QuestionI got my pomeranian "Munchkin" when she was about 8 weeks old. She was the cutest little puppy that I just couldn't resist. I have had her for almost a year now. She is a hyper little thing that always chews up everything. One time she even chewed up my roomates $400 dollar pair of headphones. I kept telling myself that she is just a puppy and she will grow out of it. She has chewed up countless amounts of shoes, paper, and even electrical cords! She also has never been really cuddely. Her and I just never really connected. I spend a lot of time with her. For the first 4 months I wasn't working and spent most of my days at home with her. She has plently of toys and bones to chew on. I have been very consistant with her about potty training and STILL after a year, she isn't making ANY improvements on anything. She hates to cuddle, she is impossible to potty train and she loves destroying everything. Am I doing something wrong as a pet owner? I love her so much, but I am getting to the point where I don't know if I can keep her anymore. She is my world, and it kills me to even think about giving her away. PLEASE help me out here. I need some MAJOR advice as to what I should do. Thank you so much for your time.
Jessica
AnswerI understand. Sometimes when we have a pet we just don't click... and sometimes we expect more than they can give. There are some things you could be doing differently that I think may give you better results. You should give your dog three things and in this order to get a better behaved pet-
1)excercise. Dogs are roaming pack animals and do better with excercise. Withought daily walks that expend their energy they will become destructive and bored.
2)discipline. Without CONSISTANT and CLEAR expectations your dog will not understand its bounderies and will quickly teach its human that it is the alpha leader of its "pack" and you need to make sure to show your dog in what you say and do and how you say and do it that you are the leader. An obedience class will be VERY beneficial to you BOTH. Share your concerns with the teacher. Watch The Dog Whisperer and buy his book.
3)love. This is given AFTER excercise and discipline to show the dog that it is behaving in a way that is suitable to you.
Make sure your dog has suitable chew items. When you find her chewing on the wrong things, scold without hitting and take it away and then give her somethng she can chew on. ANd when you see her doing what you want-bait and praise her. In time she will come to understand what you want from her.
If you can't be more assertive and more consistant then it isn't fair for her to be an envirnment of tension and hostility.
By the way-she had no idea your roommates shoes were special or expensive... like a toddler... nothing should be left where she can get to it that she shouldn't have/ Gettng a dog you have to do the same as baby proofing your home. Thread or wrap wires in pvc, put things away and praise when she is laying and chewing the right things. :o)
Best of luck.
Check out my links page for some training tips or check out the archive questions.
-Trish
www.geminipoms.com
