Poshweiller,

I see you to own a Rottie and I could use some advise on mine.

She is about 6 months now and due to the fact she was such a well behaved little girl myself and my partner relaxed a little on our training.

That is a descision that has now turned around on us and our poor pooch seems to be spending more and more time in punishment as a result.

In the last month she has developed a bit of an adversion to going outside for bathroom breaks in the rain and has caused us to rip up our kitchen lino as it has began to STINK!!

She has also gone mad for our bin and I am constantly picking up chewed nappies and the such.

She does enjoy a nibble on wooden furniture and shoes (only mine however)
I realise this will be down to teething and can handle that but the above needs sorting fast.

Everytime she does wrong we will put her outside for a while but I don't think she quite realises what this is meant to acheive as she will put her head down when caught out but as soon as she's back in she will start again.

Please help she's such a lovely dog and I hate having to punish her.

you should never "punish" a dog as it wont get you anywhere is she's chewing you need to infest in a crate for when your not in and as for peeing when its raining i'm afraid its wellies and waterproofs on and take her out basically she is pushing her boundaries and needs them forcing home.and ripping up the bin move the bin.

Clare

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If we go out she tends to come with us we never leave her alone as she's such a loyal thing it would break her heart to be left alone. In regard to the rain I must admit I have been trying to get her out there with her but she always starts playing around and forgets she needs the toilet. Then she will come in and pooh.

I have just had a look on my vets website and have enrolled her in a puppy training class.

She is normally a great kid though so I'm sure when we get her back into good habits everything will be fine.

when you go outside with her stand still do not look or interact with her and she will go if you talk or react in anyway you are destracting her. as for the chewing get a bunch of keys and when you see her start to chew rattle the keys loudly and in a firm voice give the command "no"

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Thanks Boss,

I like the keys idea as it will give her prior warning that she will be told no so hopefully she won't look so depressed.

With the pooping outside it worked quite well before by taking her out directly after she had done the deed. So hopefully she will start to remember if we are persistant.

best way is to do it like she was a small pup again so when she wakes up taker her out when she's had her dinner take her out ect ect ect

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I will let you know how it goes.

Fingers crossed.

Rotties can become very attached as they have such a strong working drive plus at this age she's not only finishing her teething but it is possible she's working up to her first season. Also as a breed in General they can be sensitive so easy to upset with too harsh handling firm and fair is always a winner with them.

I care not what breed it is they all do it at about the same age, I've bred GSD's, Lurchers, Springers, shelties, poms and now my schipperkes believe me they all go thru it, my resuce rottie was no different believe me. Remember when the kids are teething they drink more, slobber and swallow more with the pain and irritation to their jaw, same applies to a pup she will need to go out more, need more things to chew on to help her cope. I use frozen carrots for this time in their development works a treat for the chewing, comfort and of course drinking another tip is try putting some meat into a Kong and freezing that for her.

Just keep going back to basic's and reinforce the good behaviour don't get angry with the mess otherwise she'll remember and try to go to the toilet when you're not looking which is usually in the house, make it all good for her so she wants to go in front of you for her reward just a good girl will be great for her.

Also at 9mths her teeth will set into their adult position along with the jaw presentation so again she'll be suffering with the adolecense hormones to make things worse all round. Accept it as a normal part of her growing up, try clicker training with her to help keep her mentally stimulated they love to please all any dog wants is attention be it good or bad they don't care. Good luck with her and be patient she'll come round again.

Take a look at my rescue girlie at 10mths with a schippy pup of just 4 wks.

She is an absolute stunner.

She is a very good dog to train and I'm sure with all the advice and her new classes she will be back to her old self in no time.

I like the tip about the frozen meat and carrots I think she will be very into that.

In regards to attention though I don't know if this can be over done but....
She gets taken for a walk with my father-in-laws boxer first thing, she then goes to the school while my partner takes my eldest daughter and will then play in the park for a few hours, then it's usually sleep time until I get home and we play in the garden (weather permitting) She will then curl up at the foot of the bed until the next day starts.

She is a very content little girl