This post may be a depressing one for many of you, but I am hoping to get a little help!
Last week I started with a new client, she is middle aged, palliative, very weak and tired but still mobile, husband and 2 grown children living with her! One other family member is a 6 month old standard poodle. He has had puppy training classes but is not going to any training at this time.
Puppy is friendly, and socialized. When excited he still jumps up on people. He also still mouths a lot and of course loves finding "treasures" like socks to chew on. Otherwise he is well behaved, and very sweet!!!
In those few hours I have spent with the family last week, I have given my client some tips about not trying to pull things out of his mouth, when he chews on something they don't want him to have, to rather "trade up"; turning your back to him and walk away when he jumps up; the peanut butter in a Kong placed in the freezer idea, for times where they need him to be quiet (doctor's visits for example); to praise him a lot for the things he does right, to redirect him to do something else when he does something they don't want him to do, like when mouthing on the hands to then instead direct him to chew on a toy or a chew stick! I've also mentioned calming signals, but I'm sure that all these new ideas were overwhelming for her to take in, given the fact that she is heavily medicated.
Is there something that the more experienced members here would recommend for this family? The one book for example that covers a lot of that, or an internet site. Keeping in mind that for this client time is running out quickly, but she very much wants to learn a bit more about handling her dog! I'm sure the whole family would appreciate the help! Thank you for reading!
Last week I started with a new client, she is middle aged, palliative, very weak and tired but still mobile, husband and 2 grown children living with her! One other family member is a 6 month old standard poodle. He has had puppy training classes but is not going to any training at this time.
Puppy is friendly, and socialized. When excited he still jumps up on people. He also still mouths a lot and of course loves finding "treasures" like socks to chew on. Otherwise he is well behaved, and very sweet!!!
In those few hours I have spent with the family last week, I have given my client some tips about not trying to pull things out of his mouth, when he chews on something they don't want him to have, to rather "trade up"; turning your back to him and walk away when he jumps up; the peanut butter in a Kong placed in the freezer idea, for times where they need him to be quiet (doctor's visits for example); to praise him a lot for the things he does right, to redirect him to do something else when he does something they don't want him to do, like when mouthing on the hands to then instead direct him to chew on a toy or a chew stick! I've also mentioned calming signals, but I'm sure that all these new ideas were overwhelming for her to take in, given the fact that she is heavily medicated.
Is there something that the more experienced members here would recommend for this family? The one book for example that covers a lot of that, or an internet site. Keeping in mind that for this client time is running out quickly, but she very much wants to learn a bit more about handling her dog! I'm sure the whole family would appreciate the help! Thank you for reading!