I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
 HI ALL, I WAS INTEREST IN BUYING AN OES DOG FOR A LONG TIME, I RESEARCHED AND EVERYTHING I READ WAS HOW LOVING AND SMART THEY ARE. WELL I DON'T KNOW WHAT IN THE WORLD I GOT, BUT I HAVE HAD AN OES FOR OVER TWO MONTHS NOW, WE GOT HIM WHEN HE WAS 8 WEEKS OLD. HE IS MEAN TO MY KIDS, HE BITES THEM, I MEAN DRAWS BLOOD, HE NEVER JUST LAYS AND WANTS TO BE PET, HE IS ALWAYS BITEING, HE STILL USES THE BATHROOM ON MY FLOORS, I GOT A CRATE FOR HIM WHEN WE GOT HIM, ALL HE DOES IS BARK IN IT ALL THE TIME. HE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY, I DON'T EVEN LIKE HIM AND I'M ABOUT TO GET RID OF HIM, I LIVE IN A VERY SMALL TOWN AND I HAVE TRIED TO FIND AN OBEIDENCE CLASS FOR HIM AND THERE ISN'T ANY AROUND. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ME? I WOULD REALLY APPRICIATE IT. THANKS FOR LISNENING. LORA |
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| Lora,
It sounds as if you are very frustrated and unhappy with the behavior of your OES puppy. I'm sure that's the last thing you need. It also sounds as though you have already heard what needs to be done.. and that is to get the puppy into a training class as soon as possible. Some of the behavior needs to be corrected and modified before the puppy becomes completely unmanageable. I don't mean punishing him, I mean using the training techniques that teach him what behavior is appropriate and what behavior is inappropriate. Do you have contact with the breeder of the puppy and can they provide any assistance for training? If you want to contact me directly, I will search for a list of trainers or obedience classes in your region. You might also want to contact your closest Old English Sheepdog Rescue. Those folks are very kind and willing to provide assistance and support to folks with OES that are misbehaving. Worst case, they would help find another home for the dog. Again, I can put you in touch with an OES rescue person near you if you tell me your geographic region. Good luck |
| See www.operationkindness.org for some hints in potty and crate training. Sometimes I find getting the dog used to routines may be very helpful. These routines may include grooming, exercise, and brushing the teeth. It takes time and lots of patients to train or untrain the dog. Reward the dog a lot for doing positive behavior. These rewards may include praises i.e. "good boy!", his favorite treats i.e. "milk bone", "bread", or "cheese", and/or hugs and kisses. Think of them as being a baby or a kid that always will be a kid. |
| Thanks you very much for your suggestions, I live in Pt. Pleasant, WV. |
| Lora,
Don't despair. I am still working on your query. I am looking for an obedence club or training class close to you in WV or southern OH. One difficulty I am having is that I am a geographic moron, so it's hard for me to tell whether some of these places are close to you or not. I did find this training center, they are 20 miles from you: Mountain State Canine Sycamore Rd Ripley, WV 304-372-1797 I assume that with a family and small children, you want training class close by. The classes are not that expensive (though that is a relative concept) and the investment is well worth it. I can also send you internet links to good puppy training articles, but they are not as helpful as working in a training class. While I am struggling with geography, I wonder if you could call a couple of your local veterinarians (I saw a bunch listed within a couple of miles of you) and ask them: * Who do they know or recommend that provides obedience training classes * Can they tell you of any all-breed obedience clubs that have classes Also, call your local dog pound and the nearest ASPCA/Humane Society and ask the same questions. Ditto any local feed stores (at my local feed store, they always have business cards and flyers for dog related services). I have sent a note to the Old English Sheepdog Rescue contact person for West Virginia, Betsey Leonard, and asked her if she can spend some time talking with you about the puppy's problems. She may know of some folks close to you who can provide support and assistance. If you want to send me your email address (use the "PM REPLY" to post a private message to me) or send to fbatchelor@earthlink.net, and I will get her in touch with you. Otherwise, I will send her email address to you and you can contact her directly. Hang in there. This puppy could be turned around to be the best dog you've ever known, but it probably doesn't seem that way now. If it just gets to be too much for you, Betsey can talk to you about the OES Rescue program. |
