In my opinion...LACK OF EXERCISE, MENTAL STIMULATION and DISCIPLINE!  In the few short weeks I have been on the site, I consistently see people asking about behaviors they dislike or something their dog is doing, but most of these issues are due to lack of exercise, mental stimulation and discipline. Some dog owners do not fully comprehend what their dogs need on a daily basis for exercise and mental stimulation for them to function normally like a dog. As most people work and have busy schedules, dogs are left in the house with a couple a toys and chewies for 8+ hours.  This is a big reason why dogs have issues of chewing furniture, going to the bathroom inside, hyperactivity when you come home and over all depression. What if you crate your dog all day??? I am fortunate to have a good job where I can pay for 2 of my dogs to go to daycare 3-4 days a week. my rottie is 10 years old/175 lbs and can not play like my other 2 (arthritus and hips).  but daycare may not be possible in all instintances and i understand that, but i guess my point is what do people expect??  I have a "high energy, working, terrier, sporting, fill in your choice of whatever dog you have"  who is chewing my furniture because i am working all the time, is agressive with other dogs because i did not properly socialize him as a puppy or now. He is overweight because i can only walk him 10 minutes in the morning and night, pulls on the leash when i'm out walking him so i come back 5 minutes early and doesn't respect me or my family because I let him do whatever he wants as i dress him up in clothes and new outfits!  Look, I am not saying that these people are bad people or bad owners. I would like to see more people read and research about dogs, and what your dogs needs truely are before you even get a dog. Dogs are a HUGE responsiblity, especially at risk breeds for people to just go out and get. This is why there are so many shelters over pouring with dogs. For the newer people who are just coming, do some research on this site or the web about your problem. 99% chance, your problem dog, is the same as someone else's problem dog. A dog is a dog, it doesn't matter if it's a poodle, pitbull or chocolate lab. The issues you are having with your dog, are usually not breed specific. As I ramble, please read some books and research your problems, the answers are here, just search. And please spay and neuter your dogs! My appologies for being blunt and direct about these matters, but I thought it is something that needed to be said. If you would like to ask me anything about dogs or training, send me a private message I will try to answer them quickly.

(have you ever seen a police dog, highly trained agility dog or service/therapy dog chew on furniture?)

 

 

 

Hello! :)

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! That's a very good post and I agree with you 100%. As Cesar says, that's the best way to change things for better and help the dog owners is to EDUCATE them although it's hard at times (not because of the dog behavioral issues but because of the owners' attitudes...)

I'm glad that you mentioned about the MENTAL simulations as well. A dog is not just a physical body and it's a terrible thing to wast a dog's mind that has SO much potential. My dog has never been destructive or never had any serious behavioral problems partly because together with exercise and discipline she got a lot of mental stimulation (and she's getting it on a regular basis). We do obedience together, agility together, trick training, started K9 Freestyle and it's all fun for both of us! We are the whole world to our dogs and it's a great responsibility to fill their world with positive ways of spending the time. If we don't do that as pack leaders, they'll try to figure out the ways to "entertain" themselves" and it's in most cases a destructive and potentially dangerous way.

Again - thanks for sharing your thoughts! It's all VERY, VERY true! :)

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Lexi with the pack

SHAKTI's website:

www.ShaktiShiloh.webs.com

Well said! I am so glad that sites like this one are available to help all the people searching for answers. Cesar's methods can help people even if they made a mistake in their choice of breed to begin with. Hopefully this will help them make a better decision with their next dog. I am thrilled that so many people are seeking help with their dogs here rather than just giving up!

More research on the breed BEFORE adoption is SO important since many of the problem behaviors are what the dog was bred to do or the result of breeding for jobs that require high energy. The activity level and behaviors just aren't compatible with living in most homes. Another reason I have seen adoptions fail is because people are unhappy with the behavior that attracted them to the dog in the first place. They feel sorry for the poor scared dog hiding in the corner of the run at the shelter and then return the dog later because it never shows them the effection they want and they don't think it is happy with them. Or the people that adopt the dog that is jumping around them frantically trying to get their attention but return that dog for being hyper, out of control and jumping on their children a couple of months later. Research about the breed (or breeds in the case of a mix) and watching the dog to see if its behavior is acceptable (as is) and if its energy level matches yours is so important. Cesar talks about this in so many of his shows and in his books and here on Sessions. He is reaching so many people so hopefully many lives will be changed for the better.

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Joanne Johnson
South Carolina
Cesar Millan Ambassador
http://www.GreyhoundCrossroads.com

http://www.sessionswithcesar.com Enter promo code 282334AA

This whole forum topic reminds me of a situation just from this morning, I took my 6 month old chihuahua boy out for a walk with my other dog aggressive sheltie. now obviously I have them on leash, I am working on being a better leader for my sheltie. This HUGE BOUNDING puppy came running out of the bushes at my sheltie, the chi was for some reason spared but boy did this Bouv go straight for my girl... I stopped dead with my chest puffed out and pointed at him... this Bouv stopped dead in his tracks and protested (6 month old pup). after seeing the owner with him I very quickley realized that this was his first dog, and did not know much of the breed... so I asked him... I was right! I told him its good to let your dog run, but there are dogs on leashes for a reason at the park, and he really needed to keep that in mind as far as safety goes for not only his dog but others.

