View Full Version : So we adopted a dog
ER_STL
12-09-2016, 10:52 AM
Title says it all. We as a family had been discussing this for a year and three weeks ago with finally picked up "Kiah" from the local rescue. She's guestimated to be about six months old and is assuredly a pit bull, despite being labeled a "Shepherd Terrier" mix. As this is our first dog, we've been evaluating her, so to speak, in order to determine whether or not we'll be a good fit for her and her for us. I'd like to solicit the opinions of some of the more experienced dog owners on the board. Any and all feedback on my notes below is welcome, as I can like what I like and ignore what I don't. :)
Temperament wise, she demonstrated initially a very submissive attitude towards me specifically to the point where she'd pee if I walked up to pet her too quickly. As I've spent more time with her she has opened up. She's playful, bouncy and at times mischievous. She seems to be really good with our girls but she can get too rough if not checked. She loves tug of war. She's affectionate to all members of the family but especially to me. If I sit down anywhere she'll usually crowd up to me for attention and end up resting there beside me. She does well overall with her crate but can be an escape artist during the day if given the opportunity.
The rescue sent to us a one-time dog whisperer of sorts to give general training and care advice. She advertised that she was a "positive reinforcement" trainer and went into detail around that philosophy, indicating that she preferred to reward desired behavior and ignore undesirable behavior. Punishment of any kind, including using a squirt of water to discourage counter surfing, wasn't recommended. She also went against the common notion that pet dogs still form a hierarchy inside a family with a head (alpha) and then subsequent ranking pack members. I found this a bit odd as I would have described her behavior as an indication that she sees me as the alpha and has a few times challenged the girls for status by mouthing the leash during walks. It's quite possible though that I have no clue what I'm talking about.
Kiah's a beautiful dog that is likely almost fully grown at only 40lbs, but the fact that she's a pit carries the negative stigma associated with that breed. That concerns me, not because I don't want that breed as a pet but because I imagine the dreaded "Pitbull mauls kid" that would show up in the local paper if she ended up playing too rough with the neighborhood kids. As it is now, we're careful with introducing her to others and keep her on a short leash during the process. She's very good about letting them pet and play with her but she wants to nip and play rough with kids swinging on the playset out back. I suspect we'll need a fenced yard to keep the kids out while she's out back more than to keep her restricted to our property.
Overall we have become attached to her quite a bit and she seems like a good dog, aside from the daily "zoomies" - bonkers behavior after a walk - and the rancid gas that will make you black out. She has so far been as advertised by the rescue in terms of her behavior.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa140/ER_STL/kiah_zpsmgto8yck.jpg
blues
12-09-2016, 11:40 AM
Congratulations. I like to say that having a dog on board turns a house into a home. But you'll discover that for yourself along the way.
For insurance purposes, stick with the description used by the shelter. It will remove the stigma and ultimately be more economical (in terms of policy costs / potential liability) than describing her as a Pit. What she "looks like" is not necessarily what "she is".
Our current rescue is a mixed breed...if I had to guess I'd say Boxer and Staffie but I've seen quite a few other mixes that are very similar looking and even the available DNA tests are notoriously inaccurate due to the limited databases. (We haven't bothered with such.)
I'm a bit pressed for time so won't get into detail here but if you would be interested in speaking on the phone I'd be happy to do so. Just shoot me a PM.
JackRock
12-09-2016, 11:43 AM
Congratulations on the adoption! My wife and I just picked up a newly-born Corgi puppy a few weeks ago, and she's a DEMON!
But I love pit bulls - they have been unbelievably sweet dogs, careful around kids, playful as hell, and just fun people.
Just one word of warning: don't have me over to the house. I might steal her! :D
jeep45238
12-09-2016, 12:15 PM
Last year we adopted a lab/pitt mix ourselves, he turned 2 this august. He had serious cases of zoomies for about 7 months, now they last about 20 feet at most. The affection and curling up are big pitt traits, they're major family dogs. Look at the kennel association's breed description, they're horrible guard/attack dogs for this reason.
