Advice on "slow" dog...?

Question

I have two dogs, a 17 month old Husky x Eurasier who, is as near perfect and smart of a dog as I would want. The other, is a 9 month old mini-shih-tzu, he was VERY sick when he was VERY young (rescued from a puppy mill, he nearly died) I've had him since about 5 weeks. Due to his trama and early illness he's "slow", we don't know in what way exactly, but multiple vets have all agreed he would be in the "special class". So he's HARD to train, he's not dominant. He has two modes, asleep and overly excited, like he has ADHD and just ate a pound of candy. He bites onto the big one's legs to stop him when they play chase. I've consulted vets, professional trainers, a behaviourist and a reg shih-tzu breeder. I correct him every time I see it (the big dog will just jump up on the couch to get away, won't correct it). My big dog has sores from this, and nothing I've done has worked. No one has had advice for me but to keep at it, its been at least 5 months now. Does anyone have ANY advice?

oh yes, I forgot, he is very well exercised.

Can't train him with treats, he ONLY focuses on the treat. Literally, he spins in cicles and jumps around and will not calm down again until after a good run outside if he thinks he's getting a treat, professional trainer was stumped by that, he's "never seen such a hyper dog before". I like the idea of the repellant, but how would this affect the dog who will be wearing the repellant, I don't want him to stop cleaning himself, would it drive him crazy to be wearing repellant?

Both dogs get about 1 - 2 hours of walks/runs a day (depending on my availability), the spend about 8 hours a day playing with each other, in the house or in the yard - they are both VERY active! They have a trunk of toys, 1/2 of which are usually accessable to them at a time. Though the bigger one doesn't really like to play tug of war often.

PLEASE keep the ideas coming! Each one I'm looking at it to see if I've tried it or if I could apply it!

his tempermant is good, excpet that he'll try to stop the big one by hanging onto his legs (he bits on and doesn't let go until the big one stops) and he is hard to train, and he's dumb as a stump - he'll go to the wrong person when called sometimes if two people are close together.

Answer 1

good on your for rescuing the little guy...Even the ones that are slow are loveable.
I do worry about the sores on your other dogs legs though. :-(
I admire your other dogs tolerance though.
could you try putting wraps (like polo wraps for horses only smaller) they have self adhesive vet wrap..soak it in bitter apple and wrap it around your other dogs legs so your pup can self correct.
I know you said he is well excercised, but maybe increasing may help.
also, valley vet naturals has these plug in scent things that have a pheramone that is suposed to calm down over anxious dogs...maybe give that a try??

Answer 2

What about chew toys? Does he have interesting chew toys??? He may be in the "special class", but that doesn't mean that he might not be mentally bored. Get some toys where he has to work on getting the treat out of them, get a huge rope and let the 2 dogs play tug of war, or try getting a frizbee, or a tennis racket and tennis balls.

To train him, find something he REALLY likes. Try some boiled chicken, or maybe some roast beef, hell, even grapes or potatoes. Any type of food that he really loves, and get a clicker. There's a wesite for clicer training, and it tells you how to do it, and what to do. Clicker training is easy, and sometimes fun. Especially if you have a smart dog lol. My dog figured out after about 7 clicks, that when he hears the click, he gets a treat.

Once he learns that, then start with simple commands, sit, stay, come, lay, and down. My husband has add, and I have 2 young kids, and me and my husband think that I might have adhd, and I have 2 hyper cats, and an energetic dog, so I know what it's like to to deal with things like that lol. It won' be easy, but with persistency, consistency, and alot of patience, alot can be acheived. He already has plenty of love from the sound of it, so I don't think he's goin to need more of that LOL, but a little more lovins is ok! ;)

Answer 3

Training your dog will be a huge part of your interaction with him for the first few months. Learn here https://tr.im/nuwH0
This includes housetraining, leash training, obedience training, socialization, and problem solving. In addition to providing your dog with needed skills, this time will also be a great opportunity for you to bond with him. Take the time to really get to know your pet while training him and a loving relationship will easily develop.

