[mylittlebella]

Bella is 7 months and she's getting out of control. I talked to a trainer today (vet recommended) and she's coming on Monday to re potty train and see how she's behaving with me. Lately, to get my attention, she'll bite/pinch my leg. I tell her "no" but she doesn't listen. She poops every where and pees now where ever she feels.

She's charging me $95 for one day and then if I want to continue it will be another $500. I don't have $500 right now but I'll save for it if it means chilling this doggie out

 

[LexiAndNikkisMom]

Originally posted by mylittlebella@Jan 10 2005, 04:56 PM
Lately, to get my attention, she'll bite/pinch my leg.  I tell her "no" but she doesn't listen.  <div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=28845

[/QUOTE]

Let me know what she says about that. Lexi does that too. She doesn't really bite, it is more of running her teeth across my arms and legs. I still say "OUCH!" and "NO!", doesn't work all the time. If she keeps doing it she gets a 5-10 minutes time out.

 

[Toby's Mom]

 

[Sylphide and Shrek's Mom]

I don't know whether you need to pay $500 to get her trained. Have you tried obedience and agility classes? They cost less than $100 for 6-8 weeks---I found a club with a wonderful trainer who trains and owns small breeds...

Sylphide was a maniac at that age. She's can still be really hyper and bossy, but is very obedient now. I took her to agility classes, which she LOVED, and they really helped focus her energy and make her more obedient. We'll continue with agility in the Spring.

 

[dr.jaimie]

does this trainer have a gaurantee? we have a local trainer here that will train the dog for a price then if after that the dog isnt trained..he will come back and work with the animal again...he commits to ur animal for life.

 

[k/c mom]

If when she bites at your leg you say "ouch" or "no" then she has gotten your attention, which is what she wants. Just ignore her and I bet she will stop. Catcher used to grab the bottom of my nightgown or bite at my house shoes and I just kept walking and ignored him and he quit doing it.... just a thought....

 

[mylittlebella]

Lexi's mom...Bella does the same thing. It's not biting but running her teeth.

She's not being aggresive at all its just to get my attention. She did just get spayed but she was doing this before. She was trained and she knows to go on the wee wee pads but it's like she does it on purpose to get my attention. For example, today I came home for lunch and I was in the kitchen making a sandwich. When I went to the dining table, and there was Bella waiting for me right next to her pee. As soon as she saw me she ran under the table. It's like a game to her. She knows she's in trouble but she likes being in trouble for the attention.

I hope this lady can tell me what I'm doing wrong so this little girl can start listening. Ill keep you posted and let you know what she says.

 

[jmm]

Before you spend the $500, interview this trainer carefully. With Maltese, the best methods are positive, motivational ones. You can actually train a dog without punishment can get wonderful results. That doesn't mean you permit them to get away with anything, just that you ask them for an alternative instead of saying no. If she is using a clicker, that is fantastic. $95 for an in home consult is reasonable. I'd want to know exactly what the $500 includes.

After your consult with her, depending on what she says, I would find an obedience class with positive methods. That trainer should be able to help you outside of class for a nominal fee and the class itself is usually 6-8 weeks for around $100. The class is actually really important as you will learn a lot about how to interact with your dog by watching the others.

Congratulations for seeking help now! Little dogs are terribly manipulative and it lands them in rescue because many owners are not as committed to getting professional help like you are! Reaching out shows what a wonderful owner you are!

 

[k/c mom]

Originally posted by mylittlebella@Jan 10 2005, 07:25 PM
For example, today I came home for lunch and I was in the kitchen making a sandwich.  When I went to the dining table, and there was Bella waiting for me right next to her pee.  As soon as she saw me she ran under the table.  It's like a game to her.  She knows she's in trouble but she likes being in trouble for the attention.

That is probably why the "experts" always say to ignore them if they have "gone" where they aren't supposed to and you don't actually see them do it. They say to not do anything at that point and to not let the dog see you clean it up. Why not try that for a while... when she does something to get your attention, do the opposite and ignore her... believe me... ignoring her will get HER attention and she'll quit the bad behavior. It works for me.....

 

[jmm]

Better yet, leash her to you so she can't do it in the first place!

