please help, hubby is threatening to rehome Charlie

[ashleycat]

Nilf said to use a crate.

I would only use it when we're gone and at night.

[Queen of Poop]

Sounds like you need to teach your dog who the boss of the house is. You need to go for obedience training. Find a class close to you and get signed up as soon as possible. Your local pet store should probably have a bulletin board with all sorts of training options.

What I did with my unrully dog was attach the leash to her collar and to my waist when I was at home. That way she had to be with me all the time and I could keep an eye on what she was doing. It worked well for us and she quit chewing the walls, furniture, etc.

Good luck, don't give up on him just yet, train him, he needs structure, boundries, etc, just like a child.

[Aspen and Misty]

Charlie is still a new dog to the house hold. I know more then a month may seem like a long time, but think about the lifestyle change he is getting used to. It took Nova a little over 6 months to settle in and become her true self. It also took her that long to learn all the rules.

While a crate is a good idea, I do think Charlie see's himself as the leader of your house hold. He thinks he makes the rules, not you. That’s why he takes what he wants and does what he wants. It is important for you to gain back your Alpha role. My dog Nova is a very dominate dog so I go through the same things with her. She thinks that she rules everything and it really takes a strong hand to stay on top of her. Like in the system mentioned, she gets nothing for free, ever.

Why not start him on a routine? For instance - 10 minute potty brake in the morning (time it and take him in after 10 minutes). Another 10 minute brake around lunch time (time it and take him in after 10 minutes) then a 20 minute walk at night. This will get him to go potty faster while outside cause he will learn that he has to go potty right away as he only has short breaks. Also, only let him out three times day which will hopefully get him to hold it more and not ask to go out so much.

Ashley

[ashleycat]

What if he doesn't go in that 10 min, and ends up going on the floor?

Or just when I see him looking for a spot, to rush him to the door?

[Giselle]

What if he doesn't go in that 10 min, and ends up going on the floor?

Or just when I see him looking for a spot, to rush him to the door?

Quite frankly, I don't think Charlie is potty trained. Go back to the basics. When you see him frantically sniffing around for a spot, rush him to the yard. When he goes to the bathroom, click if you want, and treat/praise profusely. NEVER allow him to go on the floor. I agree with Aspen and Misty. I know that Greyhounds, in particular, love a concrete schedule, but I would suppose almost all dogs do. Today, sit down and make a schedule. Try to stick with it until good behavior starts to surface.

[Lori Jordan]

I don't know what to tell you about him marking in your home,I never had that problem with Bandit he was fixed at 6 months ,As to jumping on the counters i had that problem with mine i have had steaks go missing lol you name it,Now im at the stage of them staying off the couch and have tried it all.I'd suggest obeience it does help everyone had given really good tips on this topic.