Okay, I have kind of a strange issue going on and I'm hoping for some advice. About 1 1/2 months ago I took in a TFT (toy fox terrier) that had been abandoned and living outside.
Now, not for purposes of tooting my own horn, but just to add information--I'm middle-aged and I have a long history of working with rescue dogs, competing in obedience, tracking and was a therapy dog tester for therapy dogs inc., for several years. The point is I'm not a complete novice at this. However, Brutus is my first toy breed. I also have two larger dogs.
We think Brutus is around 7 or 8 months. He's recovered nicely from the frostbite (ears and paws), malnutrition, and various skin ailments. At this point he's 90% housebroken, does well in his crate, walks on leash, blends in nicely with my two other dogs and I've begun with basic commands of sit and down.
Nows here's the issue, Brutus has possibly the strongest will to please me that I've encountered in a dog. At this point I'm not so sure that he's learning "commands" per se as just studying me hard enough to anticipate my wants. It's even a little spooky sometimes. However, he has absolutely NO interest in anyone else. He goes out of his way to avoid my husband and son (both of which are calm, quiet, well-trained dog people). And he'll occasionally even bark at them when they enter the room. We're working on these issues, and I am taking Brutus with me whenever I leave the house to meet new people.
My concern is that if Brutus is learning to please me rather than obey commands, it might be very difficult to leave him with anyone if I have to go away for a few days or if he has to stay at the vets. My two big guys are extremely well-trained and well-mannered and generally love everybody.
As of now, my husband can give cookies to my two other dogs and Brutus will refuse to approach him to receive his. If my husband tosses the cookie or places it on the ground and walks away, Brutus still refuses to take it. Nor will he take it if I'm holding him and my husband offers it.
I'm sorry this post is long and little confusing: my main concern is getting Brutus to the point that he knows some basic commands well enough that other people can deliver them and have him respond.
Now, not for purposes of tooting my own horn, but just to add information--I'm middle-aged and I have a long history of working with rescue dogs, competing in obedience, tracking and was a therapy dog tester for therapy dogs inc., for several years. The point is I'm not a complete novice at this. However, Brutus is my first toy breed. I also have two larger dogs.
We think Brutus is around 7 or 8 months. He's recovered nicely from the frostbite (ears and paws), malnutrition, and various skin ailments. At this point he's 90% housebroken, does well in his crate, walks on leash, blends in nicely with my two other dogs and I've begun with basic commands of sit and down.
Nows here's the issue, Brutus has possibly the strongest will to please me that I've encountered in a dog. At this point I'm not so sure that he's learning "commands" per se as just studying me hard enough to anticipate my wants. It's even a little spooky sometimes. However, he has absolutely NO interest in anyone else. He goes out of his way to avoid my husband and son (both of which are calm, quiet, well-trained dog people). And he'll occasionally even bark at them when they enter the room. We're working on these issues, and I am taking Brutus with me whenever I leave the house to meet new people.
My concern is that if Brutus is learning to please me rather than obey commands, it might be very difficult to leave him with anyone if I have to go away for a few days or if he has to stay at the vets. My two big guys are extremely well-trained and well-mannered and generally love everybody.
As of now, my husband can give cookies to my two other dogs and Brutus will refuse to approach him to receive his. If my husband tosses the cookie or places it on the ground and walks away, Brutus still refuses to take it. Nor will he take it if I'm holding him and my husband offers it.
I'm sorry this post is long and little confusing: my main concern is getting Brutus to the point that he knows some basic commands well enough that other people can deliver them and have him respond.