Answer 4

Unfortunately not all dogs have a good temperament. The main reason for being against puppy mills that do not breed for proper temperaments (or could recognize one if they saw one)
If that is the case there really isn't an answer, because no matter what you do the dog will still have a bad temperament.

Answer 5

wow sounds to me like you have done about everything you can. I am glad you rescued him that was thoughtful and sweet. he might need to be seperated from the other dog. but since he is a puppy still he might grow out of it keep your fingers crossed. stay consistant with his training dogs if anything are loyal and learn commands eventually. keep working at it. best of luck. this is the real meaning of an ankle bighter.

Answer 6

Have you tried clicker training? You can even train cats with a clicker. If your dog is treat motivated clicker training would work even better. I will check and see if I can find a good website on clicker training.

~ edit ~
Here it is, Karen Pryor is the best and everything your need is on this website. Good Luck with your little Shih-tzu.

http://www.clickertraining.com/

~ edit II ~

OK, you want the ideas to keep coming. Here is another one. Tether the little 'trouble maker' to your side when ever you are home and crate her when it is nap time. To tether her loop the leash around a belt on your waist and the other end to your pup. Where ever you go in the house your pup has to walk along with you. You will always be in control of him and can correct him instantly as he tries to go after the big dog. While you are doing this you can teach the 'leave it' command which will be easier since you will be in control at all times. Every time he goes after the big dog or anything he should not put his mouth on, jerk on the leash a bit not harshly of course and say 'leave it.'

Here are couple web-sights that should help in teaching the 'leave it command.'
http://members.aol.com/ambrstar/kglic.htm
http://www.boxerworld.com/puppy/leaveitcommand/

With you always being in control he will have to keep his mind on you when you are going to turn left or right to get out of the way of your feet as you are moving, getting up and walking with you when your get up from a chair and etc. When you are moving about don't pay any attention to him if you can. He has to be paying attention to you instead. You are the leader. Of course if you see he needs a little cuddle time fine but them get up and go about your day with him still attatched to you. You can even be helping him learn how to heel at the same time. At first it will be awkward for both of you but it won't be long and you both will be working like a team.

Tethering my puppy worked really great and also my year old rescue dog. This is a method I learned about from this book, "The Art of Raising A Puppy" by The Monks of New Skete. http://www.newsketemonks.com/catalogue.htm

My rescue dog used to attack my broom and nothing worked so I tried the Monks of Skete method on puppies. I tethered my "broom attacker" to my waist and she changed into a submissive dog as soon as she realized I had control over her. It wasn't long and I could sweep the floor with out her attacking the broom.

Don't worry, I'm sure you won't have to be tethered to your pup for ever. You can test him off the tether every so often and see how he does.

This is another idea. Cesar Millan, I'm sure you have heard of him check his website. http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/ He has a method that is a good way to startle a dog when he is behaving badly. Gently jab his shoulder with your finders and say sssst! (sort of a hissing sound) at the same time. He says mother dogs sort of nip their baby pups on the shoulder or neck to get their attention when they are being naughty. Your hand represents a mother dog's mouth when you jab his shoulder, just don't hurt him though. Cesar used this method on a spinning schnauzer and it got him to stop spinning. You can watch his program "Dog Whisperer" on National Geographic if you haven't seen it yet.

You might be surprised that your pup does't have ADHD or is slow. Don't give him a label or you won't expect much from him. I hope this helps, don't give up.

Answer 7

Try getting some of that spray stuff that tastes horrible.. Sorry I can't think of the name of it. But you can get it at the vet, petstores etc. Spray it on the legs of the big dog and let them go. He'll hate the taste hopefully and decide that it's not worth biting at the big dog.

Answer 8

have you tried spraying bitter apple spray on big dog's legs? Maybe it the legs taste bad the message will make it through.

Answer 9

go and get a trining collar and keep him on his leash and let him play. give a gentle tug on the leash every time he tries to attack the other dog. you could also get him a halti which would give you complete control of his head.

Answer 10

there is doggie rydlin. some dogs just arent that bright. i have a springer spaniel that way. she never calmed down until she was about 13 and completely blind. and if food is mentioned, forget it, shes still bad!