Positive reinforcement is great, but there has to be negative as well. Focus on the positive. Without a negative when they mess up, there will be a longer time to break those habits. A squirt bottle is great, and when we bring ours out into view Wallace gets his shit together quickly without a squirt being sent.
Give them jobs - bored dogs are worse than dogs with pent up energy, but both are bad.
The behaviors that transformed our pup into a snuggle fest in the house really focused on:
Waiting for permission (sitting) to leave the kennel, verbally going into the kennel
Sitting before going in/out of doors
Learning to place - having a mat in the kitchen/living room, wherever - gives them a 'job' when you're busy
Waiting for permission to get food (leave it and take it)
Outside behavior is dramatically improved with focusing on walking by your side - pick a side and keep it, the dog walks there. Try to keep the shoulder/neck area at your seam of pants so they have a peripheral vision of where you walk. We're still working big time with it. A trick is having the leash in your off-side hand (if they walk on left, hold in right, let it cross body). WIth the hand by the dog, have a treat and give it to them by 'palming' it, knuckles away from them, fingers down. This creates a physical block for their muzzle, and a psychological 'sweet spot' to stay for treats.
To start on this, stand and treat hard core when they stay next to you. Take a step and stop, and treat hardcore for every step they stay by you. Slowly increase your steps, and odn't expec to get more than 3-5 for your first month of work on this. It's slow, but they learn.
If they have to pee or poop, that's where the focus will be until they relieve themselves. Do training for no more than 10-15 minute periods without a break, it's a lot for a puppy.
A major thing that helped to teach kennel, place, and sitting at doorways is an electric collar. Not the shocking ones, but the very, very low voltage adjustable ones. You use it to communicate, not to punish, the voltage set just enough for them to notice/react (moving eyes, ears, head, etc. when you do it). For example, with place - hold the button when they're off, release when they get on. Treat hardcore and praise in addition when the do it. Repeat.
This guy's methods are amazingly effective - https://youtu.be/6OfElO8kg_k
We partner with a local trainer who is food treat based and do the occasional work with her in a class. It's good to have multiple tools in the box.
The habit we're working on now is jumping and licking people when they come in the house. Our boy is a hug lover boy, and is very excited when he sees new people. Most of the undesireable behaviors are normal for dogs, but not appreciated by many humans. WHile some people are 100% okay with jumping up and licking your face to say hello, but it's dangerous for elderly and sick people. Be firm with these folks and tell them it's your dog and traits you're trying to impress, and they need to get on board or visit when the dog isn't around.
There is no dead-set method that works for every dog/situation/family. Be suspect of any trainer or program that insists there is. You've got this, and you'll find the effective ways to communicate and teach your dog as you go, just like kids.
Congrats! It's been my experience that shelters define just about every mixed breed as a "Shepherd/terrier mix". They did ours.....and said she'd be 35 lbs fully grown. We knew they were wrong, so we checked her background with the shelter that she went into in another county before coming to us. Genetic tests confirmed ....Husky/Carolina Dog mix. With all the energy and personality that mix implies. And 70 lbs. Her behavior sounds like pretty typical puppy stuff. Remember, puppies are basically very fast toddlers with a mouth full of shark teeth. They need to learn to be civilized.
Lots of good advice so far. I'll just add "Be Patient".
She is trying to learn the rules of the house and I suspect you are correct that she sees you as the Alpha. I believe the theory that dogs choose us, I think she has picked you. Make sure you deserve that honor.
She will be a puppy in terms of behavior at least until she is 2. You can look forward to a much more civilized companion down the road.
Moonshot
12-09-2016, 02:09 PM
Sometimes I think of all God's creatures, dogs are the only ones he got right.
And pit bulls can be great pets. There's two in my neighborhood. Sweet, friendly, and playfull.
Sometimes I think of all God's creatures, dogs are the only ones he got right.
