How do I we get our new puppy to listen?!?

Question

My husband and I have both grown up with dogs and been around our whole lives! Right now we have 2 american pit bull terriers. We got Brooklyn (our 1 year old) 10 months ago and he has been a great! Just like with any puppy we had to train him and all that, but we never had any real problems with him. He is so smart, he learns really quickly and he is very obidiant! We got Destiny (our 4 month old) about 2 months ago and she is a handfull to say the least! Like I said, we have been around dogs our whole lives, we have had to train many dog.. all dogs learn at different rates and some are more stubborn than others, but Destiny is way more stubborn than any dog either of us have ever seen! We cant get her to go to the bathroom outside no matter what we do... everytime we tell her no or try to teach her something all she does is bark and wag her tail! I dont know if she is trying to play or if she thinks shes dominate!? She will be a pretty big dog and I am starting to get worried! Help!

The first two answers are sad! I really feel bad for people that have nothing better to do then leave crazy, unhelpful answers when someone is asking a real question... Its so sad!

and I dont think she is deaf.. lol.. she responds to her name and when she hears someone in the kitchen she runs in there..

Both of our dogs have their own crate. We put them in their crates every night and anytime we leave the house.

DaveSFV... I never claimed to be a dog expert! I said that I have been around them my whole life and obviously if you have dogs you have to train them so I have trained many dogs in my life! I NEVER once claimed to be a dog expert or a professional dog trainer.. If I was a dog expert or a professional trainer I wouldnt need to ask the question that I asked now would I? OH and yes I said she was stubborn but I never said she was stupid and I figured it had something to do with dominance thats why I asked the question!.. I also dont apreciate you asking me if I know about alpha! I abviously understand about alpha.. I have a 75lb, 1 year old, male american pit bull terrier that knows that I am dominate so I am pretty sure I can handel a 20lb 4 month old little girl! Thanks for your rude comment!

Answer 1

My Springer Spaniel was a "protester" for the 1st few months, that is until he realized all things will not go his way. Eventually she will heed to your commands. As for bathroom breaks, I would suggest you walk her more frequently. She will come to understand that outside is where she needs to "go." Don't play favorites w/ the two but, you have to get her to feed off Brooklyn's demeanor. I don't play favorites w/ my two boys, I treat them equal. Getting back to "The Walk" you said you have had dogs for your entire life, then can I assume you understand that walking your dog is the most essential method of training your dog? Be assertive w/ her while also being calm. ABT's are great dogs, and with patience and fortitude you will be able to achieve your goal of a happy life with your two. Good Luck

Answer 2

There are so many different ways to train a puppy from going in the house, it's tough to pick one. First off, I think her barking is just her way of playing. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Some believe in tough cases where they just won't listen, is to "cage train them." keep them in a cage, especially at night or when away from home and when you let them out, take them directly to the door. But remember, a puppy can only hold it on average for 1 hour for every month in age.
Some dogs however can never be potty trained. Usually when you have more than one dog, the one that is potty trained already will sometimes help you in your quest.
If all else fails, talk with your vet. Most times they will have alternative ideas that could help.

Answer 3

I'm not trying to be funny, but have checked to see if she is deaf? Sometime that can happen with children as well as dogs. If she is, there are different training methods for deaf dogs. Or you may be right she is just very stubborn and maybe an obedience would help you out. It's good to be around other people and dogs in a group class. All the best;^).

Answer 4

i'd suggest getting a crate. as much as she'll cry, it's a great way to potty train. every 2 hours take her outside and praise her when she uses the bathroom outside (a small treat would be good). if you're just chillin watching tv or doing something where u can keep an eye on her, keep her in a room with you (use a baby gate) and everytime u see her start to sniff somewhere like she's going to use the bathroom, take her outside and wait for her to go and praise her still. Puppies won't learn not to use the bathroom inside by just scolding AFTER they've already done it.
Try not to leave her alone in a room and try not to let her go by herself around the house until she's learned not to use the bathroom in the house. I have a 9 month old indoor dog and this worked really well for us. Good luck!

Answer 5

OK, you said something that makes me suspect that you are not as learned in dog behavior as you present. Stubborn, whenever I hear that word associated with a dog being resistant to learning I know that the dog is really smart. The dog is teaching you that it doesn't have to go potty outside or to learn and commands. This dog is out smarting you and at the same time is asserting that it is dominate over you. You absolutely need to establish alpha over this dog and not let the dog challenge you on this. You understand about alpha, rights? Not letting the dog exit the house in front of you, always requiring the dog to move out of your way, your chair, not allowing the dog to eat until you say so, and on and on. You must establish alpha and this can be accomplished at the same time you are teaching basic obedience commands. I always suggest obedience classes or puppy classes to teach dog owner about dog behavior and how to teach commands.

Answer 6

Take the advice of Ceasar Mulin (sp) on National Geographic Channel "Dog Whisperer", Whenever he wants to get the dogs attention or distract it from an undesirable behavior, he "shushes" the dog very loudly. That brings the dog to attention. Works well - I've started doing that with my dog and others. They turn around and give that "what the...." look.

Answer 7

one thing u do have to remember is that puppies have about a 2 second attention span. if they get bored with the training they r going to run off. and yes different dogs do learn at different paces. my rat terrier mix learned to go outside in about 3 days. my border collie mix learned in about 8 months. once she gets older she will be able to pay attention for longer periods of time there fore it will be easier to train her. my border collie is 2 and he can still learn stuff. but as time goes on the rate that they learn stuff in drastically changes. my border collie that took 8 months to potty train now learns new tricks in about 15-20 minutes so it is just a waiting game. one thing i can tell u that will make ur life a little easier is to hang a bell by the door she goes out and hang it at her level. and every time u take her out ring the bell. then she will learn that when she wants to or has to go out that if she rings the bell someone will come. it is much easier then trying to learn their body language

Answer 8

get her into an obedience class so she will be trained itsounds like she just wants alot of attention and not going to the bathroom aoutside is away to get it. stay out side all day if necessary until she does her duty. once she is done praise her alot and mabye play alittle game w/ her. it will take time.
mabye if she sees your other dog going outside it will help her to realize that this is the place to go.

Answer 9

Maybe you could take her to obeidence school, i hear it works really well.. but it could cost alot of money and time. I dont no if you tried a cage, but my dog waged his tail when we yelled at him until we put him in the cage and that worked really well for us. I also heard when you get angry and yell at a dog, you are not suppose to use there name because they get confused and think you are happy, they think you are rewarding them. Because usually when you reward a dog you use there name. Good luck

Answer 10

U say there name a lot and also u can re do and re do the same basic training until he does it or if he is laying down say lie and then they will get what the word means sooner or later.