Training a Dog That Was Abused

RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post By Mrs. P (Guest Post) (11/19/2007) Your dog needs positive reinforcement. this means no scolding and chasing. Instead not saying a word about the bad behavior and just praising for the good. So with the sofa, he goes on you remove him/her to the dog sofa and then give lots of praise, your dog will crave the positive attention and always aim to please when they figure it out. RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post By Carol in PA (Guest Post) (11/16/2007) I've had wonderful luck with my cat. I only need to threated to get the hose. I"ve never sprayed her with it. So I think a spray from a water bottle might help. Dont underestimate the value of praise. I reward with treats like animal trainers do. It works. Best of luck RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post By Rosa (Guest Post) (11/15/2007) We have 2 large dogs that sleep on the couch, have old sheets or blankets that we change, they also have their own space on the floor also . Also my dog sleeps on my bed with me ! And she weighs 130 + pounds. Do I mind ? NO WAY ! they are our babies ! Time and patience will help your confused doggie, give him time, he will learn. rose RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post by T&T Grandma (30) | (11/15/2007) Profile | Contact Son brought home German shorthair female pup, MOM'S rules went into effect. Allie comes in the back door, she stops to get her feet wiped. She never gets off the rug until she is done. MOM SAID SO. The furniture she is allowed on--I make special throws or use colorful sheets that fit decor. She associates where she will get into trouble if she goes up on. WE all love one favorite rocker, so sometimes SHE will get off when I want to use it. Positive rewards of good puppy/baby, etc BUT no baby talk. They understand. NO, off is a command to use, the common teenage I DON'T THINK SO works as well. Even for a while in the house till Allie learned her manners, we left a light weight lease attached to her collar, easy to take and guide her off or away to where you want the dog. AND REWARD with good words. Allie's favorites? Climb up behind me on the rocker, try to "push" me off or sneak up on it when I go to the other room during commercials. And the loving, CAN I SIT ON YOUR LAP? 65 lbs of dog. And 2 grandchildren usually too. The dog was a year when the first grandchild was born. She learned her roll with the baby as well. She would lay guarding the area, baby on the blanket on the floor, dog would lay beside the blanket. Sleep under the crib. It helped by the dog having a new role of being a new adoptive mama (we had her spayed at 7 months). Baby #2 comes along 4 years later, the dog does double duty of child care protector and best friend pal to all of us. RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post By Mythi (Guest Post) (11/15/2007) Hi Holly He is a pretty dog and I'm sorry he was abused. I'm so glad you took him in. I think you are going to have to have a lot of love and patience with him because of the abuse. The sofa seems to be his comfort zone. Have you thought about buying a small used loveseat that you can show him is just his and his place to sit? My Mom did that with her dog and it worked well. It's worth a try. RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post By (Guest Post) (11/15/2007) I agree with Lisa, lots of love and patience. One other suggestion I would make would be to find a place that you want your dog to sit instead of the couch and reward him for sitting there. I mean, just celebrate the fact that the dog sat there. At first, he will think you are crazy, but he will want to know what made his person so happy. When he figures out that whenever he sits there he gets a treat, you will find him sitting there all the time. When he sits on the couch I would calmly tell him to get down, and show him down with a finger pointing down to the floor. If he is reluctant to go to the place that you have designated for him to sit, then start it off close to the couch. As he gets used to it (and that may take some time, so be patient) you can move it away from the couch by a little bit. Soon you can move it more and more and,,, you get the picture. He has been shown that he will be okay without your couch and without being on top of the people. RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post By Lisa (Guest Post) (11/15/2007) Holly, 2 key words - love and patience. I take in a lot of stray dogs and find homes for them. The ones that are abused take a lot of time and patience. One dog took 5 years before any man could get near him. They don't forget. Praise him when he minds you and gets off the sofa. Reward him with a treat. Be firm but loving. And maybe he just wants to be on the sofa with you, his family. Would it really hurt to cover one spot on the sofa with a blanket and let it be his spot? I could never thank my dogs enough for all the support and unconditional love they have blessed our family with. Good Luck and have alot of patience and love. Lisa RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post By Connie from Canada (Guest Post) (11/15/2007) I've heard of people putting aluminum foil or newspaper on sofa's or chairs that you don't want animals on. Maybe that would work. RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post by Lily 59 (107) | (11/15/2007) Profile | Contact I use flattened beer boxes. All I have to do when he's in my presence is say no. But when were not around, he wont sleep on a flattened cardboard box. If he was to go from couch to loveseat and back in my presence, I'd prob get a spray bottle with water and squirt it as i said NO. RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post By Me (Guest Post) (11/15/2007) If he was abused please don't be scolding/yelling at him for anything. Even if he wasn't. You don't train a dog by being mean to them. Training should be fun for all & involve treats. Just find a way to block him like the others said & praise him & give him a treat for being a good boy even though he has no choice. Give him SOME time to get used to everything. It's new to him & as far as I know no dog who can read minds. Of all the emotional things he needs to adjust to why is that so important. People expect more from their pets than they do their kids. I allow my dogs on the couch because I want them as close to me as they want to be at all times. Their lives are just too short. I just bought a cover that I can wash. What is the big deal about dogs on couches & beds. I've never understood it. I buy dog friendly furniture too because they are more important than the lifeless furniture that will be around long after they are gone. RE: Training a Dog That Was Abused Post by NeldaW (6) | (11/14/2007) Profile | Contact Holly, Check your local pet store..i'm not sure of the name..there's a spray you can use to items to keep pets off . it doesnt harm the fabric. good luck RE: Training a Dog that was Abused Post by Nicole M. (1) | (11/14/2007) Profile | Contact Try to use cloths hangers, while you are away (if he is out) he has total control. Try putting something on there that is uncomfortable. My grandmother used cloths hangers, but I have seen people put stools on their funiture so the animals stayed down. RE: Training a Dog that was Abused Post By ALadyDragon (Guest Post) (11/13/2007) Why not get him a little mat, chair or rug etc To call his own..Something that will keep his scent too. I have done this with my dog, now coming up to 2.1/2.. If I tell him to get off the sofa and onto his " mat " I point to where his " Mat " is... (so giving him direction). This way he connects the word with being a place he can sit without getting in trouble. And also where i want him. Of course now he is older, we have a couple of said " Matts " around the house, one is an old computer chair which sits beside mine. This is his "matt" when im in that room.. Hope this helps.