tallyo wrote: 1.How do you train a dog not to bark???
2.How do you know when you aren't around the dog doesn't bark?
3.Isn't one of the nice things of having a dog is that it will bark if a burglar comes snooping around?
1. Establishing boundaries and then consistency in training will train a dog to respond the way you approve of, not how they want to respond. For instance, we say the same phrase "no bark" when our dogs begin making noise inappropriately and 90% of the time they will shush with that command alone. I say 90% because we do have one exception that is still learning. We have a young (around 2 year old) rescue that has been with us about 8 months now. Tootsie apparently had no structure or training in her previous home so as an adolescent she admittedly is taking a little while to train, but I have no doubt she will be a very well mannered dog soon. As a typical teenager she sometimes chooses to try and ignore the command. When that happens I add "no ma'am" to the "no bark" and give her the quiet look by placing my finger near my mouth...and if she doesn't stop right away I add a "SHHHH" sort of like your teacher used to. This typically quiets her right down, again it's consistency of phrase that I know will eventually work 100% of time.
2. Pretty simple. You can always leave your RV, drive away and then quietly walk back and see for yourself if the dog is barking. We have done that as well as talking to nearby neighbors to see if they heard anything while we've been gone.
3. A well trained dog will still bark when it feels threatened, it is up to it's alpha (human) to investigate the perceived threat and see if the barking is warranted....if it is, then there is no correction needed.... if not go back to answer #1.
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
mintaka wrote: thanks to all for the good words and encouragement...someone asked about her...she is in the lake havasu city shelter....she seems to be part pit bull and god knows what else...she is about the size of a standard beagle...extremely curious and conscious of her surroundings...she attacked me when i first went near the cage, but i wouldnt give up...they let me take her in the yard for some bonding...by the time i left she attached herself to my side, by actually pushing against me....
it is such a heart tearing experience visiting the shelters...they are all bored..scared..assertive...almost all crazed with the confinement...the man there told me they put down 21 of them in one day a few months ago as if they stay confined too long they snap and become un adoptable....so sad....
this girl Ava was left at shelter because previos owner had to go east because of family illness...we never really know the real story it could have eaten all the neighborhhod furniture and kids, but not my Ava..shes too cool....
i put a hold on her til they open tomorrow..i think i will go get her..i will keep you all posted..and again thanks for kind words of encouragement, i know you truly meant your words and didnt say stuff just to save her life....thanks
There's a couple who are fulltiming in a trailer with 2 dogs -- boondocking almost exclusively also. Here's their website: Every Mile's a Memory
They're currently in Mexico, but you could e-mail them with your questions/concerns about having a dog in your rig while you're out.
If I ever fulltime I can't imagine going alone. I expect Jed to be around when I retire, and he'll go wherever I go.
Bless you!
On the road and happy with Jed, my four-legged camping buddy.
'04 Ford Explorer
'07 Flagstaff Shamrock 19
Also know that "rescued" dogs can turn out to be real charmers. Our Jake came to us at age 3 1/2. No one else wanted this 110 lb overweight mutt that apparently had hip dysplasia and also had ACL surgery to both legs. He had been "tried out" in three homes before we found him. Each of the homes indicated they couldn't keep him because he was "too hyper" and "uncontrollable".
Turns out we're the lucky ones! Initially he was a defensive character and he didn't like being held or approached when he was asleep. He also never left his head exposed ... always turned it away or ducked it very low. That has all changed, although it took a lot of patience and persistence. He's a laid back goof that has attached himself to both of us. He's a cuddle mutt that loves to play and curl up with his humans. He's about 96 lbs now and is ready to go whenever we are. He's never destroyed anything in the house or RV, other than a little mud on the furniture. Recent xrays failed to reveal hip dysplasia. Arthritis wasn't apparent either.
So even if someone says a dog is a terror, barks or is "uncontrollable" it could simply be the environment that dog is living in. We feel very fortunate to have Jake in our lives and our only regret is he didn't move here as a puppy, giving us even more years with him.
Can't wait to hear how this turns out !
Just a word of caution - don't have her breed listed as a pit bull mix on any papers or you'll have trouble getting into campground - lots of CG's have a ban on pit bulls. Several years ago I adopted a Chow Mix from a shelter and made sure the Vet listed her as a sheppard mix, Chows are banned lots of places too.
Good Luck !!!
hi all
picked her up this morning at 9 am....traveled back from LHC to quartzsite and she was a fine traveller...it may be my imagination or ego or something..but i swear she knows what i did for her....and me...
if i knew how to post pics i would attach some...
they are on my blog, but that is easy to do.....
she is now snoring and sleeping after a long day in her new rv..im sure she is having better dreams than last night...thanks again to the group....
Wonderful news, what's her name? Pics, lots of pics.
Not surprised she's sleeping like a baby and yes she does know and they do appreciate what you did for her.
My daughter has two rescues and they are just wonderful, loving dogs.
Congrats!!!
Wonderful! Does my heart good to hear this news! Ava will repay you the rest of her days. To post a photo, go to this thread: Forum FAQ's re: photos, etc
If you already have pictures on your blog, you can just right click on the photo and select and copy the properties URL. Then go back to this thread and "Advanced" and click on the little icon with the mountains in it indicating picture. Paste the properties link right in there and hit enter. It's lots easier than it seems at first glance. Unfortunately, we recently lost our good friend RV Snowbird who was so wonderful at helping folks with things like this, but others will pitch in, I am sure. Again, congrats on your new best friend!
Congratulations! I wouldn't doubt for a minute that she knows what you did for her... you took her out of that scary place. Take time now for the two of you to get acquainted. Many rescues have "issues", but most can be brought back to a normal life with love and patience. Find out what she likes, what she's afraid of, what sets her "off", etc.
And yes, I'd play ignorance when you are asked at a CG "what breed?". Just say "All-American" and leave it at that!
Samantha (the poster)
Tim, spouse and driver of the Corgi-Bus
Beth, Buddy, and Pippin - Pembroke Welsh Corgis
1988 Bounder Ford 460
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