What is she mixed with?Also need help/tips

[whisper121276]

Hi y'all.I just got a shar-pei mix and am wondering what she's mixed with.Her dad is shar-pei mix and her mother is a purebred shar-pei.I've mostly been raised around cats and therefore don't know all that much about dogs.Also i'm trying to train Dixie (my pei mix),her previous owners only taught her to sit,but i'm guessing it wasn't really reinforced considering its kind of hard to get her to sit,but shes getting better and shes a fast learner.Shes 6 months old and used to being free on a big land and around other dogs...unfortunately I live in the city with little land and no fence (my husband said he'll be fencing in the back yard whenever he can for her) , she had never been on a leash,nor a chain and never wore a collar till now, so when I take her for her walks twice a day, she pulls, especially when there's other dogs because she wants to go play with them.I got her on Mon 9/26 and started her on her walks the next morning and has shown little progress...now sometimes when she starts pulling the leash she'll loosen up but sometimes she wont..sometimes she'll keep walking past other dogs (she whines as she passes them,i'm guessing cause she'd rather go to the other dogs instead of passing them by?) but sometimes she'll pull away from me,sometimes even backing up as if trying to get free from her collar (which worries me because she has gotten free from her collar a couple times while outside on her chain).The other dogs that she wants to go play with are either on chains or inside a fenced yard.Any training method to get her to completely stop doing this? my husband is planning on getting him a mastiff pup,this may also help her since shes used to having other dogs to play with.
I also have a cat,she does not like other animals,she likes to be the 'only' one and #1 and was wondering if anyone knows of any tips to get the two to get along? They have been introduced a few times,Mystic hisses and growls at Dixie whenever she comes close and i'm unsure if my dog is wanting to play with her or eat her.Dixie has just passed on by her a couple times,but has also chased her.

Any tips/training methods would be greatly appreciated.This is my first post and I apologize if this post is in the wrong topic.

Dixie's pic
http://webpages.charter.net/whisper121276/dixie2.bmp

Thanks,
Kristi

 

[Ash47]

Dixie looks as though she is mixed with Yellow Lab. Could be wrong, but I don't think I am! But I have been known to be wrong on occasion.

 

[Twilight]

Yes I agree, can deffintely see some Lab in there

shes lovely!

 

[bubbatd]

That's what I thought too !

 

[whisper121276]

Thanks for your replies.my husband and mother thought she might be mixed with pit because of her eyes and forehead shape or something like that.My sis in law had also said a lab and i've seen alot of lab pics lately and thought her mix to be lab as well, so it looks like lab it is Thank you all much, I really appreciate it.

Kristi

 

[joce]

Ohhh,shes cute! Just read up on shar peis. they are a tricky breed and require a lot of medical attention. they get cancer so easilly its sad Hopefully most of that is gone with your mix though

here are my grandmas peis.
http://www.dogster.com/?100859
http://www.dogster.com/?100861
http://www.dogster.com/?100860

If you have any questions ask. I've had to read up on them a ton and its very hard to find a vet that knows anyhting about them.

 

[nedim]

Id say Lab/Shar Pei

 

[whisper121276]

Thanks Joce,very cute pics.yes that is sad about their genes.I've been going to alot of dog sites the past few days to try and learn the different breeds and about mixed dogs.I guess the best explained about a mixed bred is what I had found on a site 'purebred dogs vs mixed' is that you never know what you're gonna get.

Unfortunately,i'm starting to think that the city life isn't for her ,though i'm already attached to her and shes smart and protective,shes also very stubborn ,runs out the door every chance she gets (there's a house across the street with alot of fenced in land and 3 other dogs with an opening into their yard and she runs over there for her play and freedom).I don't know if she'd ever really be happy here as she was happy with her country life and freedom.Everyday I would have to go after her and bring her back ,yesterday I quit doing that and let her come back on her own and shes always whining which is making me think that she's unhappy here.Should I give her more time? would it be best to just get a puppy and give her to a loving home where she will have her freedom like she wants and is already used to?I really don't wanna give her up,but I also don't want to make her stay where shes unhappy.I just don't know what to do

Thank you everyone for your comments and replies,your sigs are also wonderful,very good lookin dogs!!

 

[rottiegirl]

I am 100% sure that its shar pei/lab mix. The small eyes and head shape is from the shar pei in him.

 

[whisper121276]

Ty everyone...I do realize that I have rambled on in the wrong topic for tips and advice ,I apologize for that and will start posting in the appropriate topics now that i'm learning my way around the forum. I may end up back here tho ,considering I just found out she's in heat and she's been running to the neighbors dog and can't go retrieve her because that dog doesn't seem to like people very much.

Thanks again everyone, very much appreciated!

 

[bubbatd]

Please take care of this situation ASAP!!!!!

 

[Ash47]

For sure take care of that. She must be spayed. Don't need puppies on top of the problems you are already having with her. She is beautiful.
I know nothing of SharPeis, but I know a little about Labs. Sounds like her Lab half is coming out. She is being a social butterfly and kinda stubborn. My big dog is half Lab half Chow. Boy, does her stubborness from Chow and Lab come out. But the rest is 100% Lab. LOL
Joce can help you out on Peis. Julie, I'm sure, can help you out with the Labs. She is knowledgable of the breed as she has 2 gorgeous ones.

 

[joce]

You haven't had her that long have you? She probally just needs time to adjust. Peis are usually laid back and kind of aloof so she may have gotten more of the lab personallity with trying to rush outside. Is there anyway you cna put a gate in front of the door? Just take her for some long walks. If she gets back into the country were she is allowed to just run she may get hit or end up with a not so nice owner.

