I always thought mini Aussies are aussies but they just kept breeding the smaller ones to create smaller aussies… but I never really read into them much.
OP - Mini Aussies are the result of small Aussies being bred for that specific purpose. As with any minaturisation, you can get neurotic behavious happening but they are still , fundamentally, that breed.
My very small Border is from a breed line that normally throws medium to large types and was not the runt of the litter! We call her our “intelligent hand bag dog”
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