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Junior Member
Group: Forum Member
Last Login: 9/28/2009 4:54:23 AM
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Hi! I'm new here! I'm a Peer Moderator for the Cat Channel forums. I do love dogs (especially big doggies!) but I am just too busy to own one at this time. Cats are a little more self sufficient! (Also, can't afford it and I don't believe in adopting an animal unless I can take care of it properly.)
So, to my question. I have a friend who has a Puggle (Beagle-Pug mix). His name is Stanley. Stanley is a good dog, but his owner needs a little guidance on how to handle some of his 'quirks', and since I work mostly with cats, my dog knowledge is a little rusty, and she has tried everything I suggested.
First issue is that Stanley has a SEVERE under bite and absolutely destroys his toys in about 4 seconds flat. My friend has tried the very large knobbly Kong toys (made for the large breed dogs) and he ripped it to pieces in about 1-2 days. Do you have any suggestions for toys for Stanley?
Second issue is his training. Stanley is very protective of my friend. She took him to a group class at Petsmart. Stanley urinated all over my friend every time they got there! He growled viciously at the other dogs, and the trainer there was no help at all. She did not know how to handle Stanley and often asked my friend to leave for a short time until she could calm her dog down. So, she was paying for classes that she wasn't attending for half the session. They eventually just quit.
Stanley just barks and barks and does not listen. He seems to have a lot of beagle traits, such as pointing, constant barking, chasing her cats around the house (for a week, he chased a man on his bike down the street! The poor man I guess found an alternate route!). He is also extremely lovey and clingy (I think this is more the Pug side). He always has to be touching her or her husband in some way (or at least very close to them) and has some separation anxiety. When they moved into their new home, my friend and her husband were home almost all the time for nearly two weeks. When they went back to work (she works days, he works nights) Stanley was barking all the time, pacing, drooling, destroying all kinds of things. It took him about a month to calm back down to 'normal'.
I was hoping someone would have some suggestions on what she can do to help Stanley. He's a good dog, and they love him very much. But I think something needs to be done to make both her life and Stanley's life a little more enjoyable with each other. Thank you for your input!
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Member
Last Login: 9/27/2009 9:37:09 AM
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| First of all, most classes at Petsmart leave a bit to be desired! Most of the trainers come in off the street and go through a training session. Big deal! I know alot of people who have tried training their dogs at Petsmart with no success. The trainers are not qualified to deal with any problems! Tell your friend not to give up! There are good trainers everywhere. Start by asking at the vet's office if they can recommend a good trainer/behaviorist. Often times, a vet has someone to confer with or refer clients to. Good luck, and again, do not give up!
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Supreme Being
Group: Peer Moderator
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:11:15 AM
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I agree ^^^ you need to find a trainer that is better qualified for dog training. also how much exercise does the dog get? if the dog has more of the beagle energy it will need a lot of exercise to help it calm down and not be so destructive. dogs that are bored can do lots of damage!
 
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 9/28/2009 4:54:23 AM
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From what I understand, she lets him outside to play at least once every day for a few hours, weather permitting. She cannot leave him unattended in the yard.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a toy?
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Supreme Being
Group: Peer Moderator
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:11:15 AM
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| has she tried the black kongs? also, just letting a dog outside to play is not enough. they need the mental stimulation of smelling new places as well as the physical aspect of walking at a steady pace for awhile.
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Member
Last Login: 9/28/2009 4:54:23 AM
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She did try one of the big Kong toys (for a large breed dog). Not the kind you fill with treats, but the knobbly kind.
I will let her know when I see her today at work. Thanks for all of your suggestions! Keep them coming if you have them!
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Member
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 12:09:32 PM
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| I like the exercise response. Its win-win- you both benefit. I dont know where you live, but i take my boys out to the desert and let them run free while i hike every day. Now they stalk me around the house until we go. they love it. While I would never let them off leash in town, the desert is perfect. I do know they wont chase a rabbit and not come back. they ALWAYS come back! moral of the story: i could walk them on leash for 2 hours and it wont do the same thing that a one hour free-time walk would. they get mental stimulation, they run circles around me, and they always end up tired at the end. and believe this: a tired dog is a happy dog! cheers,
If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them. ~Phil Pastoret
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