Which training have you found most difficult?

I’ve had dogs nearly all my life, and there are plenty of things I enjoy about training them. However, house training has by far been the most challenging aspect of training. It just takes so much repetition to get them from the puppy pads to the great outdoors. I’d rather train ten dogs for obedience than try to housebreak a single Chihuahua.

So, what has been your biggest training challenge?

I have to agree with you Kelly. Housebreaking has been the toughest for me with my Pug. I also have had dogs all my life and without a doubt he was the hardest to train as a puppy and still has occasional accidents inside (at six). I know two other people with pugs and they have the same problem. Any suggestions?

Hi Kelly and Terry,
I also agree that housetraining is the hardest. It always seems to take a while for the puppies to truly stop having accidents in the house.

A friend of mine got so frustrated with housetraining her Yorkie that she litter trained him. The litter training actually was much easier for her. Her puppy caught on quickly.

I also found that getting my schnoodle puppy to obey my quiet command when she barked at strangers took a while. Her schnauzer background gives her a very strong watch-dog instinct.

Adrienne

Hi Adrienne,

Do you mean like using a cat litter box? What kind of litter did your friend use? I can see how that might work, but I think you really have to be careful about which litter material you select. Something like Carefresh, that recycled newspaper litter, seems safe enough. However, clumping litter is another story. It contains silica dust that can wind up a dog’s nose as it sniffs around, and this can lead to lung problems. I’ve also heard that clumping litter can absorb 15 times its weight in liquid. If you have crazy dogs like my two younger JRT’s, eating the litter could prove fatal because it clumps and clogs in the tummy and bowels. And I just know those two goofers would try to eat it.

Hi Kelly,

I love this topic because it’s something we struggle with a great deal with the Pug that I purchased my wife last year for Christmas. Over the past year, I’ve always been the one to be “firm” with the dog.  For example, when it’s time to go out to “do her business,” my two little girls and wife would tell the dog to go outside, and she’d run away from them.  I’d get so frustrated that I’d walk over to her and say, loudly, “Lucy - OUT”  And then carry her outside.

Well…to my surprise, by the 3rd or 4th time, I found that I didn’t even have to carry her. I’d just say “Lucy - OUT!” and she run for the door!  The only problem we’re having now is that she only listens to me. When it comes to the wife and kids, she still ignores them or runs away…so we’re still trying to figure out how to get her to listen to them too…

-Ryan

Hi Kelly,
My friend used a litter box system designed for dogs. I’m not sure which brand she used but it must have been one like Purina’s Second Nature (www.doglitter.com) because I would imagine that cat litter would be a problem for dogs that like to chew everything. The Purina Second Nature system says that it is nontoxic and poses no danger for dogs who like to eat everything. Purina also claims that dogs can use the litter box system and go outside without confusion. I wonder how well that really works?

Litter box training for dogs does seem like a good solution for apartment dwellers who may not have easy access to a dog friendly walking area.

Adrienne

I have a friend who lives in an apartment that uses the Purina Second Nature litter in a Littermaid litter box - the automatic cleaning type. Their dog loves it - does his business, and then he runs back in 10 minutes when the box starts its self cleaning.

Thanks Adrienne and Susan, I’m going to have to check out Second Nature. It sounds like a great solution for anyone who is having difficulty either house breaking a new pet or dealing with one that is backsliding. I imagine it might even be helpful for a pet that suffers from incontinence to have an indoor litter box available on short notice.

Hi Ryan, it sounds like you’ve asserted your place as pack leader, and Lucy needs to recognize that the rest of the family is also ahead of her in the pecking order. This should be easy to establish with your wife. She just needs to practice using your authoritative voice and follow through. Dogs really are attuned to our feelings, and if your wife is hesitatant, the dog will continue not listening to her. It may be more difficult for your daughter since she is still young, but at least the adults can help establish the housebreaking. Good luck with that. 

Hi Ryan - I know what you mean about your pug - the rest of the family does have to try to be assertive as Kelly said. If your Pug is like mine she now probably thinks it is a game with everyone else. (Dog thinking: Hmmm… They say out and I run away… isn’t this fun!)

Pugs seem to like to make you laugh - at least mine does. If he does something funny and you laugh - he keeps doing it   His name is really BennyHaHa….

At night when it is time for them to go outside for the last time before bedtime, we say “Last Call” and all 3 of them run to the door to go out.

Getting my silly idjuts to sit still for nail clipping. My older dogs are pretty good about it, but the younger ones just won’t do it. We have to go to the vet so they can use the dremel and even today, the husky ended up getting one nail to short and started bleeding everywhere. It’s very frustrating.

I’ve never had a problem with house training. My problem is training the people in the house to be consistent with the dog training!

One of our first Rotties was such a rotten dog sometimes. This was because my oldest son taught him that it was fun to roughhouse. Recently, I mentioned to him that he shouldn’t have breeds like that because he doesn’t discipline them. His response was “I don’t let my Rotties roughhouse.” Sure. He didn’t mind ruining my dog though.

Rotties are difficult to discipline because, while they are smart, they are pig-headed. Our current Rottie, Tango, is no exception. He loves Daddy because Daddy is a marshmallow (same reason the kids love him) and I am the one who disciplines. He listens if I send him out of the kitchen or tell him to sit or something like that. But he refuses to come when called. This is usually only with me though. He doesn’t like me much. lol

When he wants something he comes to me, but he won’t listen to me. Once we have a yard (hopefully in a cooler climate so I can leave the house) I will work with him more. He needs some serious obedience work. He is lovable and sweet, but he can be a real pain sometimes. I’m the only one who takes training seriously so it will be my job. That’s okay though; I love training. Few things give you the sense of accomplishment that dog training does.

Tango was spoiled from the start though. His previous owners taught him to jump up on people (!!) and he would hump everything. We broke him of that real fast! Too many little people in the house for that kind of behavior! Not to mention, it’s rude.

Sorry to ramble. I enjoy training topics. :D

I also have a problem with clipping their nails.  The husky/shep mix is a nightmare when it comes to that- she bears her teeth and all.  Luckily the little one (Lancashire mix) is willing to submit (particularly if I keep a treat in the other hand!), but both my husband and I have to sit with her to clip her nails.

Any suggestions on the best way to go about clipping?  Also, has anyone ever tried that Pedi Paws clipper seen on television?  I always see the ad, but have shied away from actually purchasing it.  I would love to know if it actually works!

I had the Pedi Paws and a Peticure. I found that the Peticure is much better quality and will work on any size dog. Pedi Paws in pretty cheap and, while it will do the job, isn’t likely to last as long. Also, Pedi Paws only has one size hole for the dogs nails. This is okay for smaller dogs but my Dogue De Bordeaux has nails that are too big to fit in the hole. Basically, Pedi Paws is a knock-off of the Peticure.

If you decide to try one, you’ll need to take it slow. Your dogs will likely be afraid of the sound at first. You’ll have to start by just turning it on near them and then rewarding with a treat until they are not afraid anymore.

Hope that helps.

Kathleen, thank you so much, that’s terrific information. I’m going to look into Peticure because my dogs are already skittish about their nails and a noise is liable to send them over the edge :-)

I didn’t know that about the size of the hole- I’m sure glad I found out about it before actually purchasing!

Just to clarify, the Peticure has several holes so you can set it on the correct size. Pedi Paws only has one so it doesn’t fit all.

One other thing I should mention. If you get the Peticure, be sure to pay attention to how long you charge it. It says to only charge it for an hour (I think) and they aren’t kidding. I forgot mine and now it’s dead. :( So be sure you follow the directions (unlike me).