 

[kodie]

Originally posted by JMM@Jan 10 2005, 07:41 PM
Congratulations for seeking help now! Little dogs are terribly manipulative and it lands them in rescue because many owners are not as committed to getting professional help like you are! Reaching out shows what a wonderful owner you are!
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=28874

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ummm... I hope i'm not being a BLIND mommy... haha.. how are maltese manipulative?? I wanna be aware of what Kodie is probably doing to me without me noticing it!!

 

[mylittlebella]

Originally posted by JMM@Jan 10 2005, 08:41 PM
Before you spend the $500, interview this trainer carefully. With Maltese, the best methods are positive, motivational ones. You can actually train a dog without punishment can get wonderful results. That doesn't mean you permit them to get away with anything, just that you ask them for an alternative instead of saying no. If she is using a clicker, that is fantastic. $95 for an in home consult is reasonable. I'd want to know exactly what the $500 includes.

After your consult with her, depending on what she says, I would find an obedience class with positive methods. That trainer should be able to help you outside of class for a nominal fee and the class itself is usually 6-8 weeks for around $100. The class is actually really important as you will learn a lot about how to interact with your dog by watching the others.

Congratulations for seeking help now! Little dogs are terribly manipulative and it lands them in rescue because many owners are not as committed to getting professional help like you are! Reaching out shows what a wonderful owner you are!
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=28874

[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your comments...I really appreciate the information you gave me. I am going to try her for the one day training. She said she will re train Bella to potty and me how to keep training her. She will also address the issue of her pinching me to get my attention. She was highly recommended by my vet so I'm going to try the $95 first. I will look into the classes since I don't have $500.

I would never get rid of Bella but I can see how some people just loose control of their dog and don't get help and end up at the shelter. I love her too much and if I have to find the $500 I will but I will definitely try to find a cheaper class. Again, I appreciate all of you guys' comments.

BTW...I already ignore her but that's not working either...I'm telling you, she's totally out of control. :new_Eyecrazy:

 

[jmm]

Originally posted by Kodie@Jan 11 2005, 09:03 AM
ummm... I hope i'm not being a BLIND mommy... haha.. how are maltese manipulative??  I wanna be aware of what Kodie is probably doing to me without me noticing it!!

<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=28945

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Does your dog dictate to you when he gets on and off furniture? Does he dictate when you pick him up and pet him (demand it)? Does he listen when you ask him to do something, including stopping a behavior you don't like? Toy breeds are notorious for having their owners wrapped around their paws. I love my dogs, but we have rules in this house and all dogs, regardless of size, have to follow them. Many people with toy dogs let them get away with so many things that they would never let a 50 lb dog do. My Maltese must be as well behaved as the 90 lb petite Great Dane. This means obedience classes right from puppyhood, the same training and rules apply that I would use on a large dog, etc.

Yes, I let my little ones jump on me, but I also let the Border Collies do it...we all have some things we don't mind. All of the dogs, however, get off when I ask.

 

[jmm]

Originally posted by mylittlebella@Jan 11 2005, 09:25 AM
Thanks for your comments...I really appreciate the information you gave me.  I am going to try her for the one day training.  She said she will re train Bella to potty and me how to keep training her.  She will also address the issue of her pinching me to get my attention.  She was highly recommended by my vet so I'm going to try the $95 first.  I will look into the classes since I don't have $500.

I would never get rid of Bella but I can see how some people just loose control of their dog and don't get help and end up at the shelter.  I love her too much and if I have to find the $500 I will but I will definitely try to find a cheaper class.  Again, I appreciate all of you guys' comments.

 

BTW...I already ignore her but that's not working either...I'm telling you, she's totally out of control. :new_Eyecrazy:
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=28952

[/QUOTE]

$500 is a lot of money, I don't blame you. I think the private consult and class is a nice compromise.

For now, until you see the trainer, when she is out of control like that just calmly place her in her crate (she can even have a treat for kenneling up). You getting frustrated won't help. Once you have the basics of attention exercises and a few commands down, it will be much easier. When Mikey was young, there were often times when I just had to put him up for 10 minutes and step away from the situation. I'd get frustrated and we would get nowhere. I would just say "Uh oh let's kennel up" in a happy voice. It wasn't a punishment, but I needed time to calm down and so did he.

 

[mylittlebella]

That's a good advice too, to put her in her play pen and not do it in a mad voice. I'll keep trying things until something works.

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Originally posted by mylittlebella@Jan 10 2005, 05:56 PM
Bella is 7 months and she's getting out of control.  I talked to a trainer today (vet recommended) and she's coming on Monday to re potty train and see how she's behaving with me.  Lately, to get my attention, she'll bite/pinch my leg.  I tell her "no" but she doesn't listen.  She poops every where and pees now where ever she feels.

