Having to get rid of a very bad dog

[damo]

Originally posted by aprilgail2
That must be a cocker spaniel thing...we worked and worked on housebreaking and someone was home 24/7 but he didn't get it right until he was over a year and a half....people down the block have one and I went and talked to them and theirs didn't get house breaking down until over a year and a half either....they really are pretty dumb dogs....

LOL! You got that right. We prefer to say they are just stubborn. But, aren't they worth it?

 

[rascalmom]

We have a Westie - this thread has actually surprised me with the behaviors described. He is 1 1/2 now and just a joy. He does bark - when the door bell rings, another animal is in the yard, etc. but never for very long. That TV doorbell thing still confuses him - lol. We have a saying in our house "westies are the besties" because he has been just a great little pet.

Anyway, just wanted to say good luck with your parents' situation. The rescue groups sound like a great idea - I'm glad to know they're out there.

 

[grinningghost]

I can't tell you all how thankful I am for these responses. I mean, really, this is such a great show of support on a not-so-nice subject. To update you all, I'm currently babysitting the Westie at my house for a week. My dad is a wreck - he thinks the dog is going to cause me to have an MS attack (he's a compulsive worrier). She's been here for several hours now, and she's not being TOO bad.

But the barking is an issue. I'm seriously considering going to get a bark collar and try it out while she's here. My parents refused to try one, but I figure what they don't know won't hurt them, and IF it works, maybe then they'll have a change of heart. I just can't get over HOW MUCH this dog barks. She barks all the time, inside, outside, standing up, laying down, while eating, it's quite astonishing actually.

I wish I could post a picture of her, because you would all see that she's very cute, and her cuteness has probably kept her alive for these 2 long years.

 

[grinningghost]

Oh, I forgot to mention that she also barks at TV doorbells and TV dogs. TV dogs drive her insane. She'll bark for hours after hearing one "ruff" on TV.

She also howls when she hears sirens. Unfortunately, we don't live far from the local fire station, so sirens are frequent around here.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

You are all very fortunate. When we first married I bought a german shepherd since I had grown up with them. He turned nasty--not to us, he loved us, but to children. He bit our friend's 4 year old daughter, but we didn't have the heart to get rid of him. We got the "vicious dog" insurance and never had any kids at the house. 3 months later he jumped through a window screen to take a bite out of the paper boy. Knowing I wouldn't have the nerve to put him down if I waited, I put him down that very day. I ended up paying hefty fines for not waiting the 10 day incubation period--although he had his shots, you are supposed to wait and see if they have rabies. They almost made the poor kid get shots, luckily his mother put her foot down. I also had to pay a fine because he got loose, even though he jumped out of a window. I only wish he had only been a barker. It was a very painful incident for me, and as a mother now I can only imagine the grief we caused our friend (still friends, daugher is now 20) and the paperboy's mom.
Robin M.

 

[RUDisney]

If you don't want to go the barking collar route, there is a gadget made that is like a remote control. I'm sure an online search will display this for you. My sister and BIL bought one because their terrier is a barking terror. It has a red button and a green button. The green button sends off a sound that supports the behavior and the red button sends off an offensive sound that contradicts the behavior. Humans can't hear these sounds, so no worry for that. They really got their dog to behave with that. As a matter of fact, they can pick up any remote if he starts misbehaving and threaten to push the red button and he behaves. From what she initially told us, it wasn't all that expensive either.

 

[RUDisney]

I looked on ebay for something similar to what I described in my last post. It's not exactly the same remote, but it works exactly the same way. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2377303385&category=43426

 

[luvwinnie]

Have they tried a professional trainer? Hiring one made a HUGE difference with our Winnie.

 

[Crankyshank]

This is a prime example as to why dog owners need to invest in obedience training for their dogs. Barking can be overcome with dilligence and obedience training. Believe me, I have 2 hounds and I don't think there are many dogs that love the sound of their own voice more.

If your parents are unable to commit to the dog any more, then definitely contact a rescue group. They will make sure the dog gets fostered, training, and will go to a good home instead of being euthanized

 

[grinningghost]

Update: Loud mouth Westie now has a barking collar. DH and I went out and bought one, and since she's had it on, she has hardly barked at all. One big bark, a couple little ones, that's it. It's like heaven. She's so quiet, I keep forgetting she's here. It must be a miracle. I was afraid she would be in pain, but she obviously isn't (she is still obsessed with chasing my cat).

Now, if only I could somehow convince my parents to use this thing.

And yep. She's had obedience training too. Didn't work. The only time she did anything obedient was when she got a treat. No treat and this dog is out of there.

 

[damo]

Originally posted by grinningghost
Update: Loud mouth Westie now has a barking collar. DH and I went out and bought one, and since she's had it on, she has hardly barked at all. One big bark, a couple little ones, that's it. It's like heaven. She's so quiet, I keep forgetting she's here. It must be a miracle. I was afraid she would be in pain, but she obviously isn't (she is still obsessed with chasing my cat).

Do you know if they make them for teenagers?

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by damo
Do you know if they make them for teenagers?

I'll put it on my teenager when she gets home and let you know how it works out.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Originally posted by damo
Do you know if they make them for teenagers?

LOL!! One that makes them stop eating would be good for me!!

 

[Jockaroo]

Encourage your parents to keep up with the obedience training--it doesn't end just because class is over. And using small bits of food isn't a bad thing. My female rescue had several issues when we got her. She went through 2 sets of obedience and private tutoring lessons. She isn't the smartest pup, but she is so loveable and wants to please us. I still work with her on the lessons--two years later. She has to keep things fresh in her mind. And age is not an issue. She was 4 when she went through class--our male had never been in obedience, but I used the information I learned from class to take off some of his "rough" edges. He was nearly 7 at the time--and a much quicker learner!!!

I don't know much about the bark collars, but if they are humane and working--go for it. I am so glad to hear that you and your family care this much about working through these problems for your little Westie.

Best of luck.
-Jockaroo