 

[kellysue]

This is for Kristi, I saw your pic of Dixie, she is very very cute. I think she might be Lab or maybe shepheard mix. Just my opinion.
Kellysue

 

[whisper121276]

Ty for your guidence and help bubbatd (sorry,but I turned here for help and guidence and sorry if I took your post the wrong way)

Thx pro, I already know this needs to be takin care of.In my teenage yrs we had a family dog who didn't need training, she was very loyal, didn't run off, very well mannered dog (she was an australian shepard mix).I guess I kinda expected her to be somewhat the same and being an actual first time owner all I can do is learn from my mistakes.I was told before I got her that she was easy to manage and listens well but shes totally opposite and now i'm in a situation where she came back without her collar and my husband is out of state for work till tues (right before he left he bought her a harness which is way too small for her,he was already running late) and I can't drive, even if I did have my license we only own 1 car which he has.Without her collar I pretty much have no control over her, so now what?
It would be greatly appreciated if joce or julie can help in this situation.I had posted on a shar-pei messege board but haven't got a reply yet, I guess they don't take too well to newcomers like this board does lol.Anyway,I think y'all are great and I thank you again pro.

 

[whisper121276]

You haven't had her that long have you? She probally just needs time to adjust. Peis are usually laid back and kind of aloof so she may have gotten more of the lab personallity with trying to rush outside. Is there anyway you cna put a gate in front of the door? Just take her for some long walks. If she gets back into the country were she is allowed to just run she may get hit or end up with a not so nice owner.

Today is my 6th day with her.no,I sure don't, we just moved here and barely have anything as most of our stuff is in storage right now.Her ending up with a different owner is one of my concerns too especially not knowing how she would be treated.She doesn't wander off far from home at all,her main interest seems to be just that one house,I live pretty much at a dead end on a non busy street,the drivers go slow,but I know theres still that chance.I probably should have waited longer before I got a dog,I guess my impatient inpulse of yrs of wanting my own dog kicked in at the time I saw her.I really want this to work out, she already sleeps with me,follows me everywhere in the house, its just when that door is opened there she goes and it doesn't help that I have 3 children running in and out either...I will try any advice given.Thx for your reply Joce.

 

[whisper121276]

nm,thank you all

 

[Whitedobelover]

yellow lab and shar pei... lab face and body plus shar pei ears

 

[Julie]

whisper121276,

From what I have read this is your first dog.??

It seems to me you have a dog with potential. But it will take alot of work from you.

The dog is used to running somewhat free in her previous home.??

I too believe the dog is lab x shar pei. I have never been around a sharpei, but from the sounds of your posts, you are just dealing with a dog that does not know what is expected of her. You just need to teach her that. She is still young so I bet she advances with leaps and bounds.

First of all since she pulls you around when trying to walk her, the best solution would be a pinch/prong collar. Some people believe this is an extreme, but when it comes to rehoming or keeping the dog you are now attached to this is a small price to pay. When/If you use a prong collar you will NOT need to be using all your strength. Just a slight quick tug will probably be sufficient. But first you need to know how to adjust the collar properly and then how to use it. Do your homework before you decide if this would be a proper alternative for you.

Here is a link with info and pictures.
http://www.leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm

There are so many lab and lab mixes in shelters because they are so cute when they are puppies. But when they get to be about 6 months old or so and are not so cute (in some peoples minds) and start to demolish the house and yard and jump on people etc. then families can't handle them anymore. Then every excuse in the book is used to rehome them, it is not the dog it is the owner. I have had so many things destroyed by my labs, but that is part of the breed, and part of the commitment I have made when I decided to make them part of my family.

I realize you have different circumstances, I have a fenced yard for my dogs to burn their excess energy, and we also have a camp we go to and take the dogs during warm weather. So it might take some extra work from you to actually wear your dog out. But I think it can be done.

Since you are having a problem with walking your dog....the prong collar would be a good alternative. I would say with a submissive, shy dog maybe not. But from what I have read into your posts this is not your situation.

Also, because your dog wants to bolt out the door everytime it is opened, she should be put in a sit, (best if on collar/lead), then open the door, make her sit everytime, after she obeys in a minute, give her the release command (whatever you would like), but the point is....she has to be released to walk thru the door. I think there are several threads on the NILIF training. Nothing in Life Is Free. Although I never actually used all of the rules from this training, I am sure I used many without even knowing. It sounds like a good thing for your circumstances.

My opinion is....
If the dog is not child/people aggressive
then you will have a great chance at molding the dog into a great family member.

Everyone has problems, the people that work at them and overcome are the ones that have a great dog in the end.
The ones that give up, that is the dog that ends up in the shelter to become someone else's project, or worse a meaningless death.

I would be happy to try to help you more, and alot of other people on here have great ideas too. So just keep talking to us and posting, I for one will help you all I can. You can also pm me if you would like.

And about the dog being in heat.....keep her secluded from any male dogs...this would be a tragedy if she gets pregnant at such an unsecure time in her life and also being so young. It would really mess things up with her training etc.

I believe she can be altered in a couple months after the heat, and it would be in your best interest to do that. It makes for alot less problems, then you can enjoy her fully. Without all the extra worries.

I hope you continue to search for answers to your questions!

An informed and educated dog owner is a better dog owner.

Best Of Luck, and don't give up,
Julie.

 

[Mordy]

Here is a link with info and pictures.
http://www.leerburg.com/fit-prong.htm

and that is exactly the wrong way to fit a prong collar. please don't do this - it can cause severe damage and definitely inflicts unnecessary pain. in this position, the collar is on the most delicate part of the neck that is not protected by muscle.

the correct way to fit a prong collar is around the middle of the neck, snug but not tight, with the chain part not having any slack.