I need pet help.

[DesmoDiva]

I have to agree with Cyrus, too.   

The dog has definately wornout it's welcome in your home.

[cyrus buelton]

Personally, I would put it down.

if shows aggression towards other animals, that isn't cool.

[Grampa]

Personally, I would put it down.

if shows aggression towards other animals, that isn't cool.

that.... I cannot do.

It may be overly playfull, borderline agressive towards the other animals, but to put it down, because it simply does not fit in with our family, is not right. In another setting, for another family, it may be the perfect dog.

Right now, I want the dog gone, but..... as stated before, I'm not 100% sure, I want it gone because I'm currently pissed, or if I want it gone because it's just not trained, and can it be trained?

I've never been around a dog that was this stubborn.

If the dog can be trained, I would love to have as part of our family, I'm just worn out, and feel like giving up.

[MonsterLove]

I think some other people on the board hit the nail on the head when they stated the dog is it's own pack leader. She lacks any respect for you or the rest of the family (yeah, even you, because she doesn't really listen to you, does she). The first thing would be to get her respect the whole family. Now that is difficult, because it will take the whole family's participation, PLUS it's gonna be a heck of a lot of work. The real question is are you willing to put the work in.
I can tell you right now that what you have is hours, days, weeks, and month's worth of work here. Consistant work. Once you get the respect, then the rest will be a little easier, but lack of respect is the main problem here. She's not only a dominant personality, but her prey drive is extremely high, from what you've written. I'm not really surprised, since she's a terrier. You'll need to redirect her focus from dogs and cats to something else. She'd probably make an excellent flyball or agility candidate. She will need consistant exercise, preferably with the whole family plus the other dogs. Then, when they're all tuckered out, she should be exercised some more on her own, to get her excess energy drained. Maybe bike with her running for a few miles.
This isn't an easy personality to work with, but it can be done. The real question is if you have the time and patience to do it. If you don't, you don't. There is a home out there that she will fit into. She may not fit into your family that well, and if that is the case you need to take care of your other animals before one of them gets hurt. Don't feel bad, it happens.
As far as potty training goes. I would approach it like she's a five week old puppy. KEY is to supervise her at ALL TIMES.. Take her out every 10-15 minutes and praise her to high heaven when she goes outside. If you are consistant, she'll eventually get it, though it will probably take a lot longer because she's in the habit of going in the house. If you can't supervise her directly, then keep her in the crate until you can. Keep her on a leash next to you at all times if you have to(this will also help with her going after cats-you can train at all times then). If she goes, you can catch her in the act and growl "NO" at her as she's doing it. Then immediately go outside and if she goes you can praise her. It's frustrating, and it will take awhile, but eventually she'll get it.
Regular obediance training will also be good for her and make it easier for you to control her. Good luck, I hope it works out for you and her, whatever you decide.

Celeste

[lauramonster]

Dog wants to fit in, and to be loved.  

Currently not possible for dog in your household.

Do right by the dog and find it another household where it only animal.

dog happy then.

[Grampa]

I think some other people on the board hit the nail on the head when they stated the dog is it's own pack leader. She lacks any respect for you or the rest of the family (yeah, even you, because she doesn't really listen to you, does she). The first thing would be to get her respect the whole family. Now that is difficult, because it will take the whole family's participation, PLUS it's gonna be a heck of a lot of work. The real question is are you willing to put the work in.
I can tell you right now that what you have is hours, days, weeks, and month's worth of work here. Consistant work. Once you get the respect, then the rest will be a little easier, but lack of respect is the main problem here. She's not only a dominant personality, but her prey drive is extremely high, from what you've written. I'm not really surprised, since she's a terrier. You'll need to redirect her focus from dogs and cats to something else. She'd probably make an excellent flyball or agility candidate. She will need consistant exercise, preferably with the whole family plus the other dogs. Then, when they're all tuckered out, she should be exercised some more on her own, to get her excess energy drained. Maybe bike with her running for a few miles.
This isn't an easy personality to work with, but it can be done. The real question is if you have the time and patience to do it. If you don't, you don't. There is a home out there that she will fit into. She may not fit into your family that well, and if that is the case you need to take care of your other animals before one of them gets hurt. Don't feel bad, it happens.
As far as potty training goes. I would approach it like she's a five week old puppy. KEY is to supervise her at ALL TIMES.. Take her out every 10-15 minutes and praise her to high heaven when she goes outside. If you are consistant, she'll eventually get it, though it will probably take a lot longer because she's in the habit of going in the house. If you can't supervise her directly, then keep her in the crate until you can. Keep her on a leash next to you at all times if you have to(this will also help with her going after cats-you can train at all times then). If she goes, you can catch her in the act and growl "NO" at her as she's doing it. Then immediately go outside and if she goes you can praise her. It's frustrating, and it will take awhile, but eventually she'll get it.
Regular obediance training will also be good for her and make it easier for you to control her. Good luck, I hope it works out for you and her, whatever you decide.

Celeste

thank you.

