husband's dog...

Re: husband's dog...

• missliz53 member

  March 2015

  How big is he?  Citronella collars work wonders for barking dogs. They have a microphone that sits near the voice box and when they bark they get a spritz of citronella. You can find them on amazon for pretty cheap vx the pet store. I have a Basset Hound who likes to hear herself bark and this collar has kept her from driving the neighborhood nuts. As for the other problems, it's sounds like he has some separation anxiety going on. You should consult with a trainer or behaviorist on how to help him. It requires some time and effort, but once he starts feeling more confident he'll be less clingy. I really like Bark Busters trainers; they work with you in your home. You can check with your regular vet and they will have some suggestions too. Also, if there's a veterinary school in your state, they probably have a behaviorist working for them. 

  
  

  As for the shedding, if he is brushed on a daily basis that won't be much of a problem, you can also use weekly bathing to keep the pet dander down. Yes it takes effort, but it's not the dog's fault that he sheds. 

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• rsmiller8809 member

  March 2015

  I have 2 dogs who shed like crazy. I use the furminator brush to help with that. My opinion is I wouldn't get rid of a kid for behavioral issues. So I'm not going to get rid of a dog for barking, shedding, jumping, etc. Take the dog to a training session. You and your husband should both go, so the dog will listen to you both. It might take a while (dogs learn faster as puppies) but it's not impossible to retrain them.

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• Nehouston member

  March 2015

  Sounds like he needs exercise, training and boundaries. Best to start now before baby comes.

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• meganwestmoreland member

  March 2015

  I've had dogs my whole life and shedding is just part of it, unless you get a hypo allergenic dog. But brushing them daily helps a lot!
  Exercise makes such a difference in dogs, even a quick 15 min walk a day can do wonders. I would highly suggest training though. We actually just had a trainer come in and help us with our dog, who's a really great dog but he's 120 and loves to jump on people when they enter the house. He also had some miner listening issues we wanted to tackle before the baby got here. The trainer was amazing and showed us some really simple (non abusive) ways to teach Duke that we were the leaders of the house. In 3 hours it amazed me how much better he listened! Look up the Bark Busters for your area, it's worth every penny! Which isn't a lot for what you get to be honest.

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• piscesmommy222 member

  March 2015

  I have 4 young energetic LARGE dogs so I hear you! I also have a 3 year old and a new baby on the way. Here are some suggestions:

  
  

  1. Either fence in the yard so dog can run and play and burn energy, or make a routine to walk the dog to get energy out.

  
  

  2. Every time the dog barks use this IT REALLY WORKS: https://www.amazon.com/Company-of-Animals-COA-AP-Corrector/dp/B0051GO5WM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1426774029&sr=8-2&keywords=pet+corrector

  
  

  3. Use the furminator daily, it is excellent for shedding. I have a hairy dog too. Between that and grooming house looks pretty good.

  
  

  4. The possessive thing can also be cured with the Pet Corrector spray listed above or a trainer. You want to nip that in the bud. Very correctable.

  
  

  Lastly, PLEASE do everything you can't to not get rid of this dog. Millions of dogs are put to sleep each year because there simply aren't enough homes.

  
  

  WISHING YOU THE VERY BEST OF LUCK!

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• WDDCH member

  March 2015

  What everyone said, yes!
  I had a big hairy dog and brushing him was a really sweet bonding time. Only took a few minutes and it made him feel good. We'd do it outside and then play. Perhaps try bonding with the dog and setting yourself up as alpha. He's not going to respect you if he doesn't view you as "the boss". And get him a doggie bed and out of your bed (another way to show dominance is you having the higher, nicer spot to sleep).

  

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• mybabynumber2 member

  March 2015

  Can't really add much to the above , apart from giving a thumbs up for good advice :-)

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• Natabear member

  March 2015

  I'm sorry, but being attached to your husband more isn't a valid reason for "getting rid" of an animal.

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• v1wwo member

  March 2015

  The true problem is your husband. He should become a calm, assertive leader and tell the dog that it's not ok to do this, this, and that. Or put them both outside....

