My puppy in another's care
Hello,
I believe I have came across one of my first puppy ownership milestone.
I have left my puppy, Link, for two night's in my boyfriend's family's care. They have raised a cocker spaniel on their own, so I thought they are trustworthy to look after my dog.
Unfortunately, when I came back I was a bit surprised. They didn't follow my feeding instructions at all. They have moved my 3 months old puppy from a three times a day feeding schedule to two times a day, and they even left the food out for him to finish through the day. I have instructed them to moisten the food for my Link before feeding, and they just feed him the dry kibbles. Also, they tried to feed my dog human food, which is a behavior I didn't want my dog to pick up.
What made me even more uncomfortable was their comment about my training and relationship with my dog. They said I wasn't training my dog efficiently, because I don't yell "no", hit my dog's nose or yank the leash, basically not doing the alpha male training. It becomes even more ironic that the family though they taught my dog a new trick, which the "sit" trick that he learned on day one.
I, personally, don't feel I am a bad trainer, because I believe yelling no and hitting/tapping my dog's nose will only frustrate me. After saying "no" three times, if Link doesn't listen, he gets his time out. With the hitting/tapping, it may hurt Link or confuse Link into thinking that it's a form of play, and most of all, it will make me very angry at my puppy. I understand my limit and I know what type of dog I want my puppy to become, do you think I will need to become the alpha male or will my time out/reward training will do?
Right now, I don't feel comfortable with leaving my puppy with that family's care anymore. They have ignored my instructions and believes they have the better training method, which I don't agree. In your opinion, do you think my feeling is just? I am very grateful that they have taken care of my puppy, but I don't think I will want the same welcome again.
Please share your stories and your insight!
I believe I have came across one of my first puppy ownership milestone.
I have left my puppy, Link, for two night's in my boyfriend's family's care. They have raised a cocker spaniel on their own, so I thought they are trustworthy to look after my dog.
Unfortunately, when I came back I was a bit surprised. They didn't follow my feeding instructions at all. They have moved my 3 months old puppy from a three times a day feeding schedule to two times a day, and they even left the food out for him to finish through the day. I have instructed them to moisten the food for my Link before feeding, and they just feed him the dry kibbles. Also, they tried to feed my dog human food, which is a behavior I didn't want my dog to pick up.
What made me even more uncomfortable was their comment about my training and relationship with my dog. They said I wasn't training my dog efficiently, because I don't yell "no", hit my dog's nose or yank the leash, basically not doing the alpha male training. It becomes even more ironic that the family though they taught my dog a new trick, which the "sit" trick that he learned on day one.
I, personally, don't feel I am a bad trainer, because I believe yelling no and hitting/tapping my dog's nose will only frustrate me. After saying "no" three times, if Link doesn't listen, he gets his time out. With the hitting/tapping, it may hurt Link or confuse Link into thinking that it's a form of play, and most of all, it will make me very angry at my puppy. I understand my limit and I know what type of dog I want my puppy to become, do you think I will need to become the alpha male or will my time out/reward training will do?
Right now, I don't feel comfortable with leaving my puppy with that family's care anymore. They have ignored my instructions and believes they have the better training method, which I don't agree. In your opinion, do you think my feeling is just? I am very grateful that they have taken care of my puppy, but I don't think I will want the same welcome again.
Please share your stories and your insight!
Comments
You are quite right to avoid alpha methods and spanking with your Shiba, but it is important for your pup to understand that when you say something is off limits, it is. You don't need to repeat "no" over and over, try not to even use that word. Try changing the pup's focus onto something else and reward for that (ignore the bad behavior within reason and PRAISE the good behavior). That stinks!
Maybe you should try tapping them on the nose and yelling No!
Some people will raise their kids with spankings, others raise with time outs. Link is YOUR 'child', thus YOUR responsibility and YOUR methods of training. Personally, I feel tapping of the nose is not only a bad 'discipline' technique, but if 'tapped' too hard it could cause sinus issues to the dog and make them become head-shy. Plus, if you tried doing that to my sister's dog, that finger would become the consistency of apple sauce. I would never trust putting my hands in front of a dogs mouth, even with my own, if they aren't in the greatest of moods.
Besides, cocker spaniels are not shibas. Shibas would not handle these 'training' techniques the way a cocker would. Keep up with what makes you comfortable, and start looking for a better sitter. At least from this experience, you have learned what to look for in a sitter. Even if the person is your best friend, be sure to ask them lots of questions about how they raise/train their dog. Find someone who does similar methods as you, instead of expecting someone who does other methods the give your dog 'special' treatment.
*edit* That however does not mean they have a right to treat your dog they way they want it. If your dog got sick are they paying for the vet bills too? Didn't think so.
And Joe, did I tell you I love Dawn? ;-) She's just as firey as I am..I would have freaked the F out as well.
It's so hard to find a good dog sitter my cousin even owns a pug so I thought she would have been good, but I guess not next I know better..
Sorry you had that bad experiance. =\
Now this alpha blah blah blah. I have never quite understood domination and abuse tactics to become your dog's alpha. If you are a strong leader who leads with confidence, praise, and compassion then your dog will bond with you more than if you hit its nose. My grandmother showed and breed Cockers for years while I was growing up. I can tell you that hitting them only causes fear and Cockers who have been trained like this can grow up to be grumpy old dogs who bite and snap. My friend Michelle's parents learned the hard way when my 2 year old God daughter went up to their male Cockers face to touch his nose and he took her by the top of the head and swung her around by it. In the end, baby with stitches and a dead dog is all that came out of training their dog with the flicking the nose tactic.
Find someone else who will watch your puppy and go with your gut.