We're moving in a few months to be in a better school district, and it will mean going from a house with a yard to an apartment. The new neighborhood is much safer, and has much more green space, so I think overall it will be great for Lyle (2 year old 27 lb mutt, who has been with us almost a year), plus we'll have to get up and walk him 3 times a day which he will love, but I have a few concerns:
1) Poop -- Lyle has poop accidents sometimes when I'm at work. He's really prone to upset stomach/diarrhea and I think he tries hard not to, but sometimes it happens. They are always in the exact same spot and I just clean them up, since it's hardwood. The new apartment is all carpet, however. Can I train him to use a "pee pad" for this purpose? How would I do that? Is there any hope of training him to ask to go outside/hold it if possible and use the pad as a last resort?
2) Dog park -- I don't know if you remember that I posted that Lyle was really growly with us around Christmas, and snapped once (clearly a warning, not an attempt to bite, because he backed away first and the snapped at a distance -- still not cool). Anyway, we did a couple of things -- banned him from the furniture, upped the NILIF, kept him closer so he got more attention, and started making sure he drank more as he was diagnosed with crystals in his urine at the same time. The problem disappeared, with humans. However, every time we've gone to the dog park since then he's fine and then a new dog will come in and he'll get very growly -- if it's a big dog he throws his front legs over them (not humping, because the other dog's spine is right under his front "armpits") and makes a noise like an outboard motor. If it's a little dog he'l snarl and circle the other dog making a growly noise. I always end up snatching his collar and we leave. I don't think he'd bite -- I'm 99% sure of that, but of course I can't take that 1% chance so we leave every time. With no backyard I'd really love for him to be able to run and play sometimes, so I'd love to get him "dog park" trained -- any suggestions?
3) The leash -- he's a big time puller, it's really annoying, and if we're walking a lot more it will be even more annoying. I've tried all the training suggestions, but I think we're ready for something like a head collar or a harness. Any ideas on which is best? His head is shaped like a border collie, if that makes a difference.
4) Bedroom -- right now when I go to work, he's locked in to "his bedroom", which has no bed or chairs to jump on (yes, I cleared the furniture out of a room just for him), because of the concern that him being on the furniture was leading to the guarding. Our new place is 2 bedrooms, so he'll need to be in my room, DS's room or the living room when we go out, all of which have soft furniture. He stays off the furniture if we're there, but I've seen him through the window and he jumps right up if we go away. How likely is it that furniture access when we're away would lead to the space guarding coming back?
If you're read this far, thank you!
1) Poop -- Lyle has poop accidents sometimes when I'm at work. He's really prone to upset stomach/diarrhea and I think he tries hard not to, but sometimes it happens. They are always in the exact same spot and I just clean them up, since it's hardwood. The new apartment is all carpet, however. Can I train him to use a "pee pad" for this purpose? How would I do that? Is there any hope of training him to ask to go outside/hold it if possible and use the pad as a last resort?
2) Dog park -- I don't know if you remember that I posted that Lyle was really growly with us around Christmas, and snapped once (clearly a warning, not an attempt to bite, because he backed away first and the snapped at a distance -- still not cool). Anyway, we did a couple of things -- banned him from the furniture, upped the NILIF, kept him closer so he got more attention, and started making sure he drank more as he was diagnosed with crystals in his urine at the same time. The problem disappeared, with humans. However, every time we've gone to the dog park since then he's fine and then a new dog will come in and he'll get very growly -- if it's a big dog he throws his front legs over them (not humping, because the other dog's spine is right under his front "armpits") and makes a noise like an outboard motor. If it's a little dog he'l snarl and circle the other dog making a growly noise. I always end up snatching his collar and we leave. I don't think he'd bite -- I'm 99% sure of that, but of course I can't take that 1% chance so we leave every time. With no backyard I'd really love for him to be able to run and play sometimes, so I'd love to get him "dog park" trained -- any suggestions?
3) The leash -- he's a big time puller, it's really annoying, and if we're walking a lot more it will be even more annoying. I've tried all the training suggestions, but I think we're ready for something like a head collar or a harness. Any ideas on which is best? His head is shaped like a border collie, if that makes a difference.
4) Bedroom -- right now when I go to work, he's locked in to "his bedroom", which has no bed or chairs to jump on (yes, I cleared the furniture out of a room just for him), because of the concern that him being on the furniture was leading to the guarding. Our new place is 2 bedrooms, so he'll need to be in my room, DS's room or the living room when we go out, all of which have soft furniture. He stays off the furniture if we're there, but I've seen him through the window and he jumps right up if we go away. How likely is it that furniture access when we're away would lead to the space guarding coming back?
If you're read this far, thank you!
Not a bad dog...just a dominant one.
As long as you enforce it while you're home I think he'll get the message - and that is "humans own the furniture". After you've settled in the new place (not right away cause there can be issues with adjusting at first) you can consider giving him the run of the place, depending on how things go.
