More Tommy stuff - ugh!

[witzn]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

I understand that Tommy has issues beyond having too much exercise, but I think because of his age, and the nature of dogs, having extra energy is not helping his underlying problems.

I have not trained a dog for a treadmill, but did find this article that sounded very reasonable - I would reinforce their comments about taking it one step at a time and always attending the dog:

http://www.crsar.com/Treadmill%20Training.htm

Also if he has issues about sound or being spooky, he might not go for this at all, but IMO it would be worth a shot.

Sandy

http://home.earthlink.net/~witzndane...ec15logogo.jpg
http://web.mac.com/Witzn

[XcelDanes]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

Thansk for the link Ive considered getting a tread mill as too icy and cold here to use golf cart to road work this time of year.

http://www.xceldanes.com/naptime_2.JPG
Lisa
www.xceldanes.com

[Sunny]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

Thanks for the link to the treadmill page, Sandy. After reading through it, however, I don't think this is going to be a good idea for Tommy. It looks like you have to have a strong bond and a high level of trust with a dog before introducing a treadmill. I do not yet have that type of relationship with Tommy. He is very skiddish with movements and noises around him. If I hadn't been the one who raised him from 6 weeks old I would have sworn he was abused. If someone moves quickly near him, he flinches as if expecting to be hit. When the kids and my husband come home in the afternoon, he gets very nervous and the pacing gets much worse. The high level of activity really stresses him. The treadmill is a good idea, though, and something I'll keep in mind should things improve with Tommy to a point where I think he can try it.

After having yet another day to think about it, I realize that raising Tommy is just something I have to learn to adjust to. We were playing together for a bit this afternoon and he was quite wonderful. I don't know what his issue is with being outside and I certainly don't get the whole eating of the doggy poo thing. However, at this point, I guess I'm going to have to hang in there and try to be as patient as humanly possible. I get little glimpses every now and then of what kind of dog he can be some day and it's pretty great. I just hope he does eventually get there - for his sake as well as mine.

Thanks for all of your support yet again. I think having this list is the best chance Tommy and I have of getting through his issues and my lack of skills in helping him.

You guys are terrific!

Sunny

[witzn]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

I think you are right that the treadmill might not be right for him, but I don't think you need a special bond with the dog. If he is not generally sound sensitive he might actually like it. I wouldn't compare it to things like the chaos of people arriving home and such, it's much more predictable and he might like that - that and the idea he has a "job" to do being on it. If he was able to deal with the sound of it and like it, it could be something ~for~ you to bond with him over.

Sandy
http://home.earthlink.net/~witzndane...ec15logogo.jpg
http://web.mac.com/Witzn

[Sunny]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

Yeah, maybe I'll try the treadmill if this icky weather lasts too much longer. I guess I'm just worried that my relationship with Tommy will be further inhibited if I try something that doesn't go well. Maybe I'll take him down to the treadmill and see what he thinks of it. I guess as long as I take it slow enough there shouldn't be any harm done should he decide it's not for him.

Thanks again for your help with this. I can't imagine how much more lost I would feel if I didn't have this group. I only hope I can actually contribute some day instead of always being the one with questions.

Sunny

[Devil Dog]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

http://xceldanes.com/Flagdee.JPG


My fawn girl Honey was just like your Tommy. Would not come in no matter what I did or said.

The plain truth was..she had no respect for me. So didn't have to answer or pay attention. My SO on the other hand had the control. While I would yell, threaten and beg her to come in..no soap.

Now Ron {my SO} she respected because she knew {unlike me} he meant business..when he said "Come in." He had her respect because he treated her like a dog..not a misbehaving child. The first time she ignored him he went out, got hold of her collar and brought her in. Never saying one word to her in the process, neither praising or scolding.

The difference was she knew I wouldn't go out and make her come in..but he would.

So altho I know you have medical problems you must try some Tough Love..or invite Ron to come and live with you.

:P :P :P

Dee

[XcelDanes]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

<<..or invite Ron to come and live with you.

If Ron went to live with her Dee Pickles would definately lose weight haha

http://www.xceldanes.com/naptime_2.JPG
Lisa
www.xceldanes.com

[Sunny]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

Tommy and I have had a pretty rough evening. He peed on my kitchen floor three times because he wouldn't go while hooked to the clothesline. The temps here climbed a bit so I decided to cover my face and take a chance on actually walking Tommy out on a leash. I'm wheezing a bit, but he did finally pee outside. After cleaning up 3 gallons of pee on my floor, I think the breathing issue may just be worth it at this point. The weatherman is promising warmer temps all week and they should be close enough to my limit that I think I can take Tommy out for the next few days. We'll see how that goes. Please let Ron know that I may need him on standby just in case!

I also found myself feeling very angry at Tommy after the third accident (I'm just so tired). I think he could sense that because he stayed farther away from me than usual. I'm going to try keeping him on a leash tethered to me tomorrow to see what that does. Maybe if he physically can't run away from me, inside or outside, he'll start to realize that it's not so bad. Any thoughts?

Sunny

[MyDaneBaby]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

I know this is going to sounds stupid, but on cold days I take my hot coffee with me & breath in the steam/hot air, can you do that with coffee or something hot and keep it near your face. I cough a lot less when it's too cold to breath easily.

Mitch

In Memory of Gabe. What he lacked in body he made up for in heart.
Chicagoland pet sitting, grooming & dog training
http://www.knowplacepets.com
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/doofuses.jpg

[trainer]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

>I'm
>going to try keeping him on a leash tethered to me tomorrow to
>see what that does. Maybe if he physically can't run away
>from me, inside or outside, he'll start to realize that it's
>not so bad. Any thoughts?

Yes, thats good. Do it.

Bill Carnes
www.skylarzack.com/rawfeeding.htm

"Unnatural diets predispose animals to unnatural outcomes"
Dr. Tom Lonsdale

"If you won't eat what you are feeding your dog, its not good enough to feed him either."
Bill Carnes

"Causing pain, either physical, mental, or emotional to an animal to force him to act as you think he should is wrong. Doing so only reflects the ignorance of the trainer. There IS a better way."
Bill Carnes

[Sunny]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

>I know this is going to sounds stupid, but on cold days I
>take my hot coffee with me & breath in the steam/hot air, can
>you do that with coffee or something hot and keep it near your
>face. I cough a lot less when it's too cold to breath
>easily.


Hmmm, never thought of anything like that. I'll give it a try this afternoon and see how it goes.

So far this morning, things are going fairly smooth with Tommy. I've had him out on a leash 2 times and he seems to be okay with it. I've also had him tethered to me for the past hour and that's going surprisingly well. He isn't resisting at all and just sort of follows me as I go. I can see the little wheels turning in his head wondering what the heck is going on. I'll let you know how it went at the end of the day.

I know I keep saying it, but I can't thank all of you enough for seeing this through with me. It's so reassuring not to be alone. And, Bill, thanks for chiming in again. I'm glad to know you're still with me, too. Countless times through the day when I feel like launching Tommy across the room, words from your various posts stream through my head and he gets a hug instead of a smack.

Talk to you later!

Sunny

[XcelDanes]

RE: More Tommy stuff - ugh!

Is their other dogs ?Im wondering if hes attached to other dogs and wants to be with them.

http://www.xceldanes.com/naptime_2.JPG
Lisa
www.xceldanes.com