Step-Daddy Issues?

[bren]

Ok, I'm just kidding with the title, but Orion and Tek battled all weekend.

We have a nice big screened-in porch at the new place. There was a doggy-door in one of the frames, surrounded by wood, but we took that completely out and have a doorway for both pups to go through. Tek possibly would've fit through the doggy-door, but I knew he'd be afraid of it, and figured having the whole square to go through would be easier for him at first.

We all used that one square to go in and out all week. Tek was hestitant at first, but he got the hang of it. He'd do the pace around thing a few times, then dash through. On Saturday, Tek went through the screen in another part. Really makes no sense, because the one he chose to run through had wires on the other side to support the screen. Anyway, he ran through it and broke the screen, but the rest of the time he was fine running in and out the other door.

When we let them out at night, if it's dark, Tek will stand on the other side of the screen (in the yard) and bark. He won't come back in unless you go out there and coax him through. And, if you get him on the porch and don't immediately let him in, he'll run back into the yard and do the same barking thing.

The worst was yesterday ... Orion spread new mulch in the backyard a couple weekends ago. We put up a little fence type thing over the landscaping so the dogs wouldn't get into it. Didn't stop Tek. We had them outside because we were moving boxes, furniture, etc. to set up our office area and Tek kept getting into the mulch and either digging or laying down. I think part of this was to keep cool, so I took their beds outside and placed them in the shade on the porch. He still kept getting into the mulch, even after Orion went out there every 5 minutes to tell him no.

There are really two problems here, I think ... the first is that Tek is timid and afraid. He's really afraid of everything. I keep reminding Orion that most of the things that he gets frustrated about Tek over, Tek is doing because he's scared. You just have to be a little more patient with him. Second, Tek does not get "no". It doesn't phase him to use a stern voice, tell him no, or anything ... he just gives you that dumb look like "are you talking to me? want me to come kiss you?"

This is probably more of a vent than anything else, but any ideas on what else I can try with him? We do NILF with both dogs ... and it doesn't help that Morgan is an angel and would probably make you dinner if you told her to.

[bren]

Oh, and I should add to this that the cat has not stopped crying since we moved him over there. At night, he does it at the top of his lungs. I have no idea why ... it doesn't matter if I baby-gate him into the laundry room or if he has free roam of the house. Orion can apparently sleep through it, but I can't.

Not related to Tek's issues, but just to share what a great week it's been at our house! LOL

[mezmerelda]

I don't think I have much to suggest other than give it time and stick to your guns. That's a lot of change for Tek, and he strikes me as a dog that would probably not thrive that way. I hope that he'll get better with time. It will probably help when you guys are done with the back and forth and unpacking.

I guess you could try something herbal to calm him down at night. Or whiskey for everyone.

[Itsapyr]

Sounds like you have a pyrenees to me LOL

[moondog]

I think it will just take time for him to get used to the door. you could give him a treat each time he does it correctly or quietly. I think dogs just like to lay in stuff and the mulch is prob much cooler than his bed. Maybe you could teach him the word 'out' since he doesn't respond to 'no'. I think you need lots of patients and hopefully he will settle down soon!

[Itsapyr]

Mine always go crazy with new mulch but after a few days they leave it alone.

[sam.i.am]

Sounds like you have a pyrenees to me LOL

Sounds that way to me, too! LOL

I think he will be fine with some positive reinforcement and getting to feel comfortable in his new space.

[krb0471]

Can you put something over the other screens while teaching him to use the one opening? Like stripes of masking tape so it will look like he cannot go through those doors that are taped. Or use cardboard. Then take him in and out on leash through the one you want him to use for a few days, then let him follow you through offleash. When he does wrong don't yell, just give a negative noise, "ah,ah" or "no", no yelling or getting upset. But when he does it correctly on is own treat it like the biggest accomplishment ever. Basja has the same irrationality over entry ways. She hurdles/rushes every strange threshhold at first. I found the more frustrated I get the worse it makes her react, even if I said nothing.

[bren]

We are going to get some lattice (sp?) pieces and trying putting those up around the screens. I'm hoping that will help. He did the barking thing last night ... it seems like he's afraid of being on the porch after dark. LOL, I have no idea.

Also, Morgan jumped him when I fed them last night. They've gotten into it once or twice before over food, but this was the worst yet. I think everyone's had a rough week. We'll just keep working with them both and hopefully they'll get adjusted and calm down.

[Ang]

Nee is a fraidy cat, and like Orion, Matt's frustrations with him stem from not being able to handle the fear thing. (Patience isn't his strong suit). You're just going to have to tough it out hun *HUGS*

As for the "No" thing, have you guys tried an "AH AH!" or something similar? We use No so often in conversation that the dogs can tune it out sometimes, but the "Ah" thing is really harsh verbally, and not something that comes up all that much. It works in my house.

[bren]

Hmm ... That's a good idea, Ang. I used that with him when he was a pup, but not so much anymore.

[Terry]

our mastiff babies are so sensitive. I would stick with only positive re enforcement with him. Like everyone said, he has gone through a lot of changes from someone new coming into your lives, a new dog in the house and a new house.Labs aren't as sensitive as mastiffs at least in my experience. I would try to keep things as calm as possible and hang in there.
I would also suggest feeding the dogs in two seperate areas. With both of them being a little on edge this could turn ugly and then set a precidence with feeding.
Good luck hun and I hope you all get some sleep real soon!

[Lora]

I think most labs are too stupid to be sensitive lol. Just kidding they are a much hardier breed emotionally because they have been bred to be happy go lucky.

Good luck. My saints are dedinately more
Sensitive to things than my labs

[ShilohsGirlJen]

Maybe out or leave it and guide him out on the command. When he steps out good leave it, out whatever word you use. We have given up on keeping them out of the planting areas. Freedoms fav spot is anywhere where there is hostas. She lays right in the middle of them. She also personally took out our snowball bush.