Monday, August 27, 2012

Dog Health Questions: My current dog doesn't behave, I want a new dog?

I have seen a rash of questions lately declaring that the poster's current dog is untrained, unhousebroken, human aggressive, dog aggressive, doesn't listen, you name the problem. But they are determined to get a new dog and they think the new one is going to be perfect.

What makes them think that the new dog is going to turn out any better? Don't they understand that their current dog is that way because of them? That if they don't have time to train or retrain the current dog, then they don't have time for the new one? If their training methods or lack of training methods created the monster they have now, why do they think it is going to be different with the new dog?

I don't understand this concept. I was always taught that when you have the current dog trained and under control, and you have extra time and money for a new one, only then to you consider getting another one. Not until then. Am I the one insane?

Clicker Dog Training



Recommended Answer:
I have seen a rash of those questions on here lately.

A lot of times people say they want to get their current dog a companion and then go on to state what an ill behaved dog they already have. As if the new dog will have some magic effect on the first one. They refuse to take responsibility that its their fault the first dog is such a mess.

Also you have to remember that a lot of these people think that spaying/neutering equals instant training. Sterilization is the answer to every problem a dog has in their mind.

I think it is Spring Break for a lot of kids this week and we are getting a lot of kid questions.

Only now as I start Utility training with the two dogs I have am I contemplating on adding a new dog to the fold. I am just torn between getting another Collie or an American Eskimo (I love my too tall Pomeranian, I thought this was the only way to get a taller Spitz from a reputable breeder).

ADD: I would kidnap all Diva babies.
As an elite level performance dog she is the kind of dog that should be bred!!!!!
Maybe we could clone her?

Dog Training Basics - Avoid These Five Common Mistakes


  • LOL Don't you know nuttin', the new dog will come already trained from it's momma and it will train the old one.

  • well i'm agreeing with you on this one. to me there are just some un-trainable dogs like humans.
    but a lot of the time its lazy owners.
    like even though i'm 14 i've had 5 dogs in my life.
    all rottweilers.
    not so long ago we got given a large male rottweiler that the owner said just didn't behave so he was getting a new dog.
    we managed to train the dog and i've not had any bother from him.
    so i do winder about this new dog.
    i think its insane if you cant train one dog do not get another.
    it most chances isn't the dog but the way you train and interact with it.
    be lazy with them you wont get anything from the dog.
    work hard and get a loving family dog.

  • LOL@ Rotten Rotts!

    They're lazy, plain and simple. They don't want to bother training their dog, because it isn't as easy as just getting rid of it.

    No, your not insane. People are insane for thinking that dogs are disposable, they don't train themselves.......

  • The people who want to get another dog when their dog is unruly are idiots and only manage to mess up yet another dog's life.

  • Sigh --- nearly every other question is about a puppy ..... and everytime I wonder how long that puppy will stay in its home ......... huge sigh.

    I am sick and tired of seeing people having pups on here that haven't the experience themselves to nurture the pups through let alone place the puppies into suitable homes.

    I guess that brings it full circle round to ........ well this one doesn't behave so we'll go onto the next. I haven't answered many this afternoon. I didn't dare as I might have been too rude.

  • I had to laugh at this one. I have three dogs of my own, all of whom I have taken a lot of time to train properly so that they are well-behaved. They all show proper respect on a leash, are not aggressive in any manner, and have basic obedience.

    I don't think I appreciated them until I started dogsitting my father's dog this week. For those people who think that a good dog is going to make the bad dog behave they are sorely mistaken. It is far more likely that the good dogs just pick up the naughty dogs behavior. I am here all day long and with all of the dogs. I can catch the beginnings of bad behavior and correct it immediately, but how many people can actually do that? Even then, it is exhausting! :) I'm glad I am only dogsitting!

    You aren't insane, you are completely correct. If people have time and money and are committed to actually training their dog, then by all means go get a second.

    Take a deep breath, don't let them get to you. Some people are just not gifted with common sense.

  • Nope, not insane. I agree with what you are saying to the fullest.

    An idiot is too big of an idiot to think along those lines.

  • I hate when this happens to puppies. Someone doesn't properly train their puppy, and once the pup is 6mos-1 year, they go, "It's not cute anymore! and it's not well-behaved! Time to get a new puppy!" then the "old" dog has trouble finding a home because he's not a cute little puppy anymore AND he's not trained. I agree with you, it's awful. And I've been seeing a lot of ones on here about adding an animal to the household. Idk if you saw it, but one of them had a 7 year old GSD that was extremely dog aggressive, but they were getting another puppy. WTF? Deal with dog #1 before even considering a dog #2!

  • Yeah but see if people did more research before getting a dog, they could pick a breed or mix that matched their personality/lifestyle better. I do think the dog is a factor..that's why I wish people thought it out more instead of got the cute dog in the petstore or the dog they think they want based on popularity or appearance. Like labs, they can be easy to train but if you don't give a lab enough exercise forget it.

    For example I got a border collie mix and when I tell people how much time we spend doing activities each day they say something like "can't you just walk him for 10 minutes like other people do with their dogs and they're fine" but no I couldn't and anyone who has a border collie can't just do that either.

    "Sigh --- nearly every other question is about a puppy ..... and everytime I wonder how long that puppy will stay in its home ......... huge sigh."
    LORRAINE my thoughts exactly. But don't give up, you all who take the time to answer questions are helping many out there even if the question is a troll someone may be searching google for help and find your answer.

    There's a pet section in my newspaper and always right next to the ads with pictures for puppymill puppies (you know- the teacups and designer puppy) there are a couple ads and pictures of shelter and rescue dogs needing homes. Today there was a 3 year old lab mix with it written that the owners surrendered him because he was fighting with their other dog. And there was a 5 year old jack russell terrier who was surrendered because the owners didn't "have enough time for her" and she's sweet with children and other dogs. How can people just let go of a life that was with them for years, no sense of commitment or responsibility, that's the way this culture is to get what you want when you want it selfish or not.

  • Because the new dog will come with a written guarantee to be housebroken, a terrific guard dog, and fully obedience trained all for the price of the paper it is written on....LOL

    Yep, get rid of the poor dog you did not take time to train and love properly, buy another one, but this time, I hope you get a really huge dog, so it can bite you in the rear, and then hopefully you will never own another dog again.

    This is why there are so many poor babies in the Shelters.......grow up people....

    If you can't train your dog, what makes you think, you can buy one and have it already the perfect dogs, like People, Dogs are not perfect, but I would say that Dogs are so much more trustworthy and perfect than a human yep they are.....

No comments:

Post a Comment