I own a 4 month old mini dashund. He is great. Potty trained, crate trained, and he has a great personality. My husband and I have began to talk about getting another one from the same breeder in May when they have their next litter. But then this happened.

A co-worker (who I have become friends with) has a miniture as well named Ollie (almost 2 years old). Ollie is actually the reason we got our dog. On a family emergency my friend asked if I could take Ollie for a couple of weeks (ended up being a month), when Ollie was only 9 weeks old. So we had him from 9-13 weeks... while he was with us we worked on housebreaking and crate training. While he was not as easy as Tuscany (our dog), it was really not that bad. And when he went back home he was housebroken, and sleeping in his crate at night. My heartbreak at giving him back was what prompted us to get Tuscany.

Anyway, Ollie's Mom came to me on Monday and said that they are getting rid of Ollie because he is a bad dog. He is messing in the house again, refuses to get into his crate, and barks continuously. She is taking him to the pound because she can't take it anymore. Her boys are heartbroken, but she says she can't have that dog in her house. It kills me because he was such a nice puppy. She has asked me if I would like to take him. I don't know what to do!

Will Ollie's bad habits be something we can break? Will they rub off on Tuscany? We do want another dog, but I am just not sure if this is the way to go? I can't stand the thought of him going to a pound. HELP!

I would be tempted to try. More so if you have the easy step of having Ollie neutered. He may already be, because it is not a cure all. Unfortunately 2 years is plenty of time for bad habits to become well established. The worse job your friends were doing, the more likely you are to succeed. It sounds like they allowed him to be a 10 pound, 4 legged Napoleon. All too common. I grit my teeth over all the dogs that are dumped at the pound because society failed to educate the owners on how to train their dog.

If Ollie comes into a clean house with clearly established top dogs, one he once behaved in, he may quickly adjust to it. Tuscany complicates things. At 4 months, the vet may neuter him now. (My 5 month Holly is at the vet today being spayed.) You don't want 2 intact males competing to be the last one to have marked the house. Strong willed neutered ones may too.

I think you have seen enough of the answers here to have a good idea what you need to do. Of course, I will be happy to answer specific questions.

Labman,
Thank you so much. I think that I am going to take Ollie and see how it goes. It kills me that he might go to the pound. I will let you know how it goes... and ask any questions that may arise.
Structure Structure Structure... his little head is going to be spinning!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tuscany

I own a 4 month old mini dashund. He is great. Potty trained, crate trained, and he has a great personality. My husband and I have began to talk about getting another one from the same breeder in May when they have their next litter. But then this happened.

A co-worker (who I have become friends with) has a miniture as well named Ollie (almost 2 years old). Ollie is actually the reason we got our dog. On a family emergency my friend asked if I could take Ollie for a couple of weeks (ended up being a month), when Ollie was only 9 weeks old. So we had him from 9-13 weeks...while he was with us we worked on housebreaking and crate training. While he was not as easy as Tuscany (our dog), it was really not that bad. And when he went back home he was housebroken, and sleeping in his crate at night. My heartbreak at giving him back was what prompted us to get Tuscany.

Anyway, Ollie's Mom came to me on Monday and said that they are getting rid of Ollie because he is a bad dog. He is messing in the house again, refuses to get into his crate, and barks continuously. She is taking him to the pound because she can't take it anymore. Her boys are heartbroken, but she says she can't have that dog in her house. It kills me because he was such a nice puppy. She has asked me if I would like to take him. I don't know what to do!!

Will Ollie's bad habits be something we can break? Will they rub off on Tuscany? We do want another dog, but I am just not sure if this is the way to go? I can't stand the thought of him going to a pound. HELP!!

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I think you should take him on in pets at home the have a brilliant book called its me or the dog its amazing for puppy training my puppy is 4 months too the book is brilliant for her

So my husband and I have decided to take Ollie on. My husband's concern was that once we got Ollie trained again that the family would want him back. We got around that by offering to buy Ollie for $50. To which the family agreed. This way ownership has officially changed hands.

Ollie will be moving in on Monday (my husband has all of next week off). We have talked to my vet and Tuscany will be going in to get fixed within the next week. We really wanted to make sure one of us was home every day for the first week to help with the transition to the new home.

Keep your fingers crossed!!

Great Decision!!

We have had Ollie for a little more then a week now and so far so good.
He did not like his crate for the first few nights, but has adapted to that.
The only issue thus far is that he does not share toys with Tuscany.
If he has a toy it is his... if Tuscany has it... Ollie wants it. Any suggestions?