I'm not sure, we as a family can spend as much time with her as needed to do this, as both lm and myself work. We had both assumed that getting a dog that was a lil older, it would fit in and be a lil easier to train, than that of a puppy. We both knew we didn't have the time a puppy would need.

right now.... I have zero patience for it. I cant speak for lm, but I know she's getting there.

[MonsterLove]

You're probably better off finding another home for her then, or taking her back to the rescue. Or find another terrier rescue group, if the one you got her from doesn't take animals back. If you don't have the resources to work with her(time etc) then it's not fair to you or her to continue on this way. As it is now, it sounds miserable. There might even be a terrier club in your city that might be able to help you.  Good luck!


Celeste

[akmnstr]

thank you.

I'm not sure, we as a family can spend as much time with her as needed to do this, as both lm and myself work. We had both assumed that getting a dog that was a lil older, it would fit in and be a lil easier to train, than that of a puppy. We both knew we didn't have the time a puppy would need.

right now.... I have zero patience for it. I cant speak for lm, but I know she's getting there.

I have to agree with mosterlover.  He has stated concepts that provides great additional points to what I tried to say earlier.  I am picking up that you are
approaching this as a family project.  I see it as a project for the one person who the dogs identify as the pack leader.  The family can have a secondary roll.  I also agree with mosterlover that it will take some time to accomplish.  This dog has been his own boss with his previous owners and that is probably how she ended up as a rescue dog.  One of mosterlovers suggestions that I really liked, was to give this dog a job.  There was a PBS program that showed how 2 problem dogs became valuable animals by being trained intensely to do the jobs they were breed to for.  You may not have rats to kill, but mosterlover's suggestions are good alternatives.  By the way the show was on Nature and you may be able to find out more at the PBS website, copies may be available.  It was very inspiring and it may give you useful ideas.  My own dogs have jobs as working huskies and our pack (including me and my wife) are most happy and excited when running and pulling. 

I'm glad that you are not willing to put this dog down.  If you don't have the time to fix this dog yourself it is completely understandable.  If that is the case, hopefully you can find someone that does.   

[Grampa]

ftr... monsterlove is a she     



maybe I can bring the dog to work with me..... she can chase away the hobags

[Sinister]

ftr... monsterlove is a she     



maybe I can bring the dog to work with me..... she can chase away the hobags

If you can, I recommend it.  I have done this with both my dogs and the extra time is awesome.  Crate, crate, crate!!!  Structure the pup's time and you be the one to start and stop all play, walks, etc.  I would actually remove the dog from the family unit until you get it bonded to you, as its pack leader.  Crate the dog at home, and  structure its time out of the crate, as well.  It's not permanent.  If it's not possible, maybe it's best to find the pup a new home.

[MonsterLove]

ftr... monsterlove is a she     



maybe I can bring the dog to work with me..... she can chase away the hobags

LOL Yeah, that zombie in the pic is me! My husband would definately agree I'm a she

[Grampa]

If you can, I recommend it.  I have done this with both my dogs and the extra time is awesome.  Crate, crate, crate!!!  Structure the pup's time and you be the one to start and stop all play, walks, etc.  I would actually remove the dog from the family unit until you get it bonded to you, as its pack leader.  Crate the dog at home, and  structure its time out of the crate, as well.  It's not permanent.  If it's not possible, maybe it's best to find the pup a new home.

I was kinda joking, but I think it actually may help.

Thanks peoples.

I dont like the feeling of having failed the dog, and getting the her was an even mix of getting lm what she wanted and trying to save a dog. Having to figure this all out has been very difficult.

[muscle_cars_only]

""  the word "No!" means nothing to her. She jumps on the furniture whenever she wants, even after repeated "no!" tranings sessions. She climbs on the tables if you turn your back on her, and will only get down if you walk towards her....telling her to get down, gets you nowhere. ""

First things first................... You say you watch Cesar to get tips. Do you read the "Do not attempt to try this, leave to a professional""??  Apparently Annie is the ALPHA dog right now. You need to sign her up for obedience classes, ask Vets. around you to recommend a good one. It's from my experience that a "bull headed" dog is the easiest to train once they learn who's boss.... They end up doing nothing but trying to please you.

[akmnstr]

LOL Yeah, that zombie in the pic is me! My husband would definately agree I'm a she

Oh Oh.  MY bad.  Sorry MonsterLover.  It must have been your makeup the threw me off. 

[akmnstr]

I was kinda joking, but I think it actually may help.

Thanks peoples.

I dont like the feeling of having failed the dog, and getting the her was an even mix of getting lm what she wanted and trying to save a dog. Having to figure this all out has been very difficult.

Bobspapa, you haven't failed this dog.  The previous owner did.  If in the end you find that you don't have enough time to fix her, you shouldn't blame yourself.  It is much harder to fix a dog that someone else has screwed up than to bring up a pup to fit into your family and lifestyle. 

I've never used a crate to train a dog so take this bit of advice for what it is worth.  But I think that the crate, if over used, could backfire in this case.  Your dog has a lot of energy that it needs to work off.  If you do confine the dog, taking her for a hard run before you do a training session with it   should make it much more manageable.