Frustrated at several things. Please read if you take care of your dog(s) alone.

[AllieMackie]

This may be long-winded... but I'm frustrated, and tired. And I don't know what to do, and would love some advice from people in situations similar, or who had a similar situation when raising a young dog of their own.

Finnegan, at almost 8 months, is getting better at being out on his own without constantly supervised, but... when I'm not closely supervising him, he tends to wander the house, sometimes have accidents, get in my housemates' way, and otherwise be a border collie ("whatcha doin huh huh huh? What about now huh? Wanna play? Wanna do something? What are you doing now huh huh?").

I can't have him loose in the same room as me while I work, because I share my office space with my housemate, and Finn gets into things... I have to watch him more than work so it's almost as counterproductive as having him loose in the house.

So... if I want to have any time to myself, be it to work, or to just have some time to myself for whatever reason, he has to be crated. Which means he's crated more than I'd like some days (8-9 hours), and other days he's out due to my own guilt and since I'm supervising him, I get no work done. I do house chores, but otherwise no business work.

This leads to another problem. He's not quite learned an Off Switch yet. This is partially my own fault.. he gets played with almost nonstop when out of his crate, thanks to my guilt about crating him more than I want to. I brought it on myself, and now I'm wondering what steps I can take to reverse it. He gets LOTS of mental and physical stimulation... I knew what I was getting into when I got him, he gets plenty of what he needs and he doesn't need to be "on" all the time. I think I inadvertantly have conditioned him that way and now I'm kicking myself for it. He only "turns off" when in his crate.

I have three housemates, but none of them will care for Finn in any way unless I specifically ask very nicely, and I'm usually given the tone that it is a hassle for me to ask them to do so. So I only ask when I absolutely have to... which isn't often. I will go out of my way to make sure I am the one who is caring for Finn when I can, because I don't like the fact that they don't WANT to help.

I guess this is sort of a rant, and I'm a bit overwhelmed by several things in my life right now, and my poor 8-month old border collie who I love to pieces and deserves better... isn't getting the guidance he needs. I could really use some guidance in what to do.

Thanks for reading all that.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

1) quit worrying! He is being taken care of in a FANTASTIC way
2) crate him when you need to. Make up for it with more exercise and fun when you have time to spend with him

 

[Criosphynx]

First off don't beat yourself up.

Maybe less play and more structure? Does he like training or shaping games?

 

[AllieMackie]

First off don't beat yourself up.

Maybe less play and more structure? Does he like training or shaping games?

He likes training sometimes, yes. At times, shaping new behaviours is quick and easy. For instance, we're working on long stays right now, and he LOVES them. He's so proud that he KNOWS what to do, that he happily offers it.

But, as a "bad" example, we're having severe issues working with anything even remotely above his current behaviour threshold, which is low (few, small distractions, in the house or in the backyard). Anything past small distractions and he loses it. We're at a threshold plateau and it frustrates me, which wears off on him and nobody wins, heh.

 

[Criosphynx]

He likes training sometimes, yes. At times, shaping new behaviours is quick and easy. For instance, we're working on long stays right now, and he LOVES them. He's so proud that he KNOWS what to do, that he happily offers it.

But, as a "bad" example, we're having severe issues working with anything even remotely above his current behaviour threshold, which is low (few, small distractions, in the house or in the backyard). Anything past small distractions and he loses it. We're at a threshold plateau and it frustrates me, which wears off on him and nobody wins, heh.

Is he reactive? Or kinda ADD? lol

perhaps a flock of sheep will help.

No but seriously maybe trying harder stuff...like handstands and backward circles...you know stuff that will reaaally spin his head

The other option is waaay easy stuff...som'time I'll click for anything thats not sitting and staring at me...the dog loves it because its so rapid fire and hes never wrong.

 

[lizzybeth727]

What if you leash him to your desk while you're working, and reward him for laying calmly near you? Then you don't HAVE to watch him the whole time, but you can toss him some treats whenever you think about him laying there. Maybe it'll help him turn "off" too?

You could also teach him to stay in his bed, and put the bed near you while you're working, and toss him treats while he's there. That's a little more difficult, though, because you'll have to be right on top of him (mentally, not physically) if he decides to get up, which may be too distracting for you.