And pit bulls can be great pets. There's two in my neighborhood. Sweet, friendly, and playfull.
He got hem all correct. He just saved his best work for dogs.:)
SeriousStudent
12-09-2016, 09:41 PM
She's a cutie!
Good dogs are like good people, they both respond to love and food.
Congrats! I love pitts, my sister has a "chocolate lab" that really is a mix weighing in at 70 lbs of pure muscle. Super sweet dog but will drag you down the street if you let her. She is also incredible with my sisters two boys, they do stuff that would make my huskie maul them and she doesn't even budge.
LittleLebowski
12-10-2016, 11:12 AM
Try a tablespoon or so of yogurt every night with her food for the gas.
Hambo
12-10-2016, 11:53 AM
Try high quality dog food for the gas. Any time you change foods, do it slowly so they get used to it. When we shift from puppy to adult food we mix them for a week or two before going totally to adult food.
Both the yogurt and the high quality food are good recommendations, even beyond dealing with gas. Fact is dogs, like people, sometimes get gas, and some are more susceptible than others. We feed ours Orijen....highest quality but expensive. Fortunately it's also nutrient dense, and her breeds aren't big eaters, so it balances out. Might take some experimenting to figure out what is producing the gas, and once that's dealt with it might help with behavior some also. Though I still think It's mostly just being a puppy that you're describing.
The Apprentice
12-10-2016, 01:57 PM
Our most recent adoption is a shepard mix and had a very similar personality very submisive at first but that has faded. I can't say it enough find a reputable trainer and start taking some classes. Get as much socialization as possible while they are young. While some days I still want to strangle her she has turned into my girls defender. Most recently against another overly friendly and rough playing dog at the dog park. The offender knocked my older daughter over running past and after that anytime it came close she would chase it off so I guess I can put up with the fact that she insists on liking my ears when I put my boots on in the morning
OnionsAndDragons
12-10-2016, 02:19 PM
Set her up for success. The best form of training I have found is limiting the dogs ability to make real mistakes for the first couple weeks, while rewarding and/or clicking for all behavior you wish to reinforce.
There was a recent Tim Ferris podcast with an amazing dog trainer that goes in depth on some very good techniques and philosophy. I would suggest having a listen there. Should be maybe 5 shows back or thereabouts.
Overall, it sounds like you are setting a good example and keeping her in her lane so to speak. This is super important as dogs are very good at keying on your expectations if you are consistent with them. Just like kids, consistency is prime.
NH Shooter
12-11-2016, 02:33 PM
As a BoD member of a non-profit rescue her in NH, thank you for adopting a rescue!
Good advice above, to which I would like to add lose the "pitbull stigma." Unless there were bad previous experiences of a bad draw of the gene pool, your dog will be what you make it. Train her, love her, have patience and you will be richly awarded!
FWIW, our houndy-mutt rescue from SC was also very submissive when we brought her home at 20 weeks old. We spent time socializing her (she was not at all before) with a puppy training class, doggy day care and lots of introductions to humans and other dogs when walking her. I can tell you one of the most rewarding experiences of my life has been earning her unwavering, 100% trust which I will always cherish.
Children in the house? PLEASE look here - http://stopthe77.com/
Best wishes for a long and happy life with your rescue dog!
Dismas316
12-11-2016, 04:17 PM
Good for you in terms of the adoption. As far as her temperament, they are smart animals and if you take the time to work with her and introduce her slowly to social environments she'll be fine.
LittleLebowski
12-11-2016, 10:34 PM
No Blue Buffalo. No.
jeep45238
12-12-2016, 02:42 AM
No Blue Buffalo. No.
This. It's a very high calorie food meant for working dogs, and will drive an indoor pet bonkers (enough to feel full = crazy energy, right amount of energy = hungry).
Wallace was fed that initially, and we took our guy off of it for an experiment. He was much calmer about a week later (still crazy, but calmer). My wife accidentally bought it again when I was gone for a week, and when I got back it's like he was on caffeine pills. Wanted to do good, but too amped up to focus.