She's charging me $95 for one day and then if I want to continue it will be another $500.  I don't have $500 right now but I'll save for it if it means chilling this doggie out

<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=28845

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That is ALOT of money...the $500.00!!!! Good grief!!!! Let us know what that includes after you talk to her!!!!

Originally posted by SylphidesMom@Jan 10 2005, 06:15 PM
I don't know whether you need to pay $500 to get her trained.  Have you tried obedience and agility classes?  They cost less than $100 for 6-8 weeks---I found a club with a wonderful trainer who trains and owns small breeds...

Sylphide was a maniac at that age.  She's can still be really hyper and bossy, but is very obedient now.  I took her to agility classes, which she LOVED, and they really helped focus her energy and make her more obedient.  We'll continue with agility in the Spring.
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=28853

[/QUOTE]


How do you find agility classes/trainers? I would like to put Brink in some agility classes. That would be fun!!!!

 

[nataliecmu]

Originally posted by mylittlebella@Jan 10 2005, 07:25 PM
Lexi's mom...Bella does the same thing.  It's not biting but running her teeth. 

She's not being aggresive at all its just to get my attention.  She did just get spayed but she was doing this before.  She was trained and she knows to go on the wee wee pads but it's like she does it on purpose to get my attention.  For example, today I came home for lunch and I was in the kitchen making a sandwich.  When I went to the dining table, and there was Bella waiting for me right next to her pee.  As soon as she saw me she ran under the table.  It's like a game to her.  She knows she's in trouble but she likes being in trouble for the attention.

I hope this lady can tell me what I'm doing wrong so this little girl can start listening.  Ill keep you posted and let you know what she says.
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=28870

[/QUOTE]


Bella sounds like me in HS. Of course, I wouldn't pee and sit next to it... I would smoke and wait for my mom to ask me if I was smoking... :new_Eyecrazy:

 

[msmagnolia]

Good for you for getting some help NOW. We learned the hard way with a cocker spaniel that you have to have control. We treated her like a baby and she ruled our house. I was even kind of scared of her when she was snappy. I swore that when she died I would NEVER have another dog. It wasn't long before we were looking for our bichon but this time we did the research and made sure that we were the alpha at all times. I've never had one minutes trouble from her. We are doing the same with our puppies. Our methods are positive. We relied heavily on the Monks of New Skete. Please post after the trainer has been there. I'd really be interested to know what they have to say.

 

[k/c mom]

Originally posted by msmagnolia@Jan 11 2005, 02:07 PM
Good for you for getting some help NOW.  We learned the hard way with a cocker spaniel that you have to have control.  We treated her like a baby and she ruled our house.  I was even kind of scared of her when she was snappy.  I swore that when she died I would NEVER have another dog.  It wasn't long before we were looking for our bichon but this time we did the research and made sure that we were the alpha at all times.  I've never had one minutes trouble from her.  We are doing the same with our puppies.  Our methods are positive.  We relied heavily on the Monks of New Skete.  Please post after the trainer has been there.  I'd really be interested to know what they have to say.
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=29049

[/QUOTE]

The same exact thing happened to me and Rosebud was snappy, too! My first Maltese was my first puppy and after the first day or two she turned in to Cujo and I didn't have a clue what to do! I was so discouraged that I almost gave her to a friend. It can be so overwhelming to have a puppy and not know how to deal with his/her issues.So, like in your case, she became the alpha... she was my beloved baby... but still alpha! I have learned so much since then... but gosh it's been 14 years.

I also used the Monks of New Skete books. The Art of Raising a Puppy was not yet published, which is written by a former monk. I went back to the book recently and noticed that it talks about the alpha rollover and alpha shake but everything I've seen recently says not to do those techniques. I must admit, they didn't work for me at all. I didn't feel right doing them anyway and I swore I'd never use them on another dog. I was glad to see that they are out of favor now. Just as with raising children, etc., new techniques come in to vogue and others go out.

 

[msmagnolia]

We never really had to do the rollover and the shake. We did use their suggestions for sleeping and keeping the dog right by us to help with house training. I don't think the rollover is really necessary for small dogs. I did notice on another board that someone who has a wolf rescue uses that method and is highly successful. Maybe it works better for big dogs.