lora, how are things going now? my puppy matie was very "mouthy" when i first got her.  when your puppy bites, tell him no in a calm yet firm voice. then, offer a chew toy, as soon as he takes the toy in his mouth, tell him how good he is and pet him. give lots of attention and praise for good behavior. this seemed to work for me. now, matie is 5 months old and when she gets too excited when we play and goes to bite at me, i tell her no and put my hands in my pockets and she immediately stops in her tracks. as far as laying around and petting, you will be able to do that in about a year...for now, it's go, go, go!  also, try to get him into some type of obedience school/puppy kindergarden. this does wonders and it is never too early to start. then, when they are bad, you can make them sit or do a down, or something that they have to think about to distract them from the bad behavior and they get praise. also, you may find some videos or something on-line. as for the potty, take him out on a leash to the "potty zone" when you know he will have to go ie: after eating or a nap. tell him to go potty or whatever you say and when he does, praise like you've never praised before and even give a treat. if he goes in the house, the trainer i go to told me to have him on leash and next to you and make him watch as you clean it up and talk to him in a very dissatisfied tone, not loud, just not happy. then, when he has to go again, do the first part and praise when he goes where you want him to. he'll get the picture. good luck to you and hang in there. it won't be long...the first few weeks, i though about giving up matie because it is very hard at times to have a puppy. now, i could not imagine life without her. she is the best and i love her as if i had given birth to her!  |
| I have a OES and he is 13 years old. Last two years he had problems both at back legs and stomach, now he seems better but i really do not know what to feed him now. Since he was 3 months old, he has been fed by cooked food (especially made for him)eg boiled meat,chicken with rice and some boiled vegetables. But now he seems not to like it and have become rather choosy. Some veterinarian have advised me dry food some do not. Can you give me advice by the way i live in Turkey and maybe i may have some problem finding [/b]special dry food for unhealty dogs. |
| Dear Lora,
I share your frustration. Barney is just 4 mo. today. I have and am going through many of the same stages as you. You know training is necessary, the window of early puppy stage is short and you don't know what to do. Briefly how I handled some of the situations you mentioned: Housebreaking: I have found crating is the only way to go. I picked up Barney and had the crate with me in the back of my pickup (secured so it couldn't slide around, truck has a camper shell). I began the trip with him in the front seat and quickly realized I could drive with him wanting to play. I put him in the crate and started the 1½ hour trip. He cried, howled and carried only like he was being killed for the first 45 min. Then settled down a bit. By the time we got home he was quiet and did mess in the crate. That evening I put him to bed in the crate in the kitchen and again he howled etc. Finally I realized I wouldn't get any sleep like that, so I moved the crate into the Bedroom. He continued to howl. I was determined that negative response from me would only reinforce his behavior, so I made up my mind I would have to listen to him till he got tired. After 45 min. he finally gave up and we went to sleep. The second night was the same. After that thing began to improve. Last week one evening he woke me up at midnight with barking and whining. He had been out for potty before he went to bed and I decided he didn't have to go out and just wanted to get out of the crate. I was tired, frustrated and had all kinds of visions of negative responses. I resisted my urges and finally decided I would patiently wait until he stopped long enough to listen to me. Lights were out, I laid in bed. When he paused I said "down" in a calm, but firm tone. And kept repeating this until he was quiet for a moment, then "good boy" with enthusiasm. This went on for 2 hours! But I won. No problems since. But I expect he will try me again. For the first month he woke me up in the middle of the night wanting to go potty. I got up, let him out, put the leash on him and took him to the fenced in pen area where he was to go. Now he still doesn't like to go in his crate when I go to work or put him to bed, but he has never messed up the crate from day one. Now when he goes potty, he may pee on the way to the pen, but always does his business in the pen. But the secret I found in training him to go potty outside is to learn his signals. Figure on the dog going when he gets up, after eating, after playing; then whenever he seems to loose interest in and activity and starts walking around. You got to keep an eye on him and when he starts this behavior, say lets go potty and take him to where you want him to go. If he messes in the