Instead of starting a new thread I'll post this here. Just brought home a rescue dog today. Not sure exactly what he is or how
Old he is. He turned up on the back porch of one of the kennels' employees. Pretty much starving. They brought him to the kennel
And got him to the vet and started getting his weight back. My wife found him and so we went to meet him last week. Sweet pup. Meet Cooper:
12273
11B10
12-12-2016, 06:57 PM
They need to learn to be civilized.
This ^^^ might be the best advice yet, especially for "terriers."
11B10
12-12-2016, 07:00 PM
Instead of starting a new thread I'll post this here. Just brought home a rescue dog today. Not sure exactly what he is or how
Old he is. He turned up on the back porch of one of the kennels' employees. Pretty much starving. They brought him to the kennel
And got him to the vet and started getting his weight back. My wife found him and so we went to meet him last week. Sweet pup. Meet Cooper:
12273
He scores off the charts on looks alone - I love his coloring.
. Meet Cooper:
Finest kind. Well done, that man.
peterb
12-12-2016, 11:07 PM
With a pup, you have to teach them to make good choices. A puppy has to chew SOMETHING. You have to trade the off-limits item for something they can chew, and make it clear which is which. We lost a couple of chair rungs before we figured that out......
Have a correction voice, a command voice, and a praise voice.
Most dogs learn better when verbal commands are combined with hand signals. Make sure everyone in the family is consistent.
Tug is a great game, but some dogs can get too possessive about it. It's good to periodically have them release and take a short break before you start again to reinforce that you're in command.
Willard
12-13-2016, 12:05 AM
With a pup, you have to teach them to make good choices. A puppy has to chew SOMETHING. You have to trade the off-limits item for something they can chew, and make it clear which is which. We lost a couple of chair rungs before we figured that out......
Have a correction voice, a command voice, and a praise voice.
Most dogs learn better when verbal commands are combined with hand signals. Make sure everyone in the family is consistent.
Tug is a great game, but some dogs can get too possessive about it. It's good to periodically have them release and take a short break before you start again to reinforce that you're in command.
Yes. Voice tone (and body language) is important when communicating with dogs, but I always let the pups win when playing tug of war (for protection type dogs--don't play with retrievers). Builds confidence, which is extremely important.
Yes. Voice tone (and body language) is important when communicating with dogs, but I always let the pups win when playing tug of war (for protection type dogs--don't play with retrievers). Builds confidence, which is extremely important.
According to the behaviourists I've spoken to, it's also important to keeping the dogs interest/enjoyment in the game. Worked wonders with mine. Every once in a while, she would suddenly "surprise " me and break my grip. She'd then run victory laps around the yard. Now when I let her win, she steps back, shakes the tug to "death", and immediately brings it back to me to offer up, in hope of continuing the game. She gets something out of it, even if the victory is small.
peterb
12-13-2016, 06:36 AM
Our Lab made up a rule for indoor tug where the kitchen doorway was the "goal line", and we'd try to pull each other across it. It made sense because he wanted to stay out on the carpet where he had traction. If I was in socks it made a fairly even match, and was highly entertainiing for my wife.
ER_STL
12-13-2016, 10:11 AM
Great feedback all - thanks. As a quick update, we've officially adopted her. She's now part of the family.
Random updates:
- She's getting better on the leash during walks, at least with me. I don't give her much slack and she's learning to stay by my side. Walking at night helps as seems a little more apprehensive.
- We've taken to giving her a squirt of water for particularly obnoxious behavior (counter surfing) and it works well. She's learning that the spray bottle = stop the bad behavior.
- We're committed to starting her training in January when classes resume at the local, recommended kennel.
- We've started training the "find" command as a series of games at night where I hide treats and she has to find them. She seems to be taking to that pretty well.
- Raked up a dog turd in a pile of leaves and sucked it through the leaf blower. That was AWESOME. Have it on the shoes I wore as well.
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