Hi all,
Me again. I haven't found the answer to what I am looking for so I thought I would post my own thread.
In the last few days, Sadie has been running away from me when I would like to discipline her. I am sure that it is something that I am doing to have made this a game for her.
She is not allowed on this hilly area to the side of our yard. She likes to pull pieces of the palm trees off finds other goodies to chew on that are equally not good for her. There is no practical way for us to fence this area off. Sadie is not yet leash trained at 10 weeks, although we are working on the basics--(I can't really get her to stop chewing the leash--but that is another story). We are approaching week 2 of 8, puppy kindergarten--still much to learn.
Anyhow, we redirect her every time she goes there. A loud couple of claps was working to distract her while we made it over to the area to remove her to somewhere more favorable. Usually we then give a toy that she CAN chew.
Recently, and only with me (the slow, 6 month pregnant one), she will find a tree on the hill to circle or she will circle my daughter's playhouse with whatever object she has found in her mouth. I cannot catch her to grab whatever is in her mouth. If I come close, she circles the opposite direction. I can tell from her stance that she thinks this is great fun. She must be awfully confused when I finally do catch her and put her in confinement. It is the only way that I can think of to show her my displeasure with this behavior. I very much dislike this game, and it always takes me about ten minutes to go calm down.
I found something in a blog that says to not give the dog that negative attention by chasing them and ignore the chase scenario that she would have me partake in...walk away. I am not fond of this solution because I feel like she wins and gets away with whatever item is in her mouth. I also think she will run when I eventually confront her. I do not want her to think that it is okay to go on that hill.
Another thought: Am I giving her too much freedom too fast by allowing her to explore the whole backyard?
Thanks again for your expertise.
Amy
Me again. I haven't found the answer to what I am looking for so I thought I would post my own thread.
In the last few days, Sadie has been running away from me when I would like to discipline her. I am sure that it is something that I am doing to have made this a game for her.
She is not allowed on this hilly area to the side of our yard. She likes to pull pieces of the palm trees off finds other goodies to chew on that are equally not good for her. There is no practical way for us to fence this area off. Sadie is not yet leash trained at 10 weeks, although we are working on the basics--(I can't really get her to stop chewing the leash--but that is another story). We are approaching week 2 of 8, puppy kindergarten--still much to learn.
Anyhow, we redirect her every time she goes there. A loud couple of claps was working to distract her while we made it over to the area to remove her to somewhere more favorable. Usually we then give a toy that she CAN chew.
Recently, and only with me (the slow, 6 month pregnant one), she will find a tree on the hill to circle or she will circle my daughter's playhouse with whatever object she has found in her mouth. I cannot catch her to grab whatever is in her mouth. If I come close, she circles the opposite direction. I can tell from her stance that she thinks this is great fun. She must be awfully confused when I finally do catch her and put her in confinement. It is the only way that I can think of to show her my displeasure with this behavior. I very much dislike this game, and it always takes me about ten minutes to go calm down.
I found something in a blog that says to not give the dog that negative attention by chasing them and ignore the chase scenario that she would have me partake in...walk away. I am not fond of this solution because I feel like she wins and gets away with whatever item is in her mouth. I also think she will run when I eventually confront her. I do not want her to think that it is okay to go on that hill.
Another thought: Am I giving her too much freedom too fast by allowing her to explore the whole backyard?
Thanks again for your expertise.
Amy