How do you handle...

[kendalyn]

people who have good intentions about their dog, but are clearly either clueless or misinformed about what they should be doing?

I have a co-worker at my internship who just got a puppy two months ago. He is a pit/shephard mix and he's about 4 months old. She usually brings this dog to work with her because she doesn't like to leave him alone because he chews things. This is the start of my questions.

I've never really had a young puppy. All of our dogs have been about 6 months old when we got them. This co-worker doesn't confine the puppy at all when he is alone (never more than 2 hours she says) and just accepts that fact that he is going to chew things up. She says it's what puppies do and you just have to let them grow out of it. Will this really work? I'm mainly curious here because none of my dogs have ever been chewers and I've never had a young puppy.

Here's my second question. She really wants this dog to be well behaved and polite and to her credit she is trying to train him. But she really has no idea what she's doing. When I've seen her try to work on a command with him, she basically drags him around by the collar and uses no praise at all. It's not mean or anything, but I can pretty much guarantee the dog isn't learning anything.

I asked if she wanted help once and she said yes, but I could tell she really didn't want me to interfere. I just made a few suggestions. So far she hasn't taken them.

So am I just obligated to shut up since she hasn't asked for any help and I'm pretty sure she wants to do this on her own? Should I recommend some books? I don't want her to think I'm trying to be bossy or condescending, but she really does need help. Has anybody else had a situation like this before?

[MajiesMom]

Some times people are really open to your comments/recommendations and appreciate you giving them that information but some times people are set in their ways and you have to sit back and watch frustratingly.

I have tried to offer diet advice to people at work (who love their dogs, heck we work with dogs) and to my parents. I can’t get any of them to budge, one feeds Science Diet, the other IAMS and my Parents feed Kibbles and Bits.
I explain ingredients etc very well, either they don’t listen or don’t care what they feed their dog.
Gosh some of the foods out there I wouldn’t even want in my house because of what’s in it. I have to feed dogs at work these foods, I don’t even want to touch it and people are feeding it to their dogs!
The Science Diet person has horrible problems with allergies, the IAMS person has a dog with Colitis and one with occasional allergies, and my parents dog is really sick with EPI and also has vWD. Once I gave them a bag of Wellness and their dog got diarrhea. They said it was because of the “special food” and they don’t trust me anymore about food. How frustrating!

[Cairn6]

I have tried to offer diet advice to people at work

I wasn't reading it as closely as I should so at first before I read on I thought you meant you were offering diet advice to people. Like you shouldn't be eating that cupcake. :lol: I was thinking I would be mad at you too. :lol:

[schippsmom]

:Dog_run:

Boy that's a tough one. I don't believe a dog will just grow out of anything, they too need to be taught not to do things. I am also a firm believer in crates. Scott thought I was cruel when I first brought it home but now he is also a firm believer in them.

Anyway, I would offer her an easy to read book on training and point out what problems you had and how it really helped you. Good luck with that and don't be afraid to ask for progress updates.

[imported_Kat]

Dogs don't just come into the world with bad habits and people just don't seem to grasp this concept in some cases. Dogs learn by example and chewing at this early age is going to be due to teething but it could also be a sign of boredom which is where suitable chew toys should be given to the puppy. I think what you should do is attempt to guide your co-worker. Don't dictate because if people are trying then they hate being dictated to, but gently pass on subtle ideas.

[courtnek]

I like the book idea. especially one with pictures. Some people can learn by reading but others need visuals to work with the reading.

This could just be a pride issue. your co-worker doesnt want to admit she
doesnt know what she's doing. I see that all too often. And to ask for help means she's just proven she doesnt know. It's a vicious circle. Thats why I like the book idea.

good luck. I hop you get through to her.

[ESSlover]

[quote name='Cairn6']

I have tried to offer diet advice to people at work

I wasn't reading it as closely as I should so at first before I read on I thought you meant you were offering diet advice to people. Like you shouldn't be eating that cupcake. :lol: I was thinking I would be mad at you too. :lol:

Lol, sounds like something I would've said :lol:

[DogPaddle]

Buy here a dog training book as a new puppy gift sorta thing. Pick a simple but good one - do not give her dog training for dummies, she'll likely take it the wrong way. Tell her something like - Gee I was so impressed to see all the training you were doing. Maybe someday you'll even be able to do some obedience competition or something. Anyway, I thought seeing as how you were doing all that training anyway you might find the book useful. :wink:

[coastie_wife]

Can I add defense on behalf of owners?