Ollie has lived in a home as an only dog without the leadership dogs need. Even better socialized dogs aren't good at sharing and fairness. In addition to giving him good leadership plus more time, you could try toys that work well to fight over. Look for sturdy ropes, rings, and other things 2 dogs can get a good grip on at once. Unfortunately some of the good stuff such as Nylabone rings can be hard to find. I don't want to advertise for anybody, but Dog & Pet Supplies - Vet Vax, Inc Pet Supply Store for dogs, cats, horses. has a great selection, and unlike Pet Supplies, Dog Supplies, Cat Supplies, Pet Meds and Pet Products from Drs. Foster & Smith, they never send unsolicited emails. About once a year I order spreading the freight over about 10 toys.

If Ollie won't have a nice tug of war, and snaps or gives low growls, give him a sharp ''Ut, ut, ut!'', and take the toy away from him.

Glad he is accepting his crate.
Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made
Lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
Foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get
Them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch
Carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tuscany

I own a 4 month old mini dashund. He is great. Potty trained, crate trained, and he has a great personality. My husband and I have began to talk about getting another one from the same breeder in May when they have their next litter. But then this happened.

A co-worker (who I have become friends with) has a miniture as well named Ollie (almost 2 years old). Ollie is actually the reason we got our dog. On a family emergency my friend asked if I could take Ollie for a couple of weeks (ended up being a month), when Ollie was only 9 weeks old. So we had him from 9-13 weeks...while he was with us we worked on housebreaking and crate training. While he was not as easy as Tuscany (our dog), it was really not that bad. And when he went back home he was housebroken, and sleeping in his crate at night. My heartbreak at giving him back was what prompted us to get Tuscany.

Anyway, Ollie's Mom came to me on Monday and said that they are getting rid of Ollie because he is a bad dog. He is messing in the house again, refuses to get into his crate, and barks continuously. She is taking him to the pound because she can't take it anymore. Her boys are heartbroken, but she says she can't have that dog in her house. It kills me because he was such a nice puppy. She has asked me if I would like to take him. I don't know what to do!!

Will Ollie's bad habits be something we can break? Will they rub off on Tuscany? We do want another dog, but I am just not sure if this is the way to go? I can't stand the thought of him going to a pound. HELP!!

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NON HOT BEEF JERKY STICKS LOL SOUNDS STOOPED BUT MY DAD LEARN REAL QUICK Because HE KNEW WHEN I PULL THEM OUT WAT HE HAS TO DO TO GET IT. Try them AND GET VERY VERY STEARN with your voice and u may haft to show him a few times before he gets a hang of it give it a though try it and see what happens it worked for mine it might work for yours.

Just thought I would update everyone on Ollie.

Ollie is now living with my cousin and his new wife. They were over one night and Ollie took a real liking to her. My cousin came back a couple of weeks later (her birthday was April 28th) if he could adopt Ollie. We said sure (after much discussion). He has now been living with them for about 3 weeks... and is doing quite well. We actually think that he should have always been in a one dog household.

Oh and Tuscany is happy to be back being our only dog.

I hope it works out good for Ollie. I think it will if they give him the structure and leadership dogs need.

Our house has been a revolving door for dogs in the dog guide program for years. Most recently we took in a couple of 7 week old Goldens, the one staying over a week. Usually our puppies are happy to have some body to play with, but some of them are not too happy about sharing their people and toys with the visitors. Aster could always do without the visitors, and complains anytime the young hellions get within 4 feet of her.

Labman,

Tuscany was fine with the toys and such. But, it was the lap time that he did not like to share. If Ollie was on my lap and Tuscany on my husband's Tuscany would immediately try to come and get Ollie off my lap. He never bit or growled, just sort of pushed him.

It makes me nervous as we try and start a family. I have started carrying a doll around every now and then. I sit with the doll, call the doll the baby. Just to get him used to seeing me with a small child. Do you know if this works?

I can't say. I don't see how it can hurt. The essential thing is good leadership as I keep saying. They give a link to children and dogs at the Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position site I frequently suggest.

Oh, congratulations. I was much lower on the dog learning curve when our children were born. In fact, much of what I know, I first learned taking our youngest to 4-H.

Thanks so much.

Actually I have learned so much from being here and reading all of your posts. So again Thank you!