Today's been the straw that broke this girls back. Nothing in particularly different about today, just had it is all. As many of you know, we adopted Bernie (beagle/husky cross) at 8 weeks old. He's now just about 16 weeks, and I am pleased with much of his progress, but others leave me in tears at the end of the day.
Some points of issue:
1. Sleeps maximum 10 hrs/day
2. Absolutely nothing is done at my request unless there is a reward: FOOD (He'll do what's asked once, or twice but if there is no reward, you can't get him to do it again.. for hours)
3. Can't really say much about housebreaking other than he's had few accidents, but he NEVER lets me know he wants out, I am taking him out hourly when he's not sleeping.
4. Seems to have no attachment to either myself or hubby, unless food is involved.
5. Is showing some food aggression this week: growling when I reach my hand into his bowl (done this since day one, and this week is the first he's started to protest), tried to take a bone away from him for no reason other than I wanted to (nearly lost a hand, no bite but as close as I want to come to it), and tonight after a bad bout of absolute insanity, I went to move him from under the chair here, with his rawhide, and he growled again
6. Has absolutely no recall capability off leash outside
I have had a several dogs, most of my life from puppies to adult adoptions. I am aware that I may be expecting too much from a 16 week old puppy, and you are more than welcome to tell me so!
He does sit upon command (he knows both the hand signal and the verbal command), inside or outside of the house (with the expectation of a kibble etc). He does respond to his name and normally comes running when he's called. He will "down" only if there is a kibble placed on the floor for him to "wait" for.
He has 2 1.5 mile walks miniumum/day, as well as being well socialized/dog parked for at least 1 hr/day with the 3 local dogs/owners. He always belly's up (submissive) for strangers, but never has around me.
I guess my concern is my/his lack of bonding on any basis other than food. You CAN'T pet him EVER for his wanting to bite, chew, chomp etc, at any time. He's always been a grumbly bear when he's tired and asleep and you want to move him.. sounds familiarly like me LOL.. but...
I had wanted a dog that loved me, wanted to be with me, followed me in or out, and was some what less dominating??? Don't even know what the word is, but I am exhausted after 14-16 hrs a day of being on dog duty. Any more than 2 seconds unheeded, and he's destroying something. He's either on leash with me, crated in his bed, or sectioned off in the kitchen. Any toys he has he loves, but won't play with them alone. His only focus is food.
I do realize he's a puppy, and both of his mixed breeds are independant/strong willed. I adopted him knowing this. I don't ask for a dog with separation anxiety, but a tail wag when he sees me would be nice! Have I overNILIFed?
Thanks for reading. Any advice or ideas would be welcome. Oh, and yes he was vet checked 2 weeks ago for his shots, and all seemed well in her eyes, but the tearybleary eyes of me should have told her different.
Take care and love your dogs/cats/iguana's whatevers lol.. Kym
Some points of issue:
1. Sleeps maximum 10 hrs/day
2. Absolutely nothing is done at my request unless there is a reward: FOOD (He'll do what's asked once, or twice but if there is no reward, you can't get him to do it again.. for hours)
3. Can't really say much about housebreaking other than he's had few accidents, but he NEVER lets me know he wants out, I am taking him out hourly when he's not sleeping.
4. Seems to have no attachment to either myself or hubby, unless food is involved.
5. Is showing some food aggression this week: growling when I reach my hand into his bowl (done this since day one, and this week is the first he's started to protest), tried to take a bone away from him for no reason other than I wanted to (nearly lost a hand, no bite but as close as I want to come to it), and tonight after a bad bout of absolute insanity, I went to move him from under the chair here, with his rawhide, and he growled again
6. Has absolutely no recall capability off leash outside
I have had a several dogs, most of my life from puppies to adult adoptions. I am aware that I may be expecting too much from a 16 week old puppy, and you are more than welcome to tell me so!
He does sit upon command (he knows both the hand signal and the verbal command), inside or outside of the house (with the expectation of a kibble etc). He does respond to his name and normally comes running when he's called. He will "down" only if there is a kibble placed on the floor for him to "wait" for.
He has 2 1.5 mile walks miniumum/day, as well as being well socialized/dog parked for at least 1 hr/day with the 3 local dogs/owners. He always belly's up (submissive) for strangers, but never has around me.
I guess my concern is my/his lack of bonding on any basis other than food. You CAN'T pet him EVER for his wanting to bite, chew, chomp etc, at any time. He's always been a grumbly bear when he's tired and asleep and you want to move him.. sounds familiarly like me LOL.. but...
I had wanted a dog that loved me, wanted to be with me, followed me in or out, and was some what less dominating??? Don't even know what the word is, but I am exhausted after 14-16 hrs a day of being on dog duty. Any more than 2 seconds unheeded, and he's destroying something. He's either on leash with me, crated in his bed, or sectioned off in the kitchen. Any toys he has he loves, but won't play with them alone. His only focus is food.
I do realize he's a puppy, and both of his mixed breeds are independant/strong willed. I adopted him knowing this. I don't ask for a dog with separation anxiety, but a tail wag when he sees me would be nice! Have I overNILIFed?
Thanks for reading. Any advice or ideas would be welcome. Oh, and yes he was vet checked 2 weeks ago for his shots, and all seemed well in her eyes, but the tearybleary eyes of me should have told her different.
Take care and love your dogs/cats/iguana's whatevers lol.. Kym