Update on Churchill
I thought that I would write and let you all know how Churchill is doing. He's definately doing a little better healthwise, then what he was doing...however, his behavior has taken a little turn in the opposite direction. When I first got Churchill from this lady (who took horrible care of him)...he was friendly, but very calm. He had a really mellow personality and never barked, whined, or growled...but know that he's had a few vet visits...He's been neutered, he is shaved now (because his coat was a mess) he's put on weight, we got rid of the round worms...well almost..he has one more syringe of medication that he needs to take in 2 weeks, and he seems to be a lot happier...however, in feeling better his personality has changed...now he's acting like a 9 month old puppy. He won't stop barking, he keeps jumping on the counter and on people, and he's chewing on things that he ought not be chewing on (ex: brand new furniture, carpet, cabinets...)....well, to be honest...I kind of miss my old puppy...lol. I mean, don't get me wrong...I've grown very fond of Churchill...it's just a little frustrating at times. I sprayed the furniture with that apple-bitter stuff that's suppose to prevent chewing...(I have no idea if it works...although he hasn't chewed on the furniture today, it's only because he wasn't allowed to be unsupervised when he's out of his kennel)...I also gave him chew toys and bones, only now he's showing food aggression and has started several fights with my pugs..Infact, I got bit yesterday (by accident---from one of my pugs, who must of thought that I was Churchill) trying to pull them apart. I have no idea what to do to stop this, other than feed them in seperate rooms...and not give them bones....but this will probably lead to the chewing again....and I really don't like having to seperate them...Does anyone have any suggestiong with this? As you may remember he has vision problems. I took him to the opthamologist to have his eyes checked (that was $150 spent really easy). He was diagnosed with a retinal lesion in each eye...not sure what has caused them, or if they're going to get worse or stay the same. We do know they won't get better. This is another reason why I had him shaved, to help him see what he can see a little better. Poor thing. I also found out that he has an ear infection (a yeast one, I belive), and I know from past experience these are so hard to get rid of and keep away...Does anyone here have experience with ear infections? Anyway, I'm a bit exasperated, and if anyone could give me some suggestions I'd be really REALLY grateful!! lol...This poor puppy has been put through the wringer and I'm not really sure how to help him and at the same time help me. So, if anyone can relate or has suggetsions on stopping chewing, barking, whining, scratching, digging, jumping on people and counters, ear infections, keep him from playing too rough with the other pugs...or any ideas on what I can do to work with Churchills poor sight. Again, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks a bunch! |
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| Churchill really needs to attend obedience classes as he is also coming into the naughty teenage stage and you need to work on all these issues with him in a class with a trainer before he gets bigger and uncontrollable.
This way he is learning to listen to your commands, you are teaching him specific commands like down, sit, stay etc and he is also getting socialised with other dogs, people. & different situations and with his sight issues he is learning from your voice and commands how to behave appropriately.. With the food aggression, definately feed them in seperate areas well away from the others, this way he can eat in peace and at his own pace and not feel the need to guard the bowl. As he gets better with feeding & feeling more secure, then you can try later on to feed him nearby the others under strict supervision, any growling then you go back to a seperate area on his own to feed. You can also try this, make him sit for you, put a treat on the floor and make him wait with a "stay" word, you can put him on the lead for this to help there, if he moves after giving the command "Stay" correct him with the lead, when he is doing what you asked him too then let him have the treat, he is learning proper behaviour then and also that he has to work and listen to you for that treat. Later on you can do this exercise without the leash on and when he is following your voice commands. With the issues of his sight you really need him to learn to obey and listen to your voice so that in the future he will respond instantly to your voice commands.  |
| Thank you so much for the fast response. You bring up very good points. I do have a trianer working with the dogs. He comes twice a week on Mondays and Weds mornings (unfortunately, at this time I'm in class so I cannot attend the seccions)...I know the first two are for basic learning for them...most importantly to learn that people are the dominant ones of the pack, not the dogs, and therefore the dogs need to listen to us. Another unfortunate, is that this aggression and wild behavior didn't start until weds evening so the trainer won't be here till Monday morning to show me how to work with it.
I love my new big boy, churchill, however he's playing a game that only he seems to be enjoying and none us want to partake in. |
I know you love your big boy and thank you for taking him in and giving him the love & care he deserves. 