house, show him the mistake (don't rub his nose in it) Say "shame, shame, shame" and take him calmly to the proper place. Repitition and consistency is a must. Don't show anger. When he does his business properly or signals and you get the signal, praise him profusely and enthusiastically. One day I lost my cool when he messed just after he went out. I blew up at him, grabbed him by the nape of his neck and proceeded to drag him out. He turned on me with teeth flailing and the resulting scent wasn't pretty. While he was outside, I bandaged up, and then went outside and we kissed and made up. If you blow it, remember OES want only your love. They are as forgiving as the Lord. As to biting, I have had success with long sleeve shirts and constantly using "no teeth" when begins mouthing me. That habit is not corrected yet and although I don't think it is as bad as some of the other dogs discussed on this forum, I think it is a puppy thing and will require continued correction until his permanent teeth are in place (6 months). If chew of furniture, etc. is a problem, I found a solution of olive oil and cayenne pepper works wonders (except on my shoes and I'm still looking for a solution there), and I give Barney marrow bones (I have the butcher cut up the cow's femur bone in 2" lengths.) I will knaw endlessly on them. Jumping: I consistently use "off, off, off...." until he gets down when he wants to jump on my lap, or any thing else. Once he tried this to me while I was walking; a quick hard knee to him hard enough to send him on his back one time did the trick. I think you get the idea. What works for Barney may not work for your dog. I don't think there is a magic formula, except trial and error and when you find something he responds to be consistent, patient and firm. Do read all the behavior threads on this forum, I've learned much there. You'll notice frequent replies by Ron, Willowsprite, Stormi and others. They are the generous backbone of wonderful supporting people who have gone through what you're going through. But at the end of the tunnel you find your OES is the greatest in the world. If I can be of further help, my email is ggarth@sbcglobal.net. God bless. George |
| Lora - how old are your children? |
| ahhhhhhhhhh yes the very puppy stage!!my mr.perfect Mickey wasnt always perfect he is now 10months old,but when I 1st got him he also would bite,nip,nibble.w/ most heading dogs it is bred into them to nip,bite for hearding purposes.i also have a collie and let me tell you my collie was 10times worse at breaking him from nipping/biteing.the good news is you will be able to STOP all biteing,Mickey is 10months old and now he is starting to understand that NO biteing of any kind is allowed.I did the firm NO!and gave him/them a chew toy to chew,and for the most part that worked,but i also had to slap them under their chin making them bite their tounge,sounds mean,but let me say it works.I only would do that when they just wont listen to the firm NO!let them feel what it feels like to be biten. also the potty training you have to crate,mickey also cried alot when i 1st put him in his crate,but thats only due to them wanting to be next to us.So leave him in the crate when you go out for the day so that he gets used to it,also put some treats,toys,and a comfy blanket for him to lay on.8wks old is very young and you can break him of any bad ahbits he may have.Altho his biting hurts and can be scarey idont think he is doing it to be mean,like i said it is bred in them for hearding,so give him lots of love,and lots of room to make mistakes,but give him alot of praise. hope i have helped in some way. |
| Lora's post was from October 2002, I wonder what happened with her and her pup? |
Oh my  hehe!!!i didnt even look at that date well i hope all worked out for her and her puppers. |
I think Ron put that there in the "posts since last visit" to see if we really could read.  It sure brought out the spirit of concern and helpfulness of the group, eh gang. |
George wrote: I think Ron put that there in the "posts since last visit" to see if we really could read.
It sure brought out the spirit of concern and helpfulness of the group, eh gang.I'm sure your thoughtful post will be useful to someone going through the same thing. I'm sure there's someone out there experiencing something like this - and maybe they aren't comfortable asking for help! |
| May I recommend THE DOG LISTENER, from Jan Fennell.
It is VERY enlightening and I believe that it will help. The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation |
| Hi everyone. it would be nice if there was a sheepie owner who lived near you could help you and your family and maybe look after your little pup for a couple of hours perhaps someone with abit more experience of sheepies luv pepe |
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