HELP

[missie]

(Hi! I'm new) I am having three problems with my bassett hound, Daizy (9mos. old). First, my husband and I are having a hard time trying to train her. (The basics-sit,lay,down,come...) I know it sounds crazy but it seem to me like she knows what we want her to do, she is just being stubborn and does what she wants to do. We've tried treat rewards, and every time she does do good we praise her, but I just don't feel like we're getting anywhere. Is it still "just the puppy in her"? Or am I just not giving it enough time. Don't get me wrong, she has learned some things-we got her house broken and she knows what time to go to bed, and where her cookies are etc. Second, as long as my husband and I are walking around the house doing something-even if it doesn't invole Daizy, she won't bark. But as soon as we sit down to watch T.V. she barks and howls. Third, lately she has started to "play" very rough with our cat, Ozzie (3yrs old). She will jump on his back and try to hold him down, and nip at him. He hisses and cries but it doesn't faze her. Is she trying to tell him she wants control over the house? The funny thing is, Ozzie won't fight back with her, but will easily fight/play with us all the time. Thank You for listening!

[RachelJ]

Oh my, sounds like you have one stubborn puppy. First, be thankful about the housebroken part, REALLY THANKFUL. My Hannah was the world's worst puppy and a real alpha female. She knew all the commands, sit, down, stay, come, and would do them for a treat, UNLESS there was something else that she wanted to do. I don't have "the answer" only keep working with her every day, try to make lessons fun and integrate them into every day activities. If you are going to give Daizy her dinner, make her sit and stay first, until you say okay. If she wants to go out or jump up on the couch, make her sit first. When you give a command like sit or down, make her stay sitting an down until you say "okay". Try some more appealing treats, and don't give up. We still stuggle with "control issues" with Hannah, but life improved considerably as Hannah matured. On the barking issue, try teaching her the command "no bark". Praise her when she stops. If she continues, take a magazine and throw it near (but not at) her and repeat NO BARK. This generally startles them considerably. I saw and dog trainer do this on TV and it works with my Hannah.

[karen israel]

It took me ages to become pack leader so I really sympathize. You may need major puppy school or invest in a personal trainer which is so well worth it- don't forget you have years to go and it will only get worse if you don't nip it in the bud. My dog STILL falls asleep and the SECOND I get into bed, walks over to me and whimpers,licks and stares at me (brat) The can of pennies and magazine techniques work well. My dog just wants constant interaction so by my sleeping, it means no attention. I make him go down, pat his head once and as long as he's up against the bed or can see me, he's ok but it took a LONG TIME, with me almost crying from frustration. Lots of luck and patience !!!

[Daisy's Mom]

Wow you have a Basset named Daisy too? Cool!!! I think it runs in the breed (and maybe the name too!) to have a stubborn puppy. Daisy was stubborn too and was even quite a nipper. We got her a personal trainer to teach her the basic thing like come, sit, and down, and he taught us some great ways of teaching her things. She'll do anything for food so we used that little weakness and now she knows a few tricks! The trainer also introduced us to the life saving penny bottle, just a plastic bottle with some pennies in it that you shake or hit on the floor when the dog is bad. Daisy shaped up right away, she hated the noise! As for the cat thing, I can't help you there, my Daisy is extremely afraid of cats and would never play with one, she got clawed pretty bad on the nose when she was just a baby And she barks when you watch TV? Hmmm I don't know about that one either... make sure that when you do that she knows she is still your favorite part of the family. Let her sit with you and pet her so she won't feel left out. I hope I helped, and I hope you have as wonderful of a Daisy as I do! BTW, her birthday is today, she's 2 years old!!! They grow up so fast don't they!?!?!