 

[AllieMackie]

What if you leash him to your desk while you're working, and reward him for laying calmly near you? Then you don't HAVE to watch him the whole time, but you can toss him some treats whenever you think about him laying there. Maybe it'll help him turn "off" too?

You could also teach him to stay in his bed, and put the bed near you while you're working, and toss him treats while he's there. That's a little more difficult, though, because you'll have to be right on top of him (mentally, not physically) if he decides to get up, which may be too distracting for you.

This is something I'm thinking about trying. Placing his bed in the office with me, keeping him on a tether, and rewarding calm behaviour, or behaviours where he entertains himself without getting into trouble.

My boyfriend is helpful in some aspects, which is great. He is not a "dog" person, but does help out with Finn sometimes which lessens my stress a little. Sometimes, despite all I do for Finn, I wonder if I'm in over my head and then I just feel bad.

Also... continually reminding myself that he is only 8 months (not even) and he's still not mature by any means.

 

[lizzybeth727]

This is something I'm thinking about trying. Placing his bed in the office with me, keeping him on a tether, and rewarding calm behaviour, or behaviours where he entertains himself without getting into trouble.

Yeah, of course, giving him a kong or a bone or something would also make it easier.

 

[AllieMackie]

Yeah, of course, giving him a kong or a bone or something would also make it easier.

Yeah definitely. He also has toys which he'll sometimes happily toss around for himself, which I would provide to him in the office if he wants to play with them. I wonder sometimes if I should reward that behaviour, or if that would be rewarding him for requiring constant stimulation, and thus furthering my problem. Training can be so complicated.

 

[stardogs]

I have a DH, but I do all the dog care for the most part. Kes, 7mo heelerX, spends a lot more time in his crate than I'd like because he's such a pest, but we just deal as best we can. Things that have helped us:

- dedicated training time at least every other day, often shaping based vs. skills that we practice in our daily routine
- Feeding out of treat dispensing toys instead of food bowls (he eats from a Kibble Nibble or Treatstik usually)
- using baby gates to keep him within sight
- timeouts for obnoxious behavior
- focused exercise (fetch games, but also walks in new areas, short playtimes with other dogs, etc.)
- LOTS of nylabones - these are often used to redirect the crazies (just did it a minute ago in fact as he was terrorizing Ziva) and serve to self-reward calm behavior

Additional things I suggest to my students:
- tethering (supervised use only - we'll be setting up tethering stations at our new house, but can't do it easily here since we rent)
- use of expens (soooo wish I could do this with Kes but he'll clear anything under 4')
- clicking for calm
- stuffed kongs or raw meaty bones

 

[AllieMackie]

Thanks for the good tips stardogs! And welcome to Chaz! Didn't know you were on here.

Well, today I decided to start slowly. Finn is being allowed in my office for a half hour in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon, before being crated for the remainder. I always give him good exercise beforehand, and some training to work his mind. I'm clicking and treating for calm behaviour - anything that involves him resting or self-entertaining quietly.

I provided a Kong and his favorite toys, and he did pretty well - some pacing and confusion, but once he calmed some I clicked and treated, and though he's still confused and pacing quite a bit, I think he's catching on slowly. Time will tell.

 

[Fran101]

Thanks for the good tips stardogs! And welcome to Chaz! Didn't know you were on here.

Well, today I decided to start slowly. Finn is being allowed in my office for a half hour in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon, before being crated for the remainder. I always give him good exercise beforehand, and some training to work his mind. I'm clicking and treating for calm behaviour - anything that involves him resting or self-entertaining quietly.

I provided a Kong and his favorite toys, and he did pretty well - some pacing and confusion, but once he calmed some I clicked and treated, and though he's still confused and pacing quite a bit, I think he's catching on slowly. Time will tell.

thats awesome

Kenya used to be the same way, and I put on her leash and tethered her to me. and when I was busy ,totally ignored her. It was hard at first when she would like throw herself on me, whine, bark etc.. but EVENTUALLY she learned that she can be tethered to me as long as she is calm. and the reward for being calm is a great play session outside and lots of yummy treats

The treadmill was also a GOD SEND for us! Id put her on it and start her on a walk and then do real running sprint for a little while, it would tire her out without me having to actually run with her lol its very handy when its raining, hurricane etc.. She LOVES it now, hops on it and we walk together with me on the one next to it

 

[elegy]

8 month old bcs are supposed to have off switches? :rofl1:

it's easier for me with steve because i'm by myself, so i don't have to worry about him being annoying to anybody but me. but when i need him to get out of my hair, some good exercise and then putting him in his crate with a frozen kong of goodness usually buys me some peace and quiet. he's pretty good about emptying his kong and then falls asleep because i'm so boring.

i think in your situation, i'd work toward getting him to settle on a mat. i'd probably use a tether until he started getting the idea. i'd set him up with a kong and c/t for being calm and/or working on his kong, working in short periods as much as possible to help him succeed.

puppies are so much fun!!

