Family/Dog advice greatly needed

[DriftyAlison0]

I would enlist the children and explain that they are now all old enough to help with the dog. Assign each of them to walk her a set period of time a day, before school for one, after school for another, etc. Then explain to the kids and the husband that she absolutely needs to be housebroken again, and everyone is part of the team. Sit everyone down, one at a time if you have to, and explain the schedule and training. And make there be consequences - if Child A was supposed to walk her and didn't, Child A cleans up when she messes in the house, and doesn't get dessert after dinner, or something - you know what would motivate them.

She is a Shih Tzu, so she would be better with a harness than a simple collar, and that would be harder for her to escape from as well. And pick up a dog training book and make play and training the dog fun for the kids. See who is fastest able to teach her to sit, or spin, or roll over - and they can even set up a little obstacle course for her when the weather is nice outside.

But first, leash training, and housebreaking for everyone involved. And explain that if everyone does not help, there will be dire consequences.

That'd be my recommendation ....

I agree. If the family doesn't pinch in, the dog goes to a new home and I would recommend no more pets and when the kids beg, say no you didn't take care of the last dog, why should I give you this one.

[SilentCrow]

My friend, it is a lack of respect from the dog, the kids, and the man. You are overloaded with responsibilities and it would be in your best interest and the dog's best interest to give him to the co-worker. Since hubby doesn't want to give up the dog though, if you do not end up giving away the dog, you have got to demand respect from her and your kids. The kids need to have assigned tasks for every day and if the tasks are not done, you take something away of theirs that they feel they absolutely can't live without until the task gets done. The dog does love you and wants your attention or she would not sit on you and be at your feet to trip you. The housebreaking issue can be resolved with frequent walks, frequent outings and cleaning of the indoor messes with white vinegar (or an enzyme cleaner specifically designed to eliminate urine and feces odor). If dogs can smell where they've gone to the bathroom, they will continue to go to the bathroom in that space. Feces that is deposited by the dog in the house should be placed out in the yard and the dog should be shown where the feces is outside (don't yell at him, just set him by the poo) so that he understands his poop is outside. Eventually housebreaking will happen but with little dogs it can be more difficult to break their bad habits because they need to go out more frequently than larger dogs, which isn't always convenient or easily done if no one is home to keep up with the necessary steps. For walks, a body harness or a Gentle Leader face harness (similar to what horses use for being led by people) would prevent the dog from escaping and with the Gentle Leader the dog also cannot pull you down the sidewalk which can happen even with a tiny dog. Dogs benefit from routine and housebreaking is more easily accomplished when a feeding routine is established. For a small dog, breakfast, lunch (optional) and dinner portions at set times would be best instead of just filling the bowl for the day and him eating when he pleases. The final advice i can offer is obedience classes that the whole family attends (or you and the kids if hubby can't go). If you have a local PetSmart store, they offer obedience training at most outlets. If you don't have a general dog obedience school in your area, your vet may be able to recommend a trainer that could assist you and your kiddos in getting the little beast back on track But in the end, if you find you still cannot keep the dog, please do re-home him with someone you know that is good to dogs (like the co-worker you mentioned). The worst thing that can happen to a family dog (or cat) is being placed in the pound/shelter, often times the dogs only get a week to be adopted out before they euthanize them.