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Okay, you're probably wondering what the heck this post is going to be about because of the title!
Well, here's the thing. I am an Assistant to a couple. I go to their house and do a variety of things for them. Well, one of the things I'm to do is help with the dogs. This is great, as I love dogs!!!
They have one dog that is a few years old (a miniature schnauzer, very sweet she is!) and the other one is a new puppy. He's an Airesdale (sp?). He is very cute! And he's going to be a big boy!!!
Well, the schnauzer is a good girl, except for some reason she has issues going in the house sometimes, and of course, she doesn't like the puppy.
The puppy? Well, he's being crate trained, which I think is good. He likes his crate! He does seem to have a problem with biting, however. He will bite hands, clothes, whatever he can. He likes to try to eat leaves off of plants.
When he does these things I tell him NO!! The owners told me when he bites to put him in his crate. I know puppies bite and chew on everything, but his teeth are so sharp, and he seems to bite more than other puppies I've had experiences with.
Then the other day I had them outside, and a van was driving down the road. As soon as it passed the driveway, the puppy took off after it!!! They have a big yard and I ran after him and caught him. When I picked him up, though, he sure was angry!!! He was growling and trying to bite me and squirming trying to get me to put him down. I put him down when we were safely away from the road and then we went inside. I've noticed that he does this "fighting and biting" thing when he's doing something bad and I pick him up to remove him from whatever it is that's bad. I know picking him up is not a great idea, as soon I won't be able to. So I must learn how to get him away from the "danger" without doing this, and probably soon.
I've been reading the things on here about biting, and things to do and not to do, etc. And I've been reading about other "puppy things", too. I have no experience with that type of dog, so I'm researching them. (of course, anone who does have experience with his breed, please feel free to jump in with information! I will be more than happy to learn anything I can)
I think part of the problem is, I can't be inconsistant with the owners of the puppy. I do put him in his crate when he bites, after I tell him no. Yet I read some place that you shouldn't use their crate as punishment for them. It would be hard to anyway, if they like their crate, I would think! So is there anything else I can do in addition to this that could help?
Do you guys have any advice on what I could do that wouldn't interfere with what he is being taught, or mess him up and make him confused, but would allow me to help train him in some way? I am with the dogs between 3 and 5 days per week, for a few hours each day, minimum. (the puppy has only been with them a few weeks, and may be about 10 or 11 weeks old?) The owners have had many dogs over the years, so this isn't their first puppy, of course, and he isn't the first dog of this breed they've had, either (I didn;t know the other ones, though, as I've only been employed with them for just under a year).
I just want to help him be a good doggie and do what's best for him! (and the sweet little girl, too, if you can help me figure out how to get her to stop going in the house! I don't think they know how to, either.)
What would you guys want from someone who was helping with your dogs?
Does anyone have any advice regarding this situation? I do love dogs, and I am normally very good with them. Dogs and animals in general just seem drawn to me and they always like me for some reason. ( good judge of character? ) I guess this situation is just a new one for me and I really don't want to screw up!!! I communicate with the couple well enough, but I'm not sure how I would approach them, either, regarding any ideas or suggestions for things we can do, you know. To me it would be like telling someone how to parent their child. You just don't do that. People get offended, I think. So any suggestions on that would be good, too.
Anyway, thanks for reading this, and any advice you can offer me. I really appreciate it!!! If there is anything else you may need to know in order to help me, please just let me know.
Coffee...
Well, here's the thing. I am an Assistant to a couple. I go to their house and do a variety of things for them. Well, one of the things I'm to do is help with the dogs. This is great, as I love dogs!!!
They have one dog that is a few years old (a miniature schnauzer, very sweet she is!) and the other one is a new puppy. He's an Airesdale (sp?). He is very cute! And he's going to be a big boy!!!
Well, the schnauzer is a good girl, except for some reason she has issues going in the house sometimes, and of course, she doesn't like the puppy.
The puppy? Well, he's being crate trained, which I think is good. He likes his crate! He does seem to have a problem with biting, however. He will bite hands, clothes, whatever he can. He likes to try to eat leaves off of plants.
When he does these things I tell him NO!! The owners told me when he bites to put him in his crate. I know puppies bite and chew on everything, but his teeth are so sharp, and he seems to bite more than other puppies I've had experiences with.
Then the other day I had them outside, and a van was driving down the road. As soon as it passed the driveway, the puppy took off after it!!! They have a big yard and I ran after him and caught him. When I picked him up, though, he sure was angry!!! He was growling and trying to bite me and squirming trying to get me to put him down. I put him down when we were safely away from the road and then we went inside. I've noticed that he does this "fighting and biting" thing when he's doing something bad and I pick him up to remove him from whatever it is that's bad. I know picking him up is not a great idea, as soon I won't be able to. So I must learn how to get him away from the "danger" without doing this, and probably soon.
I've been reading the things on here about biting, and things to do and not to do, etc. And I've been reading about other "puppy things", too. I have no experience with that type of dog, so I'm researching them. (of course, anone who does have experience with his breed, please feel free to jump in with information! I will be more than happy to learn anything I can)
I think part of the problem is, I can't be inconsistant with the owners of the puppy. I do put him in his crate when he bites, after I tell him no. Yet I read some place that you shouldn't use their crate as punishment for them. It would be hard to anyway, if they like their crate, I would think! So is there anything else I can do in addition to this that could help?
Do you guys have any advice on what I could do that wouldn't interfere with what he is being taught, or mess him up and make him confused, but would allow me to help train him in some way? I am with the dogs between 3 and 5 days per week, for a few hours each day, minimum. (the puppy has only been with them a few weeks, and may be about 10 or 11 weeks old?) The owners have had many dogs over the years, so this isn't their first puppy, of course, and he isn't the first dog of this breed they've had, either (I didn;t know the other ones, though, as I've only been employed with them for just under a year).
I just want to help him be a good doggie and do what's best for him! (and the sweet little girl, too, if you can help me figure out how to get her to stop going in the house! I don't think they know how to, either.)
What would you guys want from someone who was helping with your dogs?
Does anyone have any advice regarding this situation? I do love dogs, and I am normally very good with them. Dogs and animals in general just seem drawn to me and they always like me for some reason. ( good judge of character? ) I guess this situation is just a new one for me and I really don't want to screw up!!! I communicate with the couple well enough, but I'm not sure how I would approach them, either, regarding any ideas or suggestions for things we can do, you know. To me it would be like telling someone how to parent their child. You just don't do that. People get offended, I think. So any suggestions on that would be good, too.
Anyway, thanks for reading this, and any advice you can offer me. I really appreciate it!!! If there is anything else you may need to know in order to help me, please just let me know.
Coffee...