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

Hey Stardogs,
Are you on BCboards as well? Heh I recognize you

Allie, I second the part about not worrying. I can walk Spy for 3 hours and do some training in the yard but when I come inside and he gives me his look, I immediately feel like I haven't done enough.

Its the darn border collies. Them and their mind tricks.

 

[SisMorphine]

I wouldn't beat yourself up if you have to crate him that much. As long as he has constructive exercise while he's out he will be FINE! I promise

I taught Teeny that she HAD to settle if I was sitting at my desk. I did this by sitting down, having her lie down next to me, and stepping on her leash. The first few times she threw ungodly hissy fits like only a true diva can throw, but eventually she got it. Now when I'm at my desk my 2.5 year old dog immediately comes and lies at my feet. Just remember that since he's still a pup to keep the settle exercises short and sweet for now. Have him doing it for 20 minutes, only AFTER a nice long play session, and once he's done his 20 minutes reward him (food, play, etc), bring him outside for a potty break and some fun, and put him back in his crate for a while so you can get some work done. As he understands the game more, and as he grows up a bit more and develops more of an attention span, you can go for longer.

The settling exercise saved my sanity with Teeny.

 

[Brattina88]

As far as interactive toys, Kayla just bought a new one for Tucker, and I have to say even I am intreaged by it lol!
Its called a Bob-A-Lot and went the dog nudges it the toy exagerates the movement and wobbles around, randomly spitting out the treats you put in it. It doesn't look like anything fancy, I don't think Kayla would've bought it if there wasn't a demonstration at the store. Pretty cool, I though

I taught Maddie "settle" almost like a wait command when she was a pup, but I couldn't have done it without a kong probably

 

[JessLough]

...sounds like there's only 1 answer to this.... more of me coming and stealing Finn

but in all seriousness, I'm glad to hear yesterday went well for the first day!! (I saw while stalking you on facebook you were trying it, and have been wondering how it went )

 

[Dekka]

Sport really only settles in his crate or Darien's room.

I am sure he will settle in the office. How about moving his crate to the office so he can still be with you. Also that way if he over stimulates himself you can just put him in his crate for a bit, and then let him out again.

 

[AllieMackie]

Sport really only settles in his crate or Darien's room.

I am sure he will settle in the office. How about moving his crate to the office so he can still be with you. Also that way if he over stimulates himself you can just put him in his crate for a bit, and then let him out again.

I can't fit a crate in this office. I made it work when he came home, but that was when roomie was in Afghanistan so I could push his desk against the wall.

We tried the half hour again this morning, and he did the same as yesterday... sort of rested at times, but mostly paced. I did c/t for calm behaviour, and I'll keep doing iut. I'm not exp[ecting immediate results, especially since this is behaviour shaping that he's not in the habit of doing.

 

[AllieMackie]

I wouldn't beat yourself up if you have to crate him that much. As long as he has constructive exercise while he's out he will be FINE! I promise

I taught Teeny that she HAD to settle if I was sitting at my desk. I did this by sitting down, having her lie down next to me, and stepping on her leash. The first few times she threw ungodly hissy fits like only a true diva can throw, but eventually she got it. Now when I'm at my desk my 2.5 year old dog immediately comes and lies at my feet. Just remember that since he's still a pup to keep the settle exercises short and sweet for now. Have him doing it for 20 minutes, only AFTER a nice long play session, and once he's done his 20 minutes reward him (food, play, etc), bring him outside for a potty break and some fun, and put him back in his crate for a while so you can get some work done. As he understands the game more, and as he grows up a bit more and develops more of an attention span, you can go for longer.

The settling exercise saved my sanity with Teeny.

Thanks Sis. Yeah, the half-hour sessions are partially because I NEED to get the work done, and partially because he's just a pup and I don't want to push my luck. I'll keep posted with how he's doing with it!