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• mybabynumber2 member

  March 2015

  lol ^^^ @v1wwo

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• AndieTessie member

  March 2015

  I agree there is tons of great advice on here! I have two very needy dogs and one spoiled cat and the training has already started! I play recordings of babies crying while I hold a doll so they get use to not being the center of attention anymore. (It looks weird but it's working). Also lots of exercise and positive reinforcement when they behave! My one dog's shedding pretty bad due to the seasons changing so I brush for about a half hour and then stick a tee shirt on him, it helps keep the hair from getting everywhere! Good luck and please don't get rid of your husband's dog, with a little training he will get better, I promise!

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• hrossi253 member

  March 2015

  My dogs sleep in their crates at night. They love them, if I leave them open, they will freely lay in there. Some people think crates are a punishment, but they are actually like a dog's "den", a quiet place for them to go and have their own space. The Humane Society actually has a great article about crate training. Maybe get him used to sleeping in a crate at night, that way he's not in your bed. Also, you guys have to be consistent in your corrections with him. If he's not allowed on the bed anymore, it has to be every time. This is something your hubby and you will have to agree on. My dogs irritate the crap out of me sometimes, but I made a commitment to them that I would care for them, with time, training, and love he will get better!

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• needaprince member

  March 2015

  @Natabear I never said the dogs attachment to my husband was a reason to get rid of the dog. I just know some people feel it easier and/or safer to just not have a dog around at all. And even if we did, we love animals and make sure he was going into another loving home not a shelter.
  
  I'm very aware it's not the dogs fault that he sheds. Lol
  
  Thank you ladies for all the suggestions, I'll look into all of these and find the best options in out area.

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• piscesmommy222 member

  March 2015

  AndieTessie said:

  I agree there is tons of great advice on here! I have two very needy dogs and one spoiled cat and the training has already started! I play recordings of babies crying while I hold a doll so they get use to not being the center of attention anymore. (It looks weird but it's working). Also lots of exercise and positive reinforcement when they behave! My one dog's shedding pretty bad due to the seasons changing so I brush for about a half hour and then stick a tee shirt on him, it helps keep the hair from getting everywhere! Good luck and please don't get rid of your husband's dog, with a little training he will get better, I promise!

  My trainer told us to do the same thing!!! Rock a baby doll in a blanket and play the recording of a baby crying/screaming. It really helps!

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• hrossi253 member

  March 2015

  OP, you are in Abq right? I think you posted about New Mexico moms, lol. I'm not sure where you're at in Abq, but I am on the south side and there is a training center by us called Acoma training center. I personally don't recommend Petsmart or Petco training, I hate training with treats, I want my dog to listen to me because he sees me as the leader, not because I have a bag of treats. Besides, I am not carrying dog food around all day no way! lol. I have trained and shown a lot of dogs, and they do agility there too, which would be good for your dog. I don't know about you, but I think training is pretty cool, and I think if you guys did maybe a weekend class or something, it would really help you out! Especially if you take the dog to the class, because obviously this dog is putting itself above you in the pack. I think they do private and group lessons, it might be worth looking into! (Along with a crate!) 

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• needaprince member

  March 2015

  hrossi253 said:

  OP, you are in Abq right? I think you posted about New Mexico moms, lol. I'm not sure where you're at in Abq, but I am on the south side and there is a training center by us called Acoma training center. I personally don't recommend Petsmart or Petco training, I hate training with treats, I want my dog to listen to me because he sees me as the leader, not because I have a bag of treats. Besides, I am not carrying dog food around all day no way! lol. I have trained and shown a lot of dogs, and they do agility there too, which would be good for your dog. I don't know about you, but I think training is pretty cool, and I think if you guys did maybe a weekend class or something, it would really help you out! Especially if you take the dog to the class, because obviously this dog is putting itself above you in the pack. I think they do private and group lessons, it might be worth looking into! (Along with a crate!) 

  Yes that was me, fellow New Mexican :-) awesome I'm glad to get a first hand recommendation from here in town. I really appreciate it. I never had any animals around my other daughter's as babies so this is another difference this time around.

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• hrossi253 member

  March 2015

  I have 2 big shepherds, the one loves my son almost too much, is constantly in his face licking and just trying to be near him which irritates my son to no end. So when I just want calm, I have a baby gate that I can keep the dogs in the kitchen while my son is playing in the living room which is nice. They love going on walks with the stroller, the one dog can't function if it's not there haha he will constantly look for it. They have always been really good with my son, excited to be with him because he always seems to be dropping crumbs, and the dog hair seems to be inevitable in our house, but the Dr actually said that kids that live with animals early in life are less likely to have an allergy later on so that's good too. 

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