My family adopted a dog. Almost a year ago, and he was very well fed on the finest foods (I understand how poor a LOT of mainstream dog foods are). Then we *acquired* another dog we took in off the streets.

Then we moved across the country and bought a house. 2x the rent, extra expenses, etc.....

Right now they are eating kibbles and bits. It will only be for a few months, but good lord, it's not like I intended to run out of money. My family is not living the high life while the dogs pay for it.....we are skimping too :D

My mother is a big believer in high quality dog foods, but has never harassed me on this. I have a friend who has, however. They are a double income family who have no kids, and earn easily 3x as much as we do....with only one dog.

I am not proud that right now my dogs aren't getting the best dog food....but I am proud that I adopted both of them out of shelters. I am thinking perhaps the gripe should be something brought up with dog food manufacturers than with those of us big-hearted enough to adopt a dog.

And BTW: If I am being over sensitive, or mistook this I apologize....I am pretty sensitive over having these financial issues I usually don't, especially in light of having our female (who we took in off the street) spayed this month.

[coastie_wife]

and bah, my point was about dietary advice, not behavioral, lol.

I give up....I'm tired and it's late :oops:

[Ripley's Girl]

Hi Kendalyn. I have a friend who is a bit like your coworker.. She's stubborn and determined that what she's doing is the best way to do things.

She says it's what puppies do and you just have to let them grow out of it. Will this really work?

Not if he's taught that it's OK to chew on furniture, cords, etc. She's gonna have problems forever if he never loses that chewing urge.
She really should be teaching him to chew on safer toys and she should NEVER EVER EVER leave a 4 month old puppy unattended for TEN MINUTES much less 2 hours. I seriously hope the area the pup is left in is puppy-proofed to the extreme, because he could hurt himself being left with wires around the house, he could chew up wood and eat it, etc. etc. etc.

Here's my second question. She really wants this dog to be well behaved and polite and to her credit she is trying to train him. But she really has no idea what she's doing. When I've seen her try to work on a command with him, she basically drags him around by the collar and uses no praise at all. It's not mean or anything, but I can pretty much guarantee the dog isn't learning anything

She doesn't know what she's doing, and I'd guess that some indirect advice would help her, without seeming pushy.
Recommend some good training books.
Print out training articles that you find on the internet.

Give her some information, since she obviously doesn't know what she's doing, because dragging a 4 month old pup around by the collar really isn't teaching him anything. BUT, don't shove it down her throat. if she's smart, she'll read up on what you recommend and she'll realize what she's doing wrong.
What breed is this pup? Personally I wouldn't start formal training until the puppy is about 5 months old, or until he's out of his puppyish stage. If she wants him to just learn the commands, she should use POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT, no collar dragging. Puppies learn so much better that way, and after the pup know what to do, she can start fine-tuning his training, as he'll be about 6-7 months by then and ready to start an obedience class, where she can learn how to properly correct him if he blows off a command, instead of doing it 'her way'.

What kind of puppy are we talking about? large breed or smaller?

[kendalyn]

It's hard to tell exactly what breeds this dog is. He looks like a pit bull/shephard mix. Heavy on the pit bull side. I doubt he's going to be that big. Probably 50-60 pounds is my guess, but who knows :-)

I'm working some overtime on labor day so maybe I will see if I can buy her a helpful book. Otherwise I'll print some stuff out from the internet and give it to her along with a "congratulations you have a new puppy" card. :D

[DogPaddle]

Hope it goes well.

Coastie - I've had to go with a cheaper food now and then, it happens. Take a look at President's Choice Lamb dog food, it's cheap, not great but not Ol'Roy horrible either. I generally prefer Innova; President's Choice is a far cry from that but I do my best and sometimes money gets tight - like having to replace the fridge and do $700 car repair unexpectedly in the same month. :niewiem:

[imported_Matty]

Here is a site on ordering books written by Jean Donaldson
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?sourceid=00346648527927286431&bfdate=09-05-2004+17:29:56&ATH=Jean+Donaldson

Here is another book which I have heard is highly recommended.

Before & After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy & Well-Behaved Dog Author: Dunbar, Dr Ian

She usually brings this dog to work with her because she doesn't like to leave him alone because he chews things.

The chewing is bad,but, at least she is taking the pup out with her. Socialization is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of owning a pup. At least she got that part right.

[imported_Matty]

Here is another site to check out. There is tons of information in this site,if you look under problem behaviors it lists chewing and how to stop it.
http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=2&cat=1547