Re-training a young dog

[Howitzer]

Hi all,

There is the possibility of us getting a dog we have known for a while, it's a Jack Russel, Shih tzu cross.

She is essentially a lap dog at the minute but has bundles of energy and is not getting the daily walks she needs or dicipline/ training and interaction in a doggy way.

We have 2 cats, 1 the same size and one twice as big as her who she gets on fine with and will be at home during the day while my other half is at work, i'll be home all day for periods but I work overseas at short notice so wont be here all the time.

Now, she is rough;ly 3 years old and has had no real training, would that be far too old a dog to start cage training as it's the only training I generally understand? My thinking was that if she had her own bed and space then she would be less of a lap dog and happier when my fiance is at work.

When i'm home she will get walks during the day and at the minimum 2 walks a day when just my fiance is at home.

Any thoughts and experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Dave!

[KrazyIvan]

Jack-st

Re-training shouldn't really be an issue, though it may take a good few hours of work on your part. Start with the basics (sit, stay, heel, no ect) in a safe open area (read as quite park, with no other dog around as a distraction) and plenty of treats. An hour or so every day for a few weeks should make a marked difference.

I am not sure leaving it alone all day with a pair of cats is really a safe idea, as bored Jack Russells can be very VERY destructive, and keep in mind chasing fury things is in their nature.

[Howitzer]

She currently spends about 10 hours a day at home with a very old Labrador who isn't as spritely as she used to be. We will leave the open plan downstairs of the house for her to roam free in during the day and are thinking a large cat flap will be fine for her to use.

Oddly, i'd be more worried about the dog getting hurt, the Persian can be quite viscious and the Ginger Tom weighs 8 kilos and is twice the size

We have a park close by so can spend a fair amount of time there.

I'm hoping the cage training will get her to sleep in her own bed, sleeping in ours is not an option.

She has been called worse than Jack S11T haha

Dave!

[Jasandjules]

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but they are wrong. We rescued a six year old dog who was a good boy but had some bad habits - and he didn't know the command to sit..... He does now, and he will automatically sit at the points which we would expect him to, same as any other dog.

They are not stupid animals and they will learn.

[Who me ?]

Jasandjules said:

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but they are wrong. We rescued a six year old dog who was a good boy but had some bad habits - and he didn't know the command to sit..... He does now, and he will automatically sit at the points which we would expect him to, same as any other dog.

They are not stupid animals and they will learn.

Likewise. Mine has had basic training and then it seems to have been forgotten . He will sit ,at times .He is absolutely house proud, and even garden proud.He will pee in the garden ,but that's all .He will never thief of the table, or beg when we're eating. When we got him three years ago ,aged eight, we were advised that he could not be trusted off lead. Took a fortnight with love and treats. Just remember that if he wanders off, never chase him . That to him is a game .

[C3BER]

Dogs like dens so cover your crate to make it a safe happy place...

You like peace and quiet so buy some ear plugs when it cries :-)

Take your time and it will get there but every dog is different because it's been taught different.

[Who me ?]

C3BER said:

Dogs like dens so cover your crate to make it a safe happy place...



.

Dens - mine just likes somewhere comfy. At night ,he will come up ,to see if our bed is better than his. And with us in bed decides that the settee is a better bet. Nowadays, he doesn't bother.He's a spoilt mutt, and from my reading of him, he's been treated this way from a pup. Nowadays ,the only reason for him to come up is if he's a bit insecure. Despite being a big bold macho dog, he suffers from nervous aggression. Something ,I feel produced by an owner that prevented him from socialising with other dogs. Since I've had him , he mixes more and better with all breeds. In older times he'd be the pack leader in a cairn pack of hunting dogs. he's got brain and brawn .

[Howitzer]

She arrives on Saturday so fingers crossed.

Dave!

[C3BER]

No matter how you train your dog as long your happy and the dogs happy and you both get equal amounts of love then kick the little bugger out of your bed ;-)

[Who me ?]

C3BER said:

No matter how you train your dog as long your happy and the dogs happy and you both get equal amounts of love then kick the little bugger out of your bed ;-)

I've tried, but an 11.5 KG dog that don't want to go can be difficult. He does get off for missus. First item on agenda is love, lots of . Once dog wants to please you ,for love, then training can commence.Present one is a problem - he's always been a spoilt mutt. But he can want to please and if he loses me in park ,panic sets in till I call him . Last one, was thrown out. NO LOVE ETC. She was always looking to please . Plus as a street dog, looked to me for signals.