Behavoir Issues

Question
QUESTION: I have two cockers, they are both roughly 6 1/2 months...we have had her since she was 7 weeks, and we just got him in late August. She is a little angel when it comes to behaving, the only problems I have with her is she thinks she is queen of the castle and comes when I call only when she is ready to come to me, and just pretty much does what ever she wants but she does not chew anything besides her toys or get into things she knows she is not supposed too... Him on the other hand, I have no clue where to start... he is just starting to mark in the house, will chew anything ESPECIALLY phone cords, gets into the trash, every time I turn my back he is into something...I have tried everything, I tried taking away what he is not supposed to chew on and gave him a toy, when that wasn't working I tried punishing him and putting him in their kennel for 15 min, that doesn't work I'm at my wits end with him chewing... I used to let our girl out every morning and go back to bed and not worry about something getting destroyed or an "accident" happening, but ever since we got him he will not let us know when he needs to go out, so I just let them out every couple hours.... My girl will let us know when she has to go, I taught her to scratch at the back door, I tried that with him but it did not pick up.... I have no idea what to do about the accidents, and the chewing... I would like to be able to leave their kennel door open at night(they share a huge kennel since he freaks out if he is not with the girl all the time) without worrying about accidents or things getting destroyed

ANSWER: Well, he's a boy and you know how boys are :) !

Now, first of all re the housebreaking.  You have to back up and start from Square One.
Don't "put" him out - take him.  When he goes - praise & reward.  He's not going to "pick it up".
You're going to have to teach him.  So pick a command "go potty" or whatever you choose and when you see he's about to go - give the command.  Then praise & reward.  It won't take long for him to connect the dots.

Puppy proof your house as best you can.  He'll outgrow this but in the meantime get all over it.
You're going to have to put in some time but get a few empty pop cans and fill with 15 pennies..duct tape the top shut.  When you see him even approaching the garbage/phone cord/etc.
say NO and raise the can in the air and bring it down hard ONCE.

When you're out or unable to supervise - confine them both in a safe place with nothing to destroy.  The key to training is to anticipate and stop behavior before it starts.  Once or twice with the can of pennies and you'll just have to say NO and pick it up.  He'll back off.

And don't forget you didn't get him till he was 5 months or so - you're going to have to correct his lack of training.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did the penny trick with our female when we first got her, it worked, and then once she was trained anytime she tried to test the waters and see how far she could push I would use the can and she just ignored it, but she is trained and listens (for the most part) to voice commands. Im worried about using the can on him, he is extremely skittish, we have very strong belief that he was abused by his previous owner. He was terrified of my husband at first, and loud noises make him run for the kennel. He does listen exceptionally well when I call him or tell him no. I am going to puppy proof better today, and start going out with him, (im not sure why I didn't already do that with him since I did that with the female). What can I do about him marking his territory though?

ANSWER: It's hard sometimes when you have an anxious dog to know "when and how" to discipline.  Our latest rescue was an emotional mess BUT he'd also sit beside the dinner table and whine/bark.
I used the can once and it never happened again.  Even anxious dogs do need correction. Being afraid to correct will only result in further problems.

Just understand that it's one NO and one loud noise.  You then ignore the entire situation and his reaction.  Keep it fast and simple.  No chat - no scolding - no reaction.  Go instantly back to what you were doing.

If you get all over the housebreaking - command, praise, reward - he'll catch on in a week but you need to get him out every 3 hours and be patient.  Hopefully both these dogs get long walks daily?  That's a total necessity for a stable dog.  And always watch for the signal he's about to go on a walk..give the command, praise & reward.

Depending on your schedule, you can also do the umbilical cord exercise with him.  This is a huge message for a dog.  All you do is attach his short leather leash to your belt loop (or wherever) and where you go - he goes.  No Chat.  It helps anxious dogs and calms aggressive dogs.

As far as the territorial marking goes - check on how much he's urinating.  If it's excessive and he really can't seem to hold it - it could be a UTI.  For instance, you've had him out and he's piddled and half an hour later he goes in the house.  This would make me get a first morning urine sample into the vet.  Catch in a sterile container and either get it in right away or refrigerate it.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It really isn't excessive, its only happened 5x (that I've noticed) since we got him. And it is always in the two same spots, on the trash can in our bedroom, and on the clothes in the basement. He follows me everywhere and goes downstairs with me when I do laundry, and it is always on the pile of dirty clothes that he does it. Also, my husband plays really rough with our girl, and she thinks it's ok to bite at, and play rough with me. How do I break her of this. Also, she has aggressive tendencies towards me but not my husband. For instance, she will bite at my hands through the bars of the wire kennel when I go to lock the door of the kennel before I leave. I've tried the can on her with this but all it does it make her lunge at me more while I'm trying to to lock the door. What can I do about this? Sorry I know this is a lot.

Answer
"Sometimes" you can stop the problem by blocking the areas.  It's breaking the habit.  Put him on umbilical cord when you go to the laundry room.  Move the trash can in your bedroom.

Your husband is exacerbating this problem by playing rough.  You can't break her of it when he's telling her "it's okay".  It's NEVER okay for her to put her teeth on a person. Does she actually bite/nip or just threaten to?

Here's what to do. Any time she growls..even plays at nipping...get down on her level and STARE into her eyes...be very still and use a calm but serious voice and say NO.  Do NOT lose eye contact..continue staring..NO again...and wait till she breaks eye contact.  You just won.

Staring is alpha behavior.  In a pack if she was being obnoxious, the alpha dog would first give a low warning growl (NO)..and then turn her head and stare.

Your dogs are a bit out of control and I'm hoping you and your husband will get on top of this.
Don't worry about too many questions..it's what I'm here for.

Just to define things a bit.  Next time you put her in her kennel, sit on the floor in front of it and if she does anything...stop and be physically still.....STARE...NO!  Count to 3..NO! Keep eyeballing her.
Tell me what happens.
Delores