Topic Posted by: Elaine
Date Posted: Tue May 6 8:32:38 2008
Additional Comments:
I've always had large breed dogs...a collie/shephard mix as a child and Afghan Hounds for the last 30 years. Hubby, on the other hand, likes a small dog that will lap sit and be a snuggler.
We go out to breakfast at this restaurant and met this nice waitress. She showed us pictures of this cute Brussels Griffon/Chiwawa(SP) puppy that she got at 8 weeks old. It's now 4 months. She's a very busy lady, works 2 jobs and has a son with cerbral palsey. The puppy has always had housebreaking issues. It will pee and poop in it's crate and if it's out, it will go anywhere. Now she's leaving her live in boyfriend and needed to find a home for said Pixie. Hubby had the look of a kid at a candy store...I couldn't say NO and last night puppy came home. I took the dog out regularly...we also have a doggie door which it mastered right way so it isn't dumb. Anyway, it peed when I took it out twice. A couple of times it peed in the house. I've housebroke a couple of Afghan pups that we got at 8 weeks of age. No real problems, just consistancy. They always alerted me by circling, smelling the floor etc. so you see, I'm not a puppy novice. This dog doesn't signal...just sqats and goes.
I have no experience with toy breeds and I understand they are difficult to housebreak anyway. Since this dog had no early training, is this dog doomed to be trouble? Oh yes, last night I crated the dog. I peed it at 12 midnight. i got up at 6 a.m. and by then the pup had peed and pooped in the crate...not only peed, but peed on the pillow I put in the crate. This is not normal pup behavior as far as I know. Most dogs don't want to soil their kennel. What do you all think? Also, I just don't know if I can handle his issue at this time. Hubby, like most men, expect woman to handle most problems with training. I miss my freedom and Spring is such a busy time for me with all the gardening work I do. Cindy said she'd take the pup back if we change our minds. What do you all think?
Posted by: Elaine Date posted: Thu May 8 11:43:21 2008
Message: thank you all for your support and websites to visit. I really appreciate it. Since I calmed down and left the final decision about keeping the puppy to hubby, and the cleaning up, he's starting to rethink the work and commitment this is taking. We want to be fair to the dog. If we've not commited, have the time and energy to do this, it's not right for the dog. Also the Dog Whisperer says you have to be balanced and in the right frame of mind when training a dog. To be perfectly honest with you all and as 'bad' as this might sound, I haven't gotten attached and don't really like the dog. Hubby is out of town for 3 days (my friends said I should have made him take the dog) so I'll work on getting her on a schedule, eating and exercise wise. I told hubby we'd give it a week or so...if after a week or two, we're still not good with this, the former owner said she'd take it back. That works for me.
Posted by: Pronoun Date posted: Tue May 6 16:36:37 2008
Message: I've had several dogs in my life. I love dogs. Most were mutts but then we got purebred Scotty. It was only after we got her that I found out they were next to impossible to housetrain. We had to be watching her constantly. As much as I loved that dog I would never get another Scotty just for that reason. Whenever I see the Bush's scotty at the Whitehouse I just laugh to myself imagining that dog peeing all over the place, lol. So anyway I checked out Brussells Griffons on the web (I have always wanted one too, they are so sweet, so I'm glad I read this) I found the following at this site - http://www.brussels-griffon.info/publiced.htm Good Luck with the puppy and let us know how you make out.
If you are referring to housetraining the answer is no. Sporting, working, and herding breeds housetrain with less effort, and will hold it longer when left unconfined. Not that it's impossible to have a housebroken Griffon, but often it is you that gets trained. There are books and pamphlets on house training. Be sure you look into the commitment needed for this BEFORE a dog is purchased. Many breeders will expect you to purchase a crate or exercise pen to use in housebreaking before you buy a dog. If you have a house with carpeting or expensive oriental rugs, it would be foolish to allow a Griffon access where a "piddle" would break your heart. A fenced yard is a must for this breed. If you are referring to obedience training, the answer is yes, if the training method suits the temperament of the dog. This is an intelligent breed, but sensitive. The Griffon will not respond to rough handling, hitting, or excessive shouting. Once a Griffon learns, he needs variety to keep his interest. Training methods that use praise, clickers, treats, and patience work best. Breeders encourage owners to use Puppy Kindergarten classes and Beginning Obedience classes for all Griffon owners as it gives alternatives in disciplining and builds owner confidence in handling your dog.
Posted by: monkeymome3 Date posted: Tue May 6 12:42:16 2008
Message: You are sweet to take in that doggie. Don't give up yet! I always hear this guy on the radio: http://www.unclematty.com/training/allabout.php Maybe he can help you! Also, I agree with those who say, take the dog to the vet. Could be it is younger than said to be or have some kind of problem otherwise. It's good to get a clean bill of health! Good luck!
Posted by: serialmom Date posted: Tue May 6 11:41:28 2008
Message:
My first thought was to get him checked out by a vet or find out if she had and which vet. Second is feed him at exactly the same times every day. Food any time equals pooping peeing any time. This website has every tip you need. Good luck and get us pictures.
Posted by: Donna E Date posted: Tue May 6 9:08:00 2008
Message: I don't know if this will work for you, but it did work for a friend. I was dog sitting for her and I couldn't figure out why they didn't get her a new crate as she had cleary outgrown hers. She had to crawl into it and couldn't move around in it. She said had had problems with the dog peeing in her crate and her vet told her that the dog should be put in a very small crate - so small that they can't stand up. Then follow the usual taking the dog out after each sleep period and before putting it in the crate.