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Rachelle Shpeley's home for neurotic dogs

absolutely...dogs are animals first, then a dog, then the breed. most people will see a dog in a pet shop in the mall or at the rescue shelter and take him in. it's a pity people are impulsive and don't take in considerations that they are taking in an animal and they have no idea what they're doing.  do some research. read some books, reach out to the professionals....

bump

Actually today I just agreed to take in another chihuahua, they cannot find a home for him and cannot keep him because they have 4 other dogs already. so now I have three dogs (starting tommorrow)... and because my sheltie isnt really dog aggressive but she is fear aggressive with other dogs I am taking all three down to the park for a good hike, this will give her a chance to get to know him on common ground... I dont think I will bring them all home until she at least sniffs him. This will also give Toady a chance to get to know me, listen to me, and understand that I am his pack leader now... (he is 4 1/2 months old). Then and only then will I bring him home to the chaos that is my house... as I have three children I know there will be alot of exitement. My children understand that with a new puppy they need to keep a little bit of distance until the puppy comes to them (or any other dog)... I have placed these values into thier minds (it took a year). I dont think it will take him long to become accustomed to everything. anyways, yes i do dress up my chihuahua's.... but not in dresses or anything like that, I am in a very cold climate so they do have a tuff time *going* outside they are shivering so much. they have sweaters for winter... but even dressed in thier sweaters we treat them like dogs... sometimes it is needed as silly as dressing a dog up is.

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Rachelle Shpeley's home for neurotic dogs

Okay - that's all fine and good, but I do have a full time job, four small children, and a husband who works full time.  We have an outdoor kennel that our puppy stays in during the day and while I understand that she's not getting the brain stimulation and the exercise she needs constantly, it is difficult to do when you have a full schedule and you don't get home until after dark.  And yes, I know what everyone's going to say - "you shouldn't get a dog if you don't have the time for it".  I do have the time for it - when I have the time.  I cannot put my dog in a daycare.  Again, I have four children.  But when I am home, she is inside with us, and part of our family.  I need to be able to train her the best I can with what I have.  I don't necessarily want the brightest dog in the world that will go out and get the morning paper for me, but I do want a dog that will come when called, and not pee on the floor.  I do want a dog that will get a long with all of my children, my husband AND me.  And what I'm wondering, is how to get that, on the time that we have together.  I just want a happy family dog who will bark to protect my family but not attack friends that come over.  I do not intend to sound rude, but I am looking for some type of answers other than putting my dog in daycare.  For instance....what do I do when she REFUSES to come when my husband calls her, and yet, she's been bribed with treats, put on a leash, only to be drug across the floor, and pees on the floor? 

 

thank you

first of all dont bribe her with treats. she is being rewarded for bad behavior. second when you go out for walks, take the whole family and make sure that your husband and children are in front of her. on your weekends take her to parks, where there are other people, dont allow them to pet her but get her used to strangers being around.

when a friend comes over (rehearse this one evening) tell them, no touch, no talk, no eye contact... basically they are ignoring the dog. tell them to walk in like shes not even there... if she barks or lunges make sure you have a leash on her so you can correct the negetive bahavior.... once she learns that your husband and children can bring her to places that are exiting to her and all the thousands of new scents she will learn to come when they call her. they will become pack leaders, and as I have said before get cesars book *a member of the family*.

good luck and peace out.

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Rachelle Shpeley's home for neurotic dogs

Ok so most behaviour problems start with boredom as a lot of owners are out most of the day ordidnt do reasearch into the dogs needs etc etc , but not everyone has problems because of these situations,

 

I have 2 dogs both pups both female one lab one staffy, right from the time they were able to go out they have been walked most days for 2 hours at a time, i love walking and they are my walking buddies, the lab was 6 weeks when i had her and the staffy 8 weeks the lab is now 9 months and the staffy 7 months, they have been weel socialised  right from little as I know this is the way forward with staffys so they dont become aggressive with other dogs, they have been taken puppy training classes and are still attending they ahve toys that stimulate them I.E. balls to hide treats inside bones to chew on loads of toys to play with they have a big garden to play in when not walking I work 2 days a week and my older sons who are 19 and 17 walk the dogs on the days I cant.  They have been taught right from wrong and my staffy is a model dog everyone who sees her falls in love and says how well behaved she is.

 

My lab is another case, she has panic attacks when I get her harness out to walk her  she hides under tables etc to get away, when im out walking her she will come when called until she knows its time to go home then wont come anywhere near me, I have tried treats she doesnt want to know, she is brilliant with people espicially children and listens to me and does as she is told when out even if she wont come to me.  so if its to do with lack of training  and control and mental stimulation why is she doing this as she has had everything she needs she is never away from me when I am at home always by my side and she has a crate to go in when im not about the longest she is left alone in a day is 2 hours, so please any help of home to stop her panic atacks and how to get her to come to me when we are going home would be greatly appreciated, I will carry on with the puppy classes and want to take her to agility when she is old enough (12 months) please help