Glad to hear you are working with a trainer and hopefully churchill will settle for you and learn what is good and what is not.
There is always a transitional period when a dog has been rehoused. They seem to be good till they start gaining confidence with the new situation they are in, there confidence & boundaries grow when they are getting use to there new surroundings. Being his past history of how he started in life then a little more work is needed, with time and positive training and a very REGULAR ROUTINE needed there to help undo the past & for him to learn what is appropriate behaviour and what is not.
You sound like you are on the right track with him and I am sure with the advice and positive training you are doing with him all will be wonderful & positive there. As I said too, they do go through a naughty teenage stage where they are testing you & the boundries at this stage and that is the time to really work with them and get them under control because those small hairy kids, turn into big hairy ones that need to be guided and learnt on what is appropriate and what is not. A fully grown sheepie that jumps up on people can send folks flying. 
We have all been there and it does get better with maturity and a regular, positive training routine at home and out and about.
With the ear infections, that is a hard one, sometimes it is food related or just a seasonal allergy thing. If you have the ear swabbed at the next vet visit they can give you an idea as to wether it is a yeast infection , or wether it is a bacterial one that can be cleared up with ear drops.If yeast infection, then that is usually related to allergies, sometimes a change in dry food can help there, a low allergy one to feed them, there is a few on the market to help. Probiotics usually help there if it is a yeast problem in the ears, popping into their diet to help keep it under control. You can give them yoghurt or probiotic capsules in there meal to help keep it from flaring up and help keep it under control. Make sure too that the ear canals are clear of hair and that you wipe the inside of the flaps of the ears to keep them clean. Having the ear canals plucked & free from hair in there helps a lot. |
PirateQueen wrote: When I first got Churchill from this lady (who took horrible care of him)...he was friendly, but very calm. He had a really mellow personality and never barked, whined, or growled... ...however, in feeling better his personality has changed...now he's acting like a 9 month old puppy. He won't stop barking, he keeps jumping on the counter and on people, and he's chewing on things that he ought not be chewing on.
We went through the same thing. We brought Harry home at six and a half months and he was really good for about eight weeks and then he started chewing things up. I realized he was still getting used to us those first few weeks but then separation anxiety kicked in and I lost some furniture and had to repair a wall in the process. We ended up crating him until he was old enough to be trusted and then weaned him out of it. So I would say that the real Churchhill is the one you have now - but like Lisa said obedience will go a long way to curbing some of these behaviors. It is really important you correct him on the jumping and barking when he does it. I put my hand down in front of Harry's nose when I see he is getting ready to jump along with a correction of "no jump" and he stopped it. If he even sees my hand there he knows and will not jump because he doesn't want to bang his head into it. I would definitely consider crating him when you are not home or cannot watch him because puppies do chew. If you are there than correct him and when he minds you than praise him calmly and with a pat or touch so that the praise doesn't make him hyper. You are definitely on the right track. Just hang in there - it does get better I promise. But he is a sheepie and they like to do what they want. Harry still thinks the sit command is optional even though we continue to work on it - four obedience classes later.  |
| Great advice from others, all I can add is hang in there.
He's starting over again, like a puppy, trying to find his position in life. You need to be his leader. Do get involved with the training, since you are the one who will ultimately be in charge. Don't confuse love with discipline. What is it Cesar Milan says.......something like exercise, discipline then love. He needs plenty of exercise to bleed off this excess energy and to improve his overall health. He's not a pug, his needs are greater. Then the discipline is just reprograming his brain into a calmer/controlled mode. Then love.........that's the reward. It shouldn't be the first (in your heart, OK, but not in action). When he's the lover boy you know he can become, you can slather him with lovin' at all times. Right now this wild man has to be coverted over to Lover Boy. |
| Just want to add: Exercise, exercise, exercise. A tired teeanged pup is a good--or at least, better- pup. I have never had a pug, but just guessing based on size and leg length alone, I'd guess that Churchill needs much, much longer walks than your other dogs. It does help to let them work off some excess energy.
Sounds like you went through a blessedly sweet honeymoon and the good news is that now, he trusts you enough to be himself and to act out a bit. Not the easiest thing to deal with (I have furniture with teeth marks, too!). It really sounds like you're on the right track. |
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