Help with Brutus Please!

[lizbud]

You've gotten some good advice here already. I think the 3 words to
remember with training are, "exercise,discipline, affection ". Try to see that
he gets lots of excercise to wear him out & training on obedience (commands)
every day, before he earns affection.

I don't know what you think of Cesar Milan's ideas about dogs, I think he's
got it right with the order for successful interaction with our dogs.

[critter crazy]

Thanks for all the great advice!! I will do my best to Mkae Brutus a Happy, but well behaved boy!!

Anna- I would love to take Brutus to a Obedience class, but The problem I have run into with Owning rotts, is that there just isnt anyone around here that will work with them! and the few Places I have found that will take them are places like Petsmart! I dont feel confident that Petsmart would be of any help for us, except for Socialization, which I already do!

Gisselle- I have had many Rotts, and every single one of them had Hip, elbow and spine problems. I am just being cautious, there is no harm in that. I want my boy to live a long and happy life. This is the problem with Rescue dogs, it is pretty much guranteed they came from BYB's, so their health is always an issue. and on top of this, we do have some concrete floors, as well as many stairs.

Lizbud-I just Love Ceasar!! He is my Hero!!

[bckrazy]

Along with what others have suggested... I would implement NILIF. NO petting, unless he is politely sitting. NO treats, unless he is politely sitting. etc, etc, etc. I know that you're tempted to smother him with affection, since he's from an abusive home, but that is not necessarily what is best for him. He needs limits, too.

A lot of what causes excitement/urination is just a response to your excitement. No high pitched voices, or anything super stimulating, while you're petting him. Ignore him if he's jumping all over and peeing. He will learn to feed off of your calm energy.

[critter crazy]

Along with what others have suggested... I would implement NILIF. NO petting, unless he is politely sitting. NO treats, unless he is politely sitting. etc, etc, etc. I know that you're tempted to smother him with affection, since he's from an abusive home, but that is not necessarily what is best for him. He needs limits, too.

A lot of what causes excitement/urination is just a response to your excitement. No high pitched voices, or anything super stimulating, while you're petting him. Ignore him if he's jumping all over and peeing. He will learn to feed off of your calm energy.

Now Brutus knows sit, and will do it everytime I ask, the problem is he wont stay at all, if I so much as flinch he is up. so it has been nothing but repetition for the last few months I have had him, yet still no progress. when he sits calmly, I will reach to pet him, and he is like a rubberband that just snapped! I mean he is that bad!!

I do not greet my dogs with excitement when I come into the room, or come home from work, well for that matter at all, unless we are out playing. They get ignored. I talk to them very calmly once I feel they are ready. But with Brutus, he can fool you!! You think he is calm, and then BAM!! all I have to do is pet him, and he pees! Tell him to sit and he pees, go to put his leash on and he pees!

[kimlovescats]

I have no good advice, just empathy on this subject. This was the issue I had with my Sibe puppy that I loved so dearly. He was only a few months old and he literally would plow me down and hurt me. It became a huge safety issue for me, and a tough decision to take him back to his breeder. I know I have made a few "enemies" here because of that decision, but i am not a physcially strong person, have bad knees, bad ankles and back. I could NOT afford to be injured seriously and laid up with another broken bone. I was off of my foot for a YEAR from a break a few years ago.

Anyway, back on the topic! My Coco is the same way, but thank GOD she is full grown and will not really become a large dog. She is however strong enough to cause me to lose my balance if I am not prepared! I know that the ignore and turn your back thing sounds good, but it's only good until they plow you over while your back is turned ... right? I've started doing the step on her toes things, which does make her get down, but now she is smart enough to step back quickly! LOL! Luckily though, she is slowly learning to settle down!

Henna will be a big girl, but she is not much of a jumper and is already learning to listen to my commands! I think I started early enough with her and she will not hurt me!

I wish you luck with your big boy!!! I do empathize!

Kim

[bckrazy]

I dunno...

I would NEVER allow either of my dogs to plow me over; any dog, really. A lot of it is simply your body language, and whether or not you tolerate the jumping. Some people actually encourage their dog to jump up without even realizing it - just by their body language, or the tone of their voice. It's basic manners, that should be taught from day one. I used to walk a 100+ lb Rottie when I was 12 years old... he wouldn't dare plow me over.

[critter crazy]

I dunno...

I would NEVER allow either of my dogs to plow me over; any dog, really. A lot of it is simply your body language, and whether or not you tolerate the jumping. Some people actually encourage their dog to jump up without even realizing it - just by their body language, or the tone of their voice. It's basic manners, that should be taught from day one. I used to walk a 100+ lb Rottie when I was 12 years old... he wouldn't dare plow me over.

Brutus dosent plow me over. He just gets excited and bounces, and spins,a nd well just goes nouts, not to mention pees. But he has never knocked me over, that is not something we allow in our home. We have kids. The dogs have to respect us and the kids. Brutus is very gentle with the kids. I couldnt as for a nicer boy. I just need him to stop getting excited over such mindane things.

[bckrazy]

Sorry... I was refering to Kim's post.

The second his butt is off the ground, and/or he is showing signs of getting over-stimulated, you should cease all petting/communication/touch, period. Just be very, very consistent and make sure your entire family gives him the same treatment. He will come around! C: Rotties are very smart pups.

[kimlovescats]

Um, I didn't exactly "allow" my dog to plow me over. When you are short and no longer "12 years old" and a large dog comes running full force from behind you, you don't have alot of say in the matter. Also, we had Hampton enrolled in puppy school from the time he was old enough to start. It never settled him down to the point he didn't jump on me. I need my legs, back, knees, and ankles, thank you!

[critter crazy]

Um, I didn't exactly "allow" my dog to plow me over. When you are short and no longer "12 years old" and a large dog comes running full force from behind you, you don't have alot of say in the matter.

Agreed!! Sometimes you have no ontrol!